Short Stories

The first time I knew you had changed shone from your response to the biology teacher’s question: Why is the reproductive system the most interesting topic in Biology? Why are both Intelligence [...]

It was inevitable: the putrid smell of carrion flowers often reminded me of the fate of my inner childhood. It all began on the day Papa died. I had returned from vacation from Auntie Esewie, my [...]

A cold morning is the time you wear an extra layer of clothing to work – it could be a raincoat, a sweater, or a suit but not if you work in a hospital. A health professional would wear [...]

This evening, Maria watches her daughter like a hawk watching its prey. As Nene plays with other kids, fear tightens her chest like a rope, making it harder and harder to breathe. Despite the [...]

It was a dark stormy night when something fell into my deep waters. Swiftly I swam with all my might to reach this tiny unknown bundle. I was surprised to find a wooden boat slowly sailing above [...]

It rained grief in Idoani; the day Mr. Dawap died, and the longest, largest, and fruitless tree was down. Under the tree were lengthened wooden chairs, before his death. The administrative block, [...]

She stood engrossed by the closed classroom door while her fingers clutched a pile of books. Immaculee, the Rwandan college girl’s pencil skirt and tight-fit blouse gave her the looks of a mature [...]

When we all struggled to mention America, Canada, Australia and other foreign countries, Nyambeche shouted Rwanda. A handful of us turned to her with what-did-you-just-say eyes as if she’d grown [...]

Nasiche applied red lipstick over her swollen lips. She smiled as a throbbing pain pulsated through them. She replayed “TLC’s unpretty” track on her phone as she drew the eye pencil over her [...]

Some say it was a genetic mutation which did it. Though others would claim it was the white lady. The one who not only reared them but apparently taught them to sing. The strange one who kept to [...]