Shuko woke up to the sweet sound of the chirping birds up in the tree which stood in his grandfather’s compound. He was so happy to be in a place that was so quiet but surrounded by beautiful African nature. His dream was to one day tour the whole of Africa. He had leant a lot about the different beautiful places in Africa. He was so lucky to be with his grandfather who had a vast knowledge about the continent. His grandfather had travelled a lot on the continent. He had climbed the tallest mountain in Tanzania, sailed on the longest river in the world, the Nile, and visited the largest desert in the world, the Sahara. He had seen it all and when he sat down in the evening around the fire, he always narrated the beautiful tales about the beautiful continent.
Shuko jumped out of bed, made his bed and cleaned his room. In no time, he was out to see his grandfather. His grandmother called out to him as he ran out to his grandfather’s workshop.
“Come and eat your breakfast,” said his grandmother.
“What’s for breakfast, grandma?” He asked.
“Musohya,” replied his grandmother.
‘Musohya’ was a delicacy. It was a meal made when pounded maize was prepared together with pounded groundnuts. This was his favourite African dish. Every time he visited the village, he would request his grandmother to prepare one for him.
When he went to his grandfather’s workshop, he found the old man polishing up something that looked like a trophy. It looked so beautiful.
“Grandpa, what is that?” He asked.
“This is the biggest treasure,” he responded.
“What do you mean?” He asked.
“Whoever holds it, rules Africa,” his grandfather responded.
“It has so much power?”
“Yes, it is the biggest prize one could ever have,” his grandfather responded.
“Who can hold it?” Shuko asked.
“It is only held by the Champions of Africa,” came the response.
“Champions, this means there is a battle?”
“Yes, a battle that unifies all of us,” his grandfather said.
“What is this battle that unifies us?”
“This battle is called, Africa Cup,” his grandfather said, “It is held every two years and whoever emerges as the champion is given this trophy.”
“But why are you holding this trophy?” Shuko asked, “Isn’t it supposed to be with the champions?”
“I am the cupbearer,” grandfather responded, “I hold it before the battle begins so that I polish and clean it.”
“How did it all begin?” Shuko asked.
“A long time ago,” his grandfather started narrating, “the whole of Africa was divided. There were wars everywhere on the continent. The enemies from Europe, Asia and America had come and were dividing the people and causing them to fight each other. Africa was falling apart. All the leaders came together and asked how they were going to unite everyone on the continent. They all decided that they will call all the people to a game of football. During these games, all the people will be united and all will be filled with love. They decided that a cup or trophy will be made using different parts from all of Africa. It will be something that will unite everyone.”
“Grandpa, do you mean that this trophy has parts from different areas of Africa?” He asked.
“Yes, we got copper from Zambia and Congo, gold from South Africa and Ghana, Diamonds from Botswana and from everywhere in Africa,” he responded. “The trophy is made up of different parts representing the whole of Africa.”
“Who made it then?” Shuko asked.
“I did,” he responded. “I made it with my friends.”
“Every time the tournament is held I carry the cup to where it is held,” his grandfather said. “This year, it will be held in Cameroon.”
“You will give it to the champions?”
“Yes,” he replied, “and you will come with me.”
Shuko was so happy. He had never been to Cameroon. He knew that all the African stars will be there in the stadium. He wanted to see Mané and Salah.
In February, Shuko was on a plane to Cameroon to take the cup. He was now a junior cupbearer. He was very happy when he walked with his grandfather to put the cup for the entire world to see. He was so happy to see two best friends, Salah and Mané play against each other. He could see the love between the two friends. Black and white brothers were all the same and playing together. In Cameroon, he saw the whole continent get united. He loved his job as a cupbearer.
Read – In the New School – A Children’s Story by Immaculate Ajiambo, Kenya
——-
The Writers Space Africa(WSA) Magazine is published by a team of professionals and downloadable for free. If you would like to support our work, please buy us coffee – https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wsamagazine
Amazing story by Tololo. “A battle that Unites us” is the line that acts as a fresh breath of air amidst this political upheavals in Africa. Sports is a language we all understand, that must be the catalyst to bring us together. Thanks writers space for playing your free-role in the midfield.
-Okwaput Israel Victor(Uganda-poet).
Very nice story to inspire the next generation, reminding them of the things that matter – unity, honor, hard work.