As the sun began to set, it created a warm orange glow all over the compound, the kids eagerly gathered around Gwei Kaneng’s stool, their faces lit up with anticipation. They had already spread the big brown mat on the floor, waiting for her to come and tell them another captivating tale. Gwei Kaneng walked out, with a black nylon bag containing melon seeds (egusi) slung over her arm, accompanied by a bowl. Davou trailed closely behind, carrying her stool with a proud smile. He set the stool down and joined the other kids on the mat, their eyes fixed on Gwei Kaneng.
As she fetched a handful of melon seeds and began peeling them, the other kids followed suit, their fingers moving quickly as they worked together. In less than ten minutes, they had finished, their hands moving in perfect sync. Gwei Kaneng asked, “If I was peeling it alone, would I have finished by now?” The kids chorused in unison, “No!” Gwei Kaneng paused for a moment, a knowing smile on her face. “This is the power of Unity. Today, I’ll tell you a story about Unity and how it changed the lives of certain people.”
The kids adjusted their sitting positions, their eyes sparkling with excitement, as Gwei Kaneng began her tale. “A long time ago, in Tudun Wada, here in Jos, there was a group of five boys who grew up together in the same compound, just like you all. They came from different families and ethnic groups, but lived in the same ‘face me I face you’ house, where hunger was a common visitor. Despite their struggles, the boys were determined to change their fate.”
Gwei Kaneng’s voice wove a spell of enchantment as she continued, “When the boys finished their SSCE, Chuwang, the oldest among them, suggested they go to his village and farm for a year to save enough money to start something new. After much deliberation, they agreed that farming was the easiest way out of poverty. They worked together, each helping the others on their respective farms, and on Saturdays, they gathered firewood in the bush.”
The kids listened, entranced, as Gwei Kaneng described the boys’ hard work and unity. “By the end of the farming season, their harvest was massive, and they gathered over five pickup vans of firewood. They split the firewood money and kept their harvest, and from that day on, they never lacked food again.”
The kids’ faces lit up, and they applauded, their eyes shining with excitement. Davou’s curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, “Gwei, is Chuwang my grandfather?” Gwei Kaneng smiled, touching his head. “Yes, son, he’s your grandfather, one of the richest farmers of our generation.” Nanjul chimed in, “Your grandpa is a hero!” Davou beamed with pride.
Gwei Kaneng asked the kids to share the moral lessons they had learned from the story. Nandom said, “We should never give up,” while Timbyen added, “Unity is strength.” Gwei Kaneng urged them to collaborate more and compete less, promising that they would grow faster together. The kids thanked her, wished her goodnight, and pleaded with her to tell them another story the next day. Gwei Kaneng smiled, “If you all behave yourselves tomorrow, then I will tell you more stories. Goodnight, my children.” The kids bid her goodnight, their hearts full of wonder, and drifted off to sleep, eager for the next installment of Gwei Kaneng’s tales.