The Village Girl

Betty Ndegwa

Pro: S Porcaro

Eng 102 -25

Mar 26, 2013

Literature Analysis # 3

The Village Girl

It was on Saturday mid morning in 1940. "Patience, I have some people I want you to meet." Justice called. Patience was only 18, fresh from high school. She was the only child of Justice and Faith who were among the staunch Christians of the little Ukia village the Machakos district in Kenya. Faith asked her daughter to make sure she had a wrap around her waist before she went out. Patience was nervous because there was a lot going on in the village at the time. There was drought and her parents had not even talked about her pursuing her education despite the fact that she was the top student in her school district.

Patience went out and stood by her father with her head bowed. There were two older men and one young man called Mutua. The older men greeted Patience as it is the custom for the elders to greet the children. Just then, Patience had this sick feeling dive into her stomach, She could sense there was a serious discussion that was going to take place by the way things looked. Very calm, her mother had been cooking and extremely on the quiet side. Whenever there was some negotiations of some kind she knew there had to be at least two elders involved.

Patience Mother came and greeted the elders and patience excused herself and went back to the kitchen with her mother,she asked almost in a whisper,

"Maa are you giving me up for marriage?" The mother faced her and let her tears roll down her cheeks. "Oh, Patience I feel like a failure, these tears burn my face too deep, my heart feels like a rock and my stomach is full of air, I could burst! I wish your father could change his mind, but then what? I'm sorry I could not bring myself to telling you before; it has been in my prayer for God to provide so that you can continue with your studies." Patience remained speechless; she decided to go to the river to fetch water which was the routine for the afternoon.

Patience cried on her way to the river. When she got there, she met with Mwololo her childhood friend. She hugged him so tight like a child hugs her blanket; her heart pounded with so much fear that was now setting in." Can you believe my parents are organizing for me to get married to some stranger called Mutua?"

"Holly mother of God, please don't let it happen!" Mwololo exclaimed. "Why would they do that?"

"Mother told me that Dad decided to have me married to someone who could take good care of me instead of hanging around the village doing nothing especially now that they cannot afford to pay for my college