IsiZulu stories

Ngelinye ilanga uMkhulu wayefuna ukusifundisa isifundo esithile mayelana nokwethembana nokubonga, ngakho wasixoxela indaba yebhubesi nenkawu …
Ibhubesi nenkawu kwakuhlala ehlathini elicinene kakhulu. Ibhubesi lalizulazula phansi, ngesikhathi inkawu yona ihlala phezulu ezihlahleni. Ngelinye ilanga ibhubesi labona isigaxa senyama sibekwe phansi phezu kwehlamvu likabhanana. “Nasiya isidlo samahhala engizosithola kalula,” licabanga.
Ibhubesi laya maphakathi nehlamvu likabhanana kodwa lathi lisaluma inyama, lakhalakathela emgodini.
Lakhalakathela emgodini ojulile nenyama nehlamvu
likabhanana.
“Lalizokwazi kanjani ibhubhesi ukuthi isidlo samahhala asihlali njalo kungesamahhala; nokuthi into ebukeka izotholakala kalula ayihlali
itholakala kalula njengoba kubukeka?” kusho uMkhulu.
“Yayizokwazi kanjani inkosi yehlathi ukuthi umzingeli oyiqili wayegubhe umgodi ojulile, wawuvala ngehlamvu likabhanana wase ebeka inyama phakathi nehlamvu likabhanana, wamboza
ngesihlabathi ukuze kungabonakali ukuthi yinto amdoba ngayo?”

Umgodi wawumncane kangangokuthi ibhubesi lalikwazi ukuma liqonde ngemilenze yalo yangemuva kuphela. Lenza yonke imizamo yokuphuma emgodini ojulile, kodwa ngaso sonke isikhathi uma lizama ukuphuma isibomvu sasiwohloka ngaphansi kwezidladla zalo libuye liphonseke ekujuleni komgodi. Lahlala lapho ibhubesi elikhathele kwaze kwahlwa ngesikhathi libona
ngokuphazima kweso umsila uthi pheshe. Kwakuwumsila wenkawu eyayeqe umgodi. Ibhubesi lamemeza licela usizo.
“Wenzani wena wasebukhosini endaweni ejulile nemnyama kangaka?” kubuza inkawu ilunguze emgodini.
“Ngikhalakathele,” kusho ibhubesi ngezwi elibuthakathaka. “Sengihlale lapha usuku lonke. Ngicela ungisize.”
Inkawu yake yanokungabaza yahamba, kodwa ibhubesi layincenga futhi.
Inkawu yase ithi, “Ngatshelwa ukuthi zonke izilwane ezike zakusiza ngokuthile, azange ziphile ukuze zixoxe indaba yazo.”
“Ngiyazi ukuthi uhlakaniphe kakhulu ukuthi ungalalela amanga owawatshelwa yizitha zami,” kusho ibhubesi. “Ngicela ungisize bandla.”
Inkawu yagcina isilidabukela ibhubesi yase yehlisela umsila wayo emgodini njengentambo. Ibhubhesi labamba umsila wenkawu lenyuka ngawo. Kodwa lathi noma seliphumele ngaphandle laqhubeka nokubamba umsila wenkawu.
“Ngidedele! Angikukhiphanga yini emgodini ojulile ngenxa okungincenga kwakho?” inkawu ibuza ibhubesi.
Kodwa ibhubesi lawubamba lawuqinisa kakhudlwana umsila wenkawu, futhi yathi uma inkawu ibuka amehlo ebhubesi, yabona indlela elalibuka ngayo eyayikhombisa ukulamba. “Ngicela ungidedele!” kukhala inkawu. Kodwa laya liyibamba liyiqinisa inkawu.

Kusenjalo, kwaqhamuka isalukazi. Sasiya epulazini laso ngesikhathi sibona izilwane ziqophisana ngamazwi. Sama sazibuza ukuthi zixabana ngani. Inkawu yasitshela ukuthi ilisize kanjani ibhubesi elalikhalakathele emgodini ojulile.
“Kodwa manje libambe umsila wami alifuni ukuwudedela,” ikhononda.
“Ngabe kuyiqiniso lokhu?” kubuza isalukazi ebhubesini. Ibhubesi lavuma ngekhanda. Isalukazi satshela inkawu ukuthi, “Hlanganisa izandla zakho bese uthi, ‘Sengizofela ukulunga kwami. Sengizofela ukulunga kwami.’” Ngakho inkawu yenza kanjalo.
Isalukazi saphendukela ebhubesini sathi, “Hlanganisa izidladla zakho bese uthi, ‘Kukhona umuntu ozofela ukulunga kwakhe. Kukhona umuntu ozofela ukulunga kwakhe.’” Ibhubesi laphakamisa isidladla salo esingabambe lutho lase liphinda amazwi esalukazi.

