There is no electricity, here in this rural area in Africa.
The women make flour by hand. Surrounded by small children, they sit in the hut and grind the wheat between two stone plates.
Kids are playing a game; all are cheering and laughing, some are singing.
“How can they be happy?” we wonder, “They have nothing compared to us?”
“What do you need to be happy?” An old man asks.
He points with his cane to something we can’t see. “The sun, the wind, some rain and food to eat. We have everything,” he says and we fall silent.
(Word count: 100)
This is my entry to this weeks 100-word challenge. The Friday Fictioneers is held by Rochelle-Wisoff Fields. Click >>>here<<< and join the fun but I must warn you, it’s addictive.
I love to write about Africa. Thank you, now I will be smiling for the rest of the day.
Oh, I like where you took this. Ultimately, we need very little to make us happy – or should need very little. Kudos.
beautiful share.. and loved your words.. Yes we have everything, and yet so many of us forget these are the most important gifts of all..
Love to you
Sue <3
I wish we would remember it more.
Wise words. As long as the villagers do have food and fresh water, but so often they don’t, unfortunately. Terrific story.
It has improved in many regions, thanks to numerous charity groups. Fresh water was a main concern for so many years.
I don’t think he’s going to convert anyone, sadly. Nice tale.
Very wise. Great story!
Thank you for your kind words.
Excellent.
Thank you!
YW.
He put them in their place! Good point, well made.
Thank you Draliman, I hoped to get my point across.
A great reminder! I wonder what they would make of pokemon go?
I think they would tell us to stop staring at a screen I suppose. But what do I know. 🙂
Fantastic post… back to basics. We need to appreciate what we have and not get materially crazy ..and social media crazy then we lose the essense of life.
For a 100 words this us super powerful and well writen and challenges the norm.
I wish I could find the right words now. Let’s just say your comment made me smile and I really do appreciate your kind words.
Very wise to be reminded of the basics. But ‘just living’ also means: no advanced medicine, no emergency transport or aid, no help when the harvest is bad, no money or knowledge to pursue different dreams from that of the group and so on. Many people around the world don’t have that either, but they should. Great thought-provking story.
Many people in this world have no idea what you are talking about. Too many. It’s good that we don’t miss what we don’t know I suppose.
How very true!
Dear Bridget,
You give us techno-geeks something to think about. The old man is wise. Lovely story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I am so glad you liked it. I am techno-geek myself, I know what you mean.
You mean we don’t need iphones???? Just kidding. I’m happy with a little sun, wind, rain, food to eat and love 🙂 Great story
No iphone, no wifi and no internet. Oh dear, what was I thinking?
Ha ha ha. I know, right?
Lovely work, says so much in just 100 words.
What a sweet comment. Thank you
But no wifi.. no wifi… how would their iPhones run? Great story
Thank you!
Amen.
And when did you become religious? 🙂
AMEN 🙂 Its the simple things that matter most 😉 Wonderful reminder.
I truly believe that we would have less worries if we would have less -if that makes any sense.
It does make sense, and I tend to agree.
You packed a lot of truth into those 100 words.
I hope so. Thank you Bernadette!
A lovely sentiment
Thank you Neil. And now I am off to read yours and other posts. That’s almost more fun than writing my own.
Wise words. We could learn a lot from “developing” countries and societies. We think we’re more advanced, but in reality we’ve just made things more complicated it seems.
I was very, very fortunate in my life. I traveled the world and got paid for doing so. I worked as a translator for many years and visiting Africa has left it’s marks on my soul.
Thank you for your comment. You are spot on -as always.
That’s terrific. Kenya in particular is one of my bucket list items. My MIL had gone many times and we had numerous conversations about her time there. Sounds amazing. You’re lucky, indeed. 😃
I was born and raised in Europe, Africa was just a short flight away back then. Go and visit Kenya and sleep one night under the stars (that’s an order lol).
Yes ma’am! 😃