SILENT SONGS AND OTHER STORIES

QUICK REVISION GUIDE

ENGLISH &LITERATURE

SAMPLE PREVIEW GUIDE

NOTES

SERIES 1

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SILENT SONG AND OTHER STORIES GUIDE

Introduction
 “A Silent Song and other Stories” is a unique collection of short stories from various societies
across the world. They have been carefully selected to represent various generations of writers from
diverse backgrounds. The stories are meticulously sought and packaged to provoke interest in
young Kenyan readers and help them encounter in-depth literary experiences.

 A wide range of techniques, settings and themes that are relevant to the contemporary issues
affecting Kenyans have been addressed in the collection. These will expose the students to a rich
diversity of perspectives that will result in appreciating the uniqueness of cultures across the globe.

AUTHOR - Godwin Siundu

ANALYST - Mwalimu Consultancy Ltd.

The summary guide covers all the following stories of the silence songs
 A man of awesome power (Naguib Mahfouz-Egypt).
 Incident in the park
 Ninema – vrenika Pather
 A silence Song – Leonard Kibera
 Ivory Bangles
 The sins of the Fathers
 The truly married woman
 Talking money
 The Ghost
 God sees the truth, But waits
 The Neighbourhoods watch
 December
 Boyi
 Cheque mate

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A MAN OF AWESOME POWERS

A man of awesome power is an intriguing story about Tayyib al – Mahdi, how he acquired and uses
power and how the power changes Tayiid’s life. The guide will also reveal what causes Tayyid to
lose his incredible power and also the role of the media.

SYNOPSIS
 A Man of Awesome Power is an intriguing story about Tayyib al-Mahdi, who lives a comfortable
life after retiring from many years of service abroad. His current life is peaceful and uneventful. He
spends time watching television, reading newspapers or listening to the radio in the comfort of his
apartment that he shares with his wife since his daughters are already married. The story captures
how an individual who is empowered when least expected utilises the power given to him. His
illusions of desire for a better country lead to his dream of power acquisition.

 One night, Tayyib dreams of a visitation by a man of radiant appearance who speaks to him in a kind
tone, informing him that God had willed him the power to order things to be and they would be.
Although he dismisses the dream like any other dream, its frequent recurrence makes him give it
more thought. Tayyib confirms its reality when he orders his television to switch channels, and it
happens. Endowed with the newly acquired power, he sets out to reform his country and the entire
planet as he had often wished.

 He utilizes his power both for good and bad intentions. He starts by hitting back a taxi driver who
ignores him by wishing him an accident. He also causes a man who had physically attacked a
woman in a bus to suffer stomach cramps. We see him engaging in meritorious deeds such as filing
a gaping pothole, locking an electric box and removing a pile of rubbish that he trips on.

 The media does not escape his wrath as he causes one radio announcer to suffer massive sneezes
after making an announcement that gave false hopes. As the story progresses, Sulayman Bey al-
Hamalawi, a political leader who had evaded tax, is ordered by Tayyib to go and pay the tax that
he had been avoiding for a long time.

 An unfortunate incident occurs when Tayyib is busy planning to effectively utilise his power for the
good of all sectors in the country. He notices a beautiful woman at the entrance of the tea garden and

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uses his ability to satisfy his desires for her. Their intimacy costs him his incredible power. He pays
this price for misusing the power that God had freely given him. The story ends with his sad
realisation that he no longer has power. His attempts to order the television channels to change do
not bear fruits. He experiences a tremendous sadness that will haunt him for the rest of his life.

CHARACTERS
A.TAYYIB AL-MAHDI
 He is the main character in the story, and the story revolves around the awesome power that he
miraculously acquires sometime after his retirement.

 He does not reveal to his wife that he had been bestowed with such power. His initial intention is
to use the ability to change his country and the entire planet like he had always wished.

 He is portrayed as religious, ambitious yet emotional and vengeful.

EPISODIC ANALYSIS OF KEY ISSUES

Man of Awesome Power' is founded on several pillars determined by the various episodes:
Tayyib's dream — pg 1-2
Utilising the awesome power -pg 2-4
Losing the awesome power- pg 5 Nide to a silent son and other stories

KEY ISSUES ARISE FROM THE EPISODES:

Acquisition of power
 How Tayyib acquires his power teaches several things:
 One can gain power at any stage of life.

