ivory bangles short story essay

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Incident in the Park Question

Lack of courtesy between the police and civilians leads to lethal conflicts. Justify the validity of this statement using illustrations from Meja Mwangi’s incident in the park.

Lack of courtesy between the police and civilians leads to lethal conflicts. justify the validity of thisstatement using illustrations from meja mwangi’s incident in the park. (20 marks).

Across the world, over centuries, the behaviour of some of the police officers has caused dire repercussions. Sometimes this happens due to excessive use of force or simply wrongful application of the law and policies, but majorly this occurs as a result of impolitel interactions between the two parties.
Incident in the Park shows how city dwellers, hawkers and loafers find themselves in conflicts with the police over flimsy and petty reasons often ending unpleasantly. When the two constables accost the fruit peddler, he gets startled and confused. They demand for his licence and identity card which he obviously doesn’t have. Then he offers five shillings which doesn’t seem good enough as one constable shrugs. This means that at times if the offer were attractive, they would have accepted it and left him.
The police refuse to listen to the fruit merchant and harshly shove him along the street to the city telling him he will explain to the judge. This complicates matters even more because the fruit- seller fears the judge more, It throws him into more panic as he has a case that is coming up the following week and the judge is a “tyrant”. He explains further that he is selling this time so that he can afford a fine but all his entreaties fall on deaf ears They remain unimpressed saying nothing until he breaks away and flees into the crowded city.
The situation escalates when the constables chase the fleeing man shouting for help from the passers-by. They actually betroth him unto the mob. A city man intercepts him and another man lunges for him as shouts increase. Tossed here and there as a suspect, the desperate fruit peddler stumbles and falls into a ditch, No one seems to care to find out what really is happening before taking action. No one listens as he pleads for mercy, This is where he meets his Verdict’ which is death. According to the crowd, ‘justice’ is administered. The mob universally condemn him without plausible evidence.
By the time the police arrive at the scene, it is too late. Their action is irreversible and fatal. The mob has already killed him for being a “thief”. They who are supposed to ensure public safety and security have aided the killing of a hardworking hawker by their silly mistake. This should not have happened if they had treated the man politely. An innocent life is so unnecessarily lost. This makes the public lose confidence in the police. After investigations the truth will come out and it will be hard to trust the police.
In a nutshell, wanton conflicts and deaths of innocent citizens could be averted if the police handled matters with courtesy and sobriety

Drawing illustrations from Meja Mwangi's an incident in the park, write an essay to discuss the problems of urbanization

Points of interpretation

Unemployment
Overpopulation
Social injustice/mob justice
Conflict between the constables and the hawkers
Unhygienic condition

A man of Awesome Power Question

“When one is given power, he/she should use it only for good but more often than not, people use it for wrong purpose.” Support this statement basing your argument from Nagulb Mahfouz’s A man of Awesome Power.

When one is given power, he/she should use it only for good but more often than not people us it f or wrong purposes. Support this statement basing your argument from Naguib Mahfouz’s ‘A Man of Awesome Power’ Many people who are in powerful positions or who have been gifted with some sort of power tend to abuse it. Instead of utilizing it for improvement of the society at large, they use if for their own selfish interests or to punish those that have wronged them, scenario is seen it ‘A Man of Awesome Power through a number of illustrations. We see Tayyib al-Mahdi utilizing the power given to him for revenge. This is not a good a way of power utilization as it causes harm to others. Tayyib realizes that he has power to order things to be and he sets out to utilize the power to change’ his country. However, the first episode where he utilizes this power shows that he is utilizing it to hit back at a person who offends him. The driver of the taxi that he hails suffers his wrath for refusing to stop. When Tayyib is on his way to the heart of the town, he hails a taxi but the driver simply waves a hand at him in haughty refuses. Tayyib’s irritation makes him stare at the rear wheels of the taxi and the two explode suddenly.
Revenge: He ignores the voice that reminds him that he should only use his power for good and lets his anger control him. This act of revenge was deliberate since as Tayyib bypasses the driver he feels that he has taught the man a lesson. By utilizing his power to hit back at the taxi driver. Tayyib shows that people with power use it for wrong purposes .
Stomach pain: We further see wrong utilization of power where Tayyib causes the man in the bus to suffer stomach pains. Although the man had physically attacked a woman, causing him to suffer stomach cramps not justified. Tayyib encounters a confrontation between the man and a woman in a public bus and the man ends up slapping the woman. Just like the incident with the taxi driver. Tayyib lets his anger control him where he focused it on the man’s stomach and immediately the man suffers severe cramps that cause him to moan and scream in pain. The pain is so intense that an ambulance had to be called to fetch him.
Slap paisn: Allowing his anger to control him and causing pain to the man who had slapped a woman is a vengeful act which is wrong thus showing how people with power use it for wrong purposes.
Radio: Beside. Tayyib uses the power bestowed on him to interfere with the radio presentation by causing the presenter to start sneezing. While seated in the café, he hears a radio announcer expounding on the developments that were to be expected in the future. Tayyib feels that the announce should report on what has been achieved yet instead of giving false hopes to the people. Tayyib thus decided to cause some sneezing to attack the announcer since it was the only way to stop him. Soon after, the announcer develops massive sneezes that prevent him from carrying on with the presentation. Tayyib feels happy and victorious after the unexpected conclusion of the announcement. Although his desire is to purify the broadcasting sector, the approach of causing massive sneezing to the presenter is harmful and thus wrong.
Passion: Lastly , Tayyib is seen to sue the power given to him to satisfy his sexual passion and desires Tayyib utilizes the power to make a woman that he is attracted to notice him. While he is seated at the tea garden planning how to effectively use his power Tayyib notices a beautiful woman approaching the entrance of the garden. The woman does not notice him at first and Tayyib thinks of how through his powers he can cause her to be head-over-heels with him. He then send her a hidden message and she responds to him. He sees nothing wrong with satisfying his desires as a way of repairing himself. He closes his note book and they surrender to fate. This is an immoral act since Tayyib is married to Haniya whom he had remained faithful to throughout their marriage. People gifted with power should strive to use it only for good purposes and not to cause pain suffering to others or for immoral deeds like Tayyib did.

The Neighbourhood Watch

People living on the streets apply wisdom in order to survive the difficult conditions. Write an essay to qualify this statement citing illustrations from Rem'y Ngamije’s The Neighbourhood Watch.

On the streets, conditions are challenging. One needs experience, knowledge, and sound judgment in addition to dedication and effort to survive.

To endure the harsh conditions on the streets, Neighbourhood Watch members use wisdom.

They are shrewd enough to get up early in the morning to go food hunting. Before the full dawn, Elias, Lazarus, and Omagano leave. They depart early so they can find the overflowing trash cans behind eateries, which are the true rewards. One can purchase palatable, semi-fresh morsels in the early morning. The food begins to spoil in the late morning. "The early bird does not catch the worm," the neighborhood watch is aware. Elias, Lazarus, and Omagano prolong their strides in order to arrive on time. They are aware that in the streets, time is of the importance.

The crew is aware that maintaining strong relationships with other people is essential to their survival. The vast majority of the city's kitchen personnel like working with Elias. They call him "Soldier" or "Captain," respectively. For him and his crew, they occasionally leave produce that is nearly rotting away. Elias occasionally found himself lucky enough to receive rotting mangoes, wrinkled carrots, and potatoes with broken skins due to the positive relationship. The employees would be kind enough to provide them the night before's smushed leftovers, such as half-eaten burgers, sauce-drenched chips, or salads. Since the majority of the kitchen staff is underpaid, they frequently have to carry leftovers home to their own families. It is It is amazing that Elias manages to get some food from them.

Because the Neighbourhood Watch team is so clever, they have divided into specialized units. While Silas and Martin are charged with looking for additional necessities, Elias, Lazarus, and Omagano are always on duty. Elias had previously been living alone, but when he met Lazarus, he suggested that they form a partnership because it was exhausting to scavenge for food and other necessities of life on the streets. Lazarus first resisted. The chilly evenings compelled him to cooperate. Since two individuals could cover more ground, it worked for them.

When not out on a foraging mission, the crew is wise enough to secure a safe haven where they can sleep or simply hide. The Neighbourhood Watch considers the underside of the bridge to be valuable real estate. When it rains and on chilly winter evenings, it provides a crucial shelter. The letters NW painted on the columns have the same impact as a leopard's territory bordering musty pee.Other crews are wise to avoid intruding there for fear of bloody vengeance. Additionally, it provides a secure location to store their supplies so they won't have to carry their sparse belongings with them wherever they go. They would move more slowly if they had more luggage while they searched their neighborhoods for food and other necessities. Elias dials their regional command center. He wakes up the rest of the team in the morning, and they all share a can of water to wash their faces. A safe area is essential to a street family.

They might accomplish more in a day if one searched for food and the other for other necessities. They are aware now that women and children make excellent recruits. Some obstinate guards demand a 10 or 20 dollar bribe before allowing them to go through gated containers. Elias typically pays them, but when he is strapped for cash, Omagano takes care of business alongside a guard behind the garbage. On the other hand, the treasures team offers discarded blankets, beds, clothes, reusable shoes, trolleys, etc. While trolleys are practical, they can also be exchanged for more helpful items. Separately working, the two crews come together in the late afternoon. Bread, mashed potatoes, grapes, and water are shared as food. The valuables crew brings newspapers, plastic piping and poorboy caps.

Additionally, the Neighbourhood Watch is familiar with the city and its neighborhoods. Elias requests the group's rest because they will be going foraging in Ausblick tonight. Right now, it's too hot to be outside. The Neighbourhood Watch is better and more profitable at night. The crew is aware that by hitting the bins early, they may be able to find some useful items in Ausblick, such as broken toasters, blenders, water bottles, teflon pots or pans, flat-screen TV cardboard boxes, and even some food. In Ausblick, people still know how to dispose of stuff.

While Martin and Omagano push the cart, Elias, Lazarus, and Silas will scan the area in front of them for valuables. They are aware that Ausblick, like Olympia and Suiderhof, will soon be congested. Previously, Pionierspark was worthwhile, but not any longer. Presently, the Neighbourhood Watch are dissuaded by ocular prowls, canine barking, and patrol vehicles manned by irate, screaming individuals. They are aware that the faster they can arrive at Ausblick, the better.

The neighborhood watch is aware that living on the streets requires a present-focused mindset rather than one that is preoccupied with the past or the future. Each person enters the streets with a history. Lazarus' tattoos are proof of his time spent in jail. Since he was shot at by the South African Defense Forces, Elias does not fear him. They don't have time to reflect on the past because of their hunger or need for food on the streets. Lazarus and Elias both have some street smarts. He claims that there is only now and no future for the streets. "You must eat today. Your need for refuge today. You have today's needs to attend to.

The staff stays away from the streets on Fridays and Saturdays and makes a secure retreat to Headquarters. They take this action to prevent scuffles with police on patrol. Martin can't go with Silas, despite his desire to do so. Elias and Lazarus make fun of the fools who wait by the side of the road in Klein Windhoek and Eros to fix a window, paint a room, install a sink, or lay some tiles because they are too proud to go scavenging for food. They ultimately return home hungry. Martin believes that if those "fools" could occasionally find employment, perhaps things might improve. There is only now, says Elias, and "maybe is tomorrow." To survive on the streets, one must pay attention to the here and now. "Today is every day."

The rest of the team hears Elias and Lazarus' observations from the streets, including how they came to their decision to switch directions. The group discovered that being near people who are striving to survive is not a good way to survive. When foraging in the underprivileged areas, you only find what people don't require to survive.

The Neighbourhood Watch is aware that poor people only discard filthy waste and useless newborns. You had to be prepared to find shit in the impoverished areas: expired food, condoms that had been used, women's items that had been stained with blood, and broken items. Once, while searching for newspapers to start a fire, Elias and Lazarus were horrified to discover a dead infant. They realized that an upgrade was necessary. Only because they had to survive did they go there.

You do everything and travel everywhere to survive. Being picky is impossible. But now they are aware that they need to advance and visit locations where there is enough trash to go around. Such people live in neighborhoods where there are both white people and black people attempting to pass for white. They finally make the wise decision to leave the impoverished who have nothing to discard on their own.

Finally, the Neighbourhood Watch is astute enough to recognize that some neighborhoods must be avoided. They stay away from Khomsadal because it is busy and overly drunken there. Due of his pride and drunkenness, they lost their friend Amos there. He formerly called people names, used foul language, and never asked for forgiveness. Then he was fatally stabbed.

The neighborhood watch is aware of the problem of dead bodies on the streets. Police would essentially ask witnesses to provide explanations. They beat people with batons, caused paperwork headaches, and detained innocent people. Everyone, including Elias and Lazarus, understood they had to flee when Amos died. When the police caught up with them, they had the good sense to stay with their original explanation that they had nothing to do with the murder. They had fractured ribs, swollen eyes, bruises, bleeding, damaged skin, and injured limbs, but that was better than dying. They know enough to stay far away from Khomsadal.

In conclusion, adversity teaches people how to adapt and survive. Survival depends on acuity.

People with admirable traits stand out. Basing your illustrations on Vrenika Pather's Ninema , write an essay to validate this assertion.

