Waiting For The Dawn

By Dgatsi

Waiting for the Dawn is a great flourishing novel from ancient Africa era,a young boy name Simba lost his beloved ones after a terrible raid in their village by Chief Mapanda.His father was killed and his mother,sister and young brother were held as bounty by the enemy.Simba he will grow up to be a brave young man and conquered his fear by looking for his long lost family.On his journey with a friend,he will meet the love of his life Rudo and he will also choosen to be the chief of tribe of the village.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Darlington Gatsi
• Release date: Sep 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215612477

Book preview

Chapter one.

Simba got out of his hut wearing his new traditional clothes which he was given by his grandmother Mbuya Vasha.He could not express soley how he felt about the love she gave him after his father passed away after he was killed by the men of Chief Mapanda some years ago.From that moment he vowed to avenge his father's death by killing the men who cut his father's life short ,he had to take the stand.Honestly to him this plan was like setting a mouse trap to catch a elephant but he had to be brave as he would never know till he had tried.Sekuru Mhande who was sitting under a Muhacha tree smiled blissfully to Simba who was walking towards him and he knelt down as he look into his grandfather's eyes :Maswera sei Sekuru vangu?,he said.

Ndaswera muzukuru wangua hosky voice came out as sekuru Mhande answers his beloved grandson.

Simba sipped a small calabash of Maheu which was offered by his grandmother and he cleared his throat,I'm happy today to sit among you Sekuru and Ambuya.You have looked after me since i was very young and now i Simba the son of Mhofu yemukono have  grown up to be a strong and wise man.I thank you both and pray to the spirits that they walk with me on my journey .

From a distance Simba could see his friend walking to their compound wearing his usual nhembe,some traditional beads and on his broad shoulder hang his small bag which seemed to be packed with useful things.Simba stood up welcomed his friend:welcome my friend!.Mukudzeyi who was thrilled that day greeted Simba's grandparents with joy  that they never saw on his face.How is my friend Chinembiri ,grandfather asked Mukudzeyi sympathatically.

I left him full of joy,he is better now.I gave him the  medicine you gave me and I left him feeling better.He talked while he sips maheu drink which he was offered by Simba.I am happy to hear that i will visit him tommorow ,today i feel weak in my bones.

There was a awkward silence and Sekuru Mhandu continued,The old ones said that where animals are killed that is the very place to which they run so they are no gains without pains.You must fight and struggle with all your mighty powers so that you can overcome this problem.You must leave this noon if you want to reach safe grounds.Please find my muroora for me and bring her back in the family,do not forget where you came from because of the sweet nectars of the world,he said.

He stood up and went into his bedroom whispering his favourite song during the war.

"We have come here to fight 

our enemy.....the strength in our 

veins is powerful like hippopotamus.

We are overpowered  by our

fathers who are above as they cast

a great eye on us the living.

Look after us in this battle our

forefathers.Do not forsaken us your dearest

children as we believe in you our ancestors

.We shall bring victory to this land... "

ENEGETICALLY SEKURU Mhande came out from his hut and handling a well crafted spear which could catch any hunter's eyes.

My grandson keep this spear close to your heart because it our family lineage pride and honour for every man's journey to victoryhe said these words holding Simba's hands.Thank you grandfather may the ancestral spirits bless you with long life,i will keep this spear safe,he clapped his hands for his gratitude of having the spear.Mbuya came out with some sweet potatoes and smoked beef from her kitchen .Now go my grandson but don't forget where you came from because of the sweet nectars of the world  and remember dead men tell no tales ,so all of you must come back to us to tell us your adventurous tales.she sympathetically spoke these words putting the food in the nhava(bag).Simba nodded his head for understanding grandma's worthy words.

Simba and his friend Mukudzeyi stood up ,said their good byes to Sekuru and Ambuya .The two young men walked with purpose as they head towards a mountain that was on the other side of the village.Simba was so grateful to have a friend like Muku,a generous young man who was kind at heart.Both of them were of the same age,body size and complexion.One would witness the power the proverb which states ,birds of the same feathers flock together.Besides being an orphan Muku shared true brotherhood with Simba.He never felt alone after his family members were all killed during a terrible raid in the village of Musonza few years until he was adopted by Sekuru Chinembiri .

They say ,A person who knows the way is the one who walks in it but for Simba and Muku this was like a night mare for them as they didn't know where they were going.They spent days walking to Tokwe village ,eating the food that Ambuya Vasha prepared for them was a relief for them to hunt in such a strange place.One day when the two young men got hungry they sat under a tree and listened to a lovely song from a bird.Suddenly the bird started flying away into the forest and it lead them to a bee hive.The two young men were astonished with the bird that they thought was sent by their ancestors.

They walked near  the bee hive ,smiled at each other and without doubt they obtained large leaves from a tree.Now their hunger was now asking them their totems,they quickly started gathering the honey and suddenly a large sworn of bees took off from their shelter in a fury.With pain comes the sweetness,the forefathers said.Simba and Muku ran off from this disaster being stung on right and left as they ran down the forest where they luckly jumped into the a river.A gentle and refreshing feeling was felt through out their body after they were stung by the malicious bees.After they  realised that the bees passed through them they came out of the water to notice each other's skin looking horrific and started laughing at each other.

They were bitter as gall ,are you okay my dear friendMuku asked Simba politely looking on his damaged handsome face.I am alright my friend,it looks like the bees rearranged your face,he said that while grabbing a mint plant and squeezed it on his skin to calm the skin reaction .And now they returned to the spot where they was a bee hive and they took their weapons ,honey which they obtained before being stung by the bees and continued their journey.

Days moved on as they walked to their destination until they were paralysed by hunger.The two young men searched for a Muhacha tree and they found it after a struggle.They were now thrilled to find the tree and started clapping their hands while praising the ancestors while kneeling down offering their hands for food.

We are here praising your name,Mwari.

You are our provider and strength ,please at

this moment give us food to eat.We have

suffered this hunger enough,our stomachs are

rumbling like a thunderstorm and we cannot help

it our lord.Thank you so much the creator of the

universe!           

MUKUDZEYI SMILED AS he finishes praising Musikavanhu(God),as they open their eyes magically two wooden plates full of sadza and meat appeared under the tree of Muhacha which they believed that it holds a great connection with the spirits.The two young men ate the food with much gratitude to the Provider ,their hunger was satified and they thanked the spirits for granting them food on such  horrible time.They continued with their journey until they were tired and they looked for a place to sleep.They gathered  their belongings near them and slept peacefully as the night was so queit and cool .

Early in the morning Simba  was startled off his sleep with few men who were standing near them.Quickly he pushes Muku to be alert of the intruders.Simba quickly stood up to fight the enemy and  he punches the one who tried  to touch him."We came here in peace ,we are