Zawadi and Hamisi in Huruma Village
This is a true story, but only narrated using fictional characters and places.
In Huruma village, there lived two friends: Zawadi and Hamisi. Though they were close in age, their hearts were very different. Zawadi was kind and quick to help, while Hamisi was often too selfish.
One hot afternoon, the village children gathered under a baobab tree for a bao game (a strategic East African game of the mancala family). Everyone brought a small smooth round stone or seed to use. Zawadi arrived early and helped little Neema who just got an injured leg, while Hamisi pushed past, grabbing the best seat for himself.
“Why should I help anyone?” Hamisi muttered. “Everyone should look after themselves.”
The children played until sunset, and then they began walking home. On the way, Zawadi noticed that Neema was struggling with her fuelwood bundle. “Come on, I'll help you,” Zawadi said, lifting it gently. Hamisi only laughed. “Why carry another person’s burden? She should be strong enough!”
The next morning, they noticed that the small community-constructed bridge had broken after heavy rains. Anyone wishing to get to the other side would have to cross through a narrow log until it was repaired. The villagers got worried, but they still needed to cross back and forth.
Zawadi volunteered first. He crossed carefully, balancing his wood bundle, and then returned to help the elderly and younger ones. He stretched out his hand, saying to them one by one, “Hold on, don't be afraid.”
When it was Hamisi’s turn, he smirked. “I don’t need anyone’s help. I am strong.” He stepped onto the log, but halfway across, his foot slipped. The load he was carrying fell into the river, but he only managed to cling to the log, trembling.
The children shouted. “He’ll fall! Somebody help him".
Without hesitation, Zawadi hurried back onto the log. He stretched out his hand, the same way he had done for others. “Hold my hand".
Ashamed, Hamisi took his hand, and with Zawadi’s steady pull, he made it across. The children cheered, but Hamisi hung his head low in shame.
That evening, as they sat around the fire, Mzee Omari spoke: “We all saw what happened today. Hamisi, you laughed when others needed help, but when you stumbled, it was kindness that saved you. Let this be a lesson to us all. Treat others the way you would love to be treated, because none of us walks alone in this life.”
Hamisi’s eyes filled with tears. He turned to Zawadi. “Samahani, rafiki yangu (I'm sorry, my friend). I see now. I must give the same hand of help I wish to receive.”
From that day forward, Hamisi changed. Whenever someone needed help, Hamisi was the first to lend out a helping hand.
And so, in Huruma village, the people often said: “The strongest are those who remember kindness, because one day, they too will need a hand.”
