A Turkey called Blessing(Zaituni Abdi) My grandmother pulled her blanket and started her story. We all sat quietly and attentively ready to hear our evening story. It was our grandmother's character to tell us a story before we went to sleep. Before she began, she pulled out a small polythene bag with a white substance. She took a pinch of snuff and sniffed it into her nose and licked some. She then gave a loud sneeze, and she began.

“Long ago when your mothers were still girls, deep in the forest lived a clever girl called lucky. Lucky,” she went on, “was born in a family of seven. She was given this name because during her birth, her mother almost had an accident. She was indeed lucky!" Grandmother paused and sneezed loudly again.

“Lucky’s sisters and brothers envied her because she was very good at many things. She liked walking in the forest, and singing. Surprisingly, the birds got used to her and always hummed along with her. One day something painful happened.

Lucky had a turkey called Blessing. Her uncle, Mr. Arnold, was coming to visit from London. There was going to be a feast to mark a New Year. Lucky's father had told the family that they would slaughter Blessing for the feast since they had nothing else to cook!

Lucky sobbed the whole night and protested that what her father had proposed was not fair to her or to Blessing. Blessing was a wild turkey that had survived under her care.

Her father agreed that it was unfair but during that season things were hard they hadn't got any good food.

The next day Lucky’s uncle arrived. They were all happy to see each other and greeted each other with happiness.

After greeting her uncle, Lucky ran outside and sat on the door step. She found Blessing feeding on some fallen rice. Lucky poked her as usual as she always did, and then told her turkey that its death was near.

Suddenly, a bright idea came to her mind. She leashed Blessing and together they walked deep in the forest.  At the end of the forest there was a lake where fishermen used to fish. Lucky approached them and she started singing her beautiful songs. The fishermen were very happy to hear a wonderful voice from the little girl. They gave her ten big fish.

At home, her father was looking for Blessing to slaughter her, but Blessing was nowhere to be seen. The parents sat down and started wondering what to do next.

Suddenly, the kitchen door opened and there stood Lucky with ten big fish.  Her mother was thankful and cooked the fish for the feast.

Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! There was noise at the back door. Guess what! It was Blessing. "Lucky, I know this is your plan!” Her mother said smiling. ”You saved Blessing.”      

Grandmother ended her story telling us it is our obligation to help and save the ones we love.

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