The Bravery of a Child - Creative Non Fiction
I am an eight year old girl child in a normal Nigerian family of 4 my younger sister is about four years and she gets to tag along with my parents whenever they go out, I on the other hand has to stay at home each time and I get really lonely at times.
As usual again today, my parents where going out, my little sister by their side and I ask “mum when are you going to be back?” She replies “don’t worry dear we will be back before you know it, just hold on a bit”.
I did hold on a bit watching the clock as it ticked by, as the bright morning turned into a hot afternoon and slowly the sun started to hide its face. Today I wasn’t having it, I remembered my church had evening service and they would definitely attend. I quickly took out my prettiest purple gown and my favorite black shoes and put them on with my cute little hat. My parents did lock me inside from the main door entrance but you could easily sneak out from the kitchen and that’s what I did.
Me and eight year old with no money for transportation boarded a taxi headed for Rumola (A place in Rivers State Nigeria). The taxi had two female secondary students sitting at the back with me. At first the driver said nothing to me he probably felt I was with the two girls until I got to my destination and it was time to pay, when he asked for money I just stared at him and he then asked “young girl where are you going all alone” and I replied “I am going to meet my parents in church” the driver not knowing what to do pleaded with the two students to help me to my destination before they leave me.
I was excited and left with them, the church wasn’t far off and I bided the two girls goodbye. Thankfully for me when I got into the church premises I met my favorite pastor who was also a family friend, I rushed to meet him and he was very surprised to see me. I then proceeded to narrate to him how my parents always left me at home and it wasn’t fair . He then bought biscuits for me and promised to talk to my parents so that they don’t beat me for leaving the house.
My parents finally got to church and when I sighted them I quickly hid behind the pastor, they got closer and my Dad gave me the I will flog you when we get home look. I was scared and almost cried but Pastor Tosin talked to them and calmed them and also told them it wasn’t good that they left me all alone at home. After service that day we went home, I did get a very good scolding but no canning attached. After that day they never left me alone for long periods.
Now I look back to that time of my life, I see that I was indeed a brave kid although that was a risky thing to do, I am glad for all the lovely strangers I met that day who aided in my journey.
This is a non-fiction, but the brave little girl is my elder sister and I am the younger one. After a few years from this story we now have 2 younger brother.
Why are your parents so cruel, willing to leave their daughter alone in the house. Luckily the priest was kind and willing to help.
They aren’t cruel per say, I guess my mom could not take the two of us to her work and my Dad could carry neither. Thankful to the priest tho.
You took an interesting approach with this creative nonfiction story, @elentiyaroberts, telling your sister's story as a first person narrative, as if you had experienced it yourself. Normally with nonfiction, people tell their own story, or a story of something they witnessed or experienced themselves. Just a tip! Creative nonfiction is really for sharing your own experiences and observations. You did a nice job with this, though. It reads like fiction.
Thank you for the compliment and tip, I would share my own experience next time. Her actions always felt surreal but it did happen.
Oh my, an 8 year-old is too young to stay at home alone. She was very lucky that the cab driver and the other passengers were kind and had no ill-intentions when she traveled to the city!
Yes, thankfully they never left her for long after that day and sometimes I stayed back too. I am also grateful to the cab driver and passengers . Now we are grown we talk about it and laugh but I do mention to her that it was a risky thing to do.
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Thanks for sharing the journey your sister went through to get to church, but what the pastor said about not leaving a child home alone is never good, it can even be dangerous, I'm glad everything went well. I liked your story and hope you take care of your 2 younger siblings. blessings to you.
Yes I will, thank you for reading.
Very nice your story, I congratulate you because you were a brave and risky girl. Have a happy day.