Mandla was a six-year-old little boy from a small town in the Free State province named Frankfort. He was a very smart boy who had just started his first grade at school.
On his birthday, his father surprised him with a very special gift. His father told him to first finish his meal, pack away his toys, and then he would show him the big present.
When Mandla had done all that he had been told to do, his father gave him his gift, which was a very beautiful blue and white bicycle. Mandla was so happy; he could not wait to show his friend and go on bike rides with him.
As happy as he was, he remembered that he could not ride a bicycle because no one had taught him how to. He went and told his father about it, and his father said, ‘Don’t worry, son. I am here to teach you. Tomorrow we will go out to the park so that I can teach you.’
Mandla was very excited and could not wait to learn how to ride the bicycle.
The following day, Mandla and his dad went to the park. His father taught him how to ride the bicycle. His father held the bicycle to make sure that he-Mandla does not fall. They practiced everyday for a full week, and at the end of it, Mandla’s father asked him to try to ride the bicycle on his own. At the end of the week, Mandla went to the field alone this time to ride.
On his first attempt, he fell and went back home. He did not tell his father what had happened. The following day, he went to try again, but the same thing happened. He went back home and didn’t tell his father anything still. Mandla tried again for the third time, but he fell again and hurt his ankle. Mandla went back home crying and told his father what had happened. He also told his father that he no longer wanted to ride the bicycle again.
His father told him that he can not give up yet, and encouraged him to keep on trying. The next day, Mandla went to the park together with his father. His father cheered him up when he got on his bicycle. This time Mandla managed to keep his feet on the pedals and did not fall. He was thrilled that he could now ride his bicycle on his own. He started riding his new bicycle with his friend, all around the park. He would carry his friend and have fun. All this happened because Mandla had not given up and kept on trying until he succeeded to ride the bicycle on his own.
Today, Mandla is the best cyclist in South Africa because he chose to not give up and keep on trying.
Moipone Thandeka Rankoe is a communications graduate from the University of the Free State. She is a proud creator of ‘All Things Life with Thandeka’, a personal blog where she dives into all aspects of life. Her ultimate career goal is to become a communications specialist for a well-recognised company. Armed with strong skills in communication, digital marketing, and critical thinking, Thandeka is ready to make an impact. Also, when she is not busy pursuing her dreams, you can find her lost in the world of books or crafting her own stories.
Read – Night Rest – A Poem by Favour Edet, Nigeria
Wow! Mandla and his bicycle is a beautiful story! It shows how a parent’s support is everything!
No support is greater than a parent’s! Even at your weakest, once you see your parent there for you you can’t fail to get up on your feet and try once more.
I enjoyed this story…every bit of it👌
This is so simple yet beautifully written