Grade 7, Learnmore Institute
In a small village in South Africa, deep in the rolling hills, there was a boy whose name was Sanele. He lived with his mother and younger sister. Their home was a tiny hut with a roof that usually leaked when it rained. These were days that were very hard, there was never enough of food, and every morning Sanele walked barefoot from home to school on the rocky and dust roads.
But despite the hardships, he had dreams bigger than the sky. He wanted to become an author. Sanele loved to learn; his favourite subject was English, and he would spend time reading borrowed books and listening to his teachers’ explanations and lectures. Sometimes he sat under the old marula tree imagining himself standing in front of a large audience, telling stories that would inspire people.
One afternoon, his teacher announced that there would be a writing competition at the book fair in the nearest town. The winner would receive a scholarship to a better school. Sanele’s heart raced; this was his chance to show that his studies could pay off. At home Sanele found on old notebook with torn pages and began writing. He wrote about his village that had the laughter of children playing in the river, and the elders who shared wisdom under the moonlight. He wrote about the ups and downs of the village. But as the deadline approach, doubt crept into his mind. “No one will choose my story,” Sanele thought. “I am just a poor boy.”
His mother saw his sadness and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Your words have power, Sanele. Don’t let fear silence them.” Encouraged by his mother’s words, he finished his story and handed it in. Days later he was called to the front of the classroom. His teacher’s eyes were showing excitement. “Sanele!” she called with a big smile. “You have won!” Tears filled Sanele’s eyes. The boy who once felt invisible was now seen, and he would go to a new school, and have a chance in the world.
As the class cheered for Sanele, he was very happy. Ashe stood under the marula tree that evening, looking up at the stars, he whispered, “One day I will tell my story to the world.” And deep in his heart, he knew that dreams, no matter how big, were never too far away.