Exemplary attributes arouse respect and approval. Ninema is a young beautiful woman whose praiseworthy character makes her the embodiment of magnificence. She stands out from the pack at the market place.

First, Ninema is industrious. She rises early at 4:00 AM to reap her herbs from her garden. She has green fingers and her crops are healthy. She is also an enterprising businesswoman. To earn a living, she sells fresh produce at the Indian market. She learned the trade from her parents. Her business makes good profit. At the end of a long working day, her hanky bulges with notes and coins. Her diligence makes her remarkably superior to others.

Secondly, Ninema is resilient. She is as tough as old boots. She is contented and accepts her situation but does not resign to it. She faces many challenges and wins. She is thus respected.

Ninema is also focused. She does not pay heed to the trifles when people admire her for her physical beauty. She is indeed a beautiful woman with long black hair. Her beauty turns heads. As she walks balancing her baskets on her head, her hips sway from side to side. Her sari drapes around her perfect body kept in place by her high, firm breasts. Her long, toned arms and cinched waist cause men to stop and stare. She faces them with piercing black eyes. Women admire her high cheekbones. She does not pay heed to the attention. She has laser-like focus on earning a living. She doesn’t waste time chatting with other women at the market because she has no time to waste. Indeed Ninema is focused.

Ninema is good-natured and she treats her customers well. She is wise enough to provide genial customer service. She takes extra care of her first and last customer. She says they bring luck. She learned her trade from her parents and thus she believes in the grace and power of generational knowledge. She is also good at accounting. She can count faster than you can utter the word “herb”. She treats all her loyal customers with respect and appreciation. She masterfully handles the stubborn Mrs. Singh and respectfully calls her auntie.

Furthermore, Ninema is affable and the clients like her. Mr. Chimran is always the first to support her. The other women joke that he is in love with Ninema. He is a rich lawyer from the high Brahmin caste. Nonetheless, he is infatuated with Ninema a poor girl from the low caste. She makes his days. He buys too much from her until the mother complains. He cannot fathom the idea of an arranged marriage which will deny him the chance of visiting Ninema's stall. Mrs. Singh is rich but she also enjoys buying her herbs from Ninema. She haggles for lower prizes simply to spend more time with Ninema, away from the boredom of her big lonely house. She lingers bargaining in order to interact with Ninema more. Ninema also takes personal interest in the lives of her customers. She knows whose son is studying medicine in India, whose daughter just got married, and who moved into a new house and where they bought it.

Ninema is self assured and confident. She runs her business with an iron fist. She is her own person – acts independently with confidence. She does not give in to what other people expect of her. This thrills as much as it irks many people. It makes the ladies in the other stands fond of her. They often compromised themselves at work and at home. This makes them angry with themselves. They look up to Ninema. They admire her since she is different though she’s one of them. They want to learn her secret. Mrs. Singh relentlessly bargains for lower prices but Ninema does not budge.

Ninema is organized and that is why her business flourishes. She has a steady flow of customers. She arranges her herbs appetizingly. The customers are attracted by the look and smell of her stall. There is high demand for Ninema’s herbs. She is always busy at lunchtime when the rich professionals patronize her during their lunch break.
Ninema is also tough. When an amorous man blocks her way and tries to harass her, she stares directly at him. She defends herself by fighting him so ferociously that the shameless man is left astounded. This attracts cheers and jeers and hearty laughs of approval from the other women at the market.

Lastly, Ninema is prudent. She is a poor girl living a modest lifestyle but she has big plans. She saves part of her money with a view of buying a big house of her own. Currently her house has neither hot running water nor a kitchen inside. She has to wash her face and feet using cold water in the outside tap. However, with the money she’s saving she plans to buy a house with the running hot water and a kitchen inside. It will have a big garden where she can plant fruits.

In conclusion, Ninema is the pinnacle of magnificence. Because of her praiseworthy traits, she seems remarkably superior to her peers. Indeed, exemplary attributes attract respect and make us stand out.

Ivory Bangles by Eric Ng'maryo. Question

Love knows no bounds though it can lead one to misery if not handled cautiously', write an essay to bring out the truth in this assertion basing your illustrations from the story Ivory Bungles by Eric Ng'maryo.

Introduction.

Affection has no limits, however, it can make one suffer if not handled with care. The old man and his wife love each other too much that he fails to give his wife a ritual beating as demanded by the pebblee earning his wife an untimely demise.

Out of Love, the old man. fails/refuses to give his wife a ritual beating as demanded by the pebbles. Pg 21, "The seer's pebble said someone was going to die. The pebbles said a wife was going to die. The pebbler said the spirits were jealous of a happy wife, a woman unmolested by her husband until old age, until she was called 'Grandmother'. He is over-whelmed by the love he has for his wife and what he can do to avert the beating. (Pg 22) He suggests they could be appeased by any number of goats. He began telling the wife where he had gone but is carried away when she offers the meals and the warmth. He says, "This was not the atmosphere for discussing the words of the pebbles. He delays this until they agree to hatch a plan to counter attack. In the end, he losesr his wife just as the pebbles had prophesied.
Out of Love, the old man fails to heed to the advice of the ageing chief to get himself another wife.This was shortly after he was made Councillor as a reward for bravery shown in the Battle of Five Rainy Day, he answers mwith a riddle on why he cannot marry other wives. In the end he loses the wife. Pg 22, "He still was the chief's councillor, much respected, but also much talked about because he had only one wife and a councillor was a small chief and whoever heard of a chief with one wife? The old man fails to marry another wife Out of the love and satisfaction he derived from the one wife he had. In the end, he loses the wife and remains a wifeless chief.
Out of Love, the Old Man goes out of his way to poach an elephant, extract its tusks which he uses to make coweries for his wife. Pg 23, "She is very comely in the many ivory bangles. she wears. I made them, Sir and the ivory was from the elephant I shot with a poisoned arrow. I brought one of the tusks as it is custom. "People say you bought the bangles, He pretends to a carver. The woman pleased him in the bangles. The ones on her hands were etched with mnemonic marks for a long love poem. He had presented the bangles to her when their first born child, now their only son, was given a name. She had looked like a chief's bride. She later becomes the victim of human-animal conflict when The elephants whose tusks she adorns kill her mercilessly. her.
The Old Man's wife out of love for the husband remarks that she knows the seer and that he once wanted to marry. She agrees to hatch a plan in order to go to her mbrother's place in pretence that she has been beaten. Then later call for reconciliation by the parents (Pg 24). She deliberately delays her going to the brother and decides to go first weed the garden, In her own words she says his son has beaten the wife to near death. "Why is my son so different ,from his father?" Pg. 25. As she plans to go while weeding her garden, a rouge elephant trumps her down. In conclusion, Love is good. It knows no limits but coupled with defiance or lack of caution can lead us to unforseen misery. This is clearly seen in the lives of the old man and his wife.

Ninema People with admirable traits stand out. Basing your illustrations on Vrenika Pather's Ninema, write an essay to validate this assertion.

Ninema is industrious. She rises early at 4:00 AM to reap her herbs from her garden. She has green fingers and her crops are healthy. She is also an enterprising businesswoman. To earn a living, she sells fresh produce at the Indian market. She learned the trade from her parents. Her business makes a good profit. At the end of a long working day, her hanky bulges with notes and coins. Her diligence makes her remarkably superior to others.
Ninema is resilient. She is as tough as old boots. She is contented and accepts her situation but does not resign to it. She faces many challenges and wins. She is thus respected.
Ninema is also focused. She does not pay heed to the trifles when people admire her for her physical beauty. She is indeed a beautiful woman with long black hair. Her beauty turns heads. As she walks balancing her baskets on her head, her hips sway from side to side. Her sari drapes around her perfect body kept in place by her high, firm breasts. Her long, toned arms and cinched waist cause men to stop and stare. She faces them with piercing black eyes. Women admire her high cheekbones. She does not pay heed to the attention. She has a laser-like focus on earning a living. She doesn’t waste time chatting with other women at the market because she has no time to waste. Indeed, Ninema is focused.
Ninema is good-natured and she treats her customers well. She is wise enough to provide genial customer service. She takes extra care of her first and last customers. She says they bring luck. She learned her trade from her parents and thus she believes in the grace and power of generational knowledge. She is also good at accounting. She can count faster than you can utter the word “herb”. She treats all her loyal customers with respect and appreciation. She masterfully handles the stubborn Mrs. Singh and respectfully calls her auntie.
Ninema is affable and the clients like her. Mr. Chimran is always the first to support her. The other women joke that he is in love with Ninema. He is a rich lawyer from the high Brahmin caste. Nonetheless, he is infatuated with Ninema a poor girl from the low caste. She makes his days. He buys too much from her until the mother complains. He cannot fathom the idea of an arranged marriage that will deny him the chance of visiting Ninema's stall. Mrs. Singh is rich but she also enjoys buying her herbs from Ninema. She haggles for lower prizes simply to spend more time with Ninema, away from the boredom of her big lonely house. She lingers on bargaining in order to interact with Ninema more. Ninema also takes a personal interest in the lives of her customers. She knows whose son is studying medicine in India, whose daughter just got married, and who moved into a new house and where they bought it.
Ninema is self-assured and confident. She runs her business with an iron fist. She is her own person – acts independently with confidence. She does not give in to what other people expect of her. This thrills as much as it irks many people. It makes the ladies in the other stands fond of her. They often compromised themselves at work and at home. This makes them angry with themselves. They look up to Ninema. They admire her since she is different though she’s one of them. They want to learn her secret. Mrs. Singh relentlessly bargains for lower prices but Ninema does not budge.
Ninema is prudent. She is a poor girl living a modest lifestyle but she has big plans. She saves part of her money with a view to buying a big house of her own. Currently, her house has neither hot running water nor a kitchen inside. She has to wash her face and feet using cold water from the outside tap. However, with the money she’s saving she plans to buy a house with running hot water and a kitchen inside. It will have a big garden where she can plant fruits.

In conclusion, Ninema is the pinnacle/embodiment of magnificence. Because of her praiseworthy traits, she seems remarkably superior to her peers. Indeed, exemplary attributes attract respect and make us stand out.

A Man of Awesome Power

Lack of sound judgment results in regret. Making reference to A Man of Awesome Power , write an essay to justify this claim.

Lack of good sense results in misguided decisions which may torment us eternally. In A Man of Awesome Power Tayyib al-Mahdi misuses and in turn loses his awesome power due to moments of rash imprudence.

Tayyib al-Mahdi uses his awesome power to punish the taxi driver who ignores him when he hails it. Tayyib al-Mahdi tries to flag down the taxi but the driver ignores him disdainfully. Unlike when this happened in the past, now Tayyib al-Mahdi is filled with greater irritation. In this moment of anger, he makes an impulsive decision to punish the man. He considers that he could make the driver suffer an accident. He decides to shatter the taxi's rear wheels instead. He knows that he should use his powers only for good but his anger results in his recklessness. As he walks by the helpless man, Tayyib al-Mahdi stares at him, resentful and enraged. He feels like he had taught the man a much needed lesson .

Tayyib al-Mahdi hastily punishes the radio announcer only because he is irritated with his views. The announcer was expounding on promising developments expected in the future this is after Tayyib al-Mahdi's memorable services were mistaken for an awakening of the state or outright renaissance. Tayyib al-Mahdi fills a gaping pothole, locks a dangerously hanging electrical box, removes a pile of rubbish and drains a sewer using his awesome power. Tayyib al-Mahdi is irked by the announcer’s promises who talks about the future instead of talking about what has been accomplished. Tayyib al-Mahdy is overcome with fury and thoughtlessly punishes the man with a bout of incessant sneezing. He sneezes uncontrollably until he cannot speak and instead plays a recorded song “Walk Around and See”. Al-Mahdi plans to censor mass media by stopping any talk that annoys him. He would make speakers that displease him to sneeze spontaneously, emit shrill cries like women at a wedding, or suffer uncontrollable diarrhoea. Tayyib al-Mahdi is drunk with happiness and joy.

Tayyib al-Mahdi also misuses his awesome power when he uses it to chase the gorgeous woman at the zoo at the expense of the righteous plans he has. Tayyib al-Mahdi visits the tea garden at the zoo purposely to properly plan how to put his new powers to greater use. However, he instead uses it to seduce a gorgeous and enticing woman that catches his eye. Tayyib al-Mahdi is filled with an inexplicable desire - one that is not ordinary and his inappropriate since he has a tremendous burden of proper planning and awareness of need. This woman does not take notice of Tayyib al-Mahdi until he sends her a hidden message using his awesome powers, instantly setting her head-over-heels. He decides to heal himself instead of repairing the world. This ill-advised move results in the loss of his powers and his vibrant mood. The miracle disappears like a dream because of his selfish imprudence. He will be haunted eternally by an awesome sadness.

Tayyib al-Mahdi also makes the unwise decision of applying his power before properly planning how to use it. First, he performs random miracles. Some are memorable services like removing a pile of rubbish and draining an open sewer. Others are born out of sheer resentment and unwise personal vendetta for example shattering the taxi wheels. He later realizes that he had to consciously plan how to best utilize the powers. He obtains guides to the department of government, factories and private companies coastal among the things he plans to fix our prisons schools and universities commercial markets, then the press etc. He plans to map out every phase deliberately. He intends to quell any clamor, and deter any digression. He plans to fix his country then later the world. However, he fails to remain focused on the plan and is distracted by the beautiful woman at the zoo. He puts his plans on hold as he instead chooses to use the powers to pursue the woman. This imprudent resolve results in the loss of his power end he is forlornly tormented by an eternal sadness.

