The Girl Who Befriended the Baobab
The Girl Who Befriended the Baobab — an illustrated stories story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.
Page 1
"Look, Amara! It's even bigger than last year!" Jabari shouted, pointing towards the horizon. Amara shielded her eyes, squinting. "It really is... the Great Baobab. Do you think Old Man Tembo will be there with his stories?"
Page 2
Old Man Tembo greeted them with a warm smile. "Welcome, children! Today, I'll tell you about the Baobab's magic. The elders say that the seeds of the Baobab hold ancient songs, but only those who listen with their hearts can hear them."
Page 3
Amara picked up a seed. "How do we listen with our hearts, Grandfather Tembo?" Tembo chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "You must close your eyes, child, and imagine the stories the seed has seen, the journeys it has taken. Nelson Mandela once said, 'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.' Listen closely, Amara, for in every seed is a lesson."
Page 4
"We should try to hear the songs tonight, Jabari," Amara said as they walked away from the Baobab. Jabari shrugged. "What if it doesn't work? What if we aren't good enough to hear the songs?" Amara smiled. "We won't know unless we try!"
Page 5
That night, they sat beneath the stars, each holding a baobab seed. Suddenly, a faint, shimmering light surrounded Amara's seed. "Jabari, look!" she whispered. The light pulsed, and a soft melody filled the air. It was the sound of wind whispering secrets through the baobab leaves.
Page 6
But then, the ground began to tremble. A deep rumbling echoed across the savanna. "What's happening?" Jabari cried, clutching his seed tightly. A swarm of locusts descended from the sky, blocking out the stars, and the light from Amara's seed flickered and dimmed.
Page 7
"We have to protect the song!" Amara shouted over the noise. "Remember what Old Man Tembo said about the Baobab's magic—it connects all living things! If we use our songs together, maybe we can stop them!" Jabari nodded, his fear replaced by determination. "Okay, Amara, let's try!"
Page 8
They closed their eyes, focusing on the songs within the seeds. A wave of warmth spread through them, and the melody grew louder. "It's working!" Jabari cried. Together, they sang the Baobab's ancient song, a song of unity and balance. The locusts hesitated, then turned and flew away into the night. Amara smiled, shouting, "See, Jabari, as Maya Angelou said, 'Still I rise!'"
Page 9
Exhausted but happy, they looked at each other. "We did it, Amara! We saved the savanna!" Jabari exclaimed. Amara nodded. "The Baobab's song is strong when we sing together. It reminds us that we are all connected, just like the branches of a tree."
Page 10
Old Man Tembo approached, a knowing smile on his face. "The Baobab has chosen you, children. You have shown that even the smallest seed can hold the greatest power when shared with others." Amara and Jabari grinned, ready for a new adventure, a new song.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
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