THE BRAVE DEAF BOY

By Philip Akurigo

THE BRAVE DEAF BOY is a wonderful book to teach kids about important values. Having senses is a great blessing, but having the ability to show empathy is the real value that all kids must develop. This story is set up in a remote place in Africa where people are short on resources. When there is a conflict between kids and bats, the brave deaf b

• Language: English
• Publisher: Writer Cosmos
• Release date: Oct 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798868942518

Book preview

THE BRAVE DEAF BOY

Philip Akurigo

The Brave Deaf Boy

Copyright © 2023 by Philip Akurigo. All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and should not be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Acknowledgment goes to my mini family for their advice and encouragement and all the editors who assisted with the manuscript and edition to make this book a success. Kudos to you all!

DEDICATION

To Almighty God, my deceased mom and dad, you will always be in my memory till we meet again. Chief Awuni – my childhood counselor and mentor, and Belinda L. for encouraging me to pursue my education in the United States of America, Albert A. (Former MP, and the late Vice President Aliu Mahama) for your brotherly love and encouragement.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Philip Akurigo holds an MS degree from San Diego State University. He is the author of the article ‘Multicultural Competency in Counseling’ and the founder of Mobility Made Easy LLC.

In his free time, Philip enjoys hitting the gym, browsing books at local bookstores and libraries, and playing soccer with his children. He’s also taken up skiing as his latest hobby, showcasing his adventurous spirit. As an enthusiastic reader and writer, Philip resides in California with his loving family.

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

DEDICATION

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER 1

THE LONELY BOY

CHAPTER 2

THE NEW TEACHER

CHAPTER 3

THE BATS AND THE SPACE FORCE

CHAPTER 4

FOLKLORE AND STORYTELLING LITTERED THE MOONLIT NIGHTS

CHAPTER 5

THE CARING TEACHER

CHAPTER 6

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

CHAPTER 7

THE GREAT TEACHING PRINCIPLES

CHAPTER 1

THE LONELY BOY

The handicap of deafness is not in the ear; it is in the mind. And so, the biggest misconception of a disability is within a person who does not embrace the abilities of people with disabilities.

-          Marlee Matlin & Philip Akurigo

P

etiga’s birthplace was a quaint and badinage neighborhood where the values of respect, love, and empathy ran deep. However, this tight-knit community remained oblivious to the complexities of disability. Many regarded it as an enigma resulting from nature’s unpredictable whims, treating it with superstition. It was as if they believed disability could shatter one’s life.

Amid this paradoxical world, Petiga held a profound affection for his hometown and cherished those few who, like his class teacher, Mr. Azabra and Mr. Amu, embraced individuals with disabilities with genuine empathy. What set Petiga apart was his unique condition; he did not have the gift of hearing. Yet, even he wasn’t exempt from the misdiagnoses that plagued him, forcing him to grapple silently and inwardly with his hearing challenges.

In a world where silence reigned supreme, Petiga discovered his sanctuary within the written word. Deprived of hearing aids and early sign language education due to financial constraints, he embarked on a remarkable communication journey fueled by unwavering determination.

When words proved insufficient to bridge the chasm of silence, Petiga turned to the potent magic of written language. Those gifted with literacy became his allies, forging a silent symphony of understanding through the transcribed echoes of his thoughts. They wove words onto paper, crafting a tapestry that transcended the confines of sound.

Yet, there were moments when pen and paper were not at hand, compelling Petiga to embrace the art of gesture. His hands transformed into storytellers, crafting ethereal tales in the air, conveying emotions, needs, and desires. Each fluid movement, every subtle nuance of touch, held profound meaning for those who ventured to interpret his eloquent, silent language.

He was branded as a child without a voice. They called him ‘Mumu,’ a deaf-mute, while others labeled him deaf and dumb. Petiga grappled with confusion as he grew up because the words used to describe him felt like ill-fitting garments. Deep within, he possessed untapped talents, intelligence, and a vision of a bright future, much like anyone else. His eyes held the warmth of chestnut, and his hair cascaded in black, curly waves. All his senses operated usually, except for his hearing, which danced out of sync with the world around him.

He soon realized that his disability wasn’t confined to his ears; instead, it lay in the preconceptions that others held about him. The most defining aspect of his disability was not his hearing impairment but the judgments people cast upon him. He faced misconceptions about his ability to write proficient English, with some assuming he couldn’t achieve this feat independently. Such misguided beliefs stemmed from a false connection between deafness and mental deficiency, a notion that science has long disproven.

Yet, these misconceptions didn’t endure because Petiga was unwavering in his determination to overcome them. He toiled diligently, and with time, those in his vicinity began to witness his remarkable capabilities. He learned to read in silence, to explore the world in silence, and to seize every opportunity that came his way. Nature became his muse, a boundless realm to explore and conquer. It was a thrilling journey, reading under the silvery glow of moonlight and sitting by bonfires crafted by his mother, the thick smoke swirling around him as he fearlessly embraced it.

Petiga never knew what his future would look like, but he understood that hard work was needed to succeed. He dreamed of being a teacher, a pilot, a lawyer, a doctor, and many more. He was inspired to see his teachers wearing suits teaching in his class. He admired the doctor and the nurses who attended to him when he had that excruciating fever. His village did not offer a life of luxury. Attending school was a struggle. All those things taught him to be brave.

It’s crucial to mention that while Petiga’s village lacked the many luxuries of life, it was a beautiful canvas painted with beautiful sceneries and humble inhabitants that made it home. Colorful houses lined the town, their walls adorned with intricate murals depicting tales of ancient lore. Each brushstroke seemed to whisper stories of resilience and unity.

In the center of the village, a bustling marketplace came to life. Vendors’ stalls overflowed with a rainbow of fresh fruits and vegetables, their vibrant hues catching the eye of passersby. The rhythmic melody of clinking coins and haggling voices filled the air, a symphony of commerce that the villagers observed with fascination.

Beyond the marketplace, the village stretched out into the embrace of nature’s bounty. Rolling