It was pitch dark outside, except for the occasional firefly and car lights in the distance, and Ntombi was all alone. The cold breeze gave her chills, but she did not care. Anything was better than staying home and watching her angry father beat her mother. Why did mommy let it happen? Why couldn’t she fight back? All these thoughts raced in her mind as she stared at the creepy-looking trees that surrounded her. Their branches looked like long hands that threatened to grab her. She was so scared. Scared and alone.
Her father was not a bad man, but every time he drank beer another man took over his body. Ntombi believed that they were two people fighting for her father’s body. She may have been twelve years old but even she knew what beer could do to people. Every night she would pray for the bad man to leave her father’s body. It seemed God took too long to hear her. She also prayed for a friend. One day her prayers were answered when her mother brought Nana to the house. Nana was the most beautiful dog.
Ntombi wondered where her dog was. Nana would never abandon her. She was a good dog. A loyal dog. She looked around her, and for the first time, she realized that she was lost. Where am I? Is that growling I hear? I’m so scared. Where are you, Nana? Her thoughts were forcing her to panic. She had to be brave, but it was not easy. Nana was her truest friend and she really needed her friend right about now. The growling she heard came closer. Ntombi could not see where the growling was coming from. It was so dark that the growling felt like the darkness itself was the one that threatened her. She was not alone and this frightened her even more.
A big black dog came out of the shadow of night. It was snarling at her. Saliva drooling from its mouth. Its face was so mean and angry that Ntombi cried out in fear. This dog looked like it was ready to attack her. She was so scared that she dropped to her knees and hugged her body. She closed her eyes and began to pray. Pray for the monster to go away. God, please help me! She prayed. Her voice was really loud in her thoughts. Then a miracle happened. She heard the sounds of familiar barking and growling. It was Nana! Nana had come.
Ntombi opened her eyes and saw her best friend. Nana had grown from the time she had first come. Ntombi remembered what her mother had told her a few years ago. She had told her that if Nana had been fed well and cared for properly, she would one day return that kindness. Ntombi was so happy to see her best friend. The big mean dog looked very surprised. Ntombi thought it reminded her of her father. She hugged Nana as the dog came by her side.
Nana barked and growled really loud. The big dog began to move backwards really slowly. Then the sounds of footsteps followed. People were coming. Ntombi heard the voice of her mother calling her name. Nana too barked in appreciation. The big dog had run away into the darkness of the night. Ntombi was soon surrounded by her mother and several people who had come to help. She was so happy that she wrapped her arms around Nana and hugged the dog tightly.
As the days went on peace returned to the house. Her father had been arrested, and even though Ntombi felt relieved by this she was also sad. She could see that her mother felt the same. Ntombi decided to make the effort to cheer her mother up. She would always be there for her mother. Nana was the big hero. Ntombi was never going to forget how brave her friend had been. Her friend saved her. Her friend also saved her mother. It was Nana who had scared her drunk father away. Nana is her best friend in the whole wide world. Nana who’s friendship meant more than anything.
Read – How Dog Became Man’s Loyal Friend – A Children’s Story by Thandiwe Chibale, Zambia
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