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Stories we tell our children

Stories we tell our children
The talk presented at the Kwani? Litfest 08 to teachers and children on the importance of literature, with particular reference to the importance of teaching children through storytelling, was a noteworthy inclusion.

Jasmine
	Jasmine She couldn't keep her eyes open, she felt drowsy. Maybe from the herbal concoction he had made her drink. This one seemed to be much stronger than the ones she had been drinking before.

The Plate of Ugali
The Plate of Ugali My mama used to say a real African man doesn't eat chips or pasta. That's food for a mzungu man who gets his nails manicured, face scrubbed and lips conditioned with lip balm.

Spring was coming, spring is coming?
	Spring was coming, spring is coming? Insect bites/mosquito stings on bare skin, butterflies crawling out of their cocoons, birds chirping. Sun shining, blue skies. Clear nights. The scent of mowed lawns, wet earth after a short bout of rain. The scent of manure (eeew); the smell of spring – achoo! Hay fever.

My Husband and I
My Husband and I My husband is not at home today. He has gone for a very important function.

First Ballad of K-Street
	First Ballad of K -Street

Music Lessons
	Music Lessons Downstairs the air is thick with the smell of a thousand purple petals; beaten into a frowzy mulch by morning dew and afternoon heat; and the twice daily stampede of twice daily travelers. The soft ground is patterned by the busy piercing of shoes- stiletto spikes and platforms; gumboots and brogues wearing the ground as they themselves have custom to be worn.

The Etiquette of loving a married man
The Etiquette of Loving a Married Man I expect the phone to ring, any minute now…and it does. I can guess the conversation before it begins. It will involve talk of lace panties, your nature rising, strawberries and maybe whipped cream. Then we will talk, at length, about your day. I will enquire,

Kenji and I
	Kenji and I.... I know I am nervous because my left temple is throbbing. It is still dark as I hurry across town from the Railways matatu terminus where my matatu stops to the Odeon Cinema matatu terminus for all matatus heading to Eastern Province towns. The morning chill bites at my nose and I can feel a hint of a muscle cramp working its way up my hamstring.

Deja vu
Deja vu I'm not even surprised. I've been here before. The butterfly-tummy-knotted-heart-beating-fast feeling that is a cocktail of fear, excitement, desire, caution, plain stupid, daring and absolutely wonderful just-about-to-fall-in-love-but-will-definitely-sabotage-it-all state.