STORYMOJA

Constellations

On Sunday night, when the entire country was plunged into a darkness that lasted five hours, I got a chance to go back to something that was my favourite past time when I was just a little girl.

My mother did not believe in TV, and we lived in rural home that was quite secure back in the day. So it was possible for me and my brothers to sit outside at night and watch the stars. My brother had a simple telescope and he loved to point out the constellations for me. He was a master at teaching me new stuff without ever boring me.

Did you know that you can’t see constellations during the day because the sun’s light is too bright to see star light?

If you are on the equator you can view all the constellations in a year. If you are on the North or South Pole, you will only be able to see the part of the sky above you.

Orion the Hunter

And then he would tell me a story for each constellation. My favourite one of them all was Orion. It is one of the largest, most conspicuous, and most recognizable constellation  in the night sky. Orion consists of three bright stars in a row known as the Belt of Orion. Surrounding the belt at roughly similar distances are four bright stars. Apparently the constellation is named after Orion, a Hunter in Greek Mythology. But my brother made up a completely new story for me, that did not quite identify race, but that made me see in my mind’s eye my favourite Uncle. Interestingly, my Uncle was the hunter in the family, going out into the woods not very far from my grandmother’s home to hunt small game. In a way that little story has made me almost idolise my Uncle, as well as the storyteller. It seems like a far off memory, but I think that it has influenced me quite a bit.

My brother’s stories created a fondness in my hearts for stories, whether told or written and read. I realise now, that although the stories he made up seem to just flow right out of his mouth, he had actually taken the time to consider what words to use, what tone would appeal to me and most importantly how to keep me hooked inside his stories.

That said, it is time for us to get into this week’s reading.

We begin with the fourth and final part ofTears of a Mother by Nixon Mateulah. – Hadrak abruptly put his beer down and shook off from the scantly dressed girl’s hands who was massaging his shoulders and ran to Zachariah.To read the other parts of Tears of a Mother go here.

The Standard Chartered Marathon dubbed Hesabika Tena occured on Sunday 25^th October, 2009. One of the participants shares his experience with us: The Great Race by Gitura Kihuria.

Denis has shown himself capable of telling a story even when using unusual characters or using themes that are generally considered taboo. Here is another one: Passing Wind by Denis Kabi.

Once again Sandra Mushi treat us to yet another piece. This time the devil is to blame. Twas the Devil by Sandra Mushi.

So how does a body end up on a US Most Wanted Terrorist list? Could it be you going to Guantanamo Bay next? The Road to Guantanamo by Evans Kinyua.

Finally, but not by any means least, how did you little cousin decide what they want to be when they grow up? I am Going to be a Politician by Liz Ombati.

Please continue sending your ideas about how to make your weekly reading more fun to blogs@storymojaafrica.co.ke. And remember, all stories published on the Storymoja Blog will be eligible for the Crown of Story of the Week. The stories are posted every Monday. Please critique and vote for the story you believe should wear the crown. At the end of the week, the votes will be tallied and the story with the most votes will posted on the Storymoja Website as the Story of the Week on the Friday of the same week. To have your story in this weekly process please send it to blogs@storymojaafrica.co.ke before Friday at 4pm.

Here’s wishing you a wonderful and creative week!