 Tayyib believed that he had completed his mission in the world. Before acquiring power, he lives a
peaceful life as he enjoys the fruits of retirement. The writer notes that 'He had generous insurance
and more than adequate pension' pg 1 which do not prevent him from being given power by God.

 Power is God-given.

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 Tayyib's power is bestowed on him by God. As seen from his words, "All praise to God, Lord of
the Worlds", and listening to radio channels devoted to the Quran (pg1), his religious nature is one
reason God willed to grant him power. The man who visits him in the dream tells him that starting
that moment and as long as God willed, he had been bestowed with the power to order things to be
and they would-be. (pg l)

Utilization of Power
 Tayyib utilizes the power given to him in different incidents:
 Encounter with the taxi driver (pg 2)
 In the bus, to deal with the conflict between a man and a woman (pg 3).
 Performing memorable services along his way to the cafe (pg 3).
 The radio announcer (pg 3).
 Tayyib's wrath on Sulayman Bey al-Hamalawi (pg 3-4).
 The beautiful woman in the Tea Garden (pg 4).

Good utilization of power

 The episode shows how a person bestowed with power should utilise it. Tayyib's soliloquy during
his encounter with the taxi driver captures the need to use power for the well-being of others and to
make things better. 'Whoever is granted with power like mine must utilize it only for good.' (pg 2)
 He uses the power to do several good deeds. Some of the outstanding services that Tayyib performs
include filling a gaping pothole, locking an electric box that was open and hanging dangerously,
removing a pile of trash and draining sewer water that was flooding an alley. Many people in the
neighbourhood appreciate these services. (p 3).
 He also does a good deed of making Sulayman, who has been evading tax, go to the taxi authorities
and pay them millions of pounds he owed them. (pg3).

Misuse of power
 Tayyib utilises the power given to him for vengeance- The act of causing the tire burst of the taxi
since the driver had ignored him is vengeful. Tayyib ignores the noble voice that reminds him not
to use power for wrong purposes and lets his anger get the best of him. (pg 2)

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 Tayyib causes harm/pain and suffering to the man who had slapped a woman on a public bus.
Severe cramps strike the man, following Tayyib's anger focused on the man's stomach. (pg3)

 He uses power to satisfy his lustful desires when he sees a beautiful woman and makes her notice
him making them surrender to fate. (pg 4)

Role of the Media

The media is seen to fail in its role. It dwells more on giving false promises/hope instead of telling
what had already been achieved. When Tayyib gets into the café, he listens to a radio announcer
expounding on promising developments expected in the future (pg 3). Tayyib's fury is directed at
the announcer, causing him to suffer massive sneezing, forcing him to end the announcement and
play a song. The song-'Walk Around and See' is ironically used to satirise the media for highlighting
and emphasising what is yet to be seen (prophesies) instead of dwelling on the reality that can be
seen.

Immorality
 Sexual immorality is seen when Tayyib utilises his power to make the beautiful woman he notices
in the Tea Garden fall for his advances. The woman barely notices Tayyib when she gets to the
garden, but Tayyib shifts her attention to himself through the power he has. He forgets his faith and
his life (Lack of self- control) and surrenders to fate.
 Tax evasion is another immorality that is seen in the story. Many leaders use their powerful
positions to evade paying their taxes, such as Sulayman Bey al- Hamalawi. When Tayyib notices
him, he commands, "Sulayman Bey, go straight to the tax prosecutor's office to repent and say you
are sorry up the millions of pounds you owe." (pg 3)

Loss of Power
If power is not utilised for 'good', it will be lost. Tayyib loses his awesome power when he comes
back to his senses and realises that he had made some mistake. Although he had been secretive
about his power, his wife Haniya keenly observes that he was not in his usual mood that evening.
Tayyib's deceitful/ dishonest nature is depicted when he easily lies to his wife that he had a cold.
Unfortunately, for Tayyib, he loses his power due to his mistakes. 'The miracle was gone — like a
dream.' (pg 5)

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CHANGE
Tayyib confirms that he has been bestowed with power by ordering television channels to change.
Changing the television channel from a religious one to a foreign one foreshadows the changes that
happen to Tayyib once he acquires power.

