The sweet incident

Before noon in the small village of Iilugudhi, Namibia, where life was a delicate dance between tradition and survival, the sun hung high over the expansive fields of beans, mahangu, groundnuts, and watermelons. It was in these fields that young Nakana spent her days, learning life’s lessons amid the lush greenery and sweltering heat.

Nakana was a spirited girl, curious and eager to prove herself despite the constant warnings from the elders. “Stay away from danger,” they would caution, their voices laden with tales meant to guide and protect, but instead sowed seeds of mistrust and anxiety. Threats of mythical punishments echoed through her childhood -tales of ears being cut off by old men if children didn’t finish their food or being devoured by a neighbor’s pig if children played in the water. These tales haunted her dreams.

One sunny day, Nakana found herself in a distant neighbor’s field, diligently weeding the fertile soil in exchange for a few coins. Children often took up such tasks to earn pocket money, a tradition woven into the fabric of village life. The field owner, a weathered man with a kind smile, paid her after inspecting her work, his calloused hands unfolding a napkin to reveal the promised coins.

Beside the payment, his wife displayed various items for sale under a shady tree at the edge of the field. Nakana’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as she pocketed her earnings. She couldn’t resist the temptation of a packet of sweets, their colorful wrappers gleaming in the sunlight.

Eager to enjoy her treat, Nakana began walking home, savoring each sweet bite until disaster struck. In her haste, she swallowed a piece too large, feeling it lodge stubbornly in her throat. Panic surged through her. Fearful of the consequences, she remembered the elders’ warnings about sweets and their dire consequences if consumed carelessly.

Alone and frightened, Nakana sought refuge in a secluded spot, hoping the sweet would dissolve on its own. Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled silently, her throat raw from unsuccessful attempts to dislodge it. The pain was excruciating, but she dared not seek help.

Minutes stretched into eternity until finally, with a shudder of relief, the sweet dissolved enough for her to swallow it down. Gasping for air, she realized the severity of her predicament and the dangers of heedless indulgence.

As she made her way home, a lesson crystallized in her mind —a lesson not just about sweets and their perils, but about trust and discernment. The warnings of the elders, though well-intended, had instilled a fear that clouded her judgment, making her hesitant to seek help when needed most.

With the taste of fear still lingering, Nakana vowed to tread more cautiously, to discern between genuine danger and unwarranted fears. The incident with the sweet became a poignant metaphor for her journey —a journey through childhood innocence, shaped by the wisdom and fears of those who had come before her.