Caddy Chronicles: The Golden King

By A.M. Hicks

"Caddy Chronicles: The Golden King" is a coming age story of two middle schoolers, Gia and Xavier. Both lack the fundamental trait of confidence and their grandfather gifts them with a book of an ancient African King in hopes of inspiring them. The book delivers inspiration to the teens and much...much more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098379636

Book preview

Chapter 1

Gia and Xavier were curious adolescents who obsessed over the minutiae and investigated information with endless questions. These two were like miniature detectives. In school they were learning about kings and queens from different eras in history, from King Henry VIII to Alexander the Great and many more. Gia and Xavier were history enthusiasts and found these stories to be fascinating and compelling. However, curiosity began to creep in and raise the question; Why weren’t they learning about any great ancient leaders from Africa? Finally, one day Gia raised her hand and posed the question to her history teacher.

Ms. Carter, when will we start learning about Kings and Queens who looked like me?

Yea! Ms. Carter can we please learn about Kings and Queens from Africa? Xavier lobbied in support. The class was puzzled by the request, and so was Ms. Carter. I’m sorry guys, unfortunately we have to stick to the curriculum, and there are no African Kings or Queens listed. The two were disappointed, and their classmate Benjamin made matters worse when he said, That’s because there were none, right Ms. Carter? Some of the students chuckled at Benjamin’s comment. However,’ Ms. Carter’s was less than amused. She scrambled for a quick response, no Benjamin, that is not true, there were great Kings and Queens in Africa.

Name one then? Benjamin fired back at Ms. Carter.

Ms. Carter was unprepared for his rebuttal, she stuttered and fumbled through her words. Well, I, I, I… can’t think of one off the top of my head, but I promise you there were several. Benjamin’s smirk grew even bigger as he said, Yea uh huh sure, and Santa Claus and the tooth fairy are real! The class burst into laughter like an air balloon that had been waiting to pop for minutes. Gia felt a sense of Ms. Carter’s embarrassment come over her as the kids laughed on at Benjamin. That’s not true! I can name several! Gia fired back at Benjamin. However, her rebuttal was drowned out by laughter from the class. Benjamin, who was notorious for being a class clown and a foe to Gia and Xavier, stood up with the class in full attention, like he was preparing to give a lecture and said, Africa’s history didn’t begin until Americans visited and taught them how to read and write. Before that they lived in caves and trees like monkeys. Benjamin hunched himself over and started to mimic a monkey as he walked in circles and began to make monkey noises.

That isn’t true Benjamin! Gia was now shouting at the top of her lungs over the laughter from the class. Ms. Carter red in the face like a tomato scolded Benjamin, as she attempted to regain control of the class. That is enough Benjamin! One more word out of you and it’s off to the principal’s office! Benjamin didn’t push his luck; he quickly took a seat and the class quieted down. Although Benjamin’s account of African history was inaccurate, the damage was done. Xavier and Gia looked at each other with confusion and overarching embarrassment, not sure of what or who to believe at that point. They often felt like outsiders at their school, as they were apart of a small pocket of minorities who attended their school, and this just added to their anxiety and sense of isolation.

I apologize for not having names of African Kings and Queens for you at this time, but Gia if you have someone in mind, why don’t you give a presentation on an African King or Queen this Friday. Xavier, who was quiet during the raucous outburst told Ms. Carter he would like to do the presentation with Gia. Ms. Carter encouraged the kids to ask a family member for help with the assignment and Gia and Xavier both had the same person in mind.

The final bell rang, and school was out, and the weekend had officially started. Gia and Xavier raced to put their books and folders in their backpacks. They were eager to get home and consult with their reliable source about their African Kings and Queens project. Are you thinking what I’m thinking on who we can get to help us with this project? Xavier asked Gia. They looked at each other and shouted, Pop-Pop! Gia pulled out her cell phone and sent to a text to her mother to let her know she was going to Xavier’s house to spend some time with Pop-Pop. Xavier and Gia were cousins, her mother and Xavier’s father were brother and sister and the children of their beloved Pop-pop. The kids would spend a lot of time at each other’s houses after school and throughout the summer. The two of them were more like brother and sister instead of cousins.

Gia and Xavier raced for their bikes, which were gifts their Pop-pop gave them in them in the summer. Gia’s was a fiery red, which made her look like she was moving faster and, Xavier’s bike was sky blue with reflective stickers of some of his favorite athletes and sports teams on the frame. Gia and Xavier normally hung around after school with their friends, but they were on a mission today. They sped off to Xavier’s house whipping through the dog walker- housewife jogger traffic. As they zipped around corners, their gears clicked into action as the kids rode with purpose. They were hungry for information.

