Khumo and the Magic Beans

By Nthabiseng Matheba

During the heavy storms on Lining Farm a bird was found by two farmers, but it was not the only thing found that morning. The farmers were not aware of the powers this mysterious bird had. The bond between them grew stronger and they named the bird Khumo. The farmers began to suspect that there was something extraordinary about Khumo and in time this was confirmed when their harvest changed.

The greed of one family member led to disruptions on the farm. With the help of Khumo, it was discovered that the son of the other farmer had tampered with documents for his own benefit. This betrayal caused a feud between the families. However, the truth has a way of coming out.

Khumo is an adventure filled with love and magic that will bring new hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nthabiseng Matheba
• Release date: Mar 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005836573

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Nthabiseng Matheba

Copyright © 2021 Nthabiseng Matheba

First edition 2021

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by Nthabiseng Matheba using Reach Publishers’ services,

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Edited by Bronwen Bickerton for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Website: www.reachpublishers.org

E-mail: [e-mail]

Nthabiseng Matheba

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Chapter One

The fresh breeze of summer air is as peaceful as the nights in Lining Farm, a beautiful place to be anytime of the year. It has the green leaves of the mango, peach, grapes, apples, the long avocado trees and the orange trees. We grow them all. The farm is known for producing a lot of vegetables and fruits. They say the secret is in the soil. Unlike other neighbouring farms, Lining Farm has a different glow of its own. Nature has a way of showing off in this piece of land. About 57 hectares of the land is used for farming and 13 hectares is reserved for the livestock. People will often pass the main road that divides the farm and the farm houses, admiring the ever so green farm, many saying it’s Eden. It is a home to many farmers who spend all their lives working hard to feed their families. The vineyard is a large part of the farm, and the citrus garden as it is called.

The farm belonged to Mr Jack Lining. He got the farm from his grandfather as a present when he turned 25 years old. Since he started farming there it has been a success every year. It has provided most locals with vegetables, supplied large supermarkets with fruits, and the soup kitchen of course; they never ran out of supply. There was Mr Paul Kgwale, Mr Eric’s right-hand man. The two were best friends for decades. They grew up together and even went to school together. Their farming skills were like those of no other farmers. They won awards and prizes for best grown veggies and fruits. Even the wine that was produced here was of the highest standard, farming was indeed their passion. The farm houses were like little hotels; they were always maintained and looked after. Most of their farmers stayed in the farm houses. They were near the farm so they had access to a full meal during their lunch, which was prepared by the ladies who worked in Mr Lining’s house.

I fly over different farms every day, the air above is different with each farm, you get to experience the world from above. I know when I am in Lining Farm. The air is welcoming, fresh and warm, oh what did I do to deserve such a lovely home. Pity I have no friends to share my experience with. Oh well, what can I say, home is where the heart is. I cannot say I have a family in Lining Farm, all my friends are gone, and the people who cared about me are no more. All I am left with are memories which are also fading away like the colour of my feathers. Yes, I am a bird. A different bird. I am unique, I can talk but not everyone can hear me. I will tell you all about it one day. Let me just explain something for you. I was raised on this farm by two men who knew no colour. They managed by their wisdom, peace and unity, whatever they did it was for the people. They were loved and respected by many. They had a passion for farming and you could see that by how they appreciated everything from the soil.

Mr Eric Lining, took over the farm a year ago when his father Jack passed on as he was the only surviving family. I called him Jackie because we were friends; me, Jack and Paul. The three of us were inseparable, we were so happy (sobbing). We spent most of the days under the big tree in front of Mr Lining’s house. They loved that shade. I spent my days watching them drink rooibos tea even in summer, and I still don’t understand why on earth you would drink a hot beverage in the middle of a steamy hot day. Anyway I guess it made sense to them. Jack lost his wife many years ago; she died when their son was only three weeks. He said she lost a lot of blood during birth and that had side effects only days after she came home. I never met her but I hear she had a heart of gold. Paul’s wife worked at the farm, she was in charge of the dried fruits department and she was very loud. You could hear her from afar, shouting at other workers not to ruin production. Out of the farm she was a sweet person who loved to sing church songs and hymns. After her 66th birthday she suffered a mild stroke, and she had to retire as she needed to rest. She did not like that idea though, she said she was still strong and was able and willing to work. Paul and Jack refused and asked her to remain at home. They had a granddaughter and that was an excuse for them, they said she must take care of her while the mother was also working. I never met the granddaughter though or the mother. She finally accepted her fate as a grandmother, but she fell ill and suffered another stroke, which took her life. It was seven months after the passing of Jack.

Paul and I were left to see the suffering of the farm. Things became tough as Eric was running the farm into a hole. I don’t know whose idea it was, but Eric was a selfish little boy growing up, he never understood what sharing meant. For him everything had to come to him while others worked. He never wanted any advice from Paul. He said he would do things his way. Paul was too old and frail to fight Eric. They did not get along at all. He got tired of all the arguing and told me he was ready to meet his Maker. I begged him to stay for me, for his children and his granddaughter but he kept on saying, There’s nothing left for me in this farm. We fought so hard for equality, for peace and love in this farm, now it is up to those we leave behind to live by this in our honour. Goodbye my dear friend, you brought us wealth and happiness, please look for my granddaughter, you and her are the only hope for this farm, you can still save the farm. I watched him closing his eyes slowly, with a tear coming from his right eye. That was the last time I heard his voice. He had been in and out of hospital, his memory was also suffering, he had difficulty remembering things, and with his wife gone, there was not much left for him to hang on. He always told me that he wanted to die peacefully; he did not want to see his son suffer because of him. He eventually gave in and left me with no one.

Chapter Two

I was found by these two men years back when I was still little. It was after the biggest storm ever which had destroyed most of their plants the night before. They said I must have been dropped because where they found me there were no trees. I was cold and shivering and in an open field. There was only a small handmade leather bag next to me. I was still tiny but not injured as I fell on a heap of grass. I remember hearing voices and I got scared as people are not normally the nicest species on earth. They went out to see how much