Truly, poor decisions are preceded by lack of good judgment and Tayyib al-Mahdi learns this the hard way.

Ninema serves as an example of a virtuous woman who should be emulated in the society. Using illustrations from the short story “Ninema” by Vrenika Pather, discuss this assertion.

V1. Hardwork Ninema works very hard, selling her fresh produce at the Indian market so as to earn a living. She is Independent and does not wait for handouts from anyone but works very hard to earn herself a decent living
V2. Resilient Ninema is as tough as old boots. Despite the challenges that Ninema faces, she has her eyes fixed on her goal which is to achieve a good lifestyle (buy her own house) after working so hard. We are told that she has never had running hot water and has to make do with washing her face and feet with cold water from the outside tap. She has to contend with boiling water on the open fire to take her weekly bath.
V3. Generous Ninema gifts her new customers, the last customer of the day, a bunch of mint for free, which makes the customer very happy and she promiss to always shop for her herbs at Ninema’s stall.
V4. Self-respecting and courageous Ninema does not condone being disrespected by anyone. When an arrogant man pinched her erect nipple at the market, she stood up for herself to the encouragement and cheers and jeers of the other women. She roughed up the man single-handedly for his immoral and unbecoming behaviour. The other women were so encouraged by this courage and cheered her for having stood firm against the disrespect.
V5. Ambitious and determined Ninema dreams of owning a home so that she does not have to contend with bullying from landlords, a home where she will have hot water and the kitchen will be in the inside. She vows to work hard to single handedly achieve this.
V6. Humble Ninema is beautiful and she knows it. Everyone admires her beauty. She however does not let the idea of her beauty get into her head or the idea of peoples’ admiration get into her heart as her chief concern is to earn a living.
V7. Respectful and accomodative Ninema knows her place in the society, as a woman from the lower caste, she does not entertain Mr. Chinran’s infatuation. He is a rich lawyer from Brahmin caste. Ninema however treats him as she treats all other customers, with respect and appreciation. She also takes a personal intrest in each of her customers despite being very busy. In conclusion, the character of ninema as discussed in this essay is truly admirable and all women should emulate and try to be like her. (Accept any other valid conclusion)

Ivory Bangles

Write a composition to illustrate effects of human-animal conflict drawing illustrations from Eric Ng‟maryo‟s „‟ Ivory Bangles‟‟.

Introduction

Confrontation between wild animals and human being is becoming more rampant in the modern world. During such scenarios, the result becomes adverse both for humans and the animals including and destruction of property. Accept any other relevant introduction

C1: Death of people Human-animal conflict sometimes gives rise to casualties. People may lose their lives during human-animal confrontation. The Councilors’ wife is killed by a bull elephant. As the scouts chased the elephants which invaded the village with noise and arrows, the bull elephant is wounded. Instead of following the cows into the banana grove, the he elephant picks the path up from the stream out of rage. The elephant enters the Councilors’ grove where his wife had been weeding. The bull attacked the woman, lifting her bodily. It then bashed her on trees and banana plants before putting her on the ground and stamping on her repeatedly. In this manner the woman loses her life.
C2: Destruction of property Conflict between human and animals also leads to destruction of property. When the councilor’s wife goes to the market, she gets to learn that a herd of elephants have invaded the village. The people express fear that the beasts would be devastating to the young plants. The scouts warn people of the invasion by a herd of elephants. The elephants have invaded the area including banana groves. The animals cross river Marwe into Mtorobo village. The scouts shout to warn the people of Mtoboro that five she elephants have invaded their banana groves. The wounded bull also invades the grove where the wife of the chief’s councilor had been weeding.
C3: Killing of animals Animals are also killed during confrontation between humans and animals. The killing of animals happens for various reasons. On one the one hand, the scouts strike to scare the animals out of their property as in the case of the wounded bull. Also, at the market, the councilor’ wife gets wind that the village has been invaded by elephants,. People however, are somehow relieved because people who know how to use poisoned arrows are already following the herd. They hope that with poisoned arrows, some can be killed. On the other hand, people kill animals for aesthetics and for money. The Chief appreciates the councilor’s wife saying she is comely in the twenty-four bangles she adorned. The chief is privy to the fact the councilor bought them but he is made to understand that the councilor carved them from the elephant he short with a poisoned arrow. This proves that people may kill animals during human- animal conflict.
C4: Disturbance There is disturbance during conflict between human beings and animals. When the elephants invade the village, people who know how to use poisoned arrows are appointed to follow them. The scouts monitor the elephants and warn the public the whole day. They climb on top of trees and make noise relaying warning from one scout to another. They warn people as the elephants move from Sangeyo across river Marwe to Mtoboro homestead in Bware village. The elephants cause great disturbance to the people disrupting their activities.
C5: Injuries to the animals Conflict between people and animals leads to animals being injured by people who attack with a view to driving them away. The bull elephant which eventually kills the woman is enraged because it had been wounded. The elephants are also followed by people who are trained to trained to use arrows.

Conclusion Humans and animals sometimes experience strife with far reaching effects. Animal and humans may cross each other’s paths leading to retaliation and counter-retaliation which turn calamitous as lives and property are lost in the duel.

The Sins of the Fathers

Basing your argument on ‘The Sins of the Fathers’ by Charles Mungoshi, show how Rondo’s scars are as a result of his father’s wrongdoings.

In “The Sins of the Father” by Charles Mungoshi, pain from past experiences and childhood trauma affect present lives and events. For example, Rondo's low self-esteem and bitterness emanates from how his father handled him while growing up.

{Any plausible introduction=2mks}

Points of Interpretations

Si. Rondo at four/an old guitar/ first disappointment Mr. Rwafa destroys Rondo’s guitar when he is four which guts all the courage out of Rondo and destroys his self-esteem.( Pg. 30-31) Rondo’s uncle gives him an old guitar and his father comes home only to find him strumming tunelessly on the instrument. Out of anger, Mr. Rwafa breaks the guitar strings ultimately throwing the guitar into the fire while claiming that no child of his would be irresponsible rolling stones and idle like Mick Jagers and John Whites. The images of the burning guitar gut all the courage in him. The experience is so traumatizing that he even pees in his shorts. As a result, the incident implants fear in Rondo and he grows up scared of his father. Rondo cannot remember of a time when he was close to his father since his past makes him cry. (pg. 31, 40). His father destroying his guitar creates more rift and space between them ultimately becoming his first disappointment.
Sii. Stammer. Additionally, Rondo develops a stammer and cannot speak freely due to his father’s harshness towards him. . (Pg. 31-32) Rondo’s father is a disappointed man based on many reasons including the fact that he only has one son. He pursues his duties zealously and fails to distinguish being a father from being a minister. Mr. Rwafa seems to be on a mission to destroy his son perhaps in the quest of searching for a duplicate heir. Rondo cannot answer his father’s questions thus develops a stammer due to his father’s angry nature.
Siii. Rondo at eight/thrashing/neighbors garden/ripe mangoes Furthermore, Rondo grows up with the feeling of powerlessness based on his past traumatic encounter with his father at eight after helping himself to a neighbor’s ripe mangoes. . (Pg. 40) At that formative stage, Rondo is still learning what is right or wrong. As such, he does not see any problem going into a neighbor’s farm to eat ripe mangoes. His mother comes to his defense only to fail to help even after lifting her skirt in the man’s face. Disparaging names are thrown around. Unfortunately, Mr. Rwafa comes with his thick elephant-hide belt and, even without bothering to find out what the matter was, joins in to thrash his son. Although his mother desperately moves from one man to the other pleading for his release, Rondo feels completely uncomfortable. Consequently, the humiliating experience brings with it a sense of powerlessness that continually haunts him even in his old age. Therefore, his father failing to defend him when he was eight affects his personality later as he becomes powerless in handling life issues.
Siv. Shadow/fool Also, Rondo continuously thinks of his father as his shadow and he has to rely on him on many things such as his new journalism job. He always thinks his father must be right and is too diminished to think otherwise. As such Rondo is even afraid for his mother whenever she has to oppose Rwafa. His father always does everything for him. His failure to think independently reduces him to a laughing stock at his place of work. His friends think he is a fool and he acts as one. His wife Selina also cautions him to stop being under his father’s shadow. His father finds him a job deciding for him that it is time he earned his upkeep money. Rondo also cannot talk against Mr. Rwafa’s sentiments when in the car back “duck shooting.” It is as though his father controls his every move while directing his life. As a result of remaining in his father’s shadow, Rondo feels as though Selina has always been the main decision maker in their marriage. At work, he also feels incapable of being a good journalist. . (Pg. 28, 29, 32, 41)
Sv. Birthday party Moreover, during Yuna’s and Rhoda’s birthday party, Mr. Rwafa refers to Rondo as an effeminate spineless son of the family who marry into their enemies’ families, poisoning the pure blood of the Rwafa clan. . (Pg. 39, 40) This the watershed and defining moment in the already sour relationship between a father and son. It is like the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. The disrespect that his father shows him makes Rondo feel dejected and he cannot bring himself to look at his father. Rondo cannot bring himself to his feet to even bid farewell to the departing guests. His father’s rant made him feel ashamed and powerless at the same time.
Svi. Suspicions Rondo suspects that his father Rwafa could have been the one who orchestrated the murders of his daughters Yuna, six and Rhoda, five; and his father-in-law, Basil Mzamane. Recent events have been driving Rondo insane and making him see something else that he had always taken for granted. This is when his friend, Gaston, ask him whether he knows about the Second Street accidents. (pg 33) Rondo feels trapped by this revelation. However, he now accepts what he had refused to think about why his father left the house in morning and what he did before he returned in the evenings. Consequently, the accumulation of events and the history behind them makes him so numb that he is almost a zombie when he has the butt of a gun pointing at his father.
Svii. Wedding/ marriage/ignominy Rondo’s father fails to acknowledge his marriage to Selina. His father actually frowns and even spit at it instead thus bringing tension in the whole family. Rwafa is one bombed-out battlefield of scars and cannot forgive his ‘enemies’. He calls it an ignominy of marrying a muNdevere and further chagrins his son for having a granddaughter with Ndevere blood as first in the family. After this marriage, nothing can appease Mr. Rwafa. It is as if his son has been written out, written off, disappeared. . (Pg. 31, 34) This has always brought tears to Rondo’s eyes to see his mother and wife together. Due to this tension Rwafa conveniently leaves town ‘on State Business’ for two weeks and does not attended his son’s wedding. Not surprising, the bill for the couples wedding is met by Basil Mzamane though his mother helps in tears. Another result of this strained relationship is that Rondo has lost touch with his father. He feels more close to his father-in-law, Basil Mzamane and would choose him as his father if he had a choice. {Any 4 well developed points=3x4=12marks}

In conclusion, Rondo’s troubles, bitterness, misgivings, powerlessness and low self-esteem are as a result of what his father did or did not do while he was growing up.

‘War can cause a lot of problems in our society and should be avoided at all costs’ With close reference to ‘Boyi’ by Gloria Mwaniga , Write an essay justifying this assertion.