They could see Pop-Pop from the end of the street, he was in the driveway, under the hood of his Cadillac. The kids mashed on their brakes and hopped off their bikes without coming to a complete stop. Pop-Pop! they shouted. The old man raised from under the hood. Pop-Pop was tall and slender built. He wore rounded glasses and sported a shiny balled head, that the sun reflected off, with a full thick gray beard. His beard gave him a look of intellect and wisdom, which was accurately suited for him. Pop-Pop was the in-house historian of the family. He was notorious for giving his grandchildren lectures on his account of history during the holidays. The kids would all gather around the table and take turns asking Pop-pop about different moments in history. Some things Pop-pop lived through himself, others were accounts of history passed down to him from his elders of the past. Pop-Pop was excited see his grandchildren, even though he was covered in dirt and oil from the car engine, he made sure they gave him a hug. He posed the infamous question kids hate answering, How was school today? However, Gia and Xavier were grateful for the question. They told him in unison they needed to learn about historical kings and queens of Africa. Gia doubled down on the importance of him teaching them about this. Pop-Pop, I told mom I won’t be home for dinner tonight, so don’t spare a single detail. We have hours! Pop-pop chuckled and questioned what prompted the urgency.

Well Pop-Pop, today at school we asked our teacher if we could learn about African kings and queens. Then one of our classmates, Benjamin, said that it wasn’t possible because there were none. He also said that people from Africa couldn’t read or write until Americans arrived and taught them. Xavier was ashamed to explain the story because he knew what the next question would be.

Well did you tell him he was incorrect and educate him on the matter?

No, we didn’t Pop-Pop. Xavier answered.

Well surely you both know this isn’t true?

Gia, with her head down, responded, Yes, we know Pop-Pop, but the entire class was laughing, and Ms. Carter couldn’t name any.

But I’ve told you both stories about your ancestors and their accomplishments.

Xavier shuffled from side to side with his hands in his pockets and responded, We know Pop-Pop, we just didn’t know what to say with everyone laughing. Xavier struggled to speak up for things he wanted or his perspective. He often settled for popular opinion even if it directly opposed what he believed. He was still finding his voice, and was very cautious not to offend, or oppose people. Xavier was the youngest of two, his mother an attorney, his father a CEO of a mid-size manufacturing company, and his sister was an aspiring activist. Between the three of them there wasn’t much room left in the family for another voice. To avoid having to give a thesis at the dinner table to defend his point, Xavier often stayed quiet and nodded about controversial topics.

Pop-Pop hugged Gia and Xavier tightly and said to them, Always be confident in what you believe and never be intimidated to defend that truth, even if it isn’t the common belief of others. Pop-Pop could sense the kids were discouraged, Now chins up, no need to dwell on the past. Go take a seat in Pearly, and I’ll be right back. Pop-Pop raced into the house while Gia and Xavier hopped into the backseat of Pop-Pop’s Cadillac, better known as Pearly.

Pearly was a bright metallic red, classic 1965 Cadillac Coupe Deville. She had been passed down to Pop-pop by his mother and two summer’s ago Pop-pop and Xavier’s dad spent the entire summer restoring Pearly to all her glory. She had a soft white leather rooftop. Her taillights resembled angel wings that could secretly give the car flying ability. When the sun was out, her metallic paint shined like she was waxed over several times. Pearly was Pop-Pop’s pride and joy. Pearly was spectacular, with her chrome door handles, and trims. She had a magnificent new exhaust system that Pop-Pop installed, so when you fired her up, she sounded like a smooth Harley Davidson. Of course, Pearly sported the iconic chrome Cadillac emblem that mounted just above the hood of the car. Pearly was the belle of their street and, everyone knew who she belonged to. Car enthusiasts would stop in their tracks to get a glimpse of her as she strutted by.

Pop-Pop came rushing out of the house with a book in his hand. He handed Gia the book, Here, dig this. I think you will find exactly what you are looking for in here. Gia read the cover aloud, Mansa Musa and The Mali Empire. Pop-Pop who is Mansa Musa? Gia and Xavier began to interrogate him about the history of Mansa Musa. Pop-Pop smiled and told them Mansa Musa was the richest king ever known. Xavier’s eyes grew big with excitement like small children after they have taken a hit of candy. He repeated Pop-Pop’s statement with mysticism and curiosity, The richest king ever known? The children’s excitement grew, and they began to rattle off questions.

Pop-Pop, where is the Mali Empire?

Is it in Africa?

When did he die?... Did he fight in any wars?... Did he win?

Pop-Pop sarcastically shrugged his shoulders, I guess you’ll have to read the book to find out.

Pop-Pop come on; can’t you just tell us?

No! If you don’t read and learn for yourself, you will be at the mercy of whatever I tell you. What if it’s not true? This generation kills me. You want things quickly and you never want to work too hard for them. Truth is sought after. Now take a seat, get comfortable back here and take turns reading to each other. It’s better that way. Pop-Pop closed the backseat door and headed inside. Make sure you remember to start the car. He warned the kids as he headed into the house.

Gia stared at the cover for a while and contemplated Pop-Pop’s wise words. She knew he was right. He would vent to them all the time about how lazy the younger generations are. He would often say, The best way to keep truths hidden is to put them in books. No one reads anymore. Xavier noticed an aluminum container sitting in the front seat, he reached up and grabbed it. Whoa, look at all this candy! Xavier grabbed two pieces and handed one to Gia. They quickly stuffed the pieces in their mouths before Pop-Pop returned. Gia opened the book, Ok, here we go. She turned the page and began to read, Kankan Musa and his uncle…

Suddenly, the car began to shake uncontrollably, likely they were driving on a rocky road. What’s happening? Gia said as she panicked. Pearly slowly ascended