He is initially described as 'A good man; his sins were forgivable he was ' (pg 2).
a lover of virtue. ones changes him. He becomes vengeful, lustful,

However, power
deceitful and inhumane. He forgets his faith and life and lets passion and lust control him, which
had never happened since he married Haniya. (pg 4)

Power also helps change the risky living condition of the people gaping potholes dangerously
hanging an open electric box, Sewer flooding on alleys and piles of rubbish on the way. All these
are rectified through Tayyib power (pg 3)

INCIDENT IN THE PARK: Meja Mwangi

Episodes / sub-episodes
l. The description of the city park in August afternoon. (p6 - 7).
Two idlers' dialogue at the pond. - 10).
An ambush by two city constables in the park ending in violence.
The fruit merchant condemned unheard. (p 12).

SYNOPSIS
 The incident in the park, by Meja Mwangi, is a contemporary episode set in the city park and its
environs where most citizens, hustlers and workers, spend most of their time as an Outdoor
recreation centre. We know it is the popular Uhuru Park in Nairobi through its vivid description.

 Metaphorically described, the park is seriously affected by the drought in August. there is a dirty lake
at its base, and to the west, up the hill, a cathedral, modern fortresses and ministerial Offices
overlooking the park below, and across it is the city itself. A highway, Uhuru highway, separates the
park from the city, and on it, there is heavy traffic. In the east, parliament and two city clocks are
seen.

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 Therefore, the park provides a relaxing haven (chilling point) and a source of solace for the
misplaced, lost Or frustrated masses flocking the city daily. This has attracted many people.
including peddlers trying to make ends meet and idlers killing time here. The city hungry office
workers also buy cheap snacks during the lunch hour and return to their stations. Others rush down
to River Road to buy chips and roast meat as the loiterers watch the Spectre in a jiffy.

 Soon, the park is left with a few idlers and peddlers. Under the slightest shade lie men sheltering
from the scorching sun. Watchers watch rowers paddling, reacting to the maxim that spectating is
the next best thing to participating. A loafer keeps dropping debris to the fish pond despite the
warning inscription on a board. Another man joins him, and a dialogue ensues, and they share a
cigarette.

 An incident erupts when two city constables demand to see the licence Of the ice cream man and a
fruit seller. The Old man helplessly searches and realizes he doesn't have it. Worse. he has no
identity card, so he offers the five shillings he has, for he fears the judge and going to jail. He begs
for forgiveness, offering all the fruits in vain. On seeing they are unimpressed, he flees to find
refuge in the crowded city, and the cops chase him. He is nabbed by a man on the highway and
eventually falls into a ditch. There, the poor man is condemned unheard of for being a 'thief'.

Title of the story

What is the significance Of the title Incident in the park?
What is ironic about the two constables' behaviour at the park? How else do the people spend time
at the park?

Thematic concerns
 With evidence from the text, discuss the urban problem that leads to the destitution of the
masses. How does the city's jobless population escape their wretchedness? Compare and
contrast the city
 workers and the jobless masses.
 What are the harsh realities of city life and the illusion of a better, promising life?
 How does the rural-urban influx affect people's lives?
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 What does the presence of butts, used matches and stubs at the park tell you? How does the
lack of identity cards and license affect peddlers?
 Juxtapose the kind of identification the police demand from the fruit vendor and one that awaits
him at the mortuary.
 Referring closely to the fruit-seller show how the mob and the legal system administer justice.
 Why does the merchant resort to flight and fight for his life instead of overcoming his fright for
the justice system?
 Who is to blame for the death of the fruit-seller, the constables, the public, or the vendor
himself?
 What lessons can be taken from the incident at the city park?
 What does the fruit seller's mention of the 'tyrant judge' tell us about the justice system?

Problems of urbanization
 Urban population growth, driven by migration and searching for jobs, has become a significant
issue in cities like Nairobi.
 However, the masses end up frustrated due to a skills mismatch in the labour market, dwindling
economy and poor governance. But every now and then, a misplaced person rose with a start...
(p7).
 In a few seconds, the thousand or so strong swarm had been swallowed up by the yawning
concrete jungle... (p7).
 Urban poverty is also witnessed as many remain loitering and idling reminding the park loungers
just how many hours they had wasted lying idle.' (p7). 'A shaggy thin man sat under a shrub...'
(p7). ' hairy loafer' (p8). ' The idler seated on the bank...' (p8) torn trouser legs.' (p8) 'horny toes.
(p9)
 There is also evidence of poor hygiene. The park is littered with debris, cigarette ends and butts.
(p8,9). The two gentlemen share puffs on the cigarette. One offers a full cigarette, and smoking
in this zone could be a form of escapism from their poverty. (p10).
 The fruit seller has only ten shillings which he offers to the constables to spare him. He cannot
afford to pay for the licence, or even the fine has on another case.(pl 1).

