Bikyezi and Kagote against the Tropical Deluge
Two friends and a gentle gorilla protect the rainforest from a great flood.
From “Fighting Extreme Weather Across Africa” · ages 6–10
Adila and the Sirocco's Embrace
A brave young herder leads her flock through a fierce desert sandstorm.
Read the story
In the hot Sahara desert, the sand shone like a sea of gold. There, a young woman named Adila led her flock of animals on a long journey across the rolling dunes. Her spirit was as fiery as the desert sun.
Her clothes were full of rich colours and beautiful patterns, just like the wild desert. Her long, flowing robes danced in the wind. Her silk headscarf sat on her head like a crown. It showed that she believed in herself and loved the land around her.
On her travels, Adila learned a lot about the desert. She met different tribes, and each one taught her something new about living with extreme weather.
Quietly and respectfully, they showed her how to build shelters to keep people safe from the harsh weather. They told her how to understand the changing wind, and how to make the desert itself protect them.
Far away on the horizon, danger was coming. A storm was growing in the middle of the desert. Adila knew the signs of nature well, and she felt the storm's cold breath on her skin. It was a sirocco, a wild storm born from the hot sands, ready to sweep across the land.
Today, the sirocco looked angry. The air felt heavy. All was quiet, except for the gusts of wind that shook the thin frame of the tent. Adila knew the storm would soon reach her travelling family, bringing chaos and damage.
As the sirocco swirled around the desert, Adila jumped into action. Her sharp eyes watched the horizon. Quickly, she led her flock to an oasis, a safe place hidden among the moving sands.
Her quick fingers wove together whatever she could find, like branches and leaves. She made a simple shelter. It could not keep out all of the wild wind, but it helped. With every stitch and every knot, she showed how strong and brave people can be.
Her eyes shone with determination as she looked through the swirling sand, watching for any danger. Her hands were rough from years of hard work. Carefully, she guided her flock and kept them safe from the storm.
At last, the sirocco died down, leaving damage everywhere. Adila came out, still brave and strong, with her eyes shining. She had faced the storm and won! Her spirit was as big and strong as the Sahara.
When the storm had gone, she closed her eyes and thought quietly. Her mind felt calm and peaceful, like an oasis. The desert had always been her teacher. It taught her important lessons with its harsh but wonderful beauty.
Adila did not only know how to survive in the desert. She also knew how to help people stay strong. She taught her family to work together, to share the little they had, and to help each other through hard times in the Sahara.
Years later, everyone respected Adila for being so strong. Young nomads often came to learn from her. She told them old stories that had been passed down for many years, about surviving in the ever-changing desert.
Her story became a legend about the brave people who call the desert home. Adila's journey shows how people and nature can live together. It inspires others to respect the desert and learn from it.
Words to learn
- Dunes
- Hills of sand made by the wind.
- Extreme weather
- Weather that is much wilder than usual, like huge storms, floods or heatwaves.
- Flock
- A group of animals, like sheep or goats, that stay together.
- Horizon
- The line far away where the land or sea seems to meet the sky.
- Legend
- A famous story that people tell for many, many years.
- Nomads
- People who move from place to place with their animals instead of living in one village.
- Oasis
- A green place in the desert where there is water, so plants can grow.
- Sahara
- The biggest hot desert in the world, in the north of Africa.
- Sirocco
- A hot, dusty wind that blows from the Sahara desert. It can whip up huge sandstorms.
- Tribes
- Groups of families who share the same language, customs and history.
What would you do?
Adila knew exactly what to do when the sirocco came. If you saw a big sandstorm coming, what would you do?
- Go inside a strong shelter and close the doors and windows Yes! A strong shelter keeps the sand and wind out. Stay inside until the storm has passed.
- Cover my nose, mouth and eyes with a scarf Smart! A scarf over your face stops the sand from getting into your nose, mouth and eyes, just like Adila's headscarf.
- Bring the animals to safety and keep water ready Just like Adila guiding her flock! Animals need shelter and water too.
- Listen to the elders and the weather warnings Very wise! Adila learned from the elders. Warnings help us get ready before the storm arrives.
More stories from this book
Juma and the Cyclone
A young drummer and a wise elder help their island village rebuild after a cyclone.