INTRODUCTION (2MKS)

Conflict destroys family ties and communal bonds. Family members are separated from one another, some are traumatized and others are killed as a result of conflict. In Gloria Mwaniga’s ‘Boyi’ the militia which should protect the community land ends up being the one terrorizing the community they vowed to protect. Below are illustrations showing the challenges the community faced as result of conflict within the community.(It can be general/contextual or both)

W1 Displacement Conflict causes displacement of people who leave their homes in huge masses to Bungoma and Uganda. The family of the narrator’s friend Chemutai moves to Chwele.The villages of Kopsiro, Saromet, Chepyuk and Chebei are engulfed by a fog of fear. The did not understand the Militia’s motive anymore. The Militia took away girls to go cook for them. People’s heads were chopped off and bodies were thrown into river Cheptap-burbur. The Militia also raped their own relatives resulting to children born who were transparent as plastic bags. The narrator imagines Boyi’s children playing appearing transparent as the plastic bags. This horrifies her terribly. Since school is disrupted by the conflict such thoughts haunts the narrator and she spends most of her time idle under the flame tree at home.
W2 Family Disintegration Most of the families are disunited from the rest of their members. The Militia demanded 40,000 land protection tax, 10,000 land protection tax and 30,000 betrayal tax. Boyi’s father could raise the amount and suggested giving away his savings, precious radio and hunting gun and promises to give his bull Mtabakaki to raise the cash but the Militia is adamant and threatens to kill his entire family. Therefore resulted to giving away Boyi who is only 15years old until he could raise the amount. Boyi’s mother falls into depression, talking in monologues. She shouts at her husband for giving their son away she tears her Kitenge head scurf and tells him that their son is not cloth that one gives away casually. Boyi’s mother and father’s relationship disintegrated as a result of them losing their son to the Militia. Baba tries to justify his action by saying that he had to give him away otherwise the entire family would have have been tortured to death. He, however, is saddened that the boys who had vowed to protect their land had turned on them like a hungry chameleon that eats its intestines. Conflict really ruined their community.
D3 Mental anguish. Conflict causes devastation that pushes Boyi’s mother to a state of insanity. The narrator finds the mother seated alone on a kiti moto in the kitchen. She neither looks up nor respond to greetings.She screams at the narrator to leave some tea for Boyi who will return from the caves hungry. The screaming goes on for weeks ‘stupid girl you want to finish tea for your brother and he will come from the caves hungry’, she bawls. She would sit stunned gazing at the wall declaring she envisions her son returning home after escaping from the snare of the militia. After her monologues, she would sit sadly and silently. When her madness takes a walk they would brew tea together with the narrator and would nostalgically reminisce stories about Boyi; about how he saved her marriage being a testament that her womb was not tied by Djinis. Conflict drives Baba to partake in strange tradition of burying a banana stem to drive the spirit of death away and appease Boyi’s spirit. The narrator is surprised by her father turning his back on religion. The mother refuses to be part of the ritual of sending her son’s spirit away. She has lost touch with reality and lives in denial. Boyi’s family was traumatized by the militia.
D4 Misery In her anguish, Mama is too despondent to eat. She sits muttering to herself without touching her ugali until it would form a brown crust. The narrator would take it and throw it away in the chicken coop. She sits and talks to herself for hours on end lamenting about her suffering. She asks God to tie a rope around her stomach. Boyi’s family was devasted that he had been recruited by the militia by force.
D5 Work disruption Conflict disrupts work in the village. That December the farmers do not clear their farms for the second planting of maize. The militia steals young crops from the fields and goats from pens. Instead of working, men and women sit and exchange dreadful tales of the horrendous cruelty of the militia. The militia cut people and throw their bodies in rivers, pit latrines and wells. They recruit boys as young as ten years who are forced to kill their own relatives. Instead of protecting the land, the militia goes on an indiscriminate killing spreeand their kins are victims of the aggression instead of beneficiaries. Boyi’s sister has a terrible dream that her brother attacks her and chops her head off into small pieces. She is traumatized by this dream.
D6 Dehumanisation As result of war, innocent children turn into savages. These young boys are forced to murder or rape their own kinsmen. Boyi has gone from a God fearing young man to a wanted criminal. Chesaina tells his parents that he is now a marked man. The distressing news crashes Boyi’s parents and reduces oth of them to tears. They cannot wrap their heads around the fact that their good son who recited Psalms devotedly is now Matwakei’s right hand man and an enemy of the state. War truly ruins families.
D7 Killings Boyi’s family is devastated by the news of his killing. The nation newspaper headlines screams coldly ‘Ragtag militia leaders killed by Army Forces’ Baba crumples like an old coat due to shock. Mama is too stunned to cry. She simply laughs. Boyi’s sister is too gutted to cry. War has robbed them of their kin in the prime of his youth. Boyi is murdered brutally after being flung out of a helicopter which was mid air. There was no body to bury or for Mama to slap for that matter. She does not roll on the ground as is custom. She is neither bitter nor sad. She only has eyes of lunacy and a voice of death. She truly is devastated. She sits on Boyi’s bed together with the daughter who weeps uncontrollably, her tears soaking her clothes. Boyi’s family was deeply destroyed by the war.

CONCLUSION(2 MKS)

It is evident that conflict or crisis has no positive outcome. It instead destroys families and communities and should therefore be shunned.

Essay 13

“War causes a lot of harm and thus should be avoided at any cost.” Validate this statement basing your illustrations from Chimamanda Adichie's 'Ghosts'

INTRODUCTION:

Whenever people engage in some form of conflict and fighting, there are grave implications that follow as is seen in Ghosts' where the civil war that happened from the events of July 6, 1967 causing untold suffering and pain to the people.

(Si) Displacement of people. Many people are forced to run away from their country and their homes when the civil war broke out. Prof. James and Ikenna's meeting take James down the memory lane where he recounts how they were forced to evacuate Nsukka in a hurry in July 6, 1967 when the war began. Through their conversation, we learn that Ikenna has lived in Sweden ever since the war began and has only come back to Nsukka recently. He discloses that he was flown out on Red Cross planes just like many other children had been airlifted to Gabon. Prof. James did not escape the displacement since he and his wife, Ebere had to move to America when the war broke out. Many people are seen to have been forced to leave their motherland as a result of the civil war.
(Sii) War leads to loss of lives. Several people had their lives cut short due to the civil war. The return of Ikenna comes as a surprise to Prof, James since Ikenna was thought to have died in the war. It is no wonder that Prof initially thought of throwing a handful of sand at him just like his people did to ensure that it was not a ghost. Actual loss of life is seen through Ikenna's family. While explaining to prof the reason why he never returned to Nsukka after the war, Ikenna tells him that his whole family was killed when Orlu was bombed during the war thus he had nobody to come back to. It is not just Ikenna who lost loved ones but Prof too. His first daughter Zik died in the war. He tells Ikenna that the war took Zik. It is no wonder they named their second daughter Nkiruka which means: what is ahead is better.
(Siii) Massive destruction and loss of property. When Prof James and his wife first returned to Nsukka when the war ended in 1970, they noticed major destructions that had occurred. Prof recounts how they found their house and items destroyed. His books were lying in front of the gate, his Mathematical Annals torn and used as tissue paper, the bath tab used as toilet and their photos ripped and their frames broken. The massive destruction of their house was too much that they had to be assigned a different house in a different street to avoid seeing their old house. In the process of their house being destroyed, they lose their Piano that belonged to Ebere. Prof also remembers the landscape as he drove back to Nsukka after the war. The massive destruction is recounted by Prof shows how destructive war is.
(Siv) Psychological suffering. Those who experienced and the memories of it. Prof James is seen to have lived with the memories of the war. He easily remembers every detail of the war as he recounts it to Ikenna. Ikenna has suffered psychologically as is seen from the fact that he lost all his family in Orlu hence the reason he does not return to Nsukka. His psychological suffering is further seen from the fact that he never remarries after the war took his wife. Further evidence of psychological pain is seen where Prof observes how his people avoided the topic of war and if they engaged in it, it was with some vagueness. The naming of their second daughter Nkiruka- what is ahead is better, also shows the pain that Prof and Ebere: were trying to avoid. The people also suffer physical pain. Prof.James remembers how a wounded soldier was shoved in their car on the day they returned to Nsukka.

CONCLUSION:

War causes loss of lives, displacement of people and destruction of properties among other effects. People should thus strive to live in harmony and avoid it at all costs.

A Silent Song

People living with disability may face certain limitations. Using illustrations from Leonard Kibera’s A Silent Song, write an essay to validate this statement.

People living with disability find it more difficult to do certain activities or to interact with the world around them. In the short story A Silent Song, Mbane is visually impaired and disabled, and he finds it difficult to move and to conduct other activities because of his disability. (Any other relevant introduction, 2 marks)

Mbane’s movement is inhibited because of his disability. He gropes slowly towards the door of his hut. He can only crawl weakly on his knees and elbows. He cannot go further since the pain in his spine and stomach gather violence rapidly. The pain pangs paralyze him for a short tormenting moment. The pain soon disappears but with the same savage fury of its onslaught, leaving Mbane cold with sweat. He anticipates another imminent attack. Giving up the fight, he lets go his chin and hits his forehead on the dirty flea-ridden floor. Mbane’s freedom of movement is curtailed by his visual impairment, disability and pain. He is restricted to the lonely hut.

Mbane’s perception of time, day or beauty is limited by his inability to see. Although he is hungry, he does not know what time it is. He wallows in the gloom of his eternal night. Time, day and beauty lie beyond the bitter limits of darkness. He is restricted to feeling, hearing and running away from danger. He is also limited to a world of retreat. Due to his lameness, he can only crawl away. He has no power to hit back. Surely, people living with disability suffer certain restrictions.

When his brother brings him from the streets to his home, Mbane is restricted to his new confinement, the hut. His brother says that he rescued him from the barbaric city so that he could see the light of God. The hut is serene but so suspicious. This is Mbane’s new life away from the streets of the city. His new confinement is devoid of the urban ruggedness and noise. It lacks the quick prancing footsteps of the busy city people. In his limitation, Mbane can never fathom their business. Also, he is restricted to pleading with the people to help him stay alive by offering him some coins.

Due to his disability. Mane had little comprehension or knowledge of the city, though he lived in it. He earns his living on one street only, retreating to the back lane when it was deserted. His condition inhibits him from telling the length, width, beauty or the size of the street. He is just used to the talk of bright weather, lovely morning or beautiful sunset but he cannot take part in the small talk. He feels challenged when pedestrians sing to the blue sky and whistle to the gay morning. In his impediment, he cannot perceive these senses. During the day, Mbane has to endure the overly generous heat of the sun and obstinate flies mobbing the edges of his lips. At night, he cannot escape the hostile biting cold when he retreats to the back lane unsheltered, to surrender to his vulnerability to sleep and is occasionally by some ignoble thieves.

Mbane is constrained in his ability to eke out a living since he is disabled. He is forced to beg on that lonely street of the city. Mbane has come to understand that money is the essence of urban life. He is therefore happy with gay people since they mostly answer his plea. Dull people with heavy tired footsteps and voices have empty pockets. Unlike him, the good men and women of the city have the ability to work in the buildings next to him and more up the street. He has no option but to endure the scorching sun and stubborn flies. At night, he is tempted by the strange rhythms but cannot indulge because of his condition. He is limited to hearing voices cursing and singing and bottles cracking. Mbane is restricted from joining the good men’s women’s merry making after a hard day’s work. Only pimps and whores enjoyed the proceeds of the good men’s sweat.

Mbane’s condition has restricted him from getting married. His brother Ezekiel is married to Sarah. He must have been around Mbane’s age. Mbane would never be able to reach out his hand in fullfilement of his life in the same way. He can only yearn impotently, sadly constrained because of his darkness and lameness. He is overcome by bitter self-pity and can only console himself about his own light and thus he would only smile broadly and bravely. His brother’s wife occasionally brings him some bitter medicine. His condition impedes him from getting a wife of his own and settling down.

Mbane has become accustomed to limited conversation or communication. His brother enters his hut and sits on his bed but for a long time no one speaks. Mbane cannot be expected to start a conversation. All his life, he has been speaking to himself in his thoughts while living on the streets. He had no one to address apart from himself. Occasionally, he would blurt out a mechanical plea of “Yes?”. Now, if anyone speaks to him, he carries the subject on a line of uncommunicative thought in his own mind. When his brother asks if he believes in God, Mbane replies that he does not know, since to him he does not matter.

Mbane’s condition makes him feel alienated and thus he holds a different religious view from his mother’s and his brother’s his mother views men as one stream flowing through the rocks of life. They would twist and turn the pebbles and get dirty in the muddy earth. They cry in the falls and whirlpools of life and laugh and sing when the flow is smooth and undisturbed. Some cry in the potholes of life’s valley, while others laugh triumph elsewhere. Mbane’s condition inhibits him to not only ceaselessly crying but also feeling that he is not even part of the stream. He feels like the bitter fluid in his own throat. His pain gives him no reason to believe in God. No one understands his darkness. God is white cleanliness of eternal light but his life only contains darkness and blackness. He is forgotten and unnoticed. Sometimes, he is cursed and called able-bodied, only crippled by idleness of leisurely begging.

Mbane feels trapped in his unwashed body which reeks of sweat. He craves freedom that he cannot achieve. He dreams of a glorious future away from his pangs of darkness where light lies. Right now he is restricted since his eyes are denied the light. He dreams of a future where someone would understand him and raise the innocence of his cripple life along with the chosen. It gives him hope and he sings his own happy song, silently to himself. He cannot seek refuge in the brothels like other men, so he can only find it in his silent song. His soul has a destination, or so he thinks. But for now, he has to make do with it being incarcerated in his sweaty smelly body, which is unwashed except when in the rain. Surely, disability can be limiting.

Conclusion In conclusion, people living with disability undergo many impediments and limitations that deny them some pleasures or opportunities in life/ unlike those who are not disabled, the disabled people face a lot of limitations and challenges, which deny them the opportunity to enjoy life

An incident in the park

"The efforts employed by different individuals in society barely bear fruits. " Using evidence from the story , "An Incident in the Park." by Meja Mwangi, write an essay in support of this assertion.

Ponits of intepretation

Identification of a character.
Explaining the efforts the character employs.
Show the outcome whihc is inversely proportional to the input.

INTRODUCTION

In our day to day lives, we put a lot of efforts in our endeavors but the outcome sometimes demoralizing since it does not merge with the input. For instance, the Azimio leadership put in place all that is expected to win a presidential election hut the outcome was not only demoralizing but also traumatizing. This is also the case in An Incident in the Park." by Meja Mwangi as explained below.

