Zia loved playing his flute. He could not wait for every afternoon when his homework was done, that he could practice some new songs.
He would sit outside and play music for the other children in the community. They would laugh and dance because they really loved it when Zia played his flute.
He had a wonderful talent.
Zia could not dance with them because he had a cripple leg and it would get very painful if he stood on it for too long.
Zia cared a lot about his friends and family. They did not come from houses where there was a lot of money and opportunities and even though they were happy, Zia knew that his sister Veronica would love to go and study to become a teacher.
There wasn't enough money for her to go and study, but she was working very hard at school to keep up her grades and applied for a bursary.
Even if she got the bursary she still would need money to get to the University and for food, until she could find a job in the evenings. Even just getting some money for that was a problem, but Veronica said she will not give up, because she knew everything will work out.
One day the neighbor heard how beautifully Zia plays and he told Zia he must come with him to the big city.
He could play his flute and if the people liked it they would give him money and he would be making some extra pocket money.
Zia was very excited, because now he had a plan to help his sister.
The next morning, very early, Zia went with the neighbor, Mr Radebe, to the train station. They waited a while and very soon they were on their way to the big city.
Mr Radebe worked in a huge mall. They walked so far to get there and Zia's leg was aching so much, but he just kept on walking, because this was the way he was going to help his sister.
When they got to the mall, Mr Radebe left him with the manager of the mall, Nandi. She told Zia that she would appreciate it if he would play her a song on his flute.
She was so impressed with how good he is that she gave him a special spot in the mall where he could sit every day and play his music for everybody to hear.
The people really enjoyed his music and they gave him money. He told them that it is not necessary because the management of the mall is paying him, but they still insisted on giving him something extra.
At the end of the holiday Nandi told him that they were very impressed with him and he could come back any time he wanted. His music made everybody have a great day. She also told him that she wants to enroll him in a music school where he can learn to even play more beautiful.
The best part was that they will not have to pay anything for his studies.
Zia is so happy he cannot wait to get home. He puts the envelope in his pocket and every now and then he makes sure it is still there. He can just imagine how happy Veronica is going to be when he surprises her with the extra money.
He is in such a hurry to get home, that it is only when the train starts leaving the station that Zia realizes that he forgot his flute on the train.
He runs after the train and screams and waves his arms, but with his cripple leg he is too slow to get back on the train and find his flute.
All Zia's friends are so happy to see him back home, but Zia is so sad and tells them he will not play flute again since he lost his.
He knows that it will be easy to just take the money he earned and buy a new flute, but he cannot take the money away from his sister. Becoming a teacher is her dream.
He realized that in order for her to live out her dream he will have to let go of his.
Veronica is speechless when he gives her the money. She thanks him over and over again and says she hopes that he will also follow his dream.
He starts crying and tells her about his lost flute. She wants to give him the money back but he makes her promise that she will keep it and go and study.
Although Zia is very happy that Veronica can follow her dream, he is also sad for himself. Now he just sits and stares out of the window after school and watches how the kids play outside.
He cannot make music for them to dance to and he cannot play with them for too long. He is very very unhappy.
A week or two later Zia receives a letter from the music school, telling him that he is enrolled there, everything has been paid and he can start the next month.
He is so excited and just when he wants to tell his mom he will be going to the music school, he sees the sentence at the bottom BRING YOUR OWN INSTRUMENT.
Well that is it then, I will just have to forget about the music school - there is no money for a new flute he thinks to himself while the tears run down his cheeks.
A few days later there is a knock at his door. To his suprise all his friends and Mr Radebe is standing there. In his hand he has a present. He gives it to Zia and says "This is from the whole community. It is for you because you deserve to go to the music school and we miss your music and miss dancing. And you are the kindess person we know."
Can you guess what they bought him?
Yes, a new flute.
Zia was so happy and after he thanked everybody, he started playing and everybody started dancing. Zia smiled and laughed and played.
He was so thankful for the people's kindness and that his dream will now be coming true.
Remember - if we are kind to others and help them or make them happy, one day it will all come back to us, even if we do not expect anything back.
You can also read more here, why you need to be kind.
Team South Africa banner designed by
Please consider writing under the steemiteducation tag. Please see their latest post for the new criteria. Please consider telling your friends and help to promote this account. They are looking for good quality educational posts. It is not only for educators, anyone is welcome. Just read the latest post and join their discord server. Make sure to drop your links in the steemiteducation post promotion section on discord.