IN MY DREAM

Date Published: 23rd September, 2024

Publisher: Information and Communications Ministry, EDUSA

By: Tumani Camara (Second Year English Major, School of Education, University of The Gambia)

A long time ago, in a small village deep in the heart of the African savanna, there lived a young man named Manjang. Manjang was a shepherd tasked with leading his family’s herd of goats and sheep to the best grazing grounds each day. Though his work was humble, Manjang took great pride in caring for the animals and providing for his loved ones.

One night, as Manjang slept soundly in his hut, he had a most vivid and extraordinary dream. In his dream, he found himself walking through a lush, otherworldly forest, the likes of which he had never seen. The trees were gnarled and twisted, and their canopy casting dappled shadows on the soft earth below. Manjang felt a sense of peace and wonder as he explored this strange new world.

Suddenly, a magnificent creature emerged from the underbrush – a giant lion, its golden mane shimmering in the ethereal light. Manjang froze, overcome with a mix of awe and trepidation. To his surprise, the lion approached him calmly, its amber eyes boring into his own.

“Young shepherd,” the lion spoke in a deep, rumbling voice, “I have a message for you. Your life is about to change in ways you can not yet imagine. You must be brave and trust in the wisdom of the spirits.”
Manjang trembled, scarcely able to believe the lion was speaking to him. “What do you mean?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“All will be revealed in time,” the lion replied. “For now, you must return to your village and prepare your heart and mind for the journey that lies ahead.”

With that, the lion turned and melted back into the forest, leaving Manjang alone and bewildered. He awoke with a start, his heart pounding. Was it just a dream, or had the spirits truly spoken to him? Manjang knew he must heed the lion’s cryptic warning, for he sensed this was no ordinary vision.
In the days that followed, Manjang found himself distracted, his mind constantly returning to the haunting dream. He went about his chores dutifully, but his thoughts were elsewhere, waiting anxiously for the changes the lion had foretold.

Then, one fateful day, a group of travelers passed through the village, offering Manjang a chance to join them on an expedition to the distant capital city. Remembering the lion’s message, Manjang felt a stirring deep within, a calling he could not ignore. After much deliberation, he decided to take the leap and join the caravan, leaving behind the only life he had ever known.

As Manjang set out on his journey, he couldn’t help but wonder what the future held. Would he find the answers he sought? Or would the spirits have more surprises in store? Only time would tell, but Manjang knew he must embrace the unknown, for his dream had set him on a path of profound transformation.

Article by: Tumani Camara