The Stranger and The Prospective Boyfriend

One day the boy Tenson Ngoma was herding cattle in the remote area of the village . Tenson was hungry and thirsty so he abandoned his animals and went to drink water from the spring . At the spring Tenson felt the strength of whirlwind turning dust , moving leaves and causing confusion . Tenson waited for the dust to settle down before kneeling down to drink water . Suddenly someone tapped him from behind , it was a stranger , a tall man with white and shiny hairs wearing white clothes . " Do I know you ? ' Tenson asked . " Yes , we might have met somewhere , I guess you are Tenson . You are fifteen years old . You have been raised up by your grandparents unfortunately you only have a grandmother now ." " For God's sake , who are you that know my life ? " " I am not to be remembered but I have been part of your life since you were born. There is nothing I don't know about you .' This was not only frightening for Tenson but he just abandoned what he wanted to do and ran home . When Tenson reached home he narrated the story to his grandmother Nyabanda. " The man's hair is very white and it shines . He seems to know everything about our family . I was scared I thought he was a ghost ." The grandmother , Nyabanda protested , " my child , ghosts don't appear during day time , you might have been afraid of a certain family friend .' She made lunch for Tenson . It was dried fish and porridge with cabbage and tomatoes . Tenson enjoyed his lunch . After lunch he would see if his animals were alright . He planned to herd the cattle back to the kraal and then he would go and play with his friend . Just after locking the kraal to make sure no animal forces its way out Tenson went to see Fiona . Fiona Tembo was a girl of his heart . Tenson planned that one day when he gets a little bit older he would propose marriage to Fiona . After all , Fiona and Tenson were age mates , they went to same school and they attended the same church . Fiona according to Tenson might have sensed that Tenson had an eye for her . And Tenson was not surprised that the two became closer friends , each day after school they would walk slowly passing the maize fields , passing the hedges until Tenson was sure Fiona was just yards away from home . He would shake her hand to say goodbye see you tomorow . But whenever they shook hands there was some laughter and happiness in his heart . " See you tomorow Fiona ." " See you tomorow , Tenson " . One day on his way home the very white haired man appeared . He saw Tenson runing home . " Hello Tenson , have you been seeing off Fiona ? " Tenson stopped running and turned . " Tenson , it is not right that you don't tell Fiona you love her , you should say your mind ." At this, Tenson got surprised . How does this stranger know I havent proposed to Fiona, yet . Did Fiona tell him ? Tenson tried to find clues he couldn't understand how the white haired man knew his secret . The old man continued , " You see Tenson , that day you ran away and told your granny everything about me. Your granny said maybe am a family friend but that can be yes or no . Yes because you and I are friends . No because I haven't talked to anyone in your family apart from you ." " So what do you want from me ? ' Tenson asked . The white haired man walked Tenson home and paused before saying , " whether you want a proper teacher in life its up to you . If you tell me not to come again , I will go but if you allow me I will show you something about life ." Tenson was not decided what to say . The white haired man said , " You see the world out there , Tenson . The world is a school . It gives you life as a teacher and life offers many experiences like the one you have now with Fiona .Every experience tests your courage , wisdom and you see my white hair ? There are many people in this world who have got white hairs but when life offered them experience when they were young like you and Fiona , they didn't take opportunities. I can help you to get into action , action is what you need right now to achieve what you desire ." " So what is your name ? " Tenson curiously asked . " I am Zina Zina ." Before Tenson asked another question , the white haired man was no where to be seen . Surprised as he was, Tenson decided to tell no one about this conversation with a stranger Mr Zina Zina . Find out what will happen to Tenson and Fiona in the next story . "