“Cha bo!” kusho isalukazi. “Ngithe hlanganisa izidladla zakho, futhi ngichaza izidladla zakho zangaphambili, bese usho amazwi.” Ngesikhathi ibhubesi lenza esikushilo, lihlanganisa izidladla zalo, yaphunyula yabaleka inkawu. Ibhubesi lajaha inkawu yaze yagibela esihlahleni esiseduze. Ibhubesi labheka emuva endaweni lapho ababebone khona isalukazi ngenkulu indumalo, kodwa sasingasekho.
Umkhulu wathi ukuma kancane wase ebuka ubuso bethu base bugcwele injabulo ngenxa yokuphetha kahle kwendaba yenkawu.

Veza ubuciko bakho!

Sebenzisani amapleti, izikele, iphepha, upende neglu ukuze nenze amamaskhi ebhubesi nenkawu. Sebenzisani i-sticky tape ukuze niwanamathisele ezindukwini ezinde.
Zithokoziseni nilingisa indaba nisebenzisa amamaskhi enu.

“O nkosi yami,” kucabanga umama kaLethabo ngesikhathi ehlala etafuleni lasekhishini. “Kumele ngenzenjani? Kusasa usuku lokuzalwa lukaLethabo kanti imali ekhona incane kakhulu ukuthi ingathenga isipho.” ULethabo wayemi kusinki evuma ingoma ngesikhathi egeza izitsha. “Mmmm la la ... Mmmm la la.” “Lethabo,” kusho uMama, “kusasa usuku lwakho lokuzalwa. Yini engingakupha yona?” “Eyi, Mama,” kusho uLethabo, “nami angazi ukuthi ngifunani.” “Ngizocabanga okuthile,” kusho uMama.

Dum dum de dum ... dum dum de dum. Kushaya iminwe kamama phezu kwetafula. Wawuthanda lo msindo uLethabo. “Dum dum de dum … dum dum de dum,” wacula buthule ngesikhathi eya ekameleni lakhe. Wakhumula izicathulo zakhe wahlala embhedeni wakhe. “Konje ngifunani ngosuku lwami lokuzalwa?” kuphimisela uLethabo. “Kuyamangaza lokhu okubuzayo!” kusho izwi. “Ubani lowo?” kusho uLethabo emile. “Angiboni muntu.” “Ngingaphansi kombhede!” kusho izwi. “Ngicela uphume!” ULethabo waphinde wagxumela embhedeni wakhe. “Ewu!” Phambi kwakhe kwakumi isicabucabu. Sasimi ngezinyawo eziyisishiyagalombili ezinde. Zazibukeka sengathi yizinduku. “Ngiyaxolisa ngokukwethusa!” Isicabucabu sagobisa ikhanda laso. “Igama lami nginguFelix. Ngiyisicabucabu esibizwa nge-Anansi.”

“NginguLethabo. Ngiyasithanda isigqoko sakho!” “Ngiyabonga, Lethabo. Isigqoko sami sivela eGhana! Sinemibala yefl egi laseGhana − umbala obomvu, ophuzi noluhlaza okotshani.” “Ikuphi iGhana?” kubuza uLethabo. “Yizwe lase-Afrika elikude kakhulu,” kuphendula uFelix. “Siyini isicabucabu esibizwa nge- Anansi?” kubuza uLethabo. “Ngivela emndenini wezicabucabu ezibizwa ngama-Anansi. Sidumile. Sivela eNtshonalanga ne-Afrika. Abanye bethu bahlale bengena ezinkingeni isikhathi esiningi, kodwa akunjalo kimi. Empeleni, akwenzeki njalo,” kuhleka uFelix. “Uzokwenzani la?” kubuza uLethabo. “Ungibizile,” kusho uFelix. “Cha angikubizanga!” kusho uLethabo. Wahleka uFelix. “Yebo, ungibizile ngesikhathi uvuma ingoma. Manje-ke ngicela uvale amehlo, kukhona engikuphathele kona ongakulindele.” ULethabo wavala amehlo akhe ngezandla. Wayezwa uFelix ehla enyuka phansi. Kwase kuba khona umsindo owagcwala igumbi lonke. Dum dum de dum … dum dum de dum. Wawufana nomsindo owawenziwe umama wakhe phezu kwetafula, kodwa wawuzwakala useduze futhi uzwakala kakhulu. “Kazi yini leyo?” kusho yena. “Vula amehlo akho!” kumemeza uFelix. UFelix wayedlala izigubhu eziyisishiyagalombili ngesikhathi esisodwa. Unyawana oluncane ngalunye lwalusesigujini. Izigubhu zazimzungezile zakhe isikokela. Wayegobise ikhanda ngesikhathi eshaya isigubhu ngasinye. Dum dum de dum ... dum dum de dum.

