Grandma’s bananasGrandma’s bananas

Ursula Nafula Catherine Groenewald English Level 4

Grandma’s garden was wonderful, fullof sorghum, millet, and cassava. Butbest of all were the bananas. AlthoughGrandma had many grandchildren, Isecretly knew that I was her favourite.She invited me often to her house. Shealso told me little secrets. But there wasone secret she did not share with me:where she ripened bananas.

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One day I saw a big straw basketplaced in the sun outside Grandma’shouse. When I asked what it was for,the only answer I got was, “It’s mymagic basket.” Next to the basket,there were several banana leaves thatGrandma turned from time to time. Iwas curious. “What are the leaves for,Grandma?” I asked. The only answer Igot was, “They are my magic leaves.”

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It was so interesting watchingGrandma, the bananas, the bananaleaves and the big straw basket. ButGrandma sent me off to my mother onan errand. “Grandma, please, let mewatch as you prepare…” “Don’t bestubborn, child, do as you are told,” sheinsisted. I took off running.

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When I returned, Grandma was sittingoutside but with neither the basket northe bananas. “Grandma, where is thebasket, where are all the bananas, andwhere…” But the only answer I got was,“They are in my magic place.” It was sodisappointing!

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Two days later, Grandma sent me tofetch her walking stick from herbedroom. As soon as I opened thedoor, I was welcomed by the strongsmell of ripening bananas. In the innerroom was grandma’s big magic strawbasket. It was well hidden by an oldblanket. I lifted it and sniffed thatglorious smell.

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Grandma’s voice startled me when shecalled, “What are you doing? Hurry upand bring me the stick.” I hurried outwith her walking stick. “What are yousmiling about?” Grandma asked. Herquestion made me realise that I wasstill smiling at the discovery of hermagic place.

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The following day when grandma cameto visit my mother, I rushed to herhouse to check the bananas once more.There was a bunch of very ripe ones. Ipicked one and hid it in my dress. Aftercovering the basket again, I wentbehind the house and quickly ate it. Itwas the sweetest banana I had evertasted.

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The following day, when grandma wasin the garden picking vegetables, Isneaked in and peered at the bananas.Nearly all were ripe. I couldn’t helptaking a bunch of four. As I tiptoedtowards the door, I heard grandmacoughing outside. I just managed tohide the bananas under my dress andwalked past her.

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The following day was market day.Grandma woke up early. She alwaystook ripe bananas and cassava to sell atthe market. I did not hurry to visit herthat day. But I could not avoid her forlong.

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Later that evening I was called by mymother and father, and Grandma. Iknew why. That night as I lay down tosleep, I knew I could never steal again,not from grandma, not from myparents, and certainly not from anyoneelse.

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Storybooks CanadaStorybooks Canadastorybookscanada.ca

Grandma’s bananasGrandma’s bananasWritten by: Ursula Nafula

Illustrated by: Catherine Groenewald

This story originates from the African Storybook (africanstorybook.org) andis brought to you by Storybooks Canada in an effort to provide children’sstories in Canada’s many languages.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 International License.