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Conflicts between city authority and street hawkers
When the two constables accost and demand licences from the ice cream man andthe fruit
peddler, they tell the merchant that he will only explain to the judge.
The fruit seller already has a case and is trying to sell to afford a fine. (pl 1). The fruit seller pleads
with the constables, who say nothing. 7hefruit seller cursed them and their wives and children..(PI
1).
Mob justice / Social injustice
 The fruit seller is lynched unknowingly by the park people. By the time the constable ran up, the
fruit-peddler lay like a broken and twisted ragdoll at the bottom of the ditch. (p12)
 He cries and pleads for mercy in vain. . had drawn thick red blood over the sparsely bearded
face. Dead' was his verdict (p12)
 The word 'thief' hovered over the assembled crowd. mob universally condemns him, and it is
impossible to tell from which mouth the condemnation is issued. (p12)
 Ironically the mob had had what was right. Justice fairly quickly and completely administered
...(PI 2).

CHARACTERS
The fruit seller
He is a poor old man who sells fruits at the park. He has no licence or identity card. (pl l)
He is a responsible man as he remembers he has a family which depends on him when accosted. I
have a wife and children and... (PI 1).
He is hardworking because he sells fruits (two baskets) to earn his living despite being unable to
afford a license. (PI l)
He is afraid and fearful that he will be fined or be castrated by the tyrant judge. (pll)
Style and language use
What figures of speech does the writer use to describe the park and events in the park?
Why is it ironic for the fruit peddler to flee from the constables and lose his life?A comprehensive
and detailed guide to a silent song and other stories
Explore the use of dialogue in Meja Mwangi's Incident in the Park.
Urban centres are riddled with frequent conflicts with innocent Citizens. Discuss the truth of this
assertion based on Meja Mwangi’s Incident in the Park. (20 marks).

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NINEMA -VRENIKA PATHER- SOUTH AFRICA ABOUT THE

AUTHOR VRENIKA PATHER
Vrenika Pather is mainly known for her acting prowess since she started her career as an actress
at the age of eighteen. The Indian lady of South African origin has also written a few short stories,
one of them being Ninema. Her stories mainly tell the life that many Indian ladies live and their
every day’s encounters.
Points to guide interpretation
 Tough life of a market vendor:
 Rising early
 Poor meals
 Poor/lack of proper grooming
 Dealing with different customers
 Caste and relationships.
 Sexual harassment/immorality.
 Need to remain principled and focused.

CHARACTERS
Ninema
 She is one of the market gardeners who serves as the main character in the story.
 She is focused, ambitious, organised and strong-willed. Her admirable trait is seen in how fond
the other ladies are of her
 A comprehensive and detailed guide to a silent song and other stories and how many of her
customers remain loyal.

MR CHINRAN
 He is a white man who is a loyal customer of Ninema.
 He admires Ninema, but both know that their relationship is prohibited since they are from
different castes. While Mr Chinran is a wealthy lawyer from a Brahmin caste, Ninema is a poor
girl from a low caste.
 He supports Ninema's business by buying more than enough herbs from her.

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MRS SINGH
 She is a wealthy older woman who is a loyal customer.
 She is known for haggling over prices, thus being difficult and troublesome. Shespends time
negotiating with Ninema as a way of passing the time.
 The strange man
 He is the man who accosts Ninema on her way from the market.He is immoral, vulgar and
lascivious.

