by Selmpu Parnai  (This story has been slightly edited.)

There was once a young boy called Nyausi.  This boy lived with his grandparents since he lost his mother.  He was too young to look after his grandmother properly.  His father also decided to get married to another co-wife.  When Nyausi’s step-mother came to the village, everyone was excited, but the people also had pity for the young boy.

His grandmother never gave up to look after the boy.  After a couple of years, Nyausi  became brave enough to look after his grandmother’s flock of sheep.  The family was pleased with him since he was disciplined.  He also helped his grandmother fetch water and helped her with other daily work.

His loving father became excited by how the boy was growing in responsibility and wished to have his only son live with him.  His grandmother throbbed with fear and almost went bananas.  She wanted her grandson to stay with her and before an egg could rot, she called the clan elders and asked them to settle the problem.  Since the son belonged to the father, he would have to live with him, but the grandmother’s efforts should be appreciated.  Nyausi’s father was told to bring her two black goats, two red hens and a yellow cow.

After some days, Nyausi’s father brought what he was told.  He found Nyausi’s grandmother seated, but he was not able to see his son.  He had run away because he knew he was to be taken out of his grandparents house.

It was not long when Nyausi’s father returned in full combat and told him and his grandmother they will have to prepare for a journey tomorrow.  Nyausi became happy at the thought of the adventure and did all the work for his grandmother.  After the sun set they had packed the clothes that were in good condition and went to bed.

At the crack of dawn, they set off on the journey.  When they arrived at his father’s home, the step-mother welcomed them with warm hands, but as soon as the grandmother left, she locked Nyausi in a room.  He screamed and his step-mother became irritated, giving him a hot blow on his chubby cheeks. He stopped screaming, knowing there was nothing he could do.

His father took him to school so that he would be educated since he had reached the age when children should go to school.  Every day after school he found no food was left by his step-mother.

“Stop crying and go fetch water before you receive another hot blow,” his stepmother ordered.  He had to put up with the situation because whenever he reported it to his father, his father said he could do nothing.

The step-mother complained, making much noise about the boy, saying he did nothing and has increased their problems.  Whenever meat was served, Nyausi could not even taste it.  He lived a miserable life that in the end, caused him to kill himself.

All was gone and when the family migrated to Uganda, the step-mother felt deep sorrow and committed suicide.