Two years later, I couldn't get this episode of mom's ability to be humorous without even trying out of my mind. Mom was visiting on one of her numerous omugwo trips for the arrival of one of her grand children. We were relaxing and enjoying a laid back afternoon full of laughter and bustling activity on the part of the kids. I must have said something to mom after which she said the following:

"Onye ara si onweghi ihe ya g'agwa ndi ji nma agagha ya n'azu da ya chowa isi ya achowa."

Translation:

"The mad man says he has nothing to say to those walking around behind his back with a knife until he starts looking for his head!"

I burst our laughing. I laughed so hard, that I thought I'd crack a rib. I had never heard such an expression. Further still, I couldn't realy imagine how someone without a head would be able to go looking for their head when it goes missing!. That joke mom cracked was the subject of much discussion between us for days to come. I use it liberally now on unsuspecting "victims.'