SYNOPSIS
 Vrenika Pather's story Ninema', is about the harsh life of market gardeners as represented by
Ninema and the other ladies. The story explores the hustles that Ninema goes through on a typical
market day, starting from rising at the wee hours of the morning to closure time which is late in
the evening. Her home life is simple, suggesting the poor living conditions of such vendors. She
has to prepare before going to the Indian market where she makes her sales.
 She only washes her face and feet with cold water from an outside tap since she cannot afford
running hot water. This affects her grooming as she takes a bath once a week. She puts on her
Chumpal, symbolising the poor condition and the only source of protection for her feet while on
the way to and from the market.
 Ninema remains focused and does not let her beauty and attention from both men and women
control her. Once in the market, Ninema organises her herbs appetisingly to attract customers.
 The market condition is challenging as the weather is not favourable. It is hot, and Ninema sweats
until her Sari clings to her firm skin.
 She handles different customers who buy her herbs with wisdom and respect. Her focus in business
enables her not to get carried away by Mr Chinran's attraction towards her. She does not encourage
his infatuation with her but treats him like any other customer. with respect and appreciation.
 She firmly handles the troublesome and difficult Mrs Singh. Many customers who visit her stall
are served well and are satisfied as she takes a personal interest in them. Her doctor, Dr Seedat,
visits too, and she takes time talking to him about her mother’s ailment.
 Having served her last customer, Ninema closes her stall after taking stock of the unsold herbs and
her profit for the day. The rot in society is seen when a strange man sexually assaults Ninema on

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her way home. He pinches her erect nipple and laughs loudly before extending some invitation for
Ninema to follow him. Ninema does not take this abuse lying down.
 She utilises the only weapon she has — her chumpal, that protect the soles of her feet and her
whole self. She hits the man repeatedly with her sandals as the other women cheer her on. The
man is too shocked to react and thus ends up being beaten by Ninema until he whimpers.
 Feeling satisfied, Ninema continues with her journey home. She goes back to the poor condition
she left in the morning. She safely keeps her sandals under the kitchen table before washing her
face and feet with cold water, just like she had done in the morning. She takes a rest that leads her
to a dream of a better tomorrow.
 The story ends with hopeful/optimistic Ninema, who dreams of having a home for herself, hot
water and a kitchen inside the house.

QUESTIONS
Compare and contrast Ninema and other lady marketers
What is ironic about Mrs Singh's behaviour?
Ninema is a likeable and admirable character. Do you agree? Give evidence from the story.
How effectively has Vrenika Pather used description in the story?

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EPISODIC ANALYSIS OF KEY ISSUES

 Living conditions of Ninema - Pg13 and 16 Il. Ninema's skill of trade - Pg 14-15
 Ill. Journey home - Pg 16
 Several issues are addressed in these episodes: She only wears her sandals when going to the
market. The kind of meals she takes points to the poor life she takes a few sips of tea she brought
with her Page 14 (breakfast)
 Some sandwiches that she packed from home are her only meal for lunch Page 15.
 Time is limited for her — she only affords a weekly shower on Saturday after boiling water on
the open fire Page
 Dealing with different kinds of customers
 Mr Chinran admires her and can almost be said to be in love with her. 'The ladies teased her,
saying he was in love with her. The writer also tells us that Ninema made Mr Chinran's day. He
is almost always the first customer. Ninema handles him wisely and does not let this attraction
control her. She does not encourage his infatuation but treats him with respect and appreciation
like she does all her loyal customers. (pg14)
 She also has to handle demanding customers such as Mrs Singh, who though rich, will always
bargain to lower the prices. Ninema shows her masterful skills by firmly and respectively
handling her. (pg14)
 She serves many affluent customers at lunch hour who steadily flow in to get herbs for their
evening meals. She pays personal interest to each as she has an ambition of living a better life
just like most of these customers. (pg15)
 Time limitation allows her to consult with her doctor - Dr Seedat, only when he comes to buy
herbs from her. The two talk about Ninema's mother's illness showing that Ninema is equally
concerned about her mother.
 She can entice a new customer by offering an extra bunch of mint for free. (pg15)
 This generosity makes the customer happy, thus promising to always shop with her.

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Class discrimination
The Indian society that Ninema hails from has a strong belief in the caste where those from the
high caste — Brahmin Caste, are not allowed to inter-marry with those from the lower caste. This
is seen in her association with Mr Chinran. 'As much as Ninema dismisses the teasing of the ladies
that Mr Chinran is in love with her, she is also aware that a rich lawyer from a Brahmin caste
cannot be interested in someone like her — a poor girl from a low caste (pg14). Mr Chinran
himself knows it too, and thus their relation can never go beyond early morning herb buys. He
further understands that his mother will soon arrange a marriage for him, most probably to a
person from his caste.