Ei) The second ice cream man-sales. When the floodgates open, workers swam down the hill into the park. They pass the first ice cream man but the second one, in an effort to sale, he blocks the only way on to the highway, determined to make a sale that day. The swarm swirls round him and over and away. Irrespective of his efforts, that day. just like the day before, not one bar of ice cream is bought by the hungry ones. His bell to attract customers ring lonely and unwelcome like a lost leper's warning bell. (Page 7) In addition, his cries do not yield to any sales as a few men sitting on the cement bank ignored the ice cream man's cries. (Page 8). He is criticized by the loafer and another man when he rings his bell, they say that he is crazy and that he is always hammering the bell and no one wants to buy his ice cream. In fact they suggest that he should go where children are. (Page 9)
Eii) The shaggy thin man. From the description, the man has been selling fruits since morning but when he makes his calculation, he looks disillusioned from the returns and falls unceremoniously on his back and covers his rough bearded face with two bony hands. A shaggy thin man sat under a shrub, scratching numbers and letters on his black dry skin with a used match. By his side were the two oversize fruit baskets he had been selling from morning and which he would resume hawking after the lunch break. Now he scratched his head with the matchstick and tried to balance the morning sales. He mumbled to himself, cursed and, rolling up his trouser legs, continued writing on his thigh. Finally, he flung the stick away and, wetting his palm with saliva, violently erased what he had scribbled. Then he fell unceremoniously on his back and covered his rough bearded face with two bony hands. (Page 7-8)
Eiii) The fishpond board markers. At the fishpond, there is a board with the words DO NOT FEED FISH-BY ORDER. However, a loafer wearing torn slippers sits on it and carelessly tosses debris, tiny bits of grass and soil at the hungry fish. The idler sniggers and throws,more rubbish into the water. (Page 8) A huge piece of rock is added and a flattened cigarette. (Page 9). This is contrary to the board markers instructions that flatly fails to achieve fish feeding.
Eiv) The fruit-seller-pleas. When the two constables come along, they demand for a licence from him. He is first surprised, he searches himself for a few seconds, shakes his head and helplessly declares that he left it at home. He too lacks his identification card. He tries to bribe the constables with five shillings but he is shoved along. When he is told that he will explain everything to the judge, more pleas follow, "You can't take me to that judge, the man will have me hung this time... I've this other case coming up next week... he will surely have me castrated.... I've ten shillings." He swears and offers all the baskets and the cash but when it looks like the constables won't let him go, he flees. (Page 11) His efforts to save himself comes to a sad end when a mob kills him. Here lay a desperate thief, attired in the unmistakable uniform of his trade- dirty torn clothes and a mean hungry face. (Page 12)
Ev) The two constables/police. The fellows blatantly refuses to listen to the fruit-seller's pleas and take his bribe. They are all committed to ensure that they take the man to a court of law. One says, "You will explain to the judge. No licence, no identification..." (Page 11). They shoved him even when he offers them ten shillings and offers the two baskets. When he breaks lose, the constables pursue him... The constable shot after the fleeing man across the park shouting for help from passers-by. The shouts from one of the constables instead of making passers-by arrest them and hand him to them, they lynch him thinking that he is a thief. The police feel uneasy and uncertain and leave empty-handed. (Page 12)

In conclusion, efforts put in something must be directly proportional to the output.

People commit unethical acts as a result of lack of care. Citing illustrations from Incident in the Park by Meja Mwangi, write an essay to validate this statement.

Immorality stems from people’s indifference. Unethical acts like negligence and brutality result from lack of care. Blood thirsty city dwellers brutally murder an innocent fruit seller without batting an eyelid in Incident in the Park. Government workers go about their business ignoring the ravaging effects of the drought on the neglected park. The park is dirty and brown. There was no promise of rain that August. The ground is dusty brown, bare and parched. The ministerial offices, City Hall and parliament buildings and the ominous cathedral are a stone throw away from the pathetic looking park. The ministerial offices are modern fortresses and its occupants conveniently ignore the park which clearly lacks proper care. This is evidenced by the dry bits of grass, dry leaves and thirsty trees. Only delicate flowers, planted like oasis islands at various spots, are watered in a desperate effort to keep the dirty brown park beautiful. The sad-looking boathouse and dirty, muddy water sum up the government's lack of care for the park. Secondly, the park is filled with many idlers who have little care in the world. They waste many hours lying idle in the park. They ignore the city and parliament clocks which strike suddenly, together - reminding them of how much time they had wasted. They care less about being useful. The clocks’ pleas go unheeded. Some insolent loafers simply shake their heads defiantly, curse loudly, face the other way and go back to sleep. Only every now and then, does a misplaced idler heed the clocks nagging disapproval and accusing fingers and walk away. The park people have no intention to go anywhere else but while away. They are here to stay. They have arrived. During the afternoons, the park looks parched and almost dead, dotted with a few loungers. More idlers sit by the lake watching the rowers, day in day out. This unproductive lot is a burden to the city and to society. The neglected pond in the park is another sign of lack of care by relevant authorities. The fish pond is dangerously overgrown with weeds. Colourless weeds choke the yellow, blue and purple water lilies. An ugly mishmash of weeds has replaced the aesthetic blue-green surface of the once beautiful pond. Initially, the pond flowers stuck out buds, thick colorful fingers and proclaimed order but not anymore - the existence of these beautiful fauna has been snuffed out by a riot of unclassifiable intruders and bastard flowers. To make matters worse, the park soil has collapsed, forcing the pond’s murky, brown water and bewildered fish to the deeper, further end. The sorry state of the pond points to acute lack of attention or care. The hairy loafer who feeds the fish is defiant. He ignores the public notice on the board that cautions people against feeding the fish. He carelessly tosses debris, tiny bits of grass and soil at the hungry fish. The fish fight for the useless things but let go when they realize they are worthless. The idler throws in more rubbish and carelessly sniggers - he has no iota of empathy whatsoever. He also drops in a piece of soil at the fish. When he learns that fish feeds on insects, he tries to find some and later decides to throw in a flattened cigarette end when he cannot catch any insects. The big fish that catches the cigarette butt releases it since it is useless. At last, the uncaring idler curses after violently hurling a large rock at the confounded fish. His lack of empathy leads him to defy the order not to feed the fish and as a result he harms the fishes. The police constables are callous. They harass innocent people heartlessly, displaying no shred of sympathy. The two city constables accost the old fruit seller and demand for his license and identification. As fate would have it, he has neither. He cannot afford a licence. The old man nods uncomprehendingly and shakes his head sadly when the police demand for a license. He desperately tries to bribe the constables by offering five shillings; all he had made that day. The policeman grabs him by his old coat and remarks that he would explain it to the judge. The old man swears by his mother. He is devastated because he has another case with the cruel judge. A tyrant who would hang him this time round. The fruit seller cries that the judge is crazy and would castrate him but his pleas fall on deaf ears. He offers the constables a 10- shilling bribe and even his foot baskets. The constables remain indifferent even when he cries that he has a wife and children. They do not care. They match him right ahead. When he realizes that he is talking to a brick wall, he decides to leap and run for it but not before cursing the cops, their wives and their children. The judge is portrayed as being unjust or outrightly cruel. When the police insist on taking him to the judge, the old fruit seller cries desperately. He has no licence and identification. He swears by his mother. He already has a case with the judge and he does not want to be taken back. He believes the judge will hung him. He is selling the fruits in order to afford the fine that was earlier imposed. He pleads with the police men as brothers. He even tells them that the judge is a tyrant - a crazy man who will have him castrated. The allusion to his wife and children does not bear any fruits. He tries to bribe the police with 10 shillings and appease them with his fruit basket but the uncaring constables match him ahead. The fruit seller curses the policemen and their families and decides to bolt. He takes this desperate measure to avoid facing the evil, apathetic judge. The bloodthirsty city dwellers have no regard for human life. Realizing that the city constable were adamant about taking him to the judge, the fruit seller decides to run for it. He leaps, breaking away, leaving the policeman holding onto a piece of his one coat. He runs across the park. The policeman shouts for help. The old man hopes to get protection by disappearing into the city dwellers. That was not to be. The barbarous city dwellers lunge at him trying to nab him. The old man is savagely desperate to escape. When he stumbles and falls into a ditch, the ferocious mob stones him to death. He cries out pleading for mercy. The bloodthirsty crowd leaves him for dead, looking like a broken twisted rag doll, covered in stones and a thick red blood. The crowd mistakenly label him as a thief. Lastly, the injustice witnessed after the innocent fruit seller killed is the height of brutality and lack of care. The constable strives to shift blame. No one looks guilty enough. The constables conveniently withdraw. An inspector confirms that the man is dead. The crowd that stoned him and those that witnessed his savage murder lower their eyes. Unwilling to openly testify, some of the residents hurriedly return to their offices, indifferently. The word ‘thief’ oozes out discreetly from mouth to mouth. They mistakenly condemn the man to be a desperate thief. They judge him by the unmistakable uniform of his trade - dirty torn clothes and a mean hungry face. Even the inspector of police is uneasy and doubtful about his next course of action. The poor man finds no justice even in his death. All and sundry conclude that a thief is a thief. The twisted garbage-strewn dark alleyways are lawlessly governed by one savage unwritten law concerning the fate of apprehended thieves. Ironically, the man is killed before his identity is established. Sadly, he can only be identified by his grieving wife and children in a cold room. An innocent life is cut short due to the heartless nature of idle, uncaring city dwellers and the inept police department. In conclusion, any society that lacks benevolence disintegrates into an abyss of lawlessness and immorality.

Humans are deceitful in nature and can live in pretence before revealing their true nature. Write an essay in support of this. Use the story The Truly Married by Aboise Niol.

Introduction: Human beings have the ability of keeping appearances without being discovered. This is the case as seen in Ajayi’s wife who keeps appearances until the moment she realized she can do without them. This is seen in the text The Truly Married Woman in the following instances. Body Ayo keeps her husband comfortable before marriage by taking her supportive role keenly. She rises up early to prepare Ajayi his favourite cup of morning tea before serving him his breakfast. After her official marriage she changes and doesn’t do this. She instead tells him to do that by himself. ‘’Get up make yourself a cup of tea’’ (p 48) Ayo is a respectful wife to Ajayi. She does not contradict her husband and does that only when it is absolutely necessary. This state of affairs changes immediately after the wedding and might be the norm as seen in her stand on the issue of making tea. (page 43,48) When told about the visit by the three white missionaries, she makes a few amends in order to disguise their actual state. She borrows a ring, changes her dressing and that of the children and replaces the things in the house and on the walls in order to create an impression of religious family. (Page 44,45) Ayo cleverly presents herself to her husband Ajayi as an innocent naïve woman. It is not until she makes a strong argument against the beating of Oju, their san that Ajayi realizes how his wife informed is. This is one the reasons for his decision to wed her. (page 44,45) Omo for long pretends to be a good friend to Ayo until she learns of Ayo’s planned wedding. When Ayo shows her wedding dress, Omo cannot hide her true nature as she is said to be filled with bitterness and anger. She criticizes Ayo and hopes to dissuade Ayo from using the dress. This instance enable Ayo to learn what type of a person Omo is. Before this Omo had presented herself to Ayo as a good realiable kind-hearted friend who offered her wedding ring to Ayo. (page 45,46) Conclusion: People can have a double appearance as it was with the characters discussed above. (any other relevant)

Life for people living with disabilities may be made better if they are accorded all the support they may need. Referring to the short story “A Silent Song” by Leonard Kibera, write an essay to show how the lives of people living with disabilities can be made worthwhile.

Introduction Life for the people living with disabilities can be traumatising to them. However, it is the duty of everyone in the society to try and make their life better by availing them with all the support and assistance they may require. The short story a silent song tries to show the support we may offer the people living with disabilities in the following ways. (Accept any other valid introduction) Points of interpretation

Mbane had been living in the streets all his life begging in the city where there was a lot of ruggedness and noise, with quick footsteps of people who would keep him alive with a drop of copper in his hat. His brother rescues him from the streets and brings him to his hut which felt so serene. Mbane no longer had to endure hostile cold nights and the basest of thieves he encountered in the streets.
After being ‘rescued’ from the streets where he spent his nights on the hard pavement, he recounts how no one spoke to him for a long time. He was accustomed to speaking to himself in his thoughts. Ezekiel and his wife however speaks to him despite the fact that he could not start a conversation after getting so much used to being all alone in streets.
At his brother Ezekiel’s home, Mbane is offered a bed on which he had tried to accustom himself to since being rescued from the hard pavement he was used to in the streets.
Mbane was convinced that it was a glorious thing to believe, to cling to a dream of a future life. It was glorious this feeling that far far away beyond the pangs of darkness lay light, bigger and more meaningful than that which his eyes were denied. There, someone would understand and raise the innocence of his crippled life along with the chosen. It gave him hope and sang his own happy song silently to himself, secretly. His soul had a destination.
Mbane’s brother’s wife Sarah takes care of Mbane and tries to alleviate his pain by giving him medicine. She breaks into his hut, slowly and tenderly raises his head and puts the cup to his mouth. The bitter fluid explodes down Mbane’s throat and another attack of pain tears through his stomach. Sarah then assures him that he would be alright soon and god would be with him. (Accept any other relevant well illustrated point) Conclusion
We, as the members of society should try to alleviate the pain and suffering that the people living with disabilities might be going through by availing them the necessary need they may require. (Accept any other valid conclusion). Introduction: 2 marks Content: 12 marks Conclusion: 2 marks Language: 4 marks

Some cultural practices do not add value hence should be done away with. Show the truth in this statement basing your illustrations from Eric Ng’maryo’s Ivory Bangles.

