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The Knife.

A fine morning it was at my mother’s homestead among the four wives who lived in harmony. Being the only girl that was born out of the sixteen male children, I was as fragile as an egg. Father therefore ensured that I was taken good care of and possibly even head to the infamous Lokichogio University if dreams were truly valid. It never came to pass, unfortunately.

Two men posed as messengers appeared out of nowhere while I was doing my sweeping. One man approached me, insisting that my father was needed by the clan, despite notifying him that he wasn’t around. Amidst the back and forth conversation, my mother appeared out of nowhere and I was grabbed from behind. I only recall my mouth being covered by a damp towel.
I woke up to traditional chants and my naked self laid down on a mat. I was angry because what in the world was I naked for with both my arms held and my legs apart without my consent? My vulnerability was exposed to all those hungry-searching and wondrous eyes. A woman with very dirty hands examined it, saying how beautiful it was and it would be more beautiful and sacred once the deed was done. I saw the knife being lifted as a song was chanted; A song that was believed to have been taking me to the next phase of my life. It was happening to me, to the daughter of a chief who was against that. As sharp as it looked I let out a daring scream.

I kept on going with my plea for help by screaming. I called out my ancestors, something that I’d only hear when we gathered for prayers. All my wails and screams were cut short when I felt a sharp and excruciating pain cut across my body. I felt numb. I could not move any limb. I was still but the pool of blood I saw when I looked down brought me back to my senses. I wailed in pain and uttermost disgust at what the old woman had done to me. It was then I stabbed her with a needle that was on a dirty plate in her left eye.

She screamed and gave me a deafening slap that made me weak and pass out. I recalled a familiar voice screaming out my name. It definitely was my mother.

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85 Responses

  1. I like the flow here the transition from one imagery to the imagery while maintaining the same flow requires a certain degree of finesse. Excellently executed piece. Good job Laura

  3. “It was then I stabbed her with a needle that was on a dirty plate in her left eye.”
    If all our sisters can react in the manner depicted in the piece, then this will give a stepping stone for the fight against FGM because of the fear of being stabbed in the eye by every girl they’ll be forcing in that evil act.
    The piece instills the motive to overcome FGM and I really like it 👌. Kudos Laura 👏
    #EndFGM

  12. This was a really nice story and the fact that young people are actually coming out publicly and courageously standing for what’s right,proves that there is still hope for change.Keep up the good work

  15. Great Writing Laush,
    I however feel that your Story SHOULD be longer, I’m left wondering where was Father? Why did your mother agree to FGM? On waking up how did you face her? This means there is a sequel to it, donge? I love your work!

  17. Hey, thank you. I wish I could write longer as well to answer all the raised questions. However, the story was limited to 400 words only. If given a chance, I’d like to continue with the sequel.

  23. This here was a bona fides work of art…with the symmetrical flow and imagery..i have to say you gat a way of capturing the readers’ emotions…keep up the good work

  25. Despite of the excruciating pain that lingered in your body and mind, the end is always blick. The cut. That’s the beginning of your story that we are left with countless questions about the aftereffects of choices made by your family. I love the flow and ebb of your piece though incomplete.

  31. I like how you pilot me into the lines giving life in them, how you transit from one line to the other as you maintain the same flow, how you play with words to come up with a point… It’s an amazing article

  39. I like the twist and turn in this short epilogue. The clear articulation of stepwise events laid by Joy are overwhelming. The suspense also came in handy. The art and chemistry behind this plot is remarkable.
    #ENDFGM

  42. I like this piece of art!

    Good job Laura for taking the mantle to raise this important issue affecting our communities. No girl deserves to go through this! It’s human and so backward.

    I wish you all the best!

  43. This is a nice piece;simplicity in language and awesome flow though I couldn’t help but feel the it’s incomplete.

  44. The writing is very vivid with all emotions in raw display. Great read 👌
    Which also leaves me with a lot of questions. I hope to read more 😀.

  56. If you are a writer you would understand that crafting an imagination off your head is a maternity miracle. Laura, this piece is a bouncy baby. 💯

  71. This was an intriguing piece. I want to hear more of it.As I read through the first line, the urge and curiousity of knowing what will happen builds up. You are a great writer, its evident. Keep up girl.

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