<\/p>\n
A mother had four children, two sons, and two daughters. One day, she sent them to the market with some bananas to sell. The children carried the bananas in baskets that had been woven by the mother and her daughters. Before they left, she warned them: \u201cDon\u2019t separate from one another, stay together and please watch over your sisters.\u201d She turned to the boys as who were older than the girls. Moreover, it was expected of boys and men to take of the girls and women in the society. \u201cPlease don\u2019t stay in the market until it is too late. Remember to come home early before the sun sets.\u201d She reminded them. They waved their mother goodbye and they left.<\/p>\n
Once they reached the market, the boys wanted to go and play.
\n\u201cBut mother said that we can\u2019t separate from each other\u201d, the girls complained.
\n\u201cWe won\u2019t play for long. Plus we won\u2019t go too far. We will just play a little bit then come back to help you with the bananas\u201d, the boys insisted.
\n\u201cBut that will be disobeying mother\u201d, the girls persisted.
\n\u201cMother doesn\u2019t have to know. We will be back in no time it will be like we never left\u201d, the boys won\u2019t give up. So they left.<\/p>\n
The girls stayed to sell the bananas. They were singing some songs that their grandmother had taught them while waiting for the customers. Soon, an old woman approached their stand. She had long white hair that curled to her waist. She wore open sandals and her toenail was long and white. She walked slowly and it seemed as if the wind followed her as she moved.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello, little ones.\u201d She greeted the girls. \u201cCan I have some bananas, please.\u201d She took out a silver purse and took out enough coins to buy all the bananas that they had. The old woman started to leave but then stopped and turned back to the girls.
\n\u201cAre you all by yourself little ones?\u201d She asked.
\n\u201cNo. We came with our brothers but they went to play.\u201d They answered.
\n\u201cWell, girls, you need to go home as it is about to rain.\u201d She said while looking up at the sky.
\nThe girls followed her gaze upwards but did not see any sign of the rain. The sun was hot and bright as usual, while the clouds were scattered. There was no wind and the afternoon seemed still.
\n\u201cWe will wait for our brothers to come back so that we can go back home together. They promised that they won\u2019t be long and our mother asked us not to separate from each other.\u201d The little sisters protested.
\n\u201cBut your brothers separated from you. You need to go back home now and I will find your brothers and bring them home too.\u201d<\/p>\n
The elderly woman managed to convince them and they left for home. When they reached home, they told their mother what had happened. The mother hoped that her sons would go back home soon and safe.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, there was a strong wind. The clouds began gathering and blocked the sun. As it was darkening, storm pellets crushed the ground.<\/p>\n
The boys ran to where they had left their sisters but could not find them. Anxiously, they started looking for them around the market. They believed that there is no way that they could have sold all the bananas and left for home without them. They decided to stay in the market until the rain stopped so that they could look for their siblings. However, the rain only became heavier. Suddenly, the boys realized that there was no one else in the market. It was just the two of them. The outside had become very dark that it was becoming difficult to see. They ran around trying to seek shelter in people\u2019s houses but everyone had locked their doors.<\/p>\n
A blinding lightning flashed through the sky. A thunder, loud enough to burst eardrums struck. The two boys stood still but shaking in the inside. From the houses they could hear people singing:<\/p>\n
You spirit from the sea<\/em><\/p>\n Go and depart from me<\/em><\/p>\n You come in the storm<\/em><\/p>\n A scary form<\/em><\/p>\n Your hair grey, your toe white<\/em><\/p>\n You love dark, I love the\u00a0light<\/em><\/p>\n As if from the darkness, the old lady with the long white hair, and long white toenail appeared before the boys. The boys had heard tales of Nyawawa, the sea spirit who swallows those that are outside when it is raining. But they had never seen one before. Now she was standing in front of them. They were trembling and crying. They did not want to be swallowed by the sea spirit.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did you disobey your mother?\u201d The sea lady asked. Suddenly, it stopped raining. The dull heavy clouds became scattered again and the dusky sun revealed some golden red light on the horizon.<\/p>\n The boys rushed home as fast as their little feet could allow them. They found their mother worried sick over their disappearance during the storm. They told her and their sisters what had happened and vowed to never disobey their mother again. They would always watch over their sisters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A mother had four children, two sons, and two daughters. One day, she sent them to the market with some bananas to sell. The children carried the bananas in…<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe are sorry Nyawawa. We won’t disobey our mother again. ” The boys cried for forgiveness.
\n\u201cWhy did you separate from your sisters?\u201d She continued intimidating them.
\n\u201cWe are sorry Nyawawa. We will never leave our sisters alone again. They cried some more.
\n\u201cI have forgiven you because you have admitted your mistakes and asked for forgiveness. I can see that you are good children but do not repeat those mistakes. Always listen to your parents and obey them. Do what they tell you respectfully.\u201d She advised.
\n\u201cYes, Nyawawa. We have heard you.\u201d<\/p>\n