In a charming village surrounded by rolling hills and golden grasslands, there lived an energetic young woman named Zola. Her laughter was like music that filled the fields, bringing smiles even to the grumpiest villagers. Zola had a special way of turning everyday chores into exciting adventures, and her bright personality made life in the village much more colorful.
On the other side of the village lived Dumo, a tall and lanky herdsman known for his big dreams and endearing awkwardness. He had a smile that could brighten anyone's day, but he was extremely shy when it came to love. Dumo admired Zola from a distance, enchanted by her vibrant spirit, but whenever he tried to talk to her, his words would come out all mixed up.
The villagers, who loved to play matchmaker, decided to help bring Dumo and Zola together. During the annual Harvest Festival, they announced a fun competition: whoever could write and sing the most beautiful song for Zola would win her heart—and a basket filled with the juiciest mangoes. Dumo’s friends encouraged him to join in, knowing how he felt about her.
“But I’m not a poet,” Dumo said,
feeling embarrassed.
“You don’t need fancy words,” his
friend joked. “Just speak from your heart. And try not to rhyme ‘love’ with
‘dove.’”
When the festival day arrived, the village square was buzzing with music, dancing, and the smell of roasted corn. Zola, wearing a bright yellow dress like a ray of sunshine, sat in a decorated spot with a playful smile. She loved the attention but secretly hoped for something genuine—a true connection.
One by one, the contestants sang. Some were confident performers, while others delivered poems full of fancy words. Zola clapped along but felt her heart remain untouched. Then it was Dumo’s turn.
He stepped up to the platform, nervously gripping his hat. His friends cheered loudly, which only added to his anxiety. He took a deep breath, glanced at Zola, and began to speak.
“Zola,” he said, his voice shaking. “You make the sunrise seem lazy because it can’t shine as brightly as you do. When you laugh, it’s like all the birds in the savanna singing together. And honestly, when I see you, I forget even the names of my goats, which gets me into trouble—but it's so worth it.”
The crowd erupted in laughter,
and Zola couldn’t help but giggle, too. Feeling encouraged by the laughter,
Dumo continued.
“I know I’m not as good with words as some of the others, and I might look a bit silly up here. But Zola, if you give me a chance, I promise to make you laugh every day—even if it means forgetting my goats’ names forever.”
For a moment, everyone was
silent. Then Zola burst out laughing, her eyes sparkling with joy. She got up,
walked over to Dumo, and took his hand.
“Dumo,” she said, beaming, “you may forget your goats, but I’ll make sure you never forget this day.”
The crowd cheered as Zola handed him the basket of mangoes, a playful grin on her face. From that moment on, Dumo and Zola became inseparable. Dumo kept his promise, making her laugh daily, and Zola inspired him to express himself, even if his poems weren’t always perfect.
And so, under the vast savanna
skies, their love story blossomed—a sweet and lasting tale, just like the
mangoes they shared that memorable day.