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Hard Times in Africa
Hard Times in Africa
June 1, 2016
This story takes place in the mountainous valley of Africa in the fall. It is hot, dry, cloudy, and overcast. This group of male farmers is carrying hay to the feeder stocks for their animals (cows, horses, & goats) to be fed. One animal can be fed for about 3 -4 months with this hay, in addition to making 1 hut for their families. These farmers have families: children to feed, and wives. They are hard working because they are taking care of their families. If their families are going to survive, they “have to” do this hard work. They look like native people, and they barely have, if any, shoes. They have a very long walk to carry this hay. They have a lot to do, but it is “their way of life”. They don’t have cars or trucks. This is the way they have to do this. They will carry the hay to a farm. They help each other. They all work together. They have worked together and farmed together before.
They are very tired, “about dead” feeling when they arrive. Tired and happy to be reunited with their families. After they do their work, they’ll stay together. Some of them might be kin. They have cut the hay nicely. They are building a hut for their families. But they know this is just another day in their life of hard work. Maybe in the future, they will get more modern tools: maybe a truck or a wagon. Maybe they will get jobs in the mill. There are challenges still ahead. But once they take the hay off, they will enjoy life and be happy. Hay is needed for their survival, so they’ll keep doing this until they finish…..and then enjoy life!!
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