Some traditions in our societies have lost meaning and should be done away with/abandoned as seen in the story ivory bangles by Eric Ng’maryo.(accept any other relevant introduction) T1 believe in the seer.

The only visits the seer considered as the priest of people. (pg. 21)
He goes the seer because of his superstitious nature. He had to consult the seer since he had noted blood specks on the liver of a goat that he had slaughtered (pg. 21) Tthis is a cultural practice that has lost meaning for its meant to drive a wedge between him and his wife.

T2. Polygamy

his monogamous state was a concern for the aging chief who told him to get another wife (pg. 23)
he was still the chief’s counselor much respected but much talked about because he had only one wife (pg. 22)
this shows that the old man’s society values the tradition of polygamy and one who does not engage is considered a failure.

T3. wife beating/molestation (ritual beating)

The were jealous of a happy wife. A woman unmolested by the husband until old age. It is not acceptable for a wife to enjoy a comfortable life with her husband in this community.
The husband is expected to molest his wife to ensure that she doesn’t enjoy happiness. Failure to do so could lead to a disastrous outcome as the pebbles foretell wife’s death.
The pebbles demand the old man gives his wife a through beating and sent her back to her parents. (pg. 22) This is a practice that does not add any value in the marriage.

T4. Naming of children

naming of children is seen as an essential practice. twenty-four ivory bangles that the wife wears were gifted to her when their only son was given a name.
the value of child naming is also seen because the old man’s grandson is named after him. The writer refers to the young boy as her husband. (pg230
this culture is long overtaken by the modernity

CONCLUSION.

We should embrace the change and do things that do not harm others in the name of cultural practices. (Accept any other relevant conclusion)

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African Literature
Book Review

BOOK REVIEW: A Silent Song and Other Stories Part 1

We review set books to enable students grasp them better and stay confident at the face of exams, and to also offer teachers additional materials for better teaching. We are currently reviewing all the new set books set to be examined for the next four years. Stay with us.

Front cover of A Silent Song and Other Stories, one of the new set books for Kenyan Secondary Schools. PHOTO/Bonface Otieno, The Scholar Media Africa.

Title: A Silent Song and Other Stories

Selected & Edited by: Godwin Siundu

Published by: Spotlight Publishers E.A Limited

Publication Year: 2020

The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) is a summative test examination that students are tested and graded every academic year to determine their future career and placement in higher learning institutions.

Just like in many other countries, English/Literature is among the mandatory subjects tested during this important evaluation.

Many students who study English as a second language, especially in African countries, have found it challenging to excel in the subject, unlike in the other examinable subjects.

English/ Literature comprises three examinable papers in Kenya.

In this review, I will dwell on one of the dreaded tests.

Students need help comprehending paper three and, more specifically, the question on short stories due to the number of stories they have to be tested about, the diversity of ideas in the stories, and confusing characters and styles employed by writers in these short stories.

Short stories to date remain a phenomenon for many students.

Recently the Kenyan government replaced an anthology of short stories, Memories We Lost and Other Stories , with a new text, A Silent Song and Other Stories.

In this new set book, due to its newness, unfamiliarity, and diversity of thoughts, many students might need help comprehending and interpreting.

This simplified review seeks to enable them to be all smiles in the examination rooms.

A Silent Song and Other Stories is a collection of stories selected from Africa, Europe, and Asia.

The collection has a total of 14 stories, each addressing a range of thematic concerns, from colonialism, post-colonialism, beliefs, domestic struggles, urban poverty, and the impact of poor human relations, among many other contemporary themes.

To begin with, Naguib Mahfouz , an Egyptian storyteller, presents the first story of the anthology “A man with awesome power”.

Tayyib al-Mahdi, the protagonist in the tale, lives comfortably after retiring from many years of service abroad.

His peaceful and uneventful lifestyle is reshuffled at some point through a persistent revelation in his dreams.

Through a dream, an unusual kind tone from a radiant appearance informs him that God has granted him extraordinary powers to order things and do as he pleases and all shall be.

Tayyib is obliged to try this doubtful revelation which turns out to be true.

He soon realizes that his purpose in life has just begun.

Tayyib uses his newly-given power to overhaul all mischief in society.

With such a kind of power, one may desire to do as he pleases, and Tayyib is not an exception.

He uses his power for both good and ill intentions.

He first takes revenge against a taxi driver who has been ignoring him by wishing him an accident.

Back cover of A Silent Song and Other Stories, one of the new set books for Kenyan Secondary Schools. PHOTO/Bonface Otieno, The Scholar Media Africa.

Tayyib proceeds to punish a mannerless man who physically attacked a woman on a bus.

He causes him a spell of stomach cramps, and the bus would not move until the groaning, crying, and suffering man is carried away in an ambulance.

Tayyib fills a gaping pothole, locks an electric box and removes a pile of rubbish that he trips on.

All stakeholders must feel the taste of justice: from a corrupt business and political leader who evaded paying taxes, to the media journalist who reported news of false hopes.

He even plans to overhaul all sectors in the country before proceeding to the whole world.

In something of a turn of events, Tayyib al-Mahdi promiscuously admires a woman and uses his powers to lure her into infidelity. With this intimate encounter, Tayyib’s incredible power is gone.

Tayyib is portrayed as a secretive, religious, ambitious and vengeful personality.

His personality sheds light on the realization of major societal concerns such as the acquisition of power, misuse of power, role of media in society, corruption, immorality, loss of power, and change, among other minor themes.

The collection’s second story is “An Incident in the park” by Kenyan writer Meja Mwangi.

It’s a story that examines urbanization-related problems: urban poverty, the conflict between authorities and city hustlers, mob justice or social injustice, oppression, hopelessness, and a challenging economy, among other themes.

Major Mwangi employs vivid descriptions to paint a picture of city life, especially around the park.

He introduces a fruit seller, a poor, elderly man who sells fruits at the park.

He has no license or identity card. He has a responsibility to fend for his family. Depicted as hardworking, he is determined to make a living out of fruit selling even though he can not afford a license.

His nightmare is the tyrant city judge whom he fears would castrate him and fine him heavily if the authority arrests him. He runs away when accosted.

However, the city idlers in the park gang against him as a “thief” and end his life.

Meanwhile, the story “ Ninema” by Vrenika Pather of South Africa, like the previous stories, examines common concerns, including sexual harassment/immorality, relationships, hardship, and principality.

Ninema the protagonist is visualized as a focused, ambitious, organized and optimistic character.

She is principled and detail-oriented. Her high spirits keep her customers loyal to her in the market.

She is naturally admirable, which draws a white man, Mr. Chinran, her admirer, to her shop.

Mrs. Singh is also her regular customer due to her strong personality, even though she is known for haggling over prices.

Ninema is used to her regular market custom and knows how to handle all her customers. She is one day accosted by one strange man who is immoral, vulgar, and lascivious, a man she mercilessly hits in return.

“A Silent Song” by Leonard Kibera is a story of hopeless Mbane, a young, paralyzed, blind city street beggar.

He is Ezekiel’s brother; Ezekiel is a preacher who “rescues” Mbane from the street, and for his sinful life, he preaches the gospel of Christ so that he may be baptized.

That way, Mbane will not go to hell once he dies.

Sarah, his brother’s wife, nurses Mbane.

He recalls the city life with nostalgia even though he now lives in his brother’s serene, lonely hut.

Before he is saved, Mbane’s strength wanes, his pain ceases, his neck yanks down to the head, and he dies.

The story brings about themes such as religious hypocrisy, pain and misery of the physically disabled, prostitution, sexual slavery, alcoholism, and escapism.

Onwards, “ Ivory Bangles” by Tanzania’s Eric Ng’amaryo, is a story involving the old man and his wife as the main characters, and other minor characters such as the seer and community members.

Mr. Bonface Otieno, an author, English Literature teacher and poet. PHOTO/Courtesy.

Examining such critical concerns as tradition and customs, polygamy, love, human-wildlife conflict, and the question of loyalty to customs, the story presents a society rooted in traditional practices that no one should depart from, lest they suffer irreparable consequences.

The old man is seen disturbed, having slaughtered a goat and found traces of blood in the goat’s liver; such was a symbol of a bad omen.

He consults a seer who discloses that the pebbles demand the old man has to give her wife a ritual beating, after which she must go back home to her parents.

Through a flashback, we learn of the old man’s great love for his wife. He had refused to marry any other wife. He had gifted her the ivory bangles from ivory he acquired from the elephant he killed using a poison arrow.

He tries to inform his wife about the seer’s revelation in vain.

The next day as the old man attends to his work, his wife goes to the market, where she hears people talking about a herd of elephants approaching the plains.

She goes home, prepares her husband’s food, and decides to weed a weedy garden her husband had informed her of earlier.

She is, unfortunately, killed by a bull elephant that catches her unawares.

Her ivory bangles are shattered.

Her foreshadowed death comes with a lesson that failing to heed wise advice can lead to disastrous calamities.

Other stories like The sins of the fathers, The truly married woman, Talking money, Ghosts, God sees the truth but wait, The neighborhood watch, December Boyi, and Cheque mete explicitly examine issues like identity crisis, vengeance, racism, parental resentment, love and friendship, negative ethnic tensions, death, cohabiting vs. marriage, hypocrisy, obsession with money, war, destruction of property, superstition, drugs, imprisonment, faith and devotion, inequality and class difference, hope, civilization, betrayal, bribery, and loyalty, among other contemporary issues.

These stories are written in their simplest form and using effective language that is easily understood.

YOU CAN ALSO READ: BOOK REVIEW: Blossoms of the Savannah

They are additionally enjoyable to follow along and comprehend. The relevance of the themes, diversity of representation, and styles make the stories more enjoyable not only to read but also uphold and practice the moral lessons in each.

For readability, this first review of this new setbook has covered half the book. Stay put for the other half, and for periodic Q/As to help you understand and master the book better. We would also appreciate your feedback on specific areas you would want us to tackle.

YOU CAN ALSO READ: BOOK REVIEW: The Woman Called Angel and Other Stories

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A Silent Song And Other Stories Essay Questions and Answers-Series 1

Essay questions and answers, get also a study guide to a silent song and other stories.

Question 1:

Ninema is an admirable character. Support this from Vrenika Pather’s ‘Ninema’ 20marks.

Ninema is an outstanding character who is liked by many of the people she associates with. We see many good traits that she portrays in the story “Ninema”.

To start with, Ninema is presented as a principled person. She does not let the behaviours and traits of others change what she believes in. Her business manner is unique only to her, and she does not change it to fit or be like others. Although she was one of the traders, something about her was different.

She ran her business with an iron fist which made some people like her while others disliked her, -Tie people’s reactions do not affect her as she remains herself. ‘The ladies in the stalls admire _her mainly because they had gotten compromised at work and home.

In addition, Ninema is admirable since she is organised. She plans her work early enough, making it easy to run her business.

She wakes up early in the morning to reap the herbs that she takes to the market for the day. She organises her herbs in an appetising way, which draws many customers to here She does not chat with other ladies aimlessly, which would waste her time. She plans to ensure the stall is organised before she takes her breakfast. Once her stall is ready and only when ready, she takes sips ofthe tea she had brought. Her meals are packed early in the morning, which points to this organised personality. She packs tea and some sandwiches that she takes for lunch. Nlnemaås also admirable since she is skilful wise, She handles different customers masterfully, thus making her earn their loyalty. She can handle Mr Chinran, infatuated with her, by treating him with respect and appreciation instead of encouraging his infatuation. She also handles Mrs Singh firmly but respectively, thus winning her even though Mrs Singh is difficult and troublesome. Ninema’s ability to entice a new customer

by offering an extra bunch of mint for free shows that she is skilful in business, thus making her admirable as a trader.

Lastly, Ninema is seen to be courageous, making her admirable. When a man sexually harasses her, she does not let him go scot- free. She follows the man who pinches her erect nipple and hits him with the only weapon at hand — her Chumpal, which makes the man too astounded to react. The other women hawker jeer and cheer as Ninema repeatedly hits the man. She even gives him extra hits on behalf of all the women, thus depicting her as the fighter of her rights and those for others. By following the man and hitting him with her sandal, Ninema shows her courage.

From the story, Ninema is genuinely seen to be admirable due to her courageous, skilful, organised and moral nature.

When one is given power, he/she should use it onlyforgood but more often than not people use it for wrongpurposes. Support this statement basing your argument from Naguib Mahfouz’s ‘A Man of Awesome Power’ Many people who are in powerful positions or who have been gifted with some sort of power tend to abuse it. Instead of utilizing it for improvement of the society at large, they use it for their own selfish interests or to punish those that have wronged them. same scenario is seen in ‘A Man of Awesome Power through a number of illustrations.

We see Tayyib al- Mahdi utilizing the power given to him for revenge. This is not a good a way of power utilization as it causes harm to others. Tayyib realizes that he has power to order things to be and he sets out to utilize the power to change’ his country. However, the first episode where he utilizes this power shows that he is utilizing it to hit back at a person who offends him. The driver of the taxi that he hails suffers his wrath for refusing to stop. When Tayyib is on his way to the heart of the town, he hails a taxi but the driver simply waves a hand at him in haughty refuses. Tayyib’s irritation makes him stare at the rear wheels of the taxi and the two explode suddenly.

