I have always wanted to publish a book. It’s been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. But I didn’t want to write just any story. I’ve always loved fables and I wanted to draw on my experience growing up in Africa. I decided to start with children’s books with strong morals—stories that stick with you long after you turn the last page.
There is something magical about using animals to depict human lessons. It makes complex ideas about character and behavior easier for kids (and readers of all ages) to understand (and is usually a lot funnier, too).
That is why I am so thrilled to introduce you to my very first book: The Hyena, The Fox, and the Pink Pig
Why these animals?
I wanted to tell a story about greed versus cunning. To do that, I needed the perfect cast of characters set in the golden savannas of ancient Africa.
Kano the Fox: Kano represents hard work. He is the hunter/gatherer who spends his day digging for roots, snapping up grasshoppers, and sniffing out lizards in the rocks.
Maro the Hyena: We all know a Maro. He is too cunning for work. Instead of hunting, he devises a “clever plan” to let the fox do the sweating while he steals the rewards.
Luma the Pink Pig: Luma is my favorite twist in the story. She is round and pink “as a sunset cloud”. She is too lazy to work and too timid to steal, so she uses a different trick: patience.
The Story - a battle of wits and appetites
The story takes place during a time when food was incredibly hard to find. Day after day, Maro chases Kano to steal his food. They tumble and roll, creating clouds of dust and growling across the plains.
While the fox and hyena were consumed by their battle, a gentle snuffling came from the side. Luma waddled in quietly and gobbled up the scraps.
By the time the dust settled, Luma had eaten every feather and crumb.
The Moral of the Story
Fighting over greed often distracts us from what’s happening right under our noses.
The lesson is simple but timeless: “Those who fight over greed often feed the patient bystander”.
I had so much fun bringing Kano, Maro, and Luma to life, and I hope this story sparks great conversations with your little ones about hard work, sharing, and why fighting rarely gets you what you want.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me!