– By Dele Ajaja
Step, step, and step,
Little steps, small struts,
Slow, but steady toddling,
No smiling face yet,
I’m an African child,
Saving my laughter for the end.
Strive, strive, and strive,
Big warfare, huge famine,
Nothing, but misfortune cynics see,
Don’t give up on me yet,
I’m an African child,
Triumph is all I see on the horizon.
Swagger, swagger, and swagger,
Big paces, deserved struts,
Modest, but sturdy strides,
I’m wittingly saving yet,
I’m an African child,
Destined to laugh in the end.
IMAGE: A Yoruba child from Nigeria.
