I wrote a story to be used in a curriculum for Circle of Hope in Malawi. My friend has translated it into Chichewa, the native language of Malawi. She gave me a list of words that accentuate the 'e' sound in Chichewa and I found the story that was waiting in those words. I also wanted to incorporate a simple science lesson about astronomy and a very friendly planetary alignment that occurred not too long ago. 

The boy's name in the story was originally 'Enoki' for the E sound, but if we ever publish this book in English, I would love to change the boy's name in honor of my friend, Timothy.  He was one of the kids at the Msipe campus of Circle of Hope.  Timothy was one of the first to greet me, loved to speak English.  He lead a small crew of boys, and was one of the sweetest young men I've ever met.  He died on October 23, 2009.  I'll miss him.

This is from an email I received last fall....

"It makes us very sad to tell you that one of our children, Timothy, was tragically killed when he was hit by a car on Friday evening. Timothy was a very special child. A few years ago he told Karen that he wanted to do what she did when he grew up, he wanted to take care of orphan children. Timothy was a true leader. When we took the kids to the beach to play one day, Timothy had no fear or hesitation, "Come on everyone, let's swim." He was the first one in the water!

Timothy was recognized by all in the community as leader. His school had elected him as the head boy for the entire school. An honor usually reserved for an eighth grader, but given to this young seventh grader because of his bright potential.

Timothy will be sorely missed at our project. He served as a peer tutor and could always be trusted to lead in any activity the children engaged in.

Timothy, we are glad that you are with Jesus, but we will miss you."

Since then, Circle of Hope has built Timothy's Home.  It's a home for about a dozen children that have been rescued from desperate situations.  It's my hope that one day, this story could be published with the proceeds going to Circle of Hope to fund the work Timothy would have wanted to do.

 

When the Moon Smiled Back

By Sara Dailey
Copyright 2009

One evening, Timothy went for a walk on the road by his home.
It was cool and breezy, so Timothy wore his jacket.
Timothy gazed up at the round full moon.
The moon’s brightness made him smile.
Timothy wondered if the moon looked back at him.

Timothy waved his jacket in the air.
“Eya! Do you see me?”
The moon only glowed brightly in return.

He climbed a tree to get closer to the moon.
“Eya! Can you hear me?” Called Timothy.
The moon did not yell back.

Timothy had an idea.
Timothy went inside, and sat at his desk.
He took out a pencil and piece of paper.
Timothy wrote a note to the moon.
“Thank you for sharing your light.
Thank you for giving me a smile.
May you be blessed on your journey.”

Timothy slipped the note into an envelope.
On the front of the envelope, in his very best printing,
Timothy wrote: “To The Moon”.
Timothy walked back to the road.
He climbed the tree again.
Timothy lifted his hands and gave the envelope with the note to the wind.

The moon is very far thought Timothy.

Days and weeks passed by.
Timothy wondered if the moon received the envelope with his note.

Then one evening, Timothy looked up and smiled.
He was happy and knew that the moon must have gotten the note,

Because this time… the moon smiled back.

Tracy Shiffman snapped this photo of a nearly vertical smiley face hanging in the evening sky.
Source: News Limited

Click here for an article that explains this phenomenon.

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