Winsha's Wild Triumph

I’m Winsha, and this is how I saved my village from a warlord.

I was born in the village of Lukwa, situated in the Kingdom of Bunyama. It was a small, humble village, where everybody knew everybody and we all helped each other out in times of need. My mother died when I was just a child, so it was just my father and I. He had a small farm in which we grew beans, maize and cassavas, among other things. When my father fell ill with malaria, it was time for me to step up, and lead the way.

I was smart. I read books - anything I could get my hands on! Books were hard to come by back then, especially if you lived in a small African village like me, but nevertheless I searched high and low for any book I could find. And boy did I find some amazing ones! There were many "how to" guides about farming crops that helped us grow our produce, and also many books that taught us all about medicine. You see - back then there were no hospitals in Africa - we didn't have doctors or nurses or emergency services like we do today. If you broke your leg it would be you who had to fix it, because there was nobody else to help you. So books like these were invaluable: they allowed the villagers like me to fix our own broken bones and treat wounds that might otherwise kill us!

One day while out tending to my father's farm, there appeared before me a fearsome warrior clad entirely in black armour, carrying two large swords and riding atop an enormous black stallion. His men surrounded him as he approached us menacingly with his sword drawn - ready to cut down anyone who might stand before him! But instead of attacking he stopped before me and demanded: "Where is Lukwa?"

"Lukwa? What kind of question is that?!" I angrily responded. Aggressively I drew upon the knowledge stored within my mind from reading those wonderful books. "Lukwa is... right here," I continued confidently as I thrust my finger towards his face whilst staring him down in the eye. "And what is your business here?"

"I am Bantu," said this fearsome warrior dressed all in black. "The great warlord of Ngozi! And this is my kingdom!" As he spoke he brandished his viciously sharp sword above his head as if he might strike at any moment. His men looked on menacingly as well with their heads bowed low and their weapons drawn at their sides ready to attack at any moment too!

"Your kingdom?" I scoffed incredulously at his ridiculous claim. "You are not a king! And even if you were... what makes you think Lukwa belongs to you? Famously smart people such as myself cannot simply just hand over our villages willy-nilly!" At this point my father's illness had taken its toll on him - he had collapsed onto the ground unconscious behind me as soon as Bantu had made his presence known! Seeing this caught Bantu by surprise - a move which gave me valuable time to think clearly about how best to proceed next without being interrupted by his threats or taunts!

"Listen here Bantu..." I began sternly whilst placing an index finger upon my chin in contemplation of what should be done next: "Lukwa belongs to no-one but the people who live here! We have built it from the ground up using our own two hands! So you can go home now - leave us alone!" His eyes widened at this bold declaration - astonished by my resolve against his mighty army which numbered over 200 strong! Was this child truly brave enough to stand up to him? How dare she say such things?