He ignores the voice that reminds him that he should only use his power for good and lets his anger control him. This act of revenge was deliberate since as Tayyib bypasses the driver he feels that he has taught the man a lesson. By utilizing his power to hit back at the taxi driver, Tayyib shows that people with power use it for wrong purposes. We further see wrong utilization of power where Tayyib causes the man in the bus to suffer stomach pains. Although the man had physically attacked a woman, causing him to suffer stomach cramps not justified. Tayyib encounters a confrontation between the man and a woman in a public bus and the man ends up slapping the woman. Just like the incident with the taxi driver, Tayyib lets his anger control him where he focused it on the man’s stomach and immediately the man suffers severe cramps

that cause him to moan and scream in pain. The pain is so intense that an ambulance had to be called to fetch him•

Allowing his anger to control him and causing pain to the man who had slapped a woman is a vengeful act which is wrong thus showing how people with power use it for wrong purposes.

Beside, Tayyib uses the power bestowed on him to interfere with the radio presentation by causing the presenter to start sneezing. While seated in the café, he hears a radio announcer expounding on the developments that were to be expected in the future. Tayyib feels that the announcer should report on what has been achieved yet instead of giving false hopes to the people. Tayyib thus decides to cause some sneezing to attack the announcer since it was the only way to stop him.

Essay Questions and Answers to A Silent Song And Other Stories

Soon after, the announcer develops massive sneezes that prevent him from carrying on with the presentation. Tayyib feels happy and victorious after the unexpected conclusion of the announcement. Although his desire is to purify the broadcasting sector, the approach of causing massive sneezing to the presenter is harmful and thus wrong. Lastly, Tayyib is seen to use the power given to him to satisfy his sexual passion and desires. Tayyib utilizes the power to make a woman that he is attracted to notice

him. While he is seated at the tea garden planning how to effectively use his power, Tayyib notices a beautiful woman approaching the entrance of the garden. The woman does not notice him at first and Tayyib thinks of how through his powers he can cause her to be head -over-heels with him. He then sends her a hidden message and she responds to him. He sees nothing wrong with satisfying his desires as a way of repairing himself. He closes his note book and they surrender to fate, This is an immoral act since Tayyib is married to Haniya whom he had remained faithful to throughout their marriage.

People gifted with power should strive to use it only for good purposes and not to cause pain and suffering to others or for immoral deeds like Tayyib did.

Some cultural practices do not add value hence should be done away with.

Show the truthfulness of this assertion basing on Eric Ng’maryo’s ‘Ivory Bangles’. (20 marks)

Culture keeps people together and governs their way of life thus is important. However, there are some traditions that are of no benefit and in some cases such traditions cause harm to people who continue to embrace them as is the case in Ivory Bangles]

For this reason, such traditions should be discarded. Polygamy is one such cultural practice that has continued to be embraced yet it has no value. We realize that the community in the story holds in high esteem this practice. As such, a man who does not ascribe to it is seen to be a topic of discussion:

This comes out clear where the old man who is a respected Chief’s councilor is talked about because he had only one wife. According to the story, it was unheard- of for someone as powerful as the old man- a small chief, to have only one wife,

However, this value is seen to have no value since the old man is happy in his marriage and he really loves his wife to the extent that he gifted her twenty-four ivory bangle Besides, the riddle used by old man when responding to the Chief’s demand that he marries another wife shows that polygamy causes harm. The riddle’s interpretation A wife, a co-wife, witchcraft and death points to the harmful effects of the practice. As such, polygamy should be abolished as it causes harm and adds no value. Another cultural value that has no value is believe in the seer and the act of seeking his guidance. The old man goes to seek the advice of the seer after noticing some blood specks in the live at he goat that he slaughtered, He does this since his people, believed in him as their tribal seer and their priest. We also see how valued he is when the old man’s wife dismisses his demands. The old man harshly rebukes her telling her that the seer is the mouthpiece of their departed fathers, we however {see that this belief

does not add value since some of the advices given are bound to cause harm. The advice given to the old man by the seer supports this as the seer tells him ‘That the pebbles demand that he beats his wife and send her back to her father’s home. According to the seer, the pebbles are jealous of a happy wife- a woman unmolested by her husband. This shows that this believe in the seer is of no benefit but rather causes harm.

The superstitious belief that having blood specks in a goat’s liver is a sign of something bad about to happen does not add any value, Tris is not based on any proven basis but is just a traditional belief. The old man goes to consult the seer since he had noted some blood specks in the liver of the goat he had slaughtered. The belief is so strong that the man does not agree with the wife’s dismissal of the seer’s demands. According to the wife, the seer was hitting back at her for turning down his marriage proposal. This argument that had been used previously does not appear believable at this time as the old man reminds the wife that the seer did not put blood specks on the goat’s liver. Wife battering is another cultural practice that the people hold in esteem yet it causes more Karm than good. When the old man consults the Seer about the blood specks in the liver of the goat he had slaughtered, ‘the seer’s pebble disclose that a wife was going to die since the spirits were jealous of a happy wife, a woman unmolested by her husband until old age. This (Shows the value attached to wife molestation. To avert the

death, the old man is asked to give his wife the ‘ritual beating before sending her back to her parent’s home. Although the old man offers to give a number of goats to avert the catastrophes, the pebbles keep demanding for the ritual beating forcing the old man and the wife to come up with a plan of tricking the pebbles. The harmful effect of the ritual beating is seen through Leveri, the wife to the old man’s son. The wife remembers how her daughter-in-law had been beaten to a fingernail’s distance to her grave by the son. This shows that the ritual beating can almost cause death hence the reason it should be discarded.

Although culture is a glue that holds people together, some of the outdated practices should be gotten rid of as the cause more harm than good.

War causes a lot of harm and thus should be avoided at any cost. Validate this statement basing your illustrations from Chimamanda Adichie’s ‘Ghosts’ (20 Marks)

Whenever parties engage in some form of fighting, there are grave implications that follow as is seen in Ghosts’ where the civil war that happened in July 6, 1967 cause suffering and pain to the people.

To start with, war is seen to cause displacement of several people. Many people are forced to run away from their country and their homes when the civil war broke

Prof. James and Ikenna’s meeting takes James down the memory lane where he recounts how they were forced to evacuate Nsukka in a hurry in July 6, 1967 when the war began. Through their conversation, we learn that Ikenna has lived in Sweden ever since the war began and has only come back to Nsukka recently. He discloses that he was flown out on Red Cross planes just like many other children had been airlifted to Gabon. Prof. James did not escape the displacement since he and his wife, Ebere had to move to America when the war broke out. Many people are seen to have been forced to leave their motherland as a result of the civil war.

secondly, we see that war leads to loss of lives. Several people had their lives cut short due to the civil war that broke out. The return of Ikenna comes as a surprise to Prof, James since Ikenna was thought to have died in the war. It is no wonder that Prof initially thought of throwing a handful of sand at him just like his people did to ensure that it was not a ghost. Actual loss of life is seen through Ikenna’s family. While explaining to prof the reason why he never returned to Nsukka after the war, Ikenna tells him that his whole family was killed when Orlu was bombed during the war thus he had nobody to come back to. It is not just Ikenna who lost loved ones but Prof too. His first daughter Zik died in the war. He tells Ikenna that the war took Zik. It is no wonder they named their second daughter Nkiruka which means: what is ahead is better.

Thirdly, war is seen to cause massive destruction and loss of properties. When Prof James and his wife first returned to Nsukka when the war ended in 1970, they notice major destructions that had occurred. Prof recounts how they found their house and items destroyed. His books were lying in front of the gate, his Mathematical Annals torn and used as tissue paper, the bath tab used as toilet and their photos ripped and their frames broken. The massive destruction of their house was too much that they had to be assigned a different house in a different street to avoid seeing their old house. In the process of their house being destroyed, they lose their Piano that belonged to Ebere. Prof also remembers the landscape of drove back to Nsukka after the war. The massive destruction a recounted by Prof shows how destructive war is.

Lastly, war causes psychological and physical suffering o live with nightmares the victims. Those who experience war and sad memories of it. Prof James is seen to have lived with the memories of the war. He easily remembers every detail of the war as he recounts it to Ikenna. Ikenna has suffered psychologically as is seen from the fact that he lost all his family in Orlu hence the reason he does not return to Nsukka. His psychological suffering is further seen from the fact that he never remarries after the war took his wife. Further evidence o psychological pain is seen where Prof observes how his people avoided the topic of war and if they engaged in it, it was with some vagueness. The naming of their second daughter Nkiruka- what is ahead

is better, also shows the pain that Prof and Ebere: were trying to avoid. The people also suffer physical pain. Prof.James remembers how a wounded soldier was shoved in their car on the day they returned to Nsukka«

War causes loss oflives, displacement ofpeoplej and destruction of properties among other effects. People should thus strive to live in harmony and avoid it at all costs.

Lack of courtesy between the police and civilians leads to lethal conflicts. Justify the validity of this statement using illustrations from Meja Mwangi’s Incident in the park. (20 marks).

Across the world, over centuries, the behaviour of some of the police officers has caused dire repercussions. Sometimes this happens due to excessive use of force or simply wrongful application law and policies, but majoriy this occurs as a result of impolite

Incident in the Park shows how city dwellers, hawkers and loafers find themselves in conflicts with the police over flimsy and petty reasons often ending unpleasantly. When the two constables accost the fruit peddler, he gets startled and confused. They demand for his licence and identity card which he obviously doesn’t have. Then he offers five shillings which doesn’t seem

good enough as one constable shrugs. This means that at times if the offer were attractive, they would have accepted it and left him.

The police refuse to listen to the fruit merchant and harshly shove him along the street to the city telling him he will explain to the judge. This complicates matters even more because the fruit- seller fears the judge more. It throws him into more panic as he has a case that is coming up the following week and the judge is a “tyrant”. He explains further that he is selling this time so that he can afford of me but all his entreaties fall on deaf ears. They remain unimpressed saying nothing until he breaks away and flees into the crowded city.

The situation escalates when the constables chase the fleeing man shouting for help from the passers-by. They actually betroth him unto the mob. A city man intercepts him and another man lunges for him as shouts increase. Tossed here and there as a suspect, the desperate fruit peddler stumbles and falls into a ditch. No one seems to care to find out what really is happening before taking action. No one listens as he pleads for mercy. 7his is where he meets his ‘verdict’ which is death. According to the crowd, ‘justice’ is administered. The mob universally condemn him without plausible evidence.

By the time the police arrive at the scene, it is too late. Their action is irreversible and fatal. Flie mob has already killed him for being a “thief”. They who are supposed

to ensure public safety an security have aided the killing o/a hardworking hawker by their silly mistake. This should not have happened if they had treated

the man Politely. An innocent life is so unnecessarily lost. This makes the public lose confidence in the police. after investigations the truth will come out and it will be hard to trust the police.

In a nutshell, wanton conflicts and deaths of innocent citizen could be averted if the police handled matters with courtesy and sobriety.

A Silent Song — Leonard Kibera.

Action speaks louder than words. Discuss the truth of this saying using illustrations from Leonard Kibera’s A Silent Song. (20 marks)

The character of an individual tells more than what they actually say. Mbane’s brother, Ezekiel, preaches water and takes wine. He is so devoted to God as a preacher, but neglects Mbane, to agonize in the streets for a long time until he almost dies. When he brings Mbane to his hut claiming to rescue him from the barbaric city in order that he can see the light of God, the blind beggar starts to feel more lonely and miserable in the desolate environment. lhe desolate hut is not a habitable place for him as it has a flea-ridden floor. One wonders

why he cannot live with his own brother in his own house! This action tells that the preacher does not love his brother.

It ironical for Ezekiel to keep preaching to his blind brother about Christ and salvation instead of first saving him from the harsh street beggary. Ezekiel seems to have already judged him as a sinner and that “Christ” will come down from heaven to do the good to him. Mbane dies miserably without much help from his brother. This is least expected from a man of God who should Have preached to his brother through actions of care and concern.

Ezekiel portrays religious hypocrisy since Christians would not throw insults and abuses to God’s people when they don’t agree with them on some issue, or when they do not show that they believe in Jesus Christ. When Mbane shows no interest in Christ, his brother tells him he is worse than a Judas. EIT1is lack of patience for a Christian, especially a preacher, is not morally acceptable.

Another action that tells of the preacher’s action is the meaning in his silence later as Mbane nears his death. Christians, good men and women on a Christmas morning, also display pretence in the way they curse and call him names instead of bringing the good knowledge of Christ to him. They claim, in his hearing, that he is an able-bodied person, only crippled more daily by the idleness of leisurely

begging. He could only yearn impotently beyond the reach of darkness and lameness. At times, self-pity overcomes him. To him, the God of the Gospel and religion are comforts beyond his reach as a cripple. His God is his only hope of deliverance from pain, destitution and despair. The people’s actions discourage him about Christianity which they profess but not practice.

In conclusion, the true gospel is the action of an individual because it is more practical than mere words. Actions work and satisfy the heart more than proclaiming the word ofGod.

