Once upon a time, in a small village in Rwanda, there was a little mango tree named Muto. Muto was young and small, and he lived in a big farm with other big trees. The big trees had strong trunks and big, green leaves, but Muto was still growing.
Every day, the sun shone on the farm, and the farmer, Papa Kamanzi, came to water the trees. The big trees drank the water quickly, but Muto was slow.
One day, Muto asked the big trees, “When will I grow tall like you?”
The tallest tree, Mukuru, laughed. “You are too small, Muto. It will take a long time for you to grow!”
Muto felt sad, but Papa Kamanzi smiled at him and said, “Be patient, little one. Every tree has its time.”
Then came the dry season. The sun was very hot, and there was no rain. The soil became dry and hard, and the farmer had less water to give. The big trees had deep roots, so they still got some water, but Muto’s roots were small. He felt weak.
One evening, a small bird landed on Muto’s branch. “Little tree, do not be sad,” said the bird. “The rain will come again. Just stay strong.”
Muto listened to the bird and did not give up. He stretched his roots deeper into the soil and waited.
One night, after many months, dark clouds filled the sky. The wind blew hard, and a big storm came. Lightning flashed! Thunder roared! Rain poured down!
The big trees swayed left and right in the strong wind. Some branches broke, and some leaves fell. Muto was scared, but he held onto the ground with his little roots.
When the storm was over, the sun rose again. The farm was wet, and the air was fresh. But the big tree, Mukuru, had lost a huge branch. He sighed, “The storm was too strong for me.”
Muto, however, had all his branches. The rain had helped him grow. Papa Kamanzi came and smiled, “Look at you, little one. You are stronger now!”
Months passed, and Muto grew taller. His leaves were greener, and his branches were stronger.
One morning, a yellow flower bloomed on Muto’s branch. Then, a small green fruit appeared. Muto was growing a mango!
The big trees saw the mango and said, “Look at Muto! He has his first fruit!”
Papa Kamanzi laughed happily. “Well done, Muto! You waited, you stayed strong, and now you will give sweet mangoes.”
The little bird returned and chirped, “I told you, little tree. Good things take time.”
From that day, Muto was no longer the smallest tree. He grew more and more, and every season, he gave sweet mangoes to the children in the village.
And so, Muto learned that patience, strength, and hope help us grow—just like trees, just like people.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Techles Namahoro Byiza is a student at the University of Rwanda, a marketer, and a digital marketing consultant at DNA Focus Group. He previously studied literature in