It is not easy embarking on a hunger strike. To go two days without food is something most humans will not do even for God. Not when the stomach is regarded as the engine that propels the human frame, the petrol tank of the human anatomy. Some husbands refuse to eat their wives' sumptuous dishes when they are angered. Invariably, they regret the strike action because it was ultimately not in their interest. They went to bed empty-bellied and by 3.00 a.m. they woke up and pretended to be listening to BBC. Truth is that, they couldn't bear the groaning of the alimentary system and prayed earnestly for day to break quickly for them to grab some bread and coffee lest they started trembling. Yours truly, Kwame Alomele, had learnt that lesson many years back; I refused to eat my wife's food because I was angry. Unfortunately, I couldn't get some wayside kenkey to square off before going to bed. Of course I was angry and had little appetite for food; I thought could go over the eight-hour night marathon on empty stomach. I was dangerously mistaken. It was at 1.00 a,m. that I woke up and realised I had lost all ability to sleep. Why? Hunger! I had to listen to the radio and realised too soon that the solution to my problem did not lie in short-wave bands or frequency modulation (FM). It was a simple issue of refuelling the petrol tank. At about 3.00 a.m. the World News on BBC that I would normally have enjoyed was total gas in my ears. By 4.00 a.m. I was restless and by 5.00a.m. I wanted to get out of my bed. But I realised my wife would notice my distress and do some "private laughing" at my predicament; so I decided to weather the storm till 6.00a.m. My wife indeed noticed it and at 6.15 a.m. she felt obliged to bail me out. "Should I do some tea for you?" she asked a trifle mockingly. I would have ignored her, but that would go against my immediate needs. Tea of course, but under my previous night’s wahala, I didn't think tea or coffee was the issue. "Are you sure that waakye will not be ready at the woman's place by now?" I asked desperately. "I think you should drink the tea first.” "Is there bread?" "No!" "Holy Mary!" I said in despair. Not quite a Catholic, this would have surprised the Pope. I had learnt my lesson the hard way. Next time you want to refuse food, ask the Pope. Food is equivalent to the 'holy communion' for the salvation of the physical human entity. Saddam Hussein got caught in an underground hideout and taken into custody. Soon he declared a hunger strike. It was not too long before he rescinded his decision to go without food. He quickly grabbed a bite and prepared for his defence. Of course, he was sent to the gallows, but he was wise to have sustained himself enough to face his accusers. Going without food could be for various reasons. There is religious fast for those who think the soul is cleansed without food. There is also medical fast for those who go off food before major surgical operations. Others will refuse food to protest what they think is unjust. For example, prisoners of conscience can decide to go on strike, to bring attention to their plight. They might end up getting force-fed to keep them alive. The most common example of going without food is fasting for religious purposes. Jesus exemplified it by going 40 days and 40 nights without food. Some pastors tried it and lost their lives. Such fasts are not for mere mortals. Before you copy Jesus, better check yourself out. To be on a safer side, consult the Pope. Fasting in religion is said to be laden with power to precipitate the fulfilment of any desire. For example a long fast can cause miraculous healing if it is accompanied with prayer. When I was a strong born again, I fasted for three days and lost weight considerably. That was about two decades ago. I don't know what later happened to that born-again stuff. I have been wondering what fasting and prayer can do in various circumstances. For example, when going for an examination, will fasting and prayer help one to excel? Last year, I told my daughter in Achimota School, “If you fast for 40 days and 40 nights and do not learn, you’ll fail.” She was amused! She is very religious and headed the Scripture Union of her house. I know some youngsters want to go over-zealous in what they passionately believe in, hence my advice. There is one truth about fasting, that the human race has not particularly taken note of. Fasting is good for health. In fact, it is a very good health product. Can anyone imagine an engine that continues working forever without break? The stomach does hard work, digesting the food and drinks we take in everyday. Some people don't give the stomach a break at all. They eat everything constantly - koose and koko, omo tuo, kokonte, tubani, wagashi, rice, waakye, yoghurt, coca drink and kulikuli. The stomach takes care of all manner of toxic wastes including akpet also known as anyaa, yayaaya, and peters (bitters). Certainly St Peter is waiting at the gates of heaven for an explanation as to how his holy name came to be associated with the world's most potent alcoholic terrorist. Credit: The Spectator/Merari Alomele [e-mail: merarix2001@yahoo.co.uk]