Incident in the Park — Meja Mwangi.

1. Lack of courtesy between the police and civilians leads to lethal conflicts. Justify the validity of this statement using illustrations from Meja Mwangi’s Incident in the Park. (20 marks).

law and policies, but majorly this occurs as a result of impolitel interactions between the two parties.

Incident in the Park shows how city dwellers, hawkers and loafers find themselves in conflicts with the police over flimsy and petty reasons often ending unpleasantly.

When the two constables accost the fruit peddler, he gets startled and confused. They demand for his licence and identity card which he obviously doesn’t have. Then he offers five shillings which doesn’t seem good enough as one constable shrugs. This means that at times if the offer were attractive, they would have accepted it and left him.

The police refuse to listen to the fruit merchant and harshly shove him along the street to the city telling him he will explain to the judge. This complicates matters even more because the fruit- seller fears the judge more, It throws him into more panic as he has a case that is coming up the following week and the judge is a “tyrant”. He explains further that he is selling this time so that he can afford a fine but all his entreaties fall on deaf ears They remain unimpressed saying nothing until he breaks away and flees into the crowded city.

The situation escalates when the constables chase the fleeing man shouting for help from the passers-by. They actually betroth him unto the mob. A city man intercepts him and anotherman lunges for him as shouts increase. Tossed here and there as a suspect, the desperate fruit peddler stumbles and falls into a ditch, No one seems to care to find out what really is happening before taking action. No one listens as he pleads for mercy, This is where he meets his Verdict’ which is death. According to

the crowd, ‘justice’ is administered. The mob universally condemn him without plausible evidence.

By the time the police arrive at the scene, it is too late. Their action is irreversible and fatal. The mob has already killed him for being a “thief”. They who are supposed to ensure public safety and security have aided the killing of a hardworking hawker by their silly mistake. This should not have happened if they had treated the man politely. An innocent life is so unnecessarily lost. This makes the public lose confidence in the police. after investigations the truth will come out and it will be hard to trust the police.

In a nutshell, wanton conflicts and deaths of innocent citizens could be averted if the police handled matters with courtesy and sobriety.

1. Action speaks louder than words. Discuss the truth of this saying using illustrations from Leonard Kibera’s A Silent Song. (20 marks)

The character of an individual tells more than what they actually say. Mbane’s brother, Ezekiel, preaches water and takes wine. He is so devoted to God as a preacher, but neglects Mbane, to agonize in the streets for a long time until he almost dies. When he brings Mbane to his hut claiming to rescue him from the barbaric city in order that he can see the light of God, the blind beggar starts to feel more lonely and miserable in the desolate environment. The desolate hut is not a habitable place for him as it has a flea-ridden floor. One wonders why he cannot live with his own brother in his own house! This action tells that the preacher does not love his brother.

It ironical for Ezekiel to keep preaching to his blind brother abou Christ and salvation instead of first saving him from the harsh street beggary. Ezekiel seems to have already judged him as a sinner and that “Christ” will come down from heaven to do th good to him. Mbane dies miserably without much help from his

brother. This is least expected from a man of God who should have preached to his brother through actions of care and concern.

Ezekiel portrays religious hypocrisy since Christians would not throw insults and abuses to God’s people when they don’t agree with them on some issue, or when they do not show that they believe in Jesus Christ. When Mbane shows no interest in Christ, his brother tells him he is worse than a Judas. This lack of patience for a Christian, especially a preacher, is not morally acceptable.

Another action that tells of the preacher’s action is the meaning in his silence later as Mbane nears his death. Christians, good men and women on a Christmas

morning also display pretence in the way they curse and call him names instead of bringing the good knowledge of Christ to him. They claim, in his hearing, that he is an able-bodied person, only crippled more daily by the idleness of leisurely begging. He could only yearn impotently beyond the reach of darkness and lameness. At times self-pity overcomes him. To him, the God of the Gospel and religion are comforts beyond his reach as a cripple. His God is his only hope of deliverance from pain, destitution and despair. lie people’s actions discourage him about Christianity which they profess but not practice.

In conclusion, the true gospel is the action of an individual because it is more practical than mere words. Actions work and satisfy the heart more than proclaiming the word of God.

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Essays on a silent song and other stories.

By Tr Mercy

FAILURE TO GIVE HEED TO ADVICE HAS FAR REACHING CONSEQUENCES . DISCUSS THE TRUTHFULNESS OF THIS STATEMENT BASED ON DIFFERENT STORIES IN A SILENT SONG AND OTHER STORIES
In BOYI-The father is advised by the wife about the risks of giving Boyi away as he would not return and would be recruited in the militia. Baba defies asking Mama what she wanted him to do? That the militia chopped off the heads of whole families if one did not give them money, carried off fresh like trophies and hanged them on trees and may be ate them like Idi Amin. If she was ready for the torture inflicted with, first, low chopping of the ears then the feeding of worm filled earth to the victims. The consequences of the defiance is that Boyi is recruited into the Militia, becomes Matwa Kei’s right hand man and is then killed by the sergeant by being dropped from an aircraft without a parachute. It also causes untold grief to mama, Baba, and the narrator. Hence failure to give heed to advice has far reaching consequences.

In GOD SEES THE TRUTH BUT WAITS Van Aksionov is advised by the wife not to go to the Nizhiny Fair that day as she had had a bad dream about him; that his hair had turned grey. He insists on going and a mercharnt they had spent the night with was found with his throat cut and a blood stained knife was taken from Aksionov’s bag. He is incriminated and he is bound and put in a cart, feet tied together. His goods are taken from him and is sent to the nearest prison. He is flogged and jailed for twenty six years. Durind this time he is torn away from his very young children and his wife also suspects him. “Vanya dearest, tell your wife the truth: was is it not you who did? Hence failure to give heed to advice has far reaching consequences.

In IVORY BANGLES the chief was told by the seer to beat up the wife and send her back to her parents because the wife was going to die as the spirits were jealous of a happy wife…the chief does not follow these instructions. He says: what can I do to avert this? They can be appeased in another manner. I will give any number of goats.

The chief is advised to marry another wife but refuses. When the wife is attacked by the elephant, he remains alone with only one child.

The wife also does not follow instructions as she tells the husband that the seer once wanted to marry her. She also tells the husband that there must be some way.

The wife also plans to pretend to have been beaten and go to her parents. When her husband came for her, she would refuse which would make the two clans come together to reconcile them. A fine would be imposed on the husband and beer of reconciliation drunk. The spirits would be fooled and life continue as before.

The wife learns of marauding elephants while in the market. On her way back, she hears the scouts telling people to beware of elephants which were coming down in a herd, however on reaching home she out to dig. Consequently, she is attacked by the elephant and stamped to death. Hence failure to give heed to advice has far reaching consequences.

In SINS OF THE FATHERS, Mr Rwafa is opposed to Rondo’s marriage to Selina. When Selina comes to their house for the first time, Rwafa walks out and stays out the whole day. Rwafa also frowned-and even spat- at the relationship. Rwafa also fails to support in their wedding expenses and left town on state business for two weeks after asking

“Who did you say is wedding?”

Consequently, Rondo’s children and father- in- law are killed causing him immense suffering emotionally. The father also commits suicide. Hence failure to give heed to advice has far reaching consequences.

In TALKING MONEY Mukindanyi is warned against selling his ancestral land by his brothers but fails to heed to their advice. He tells his brothers he would not need them calling them “Jinga sana.”This here is my land and I am going to do damn well what I please with it.

Ngoseywe tells him “You will need us some day…you will eat dirt ….you will send for us.”

He ends up losing the land since he had already transferred the land by the time he returns the money , the money, and is in bad terms with the wife whom he has beaten and who forces him to take his money outside after Viganda spirits begin conversing in their house. Hence failure to give heed to advice has far reaching consequences.

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A Silent Song and Other Stories summary notes, themes, and guide

A Silent Song and Other Stories is a series of short stories written by various authors. Godwin Siundu edited the book. Different short stories have been weaved into narratives that revolve around various aspects of humanity.

What is contained in a silent song and other stories, characters in silent song, the synopsis of a silent song and other stories, 1. religion, 2. prostitution, 3. alcoholism, 4. compassion, 5. purpose in life, what are the character traits of ninema in a silent song, about leonard kibera, what is the price of silent song book.

Spotlight Publishers E.A. Limited published A Silent Song and Other Stories in 2020. It has so far received excellent reviews, and it is worth reading. Its stories cover several themes and different characterisations.

Besides Silent Song, this book has the following short stories:

Incident in the Park
Ivory Bangles
The Sins of the Fathers
The Truly Married Woman
Talking Money Analysis

A Silent Song and Other Stories guide readers through various stories. However, Silent Story has three main characters . Here are the main characters in this particular book.

Mbane : A young man who has spent much of his life living on the streets of a city. He is the protagonist of the story.
Sarah : Ezekiel's wife, a woman who is present at the hut with Mbane and confirms his death.
Ezekiel : The man who encourages Mbane to accept Christ and be baptised. He is present at the hut with Mbane and his wife, Sarah.

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What is the summary of A Silent Song and other short stories? Silent Song is a story about Mbane . He is a young, paralysed, blind city street beggar who has spent much of his life on the streets.

Mbane lives in poverty, begging from passers-by while seething with pain and discomfort. He spends his life begging for money and seeking shelter in a back lane at night. He is mainly isolated.

Interestingly, his brother, Ezekiel, is a wealthy preacher. He rescues Mbane from the brutal city unto the light of God. He takes him to his hut in a serene but suspicious location, where Sarah, Ezekiel's wife, nurses him.

Ezekiel preaches to Mbane about Christ, the saved ones, and sinners. He even asks him whether he knows where sinners go when they die and whether he accepts Jesus. Mbane honestly admits that he doesn't know.

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He also wonders why pimps and call girls are considered flawed and reflect on the violence and hostility he witnessed in the city. However, he remains hopeful that his brother's intentions are well-intentioned and that he will be able to find meaning and purpose in his new surroundings.

A Silent Song and Other Stories themes

The symbolism in this fantastic book, more so in Silent Song, is enough to make you sit back and marvel at the lives of people in an African set-up. It is an excellent read. Here are some of the themes in this fantastic set book;

The theme of religion is present throughout the story and is a primary focus of Ezekiel's interactions with Mbane. He is depicted as deeply religious and trying to encourage Mbane to accept Christ and be baptised.

Mbane knows, sees, and recalls City Street with nostalgia. He recalls the voices of good men and women turned drunk in the refuge of the night brothels, pimps and more. There is significant evidence of such evils in the book.

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The street had taught Mbane a lot of things. He saw many men and women who were drunk. This is covered in the book.

The theme of compassion and caring is present in the book. It is evident through Ezekiel's concern for Mbane's physical and spiritual welfare. He tries to guide him towards Christ.

Mbane is depicted as being introspective and reflective. He thinks a lot about his life and the world around him.

Traits of characters in A Silent Song and Other Stories

Here is the characterisation of these main characters.

Mbane is the primary focus of this book. He depicts the following traits;

Open-minded: He seems to be open to new ideas and experiences. He is receptive to his brother's guidance towards Christ.
Perseverant : Although he is poor and living in misery in the city, he endures until his brother rescues him.
Observant : Despite being physically blind, he can understand so much of the city through his other senses.
Reflective : He is depicted as being introspective and thoughtful. He thinks about his life and the world around him.

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Ezekiel is the brother of Mbane. He is characterised as follows in this popular book.

Hypocritical : He rescues his brother only to show him the light of God. However, this happened after neglecting him for a long time.
Persistent : He is depicted as relentless in his efforts to guide Mbane towards Christ.
Religious : He is deeply religious and concerned with his brother's spiritual well-being.

Sarah is the wife of Ezekiel. She portrays the following characters.

Compassionate : She takes care of her poor brother-in-law without complaining.
Reserved : Sarah like to keep much about herself under wraps.

Ninema is the third story in the book, A Silent Song and Other Stories. It is one of the famous short stories. South African author, Vrenika Pather, wrote the story.

NInema is one of the market gardeners and is the main character. She possesses admirable traits, including being hardworking, ambitious, organised, and strong-willed.

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Leonard Kibera is the author of Silent Song. He was a renowned Kenyan short story writer and novelist. He was famous for his other works, including Voices in the Dark and Potent Ash.

Kibera was born on October 8th, 1942, but died on July 19th, 1983. He studied at the University of California and Stanford University. He taught at the University of Zambia and Kenyatta University .

The book is readily available in bookshops and online retailers. The prices vary depending on where you are going to purchase the book. According to Jumia , the book costs Ksh. 1200

A Silent Song and Other Stories is an exciting book you can not afford not to read. The various story narrates the life of many characters. It touches on different themes which are of significance to the day-to-day life of many people.

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Tuko.co.ke also shared a detailed article on Fathers of Nations . It is a satirical novel set in Africa. The author brings to date all that has gone wrong in Africa. It was written by Paul B. Vitta and printed in 2013 by Oxford University Press East Africa .

The article details the synopsis of Fathers of Nations , its theme analysis, and its characters. The story brings to the readers all that has gone wrong in Africa. The plot revolves around the lives of four men from different parts of Africa.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Fri. May 3rd, 2024

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