Themba’s great feat
Themba attempts to convince his mom and grandfather that he is almost a man, and should therefore be given the opportunity to brave the challenge with his father and older brother.
Book: The Elephants Are Coming
Author: Lindsay Norman
Reviewed by: Seromo Mochatsi
Review made possible by: Penguin, Random House, South Africa
Ten-year-old Themba believes he has the heart of a lion, when he realises that “the elephants are coming”, meaning that the rain of Ngamo village has stopped so the elephants will soon be moving in search of water.
When Themba’s 14-year-old brother Vusa, tells Themba that he and their dad will be staying up at night to keep the elephants away from the crop and other livestock, he is excited as he believes that his brave heart can finally be put to use when he joins them.
To Themba’s dismay, Vusa tells him that he is still too young to take on such a challenge, and should therefore stay at home with their mother.
Themba attempts to convince his mom and grandfather that he is almost a man, and should therefore be given the opportunity to brave the challenge with his father and older brother.
Both attempts fail, as both his mother and grandfather echo the same message: “You are too little and it is not safe for you. Let your big brother and father take care of the crops.” When helping his dad to herd the cattle, Themba makes one last attempt to try plead his case, by referring to the fact that, surely if he is strong enough to help herd cattle, he can help keep the elephants away.
“No, son,” says dad, “it is too dangerous. You must stay at home.”
Later that night, Themba, in what he thinks is a dream, hears the trumpeting of an elephant- soon realising that he is not dreaming.
He opens his eyes to the biggest elephant he has ever seen, eating corn and stamping on the crops.
He manages to set alight a broom, as he thinks of the potential damage that could be done to all the crops and the lack of food that would result thereof.
He begins to yell, scream, and shout in an attempt to scare the elephant off.
The elephant eventually runs away into the darkness, revealing Themba as the hero he has always known himself to be.
Themba’s whole family runs to his rescue, only it is moments too late as Themba has now defeated the elephant- and everyone’s doubts.
Themba tells the tale of his battle, and leaves his family, especially his grandfather, proud.
“I am proud of you, Themba,” says his grandfather, “you have the heart of a lion”.
The story is another instalment from Lindsay Norman’s series of children’s books, and such a delight for any young boy who believes in the superhero that lies inside of him.
It is an enjoyable read that promises to entertain, and inspire the hopeful young hearts of many children.
This is definitely a book I would read to my nephews, and certainly one for the little children’s library I have started to build from Norman’s first book I reviewed (Aunt Alice and the Lion).
I am sure many young brave hearts would agree.