Hard work/focus/determination
 The writer emphasises the importance of hard work, focus and determination in an individual’s
life. Through the main character Ninema, the benefits of the three traits are depicted.
 Ninema's hard work is seen in how she rises early — four o'clock Monday morning, and goes to
her garden to reap herbs. Her hard work in the garden has borne fruits since her crops are
described as being healthy (pg13).
 Her hardworking nature is also seen in how she ably attends to the many wealthy customers who
flock to her stall, especially during lunchtime. Even though the stall is busy and Ninema is quite
busy, she ably attends to all customers and takes a personal interest (pg15).
 Ninema's hard work does not go unrewarded. She has several loyal customers who visit her stall
daily. She has a steady flow of customers and feels she will need to sow more seeds to keep up
with the rising demand (pg15).
 She does not let anything distract her from her business. She remains focused, which essentially
aids to success in her business. The writer points out Ninema's beauty that makes heads turn
when she walks through vivid description. 'She is a beautiful woman... her hips sway from side
to side as she moves Her thin, chiffon sari drapes effortlessly around her perfect body as if kept
in place by her high, firm breasts. Long, toned arms and a cinched waist cause men to stop and
stare' (pg13).
 Despite receiving this attention, Ninema keeps calm and focuses on her business. Ninema does
not take the attention she gets to the heart. Her concern is with earning a living' (Pg14).

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 Her focus is further seen where while other lady hawkers chat amiably with each other as they
work, Ninema rarely talks back since she has no time to waste (pg14).

Sexual assault/harassment
The writer points out the sexual harassment faced by many women in society. The encounter
between Ninema and the stranger on her way home shows how women suffer sexual abuse even
in public places. The man approaching Ninema grins lasciviously at her before extending his arm
to pinch her erect nipple. As if this is not enough, he extends an invitation to Ninema — "If you
liked that follow me." (Pg16). episode satirises men who assume women are sex objects to be
mishandled.

Ninema's reaction to the abuse is unexpected. The man is shocked when Ninema follows him and
hits him repeatedly with her Chumpal. She gives him 'a few extra hits on behalf of all the women.'
(Pg 6) This shows that many women have been victims of sexual abuse but end up not fighting
back. Ninema thus portrays a courageous personality as she fights for herself and even for the
helpless women who had been or would-be victims of such abuse.

NB The story "Ninema' is a story of hope. Ninema has hope that her life will change at some point.
As the story ends, Ninema dreams of the home that will be hers someday soon: The house will have
hot water too, and the kitchen will be on the inside. She will also have her large garden to grow
herbs and some fruits for herself(pg16).

QUESTIONS
To succeed in business, one must have the necessary skills to handle customers. Using Ninema in
Vrenikas Pather's 'Ninema' support this.
"Hard work and determination pays", Using illustrations from Ninema show the validity of this
statement.
Women traders experience challenges in their lives. Show how Ninema deals with these
challenges.
Ninema is an admirable character. Support from the story Ninema.

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SILENT SONG -LEONARD KIBERA - KENYAABOUT THE AUTHOR

Leonard Kibera is a Kenyan novelist and short story writer. Kibera was born in Kabete, Kenya,
attended high school at Embu and studied at the University of California and Stanford University.
He taught at the University of Zambia and at Kenyatta University, Kenya, from 1976 until his
death. His first publication was a book of short stories, Potent Ash (1968), which he wrote with
his brother, Samuel Kahiga. The book explores the guilt, betrayal, and failure of the Mau Mau.
Several of the stories have been anthologized, especially The Spider's Web, which points an
accusing finger at Kenya's elite for the state of Kenya since independence. His only novel, Voices
in the Dark (1970), uses dark humour to question why most Mau Mau soldiers who fought for
independence were forgotten and left to beg and die along the roadside. Kibera has also written
several articles of literary criticism.

EPISODES
Mbane's life of misery in the streets as a lame, blind beggar. (p17 - 19).
Mbane's lonely self-versus the bubbly world around him. (p18 - 19).
Mbane's nostalgia. (p18).
Mbane's brother, Ezekiel, rescues him. (p19 20).

SYNOPSIS
A Silent Song by Leonard Kibera is a story about Mbane, a young, paralyzed, blind city street
beggar. He lives in …………………..

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