By Rozey Sembatya
In the palace of Zamba lived a happy King and Queen.
The smiling King and Queen had four sons: Prince Osiya, Prince Hosea, Prince Caleb and Prince Pato. They were happy and energetic children who spent their days running around the palace climbing trees, plucking leaves and kicking stones.
There was just one thing that made the King and Queen sad. They wanted to have a little girl. When Prince Pato turned 8, the Queen got to her knees and spoke her wish to God.
“Please God, just one for me,” she said.
It was a hot Thursday afternoon when God answered her prayer. The palace was full of song and laughter at the arrival of the little girl.
“We have waited so patiently for you. We shall call you, Nkwanzi because you are precious,” said the King.
One year passed. Three years passed. Another January came.
Everyone smiled but the little girl did not. This was surprising.
“How did she learn not to smile?” asked the Queen.
“I am sure she will smile,” said the King.
Every one waited for many days and nights.
Call to make princess smile
The King sent out a call to everyone in Zamba land.
“A large piece of land will be given to the one who will make my little girl smile,” the King said.
“Yiyii, just smiling. That should be as easy as eating a mango,” said the clown.
He came to the palace and started making different faces. Then he juggled yellow and green balls. Then he started dancing. Nkwanzi let out a big cry and the clown was asked to leave the palace. The King gave him a purple bowl for his effort.
The magician came with his tricks. He swallowed fire then out of his mouth came sweets. The little girl was so bored that she dozed off without smiling. The King gave the magician a colourful hat for his effort.
Then the circus caravan entered with drums and lots of funfair. Almost half of Zamba land followed the caravan with its melodic drums. They all sat down awaiting the circus to start.
Before the circus started, a baby crawled out of her mother’s reach. When the King smiled, the baby was encouraged to continue crawling towards the King’s table.
When Nkwanzi saw the baby, she got off her seat and came towards her. They sat down together and started playing. She made faces, and the baby did too. Nkwanzi pulled out her tongue, and the baby did.
When they started playing the tickle game, Nkwanzi and the baby laughed so loud that everyone was shocked and happy.
There was a lot of eating, fun and songs. The King asked the circus to entertain all the guests. Everyone was happy.
