Little Tapiwa was running as fast as her legs could allow her. It was windy outside, but all Tapiwa cared about was the egg she held, gently in her arms. She had to be careful not to drop it. That egg was Tapiwa’s mother.
It had happened earlier in the morning.
Tapiwa had woken up from a peaceful sleep expecting to find her mother getting breakfast ready but instead found a huge egg, the size of a football, resting on top of the dining table. She had called out to her mother, but had only been rewarded with silence. Then she heard her mother’s voice. It had been coming from the egg. Every time her mother spoke, the egg would glow into many colours. Tapiwa was at first very frightened, but her mother told her to be brave. Her mother told her that a terrible woman had done this. She told Tapiwa that an old man could break the curse. The old man lived in a hut near the hillside far from the village. That was how Tapiwa’s journey had begun.
Tapiwa’s mother told her that the terrible woman was a witch. When Tapiwa asked why the witch had to do this, her mother told her that some people don’t like seeing other people happy and filled with love. There’s nothing more powerful than the love a mother has. This made Tapiwa happy. Her mother loved her and would always protect her. It was now Tapiwa’s turn to protect her mother. Her mother told her that the old man was a good wizard. The wizard would help her mother.
As Tapiwa journeyed with her mother, many evil things tried to stop her. Powerful wind blew trying to make her drop the egg, but she held on tight. Strange black rain that burnt the ground and made the flowers sick never touched Tapiwa because her mother’s love protected her. The rain drops could not touch her. Tapiwa learnt that a mother was special. A mother was strong. Stronger than the mightiest warriors. Her mother spoke to her once again. She told her that motherhood was a blessing.
Tapiwa finally arrived at the wizard’s hut. The man’s face was painted in white and he sat staring at her. “Don’t be scared. Bring the egg,” said the man. Tapiwa did as she was told. The wizard pointed his long staff at the egg and then at the sky above. There was a loud rumbling sound from the sky and lightning struck the staff and the egg at the same time. Tapiwa watched as the egg grew in size and cracked open. Her mother was there. The wizard chuckled as mother and daughter hugged each other tenderly.
Tapiwa could not believe that she had her mother back. Her mother kissed her on both cheeks and told her that her love for her will always keep her safe. Tapiwa was so happy that she let herself be buried in her mother’s continuous hugs and kisses.
Read – All Mama Does – A Children’s Literature by Sisanda Mqadi, South Africa
Pelekani Lwenje is a Zambian writer. Writing has been his passion since he stepped into the school library when he was 11 years old. He fell in love with books and their authors, loves telling stories, and hopes it sustains him and his readers.
