In Children's Literature, Story, Wakini Kuria Prize for Children's Literature

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who was scared. She decided to talk to her grandfather on how to overcome her fears.

“Grandpa, I am scared!” Said the little girl.

“Why?” Her grandfather asked.

“I can’t sleep alone at night. I feel like there is a monster under my bed.” The little girl replied.

Her grandfather laughed, then asked her “Have you ever heard a tale of a scared little boy?”

“No Grandpa! What happened to him?” The little girl was eager to know.

Her grandfather replied;

On summer bright new morning,
A little boy went out for a walk,
No sooner the sun started shinning,
When something was up for a stalk.

He slowly turned to see,
A mysterious ghost he found,
Like a monster from a sea,
It stood just right behind.

How huge so tall, so dark,
He was caught with so much fear,
He thought the ghost would strike,
He turned and ran from there.

“Couldn’t he call out for help?” Asked the little girl.

Her grandfather smiled.

“Let us see if he did.” He responded, then proceeded with the tale. 

He ran as he trembled screaming out,
Escaping from the ghost so giant,
For help he eagerly sought
But the road was empty and silent.

He then ran out of breath,
Behind a tree he hid,
With fear and chattering teeth,
Praying to be safe he did.

From a distance on a road,
He saw a tall fat woman,
Towards the tree as she approached,
He realized she too had one.

“The ghost was following the fat woman too?” The little girl asked.

“Yes, her ghost looked much bigger than the little boy’s.” Replied her grandfather, then proceeded with the tale.

Bigger her ghost appeared,
But she walked bravely and fearless,
He kept hiding as he stared,
Scared he felt and helpless. 

He wished to get back home,
He cried for Mom and Dad,
What a coward! he thought in shame,
This made him feel so sad.        

Then suddenly like a mighty warrior,
In a count of one, two, three,
He said I am not a worrier,
He stepped out from the tree.

“He decided to face the ghost?” The little girl asked.

“Yes, he had only two options. One was to keep on hiding forever. The second option was to take courage and face his fear.” Replied her grandfather.

“But the second option could get himself killed grandpa!” She said.

Her grandfather smiled.

“Let us see what happened.” He replied, then proceeded with the tale.

He stood to face his fear,
The ghost was right ahead,
He saw it quite so clear,
From feet to the top of its head. 

A single step he made,
The giant ghost did the same,
And every action he did,
The ghost did just like him. 

The little boy learned from then,
The ghost was giant by morning,
Smaller it gets by noon,
Fades when the sun is setting.

The little girl smiled.

“Can you tell me now what the little boy was scared of?” Her grandfather asked.

“Yes Grandpa! He was scared of his own shadow.” She replied.

“Very good! If he wouldn’t have taken a courage to face his fear, he wouldn’t have found out what the mysterious giant ghost was.” Said her grandfather.

“Thank you for the nice story grandpa. Next time I will be courageous like the little boy.” Said the little girl.

THE END

 


Madeha is an enthusiast who loves exploring the world of literature. Apart from that, he holds a bachelor degree in law and an advanced level certificate in literature and arts in general. One of his goals is to play a part in supporting the growth and maturity of African literature.

Madeha’s story is the first place winner in the 2020 Wakini Prize for Children’s Literature.

Click to Read – Sophie What Do You Say? – 1st Runner up
Click to read – Hessy and the Lost Tooth – 2nd runner up

 

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Showing 2 comments
  • Noel
    Reply

    So creative,
    You must be so proud. I’m too.

  • Fridacia
    Reply

    Can you give your analysis of this poem?

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Scared Little Boy – (2020 Wakini Prize Winner) by Madeha Ezekiel Malecela, Tanzania

Time to read: 3 min
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