“Ngiyasithanda!” kumamatheka uLethabo. Wagxuma wazungeza ekamelweni ecula ngesikhathi yena edlala. Umsindo wokukhala kwezigubhu nokucula kukaLethabo wagcwala igumbi elincane. Washayeka ezindongeni, wakhuphukela esilingini, wawela kukhaphethi, wanyakaza eziswini zabo, wakitaza izinzwane zabo wase uhlangana nesigqi esisezinhliziyweni zabo. “Ngabe konke kuhamba kahle, Lethabo?” Unina walunguza emnyango. “Yebo, Mama,” kusho uLethabo. “Bengizicabangela ngosuku lwami lokuzalwa nje.” Umama kaLethabo wavala umnyango wabuyela ekhishini. “Kodwa nkosi yami, ngizokwenzenjani?” kusho yena. “Felix! Ukuphi?” ULethabo wabheka ngaphansi kombhede. “Usungaphumake manje.” “Cishe sabanjwa!” kusho uFelix. “Abantu abadala bayathanda ukungihubha.” “Ngicela ungitshele ukuthi kungani uzongibona,” kusho uLethabo. “Empeleni, ngiyazi ukuthi usuku lwakho lokuzalwa kusasa. Ufunani?” kubuza uFelix. “Isigubhu, Felix! Ngifuna isigubhu!” ULethabo waphinda wazizwa edangele. “Kodwa sengathi sengisho emva kwendaba. Sezivaliwe izitolo.” “He, he,” kuhleka uFelix. “Vele ucele isigubhu kumama wakho. Cela esivela eNtshonalanga ne-Afrika. Manje, cimeza futhi bese ucabanga okuthile okufi sayo. Usale kahle, Lethabo!” ULethabo wavala amehlo akhe, “Ngiyafi sa sengathi ngabe nginesigubhu,” kusho yena. Wavula amehlo akhe. Wayengasekho uFelix. “Mama! Mama!” “Kwenzenjani, Lethabo?” kubuza umama kaLethabo ngesikhathi egijima eyongena egunjini lakhe. “Mama, ngingathanda ukuthola isigubhu ngosuku lwami lokuzalwa!” “Kodwa Lethabo − isigubhu pho?” Umama wakhe wanikina ikhanda. “Kungabi yinoma isiphi nje isigubhu, Mama. Makube yisigubhu esiphuma eNtshonalanga ne- Afrika, ngiyakucela bandla.” Wayecula ngesikhathi edansa ezungeza ekamelweni lakhe. Dum dum de dum! Umama kaLethabo walalela umculo. Wacabanga ngoyise. Wamkhumbula ehleli ngaphandle kweqhugwane labo elangeni. Phakathi kwemilenze yakhe kwakumi isigubhu esikhulu.

Wayesishaya, ebiza onke amakhosikazi namadoda asemuzini ukuthi eze edilini. Kwakuvutha umlilo. Wayemamatheka ebuka uLethabo, umzukulu wakhe osanda kuzalwa, ngesikhathi esezingalweni zikanina. “Awu, ngaze ngamkhumbula ubaba,” kucabanga uMama. “Awume kancane! Ngisenazo ezinye zezinto zakhe epotimendeni elingaphansi kombhede wami.” UMama wathola ipotimende elidala ngaphansi kombhede. “Awu, ngeke, kugcwele izicabucabu kulo!” kukhononda uMama. Izicabucabu zabaleka uma zizwa izwi. UMama wadonsa ipotimende wase elivula. Phakathi kulo wathola isigubhu esincane – esilingene uLethabo. “Awu, ngiyabonga, Baba! Ngiyasikhumbula lesi sigubhu! Wasenzela uLethabo!” Kwakuthule kuthe nya ekameleni likaLethabo. Ngokuthula, uMama wahamba ngamanzonzwane eya ekamelweni likaLethabo wase evula umnyango. Ukukhanya kwenyanga kwakukhanya ebusweni bendodakazi yakhe ngesikhathi ilele. UMama wabeka isigubhu phansi eduze kombhede wase eqabula uLethabo esihlathini. “Ube nosuku lokuzalwa oluhle, Lethabo,” esho kancane. “Ube nosuku lokuzalwa oluhle olufi selwa yimi nomkhulu wakho.”

Umvunya onguFeleng wawuthanda izindaba. “Mama,” kusho yena ebusuku, “sicela usixoxele indaba. Ngiyethembisa sizolala ngemuva kwalokho. Ngiyakucela, ngiyakucela, ngiyakucela bandla!”
UMama uMvunya wayazi indaba eyodwa kuphela futhi wayesekhathele ukuyixoxa.
Kodwa uFeleng kanye nezinye izingane zomvunya zazimncenga kakhulu kangangoba wayegcina esevumile. Wayebaxoxela ngalokho okwakwenzeka ekhishini.
Wayekhuluma ngohambo lwakhe olude oluya lapho, nangazo zonke izinto ezinkulu, ezixakile ayezibone emakhabetheni. “Abantu basebenzisa izinto eziningi ezifana nezinkomishi, amapuleti nezipuni,” kusho yena. “Zixakile ngempela!”
Ingxenye emnandi endabeni yayiba lapho uMama uMvunya esetshela izingane ngakho konke ukudla ayekuzwile. “Kwakukhona izimvuthu zesinkwa, amakhasi UFeleng ufunda ukufunda okubhaliwe amahhabhula, izingqumbi ezimnandi zephalishi nezinhlayiya zikashukela ngemuva kwesitofu …” kusho yena.

“Ncamu!” bevungama ngamazwi angathi bayaphupha.
Kodwa ngemuva kwalokho wafi ka engxenyeni engemnandi yendaba yakhe – usuku lapho umuntu azama khona ukumciphiza ambulale. “Ngabalekela ukufa nokuphila!” kusho uMama uMvunya. Kanti zonke izingane zomvunya zaqhaqhazela, zabalisa
futhi zanyakazisa izimponjwana zazo … Lokho kwakusho ukuthi sekuyisikhathi sokulala.
Ngelinye ilanga uMama uMvunya watshela izingane zakhe ukuthi azizikhiphele isidlo sasemini. “Feleng uwena omdala,” kusho yena. “Ngicela unakekele odadewenu nabafowenu.”
Imivunya ayidli zonke izinsuku ngakho imivunya emincane yayilambe kakhulu. Yalinda kwaze kwahamba wonke umuntu futhi kwathula endlini. Yaphuma ngamunye ngamunye emfantwini osodongeni lapho yayihlala khona. “Ngilandeleni,” kuhlebeza
uFeleng. “Yenza njengoba ngenza nje.”
Yenyuka, yenyuka, yenyuka ngomlenze wetafula elikhulu. Phezu kwalo kwakukhona izincwadi ezivuliwe ezintathu noma ezine nephepha kanye namakhrayoni asakazekile. “Bhekani lokhu kudla okumnandi” kuntela udadewabo kaFeleng uPhuti.
“Kuyinto enhle kakhulu ukuthi izingane zabantu zingamadlabha kangaka!”
“Ncamu!” kusho zonke izingane zomvunya ngenkathi zicaca emqolweni wenye yezincwadi. “Ncamu, ncamu!”
Kodwa wakhomba umdwebo omfonyoziwe uFeleng wathi, “Ningazidli izincwadi.
Yidlani lokhu,” ekhomba umdwebo omfonyozekile. “Kunambitheka kangcono ngenxa yamakhrayoni akukhona.”
“Hho, kulungile,” kusho abafowabo nodadewabo. Babelambe kakhulu ukuthi bangalwa naye. Ngokushesha bonke base bematasa beluma umdwebo – bonke ngaphandle kukaFeleng.

Okokuqala, wagqolozela imidwebo emnyama kanye nezithombe ezigqamile emakhasini avulekile encwadi. Wabe esegibela phezu kwayo waqala ukulandela kancane nangokucophelela umbhalo ngamunye.

Ngasekuqaleni abafowabo nodadewabo babematasa kakhulu bedla, bengasakuboni akwenzayo.
Emva kwesikhashana udadewabo omncane uFifi wabheka phezulu. “Wenzani, Feleng?” ebuza ngezwi elinswininizayo. “Awudli ngani?”
Wavele wamamatheka nje uFeleng. “Yima uzobona,” kusho yena. “Ngizobuye ngikutshele.”
Ngalobo busuku, ngesikhathi imivunya yezincwadi emincane igone kumama wayo emfantwini wodonga, uFeleng waqala ukukhuluma. “Ngiyazi ukuthi ufunani!” kusho uMama uMvunya. Wayethokozile ngemuva kosuku lwakhe lokuthula eyedwa ekhaya.
“Ufuna ngikuxoxele indaba.”
UFeleng wasineka. “Hhayi ngalobu busuku,” kusho yena. “Fifi , tshela uMama ukuthi ngenzeni namhlanje.”
UMama uMvunya esezwile ukuthi uFeleng uwulandele kanjani umbhalo osencwadini ngesikhathi ezinye izingane zidla, waqala ukukhathazeka kancane.

“Bewenzani Feleng?” kubuza yena. “Zonke izingane zidinga ukudla, uyazi nawe.”
“Ngingadla kusasa,” kusho uFeleng. “Namhlanje ngenze into engcono kakhulu – ngifunde ukufunda okubhaliwe!” Wabe esechaza ukuthi ubewubuka kanjani umbhalo omnyama emakhasini nezithombe. “Ngithole ukuthi bewungitshela okuthile,” kusho yena. “Ngemuva kwesikhathi ngiqale ukuqonda ukuthi imibhalo ibichaza ukuthini … yizinhlamvu zamagama, kanti izinhlamvu zamagama zenza amagama. Amagama
wona akha imisho, bese imisho yenza izindaba. Ngakho ungaphumula namhlanje, Mama – namhlanje ebusuku yithuba lami LOKUKUXOXELA indaba!”
Ngakho uFeleng waxoxela umama wakhe nabafowabo nodadewabo indaba yengane yomuntu eyaya emfuleni yahlangana nengwenya. “Yini umfula? Yini ingwenya?” kumemeza imivunya emincane.
“Angazi,” kuhleka uFeleng. “Kuzomele ngithole kabanzi ngalokhu kusasa. Kodwa isithombe sikhombise isilwane esikhulu, esesabekayo esinomlomo omkhulu kakhulu.”
“Njengabantu!” kusho uMama ngokuthuthumela. Zaqhaqhazela zakhala zonke izingane zemivunya, kwavevezela nezimpondo zazo … Lokhu kwakusho ukuthi kwase kuyisikhathi sokulala.

Eminyakeni eminingi edlule kwakukhona unogwaja owawugijima kunazo zonke ezinye izilwane epulazini. Wayeziqhenya kakhulu, impela ngokuthi wayekwazi ukugijima ngesivinini esingaka. Wayengakwazi nokuzibamba elokhu exoxela ezinye izilwane ukuthi ungumsubathi ovelele kanjani. “Ngigijima ngishiye nesithunzi,” wayeqhoshela ngokuphindelela umngani wakhe, uNhloli. Ngelinye ilanga ekuseni uNogwaja noNhloli bahlangana esangweni eliholela ensimini yasepulazini. Akuthathanga isikhathi eside ngaphambi kokuthi uNogwaja aqhale ukuziqhayisa, “Ngingumsubathi ohamba phambili emhlabeni wonke. Ngigijima ngishiye nesithunzi.” “Angicabangi kanjalo,” kusho uNhloli ngesankahlu. “Ngicabanga ukuthi nami ngingagijima ngikushiye.”

“Njengoba ushaya ngonyawo lonwabu nje?” Wahleka inhlinini. “Akukho themba lokuthi ungagijima ungishiye.” UNhloli wathi ukucabanga isikhashana. Wase ekhulumela phansi, “Kulungile. Ake sibona ukuthi ubani ogijima ukudlula omunye. Singaqhudelana ngokugijima kusasa. Sizogijima sisuke kuleli sango siye ezansi nensimu siphinde sibuye futhi.” “Usho entshweni,” kusho uNogwaja. “Akuzodingeka nokuthi ngijime ukuze ngikuhlule, Milenze Emifi shane omdala.” “Uzobona,” kusho uNhloli. “Awunayo imilenze emide yokuwina umqhudelwano, uyazi. Sizohlangana kuleli sango kusasa, emva nje kokuphuma kwelanga. Ngizophumelela umqhudelwano. Kumele ungithembise ukuthi uma sengiphumele umqhudelwano ngeke uphinde ungibize uMilenze Emifi shane noma uNyawo Lonwabu futhi.” “Kulungile,” kuvuma uNogwaja, efi le ukuzethemba unkabi. “Uma ufuna ngempela ukuqhudelana nami, kulungile. Ngiyethembisa ukuthi ngeke ngikubize ngoNyawo Lonwabu noma uMilenze Emifi shane − UMA uwina. Empeleni, into engeke yenzeka leyo. Ngigijima ngishiye nesithunzi. Ngizogijima ngiye ezansi nensimu ngiphinde ngibuye ngesikhathi usacabanga ukusuka. Ngizobe sengikwazi ukukubiza uMilenze Emifi shane noma uNyawo Lonwabu kaningi ngendlela engiyithandayo. Ha! Ha!” UNhloli waxoxela umfowabo omdala ngomqhudelwano, “O nkosi yami,” kusho umfowabo, “wenze iphutha elikhulu. Kazi yini ekwenze ukuthi uvume ukwenza into engasoze yenzeka? UNogwaja ugijima ashiye nesithunzi. Manje usezokwazi ukukubiza uNyawo Lonwabu kanye noMilenze Emifi shane impilo yakho yonke.” “Ungakhathazeki,” kusho uNhloli. “Nginecebo. Icebo elihle kakhulu. Uma ungangisiza, singafundisa uNogwaja isifundo. Kuzomele ayeke ukugabisa − futhi ngeke aphinde akwazi ukungibiza ngoNyawo Lonwabu noma uMilenze Emifi shane futhi!” Ngosuku olulandelayo uNhloli wafi ka ngaphambi kukanoNogwaja esangweni. Njengenjwayelo, kwathatha uNhloli isikhathi eside ukuba afi ke lapho, kodwa wayelinde emamathekile ngesikhathi uNogwaja egxumagxuma efi ka ngaphambi kokuba kuvele ilanga egqumeni. “Sawubona, Milenze Emifi shane. Ngabe usafuna ukuqhudelana nami? Angithi uyazi ukuthi awunalo nethuba elincane lokuwina. Ngabe usukulungele ukwehlulwa? Khumbula ukuthi, ngigijima ngishiye nesithunzi,” kusho uNogwaja.

UNogwaja wayeqinisekile ukuthi uzowina kangangokuthi wayeseqale nokucabanga ngamagama amasha azobiza ngawo uNhloli ngemva komqhudelwano. Kwakuzoba mnandi lokhu. UNhloli wavele wamamatheka kancane. Walinda engenavalo emgqeni wokuqala komqhudelwano. “Asiqinisekise imithetho,” kusho yena. “Sizogijima siye ezansi nensimu, bese sibuyela kuleli sango, angithi?” “Yebo,” kusho uNogwaja. Wase ememeza, “Lindela! Phakama! Suka!” wase esuka ethi ntinini ngesivinini angakwazi ukugijima ngaso. Ngesikhathi efi ka ezansi nensimu, wayengakwazi nokuzibamba ukuhleka. “Kungenzeka ukuthi uNhloli usazama ukusuka. O, ave eshaya ngonyawo lonwabu.” Ake ucabange ukuthi wamangala kanjani, ngesikhathi, efi ka ezansi nensimu uNhloli wathi thushu ezansi nensimu ethokozile wamemeza wathi, “Ngifi ke kuqala kunawe!” UNogwaja wama umzuzwana. Wase ephenduka ebuyela emuva ngesivinini esikhulu kunake agijima ngaso phambilini. Wayengavamisanga ukuhefuzela nokuba nephika, kodwa wayehefuzela ephethwe nayiphika futhi ejuluka ngesikhathi ethinta isango.

Wajeqeza emuva kwamahlombe akhe. Yayingabonakali nangokhalo iNhloli. Kuleli hlandla, wayeqinisekile ukuthi wayewinile. Kwase kuzwakala izwi lothokozile ngaphesheya kwesango. “Ngiphindile futhi, ngafi ka la kuqala kunawe!” Kwakuyinto eyayingeke yenzeke! Kodwa nango phela uNhloli, emumamathekela kamnandi. UNogwaja wayengawakholwa amehlo akhe. UNhloli wayemshiyile. Waphenduka kancane wase ehamba kancane ebuyela ekhaya egebise ikhanda. Kodwa uNhloli wayemshiye kanjani uNogwaja? Eqinisweni ukuthi akazange agijime nhlobo. Ngesikhathi uNogwaja egijima eya ezansi nensimu, uNhloli ucashe eduze nesango. Umfowabo ubesecashe ezansi nensimu. Ngesikhathi uNogwaja efi ka ezansi nensimu, umfowabo lo owathi thushu wase ethi, “Ngifi ke kuqala kunawe!” UNogwaja wayemangele kangangokuthi akazange abone ukuthi kwakuyinhloli ehlukile. Ngesikhathi uNogwaja efi ka endaweni yokuphela komqhudelwano, ehefuzela ephethwe iphika futhi ejuluka, inye kuphela into okwamele ukuthi uNhloli ayenze kwakuwukuphuma ngokuthula lapho ayecashe khona bese ethi, “Ngiphindile futhi, ngafi ka kuqala kunawe!” UNogwaja azange aphinde azigabise futhi – okungenani hhayi kuNhloli. Waba ngumngani omuhle kakhulu. Akazange aphinde abize uNhloli ngamagama amabi futhi. Futhi akazange athole ukuthi uNhloli wawuwina kanjani umqhudelwano.

Veza ubuciko bakho! Zithathe ngokuthi unguNhloli. Bhala uNogwaja incwadi emchazela ukuthi umhlakaniphele kanjani nokuthi kungani ekhethe ukumhlakaniphela.

“Hhayi, Thembela!” kumemeza uMama. “Kunomoya omkhulu, akufanele ukuba ube phandle. Ngena endlini, uzongenwa umkhuhlane.”
Kodwa uThembela akalaleli ngoba kumnandi phandle. Izinwele zakhe ziphakama ziye phezulu, phezulu, phezulu, zedlule ikhanda lakhe, bese ziwa zimboza izindlebe zakhe.
Ingubo yakhe izwakala sengathi yikhayithi futhi uThembela usekholwa ukuthi ukuba ubefuna, ubezondiza – ayoshona esibhakabhakeni.
“Umnandi umoya, Mama,” esho ehleka. “Angifuni ukungena endlini.”

“Kumele ungene, Thembela,” kuphendula uMama. “Akukuhle lapho phandle − kuyingozi kakhulu.”
UThembela uphakamisa izingalo zakhe ezinhlangothini zakhe bese ezibhakuzisa, ezishonisa phezulu naphansi njengenyoni. “Kulungile-ke, kulungile,” esho emamatheka. “Ngizongena endlini.”
Wanele washo njalo, wagxuma. Wadabula ingadi, futhi wazizwa sengathi uyandiza.
Uzungezwa umoya bese uyamthwala umbuyisele kuMama, ovala umnyango emva kwakhe.
“Awu, Thembela! Awukhathele kodwa ngemva kwakho konke lokhu kundiza?
Kunganjani uyogeza ngamanzi afudumele bese uyolala?”
Ngesikhathi uMama ezomembathisa uThembela embhedeni, uthi, “Hhayi, Thembela, cishe nguwe wedwa umuntu othanda umoya emhlabeni wonke.” Ngaphambi kokuba uMama ahambe, uThembela ucela ukuthi kuvulwe amakhethini khona ezobuka
amafu ngesikhathi edlula, kanye nezicongo zezihlahla ezinyakaza zishone le nale.
Uqabula uMama wakhe emfi sela ubusuku obuhle bese eyazumeka.
Ngaleyo mpelasonto, uMama kumele aye edolobheni, ngakho u-Anti Ida uyeza uzohlala naye.
“Awu Nkosi yami,” kusho u-Anti Ida ngokwethuka okukhulu, “ngizwe ezindabeni kuthiwa kuza isiphepho!”
Lihlanganisa amafu usuku lonke, isibhakabhaka size sibe mnyama sengathi kusebusuku. Ibe seyiqala ukuna imvula. UThembela akakukholwa lokhu akubonayo.
Yimvula enkulu kakhulu kunake wayibona kanti emva kwesikhashana nje sekuba khona amabhaka amakhulu yonke indawo. Kodwa uThembela uyamamatheka.
Ugqoka ijazi lakhe lemvula bese efaka amabhuzu akhe aphumele phandle.
“Hhayi, Thembela!” kumemeza u-Anti Ida. “Ngena endlini njengamanje!”
Kodwa uThembela akezwa nakuzwa ngoba kumnandi phandle. Uyahleka lapho umoya ufutha ijazi lakhe lemvula nesigqoko salo sibukeke sengathi ibhelunde elikhulu. “Uma ngingaphakamisa izingalo zami,” esho ehleka, “ngingakwazi ukundiza!”

U-Anti Ida ugijima ngegawuni yakhe ephinki aqukule uThembela abuyele naye endlini. “Akekho umuntu othanda umoya,” kusho u-Anti Ida.
“Unomsindo, uyabanda futhi ayikho nje into emnandi kuwo.”
Ngesikhathi u-Anti Ida ezomembathisa embhedeni, uThembela ucela ukuthi ikhethini lihlale livuliwe ukuze akwazi ukubona izihlahla zinyakaza, namafu edlula. Kodwa u-Anti Ida uthi, “Cha! Ngeke bo, ngiyaphinda ngithi cha!” Uvala amakhethini.
“Manje ake sethembe nje ukuthi indlu ayizumuka kule mvula
engaka,” kusho u-Anti Ida eqhuqha.
UThembela uzwa ukuduma kwezulu nokushaya kwamathonsi emvula phezu kwendlu. Manje umoya ushaya ezindongeni. Ungqongqoza emnyango udlikizise namafasitela. Uhhewula wehle ngoshemula wethuse u-Anti Ida aze ayocasha ngemuva kukasofa. Kutsegeza uphahla, namapulangwe aphansi akhale nezihlahla
zishaye ikhwela kakhulu.
U-Anti Ida uyamemeza, “O nkosi yami, sonke sizophephuka!” Kodwa uThembela akesabi lutho. Ugxuma aphume embhedeni agijime ehlele esitezi esingezanzi.
Ushesha afake amabhuzu akhe athathe isambulela sakhe, aphumele phandle ngokuzethemba. Umoya uyahhewula, uza uphenduphenduka, nemvula nayo ayiyekile ukuna, nezulu liduma liqhume laphaya phezulu.
“Yimina, Moya,” kusho uThembela. “Kungani uthukuthele kangaka? Ngabe ucabanga ukuthi ngempela akekho umuntu okuthandayo? Akunjalo. Unomsindo futhi uyabanda, kodwa uyathokozisa – futhi ngiyakuthanda. NGIYAKUTHANDA MOYA!”

Ngokushesha, kwanqamuka ukuduma, wonke amafu amnyama ahamba. Emva kwesikhashana nje yase inyamalele nemvula. Uthe uma ebheka phezulu uThembela, wabona ukuthi izulu selicwebile. Kunenyanga egcwele, nezinkanyezi zithi benye benye. Manje umoya omzungezile usuphephetha kancane, uphakamise isambulela sakhe bese umqabula izihlathi kancane.
“Ngiyabonga, Moya,” kusho uThembela. “Ngiyabonga ngokuxosha imvula.”
UThembela wabe esephenduka ebuyela endlini. Usesiza ukusukumisa u-Anti Ida ngemva kukasofa amenzele inkomishi yetiye eshisayo.
“O nkosi yami,” kusho u-Anti Ida, “angiwuthandi nhlobo umoya.” Kodwa uThembela uvele amamatheke nje.

Veza ubuciko bakho!

Funda indaba futhi bese kulesi sihlandla ufake eyakho imisindo yomoya, imvula nokuduma kwezulu. Sebenzisa iminwe, izandla nezinyawo zakho ukuze wenze imisindo - noma uzame ukusebenzisa amabhodwe, amapani nezipuni ezisekhishini lakho!

Lalina, liyidliva ngempela, kanti u-Amina wayesecikekile ngalokhu, futhi enesizungu. Akekho noyedwa kubangani bakhe owayekwazi ukuzodlala kanti wonke umuntu osendlini wayematasatasa. Bonke abantu babehlale bematasatasa! Kwakungemnandi ukuba ngomncane kunabo bonke abantu. U-Amina walala embhedeni wakhe. Wama ngekhanda. Wafaka amaphiko eferi wase eqala ukudansa. U-Amina waphenduka wase ejikajika. Wakhwishiza wase ebhakuza. Waze wenza nomdanso wokugxuma maqede aphenduke. Wase eshaya ungqimphothwe ebuyela embhedeni wakhe. Akukho nokukodwa okwamsiza. Wayesacikekile futhi esazizwa enesizungu.

Ngakho u-Amina wakhipha amathoyizi akhe. Iningi lawo ilawo ayewashiyelwe odadewabo abadala, nebhokisi lamathoyizi nalo wayelishiyelwe yibo. Wabeka u-Eli, uMbila, uNogwaja noGundane embhedeni wakhe. Babezoba nedili lokuphuza itiye uma esethole ithibhothi lakhe. Wabheka ebhokisini lakhe futhi, kwaba ilapho u-Amina athola khona uKuyini. Wayelele eseyinto abayikhohliwe phansi kubhasikidi onomthungo, ngaphansi kwebhokisi lamathoyizi. U-Amina waphendula uKuyini ukuze abone ubuso bakhe, kodwa wayengenabo. UKuyini wabantu wayeseyinto abayikhohliwe nje!

Wayenesimo esingathi siyindilinga, kodwa wayengenabuso, engenangalo, engenamaphiko, engenamsila, ngishoni nje. U-Amina wahlalisa uKuyini embhedeni phakathi kuka-Eli noMbila, phambi kukaNogwaja noGundane. Wathola ithibhothi wathela itiye. U-Eli, uMbila, uNogwaja noGundane baqeda itiye labo kungaphelanga nasikhathi, kanjalo no-Amina. Kodwa akubanga njalo kuKuyini. Empeleni wayezophuza kanjani ngoba wayengenamlomo? Ngakho-ke, u-Amina wathatha uKuyini nobhasikidi womthungo wayofuna ugogo wakhe. “Yini leyo?” kubuza ugogo wakhe. “UKuyini,” kusho u-Amina. “UKuyini udinga umlomo.” “Kulungile,” kusho ugogo ka-Amina “kodwa kumele sisheshise, ngimatasatasa kakhulu futhi kusekuningi okumele ngikwenze.” Ugogo ka-Amina wamsiza wamthungela umlomo kaKuyini, umlomo omuhle omamathekayo. “UKuyini udinga nekhala futhi,” kusho u-Amina. Kodwa ugogo wakhe wayevele engasamlalele. U-Amina wayofuna udadewabo ophakathi, uFozia. “Yini le?’ kubuza uFozia. “UKuyini,” kusho u-Amina. “UKuyini udinga ikhala.” “Kulungile,” kusho uFozia, “kodwa kumele sisheshise, ngimatasatasa kakhulu futhi kusekuningi okumele ngikwenze.” UFozia wasiza u-Amina ukuthunga ikhala likaKuyini, ikhala elincane elibheke phezulu. “Namehlo futhi,” kusho u-Amina. Kodwa, uFozia wayevele engasamlalele. U-Amina wayofuna udadewabo omdala, uShireen. Esahamba, u-Amina wabonwa uBaba wakhe. “Yini leyo?” kubuza uBaba wakhe. “UKuyini,” kusho u-Amina. “UKuyini udinga amehlo.”

“Nginawo,” kusho uBaba wakhe, “kodwa kumele sisheshise, kusekuningi okumele ngikwenze.” U-Amina noBaba wakhe bathungela amehlo kaKuyini − amehlo ayizinkinobho ezimbili ezinsundu ezikhazimulayo. “Nomsila futhi,” kusho u-Amina. “Ngeshwa, angeke ngikwazi ukukusiza ngalokho,” kusho uBaba wakhe. U-Amina wayofuna udadewabo omdala, uShireen. “Awu, bakithi,” kusho uShireen, “umthole kuphi?” U-Amina wamtshela. “Kwakuhle!” kusho uShireen. “Ngangimenzela wena ngesikhathi uzelwe, kodwa wangilahlekela ngaphambi kokuba ngimqede.” U-Amina wanika uShireen uKuyini. “Bantu,” kusho uShireen, “waze wamuhle. Ngabe unalo igama?” “UKuyini,” kusho u-Amina, “futhi uKuyini udinga umsila.” Ngakho u-Amina noShireen benzela uKuyini umsila − umsila otshikizayo! U-Amina noShireen babuka uKuyini, uKuyini wabamamathekela!

“Kungaba njani abe nezinwele ezigoqene?” kubuza uShireen, “nezindlebe ezicijile? Kodwa-ke kuzomele uhambe ngoba ngimatasatasa futhi kusenezinto zami okumele ngizenze.” U-Amina wabuyisela uKuyini egumbini lakhe wamhlalisa phakathi kuka- Eli noMbila, phambi kukaNogwaja noGundane. Wase enza itiye elisha ethiphothini. U-Amina waphuza inkomishi eyodwa kanjalo no- Eli, uMbila, noNogwaja noGundane, kodwa uKuyini wayenxanwe kakhulu ngakho waphuza izinkomishi ezintathu. Phela, wayelinde isikhathi eside kakhulu ukuze athole itiye!

Veza ubuciko bakho! Ngabe unalo ithoyizi elikhethekile njengo-Amina? Dweba isithombe sethoyizi lakho elikhethekile bese ubhala incwadi emfi shane echaza ukuthi kungani likhetheke kangaka: “Ukhethekile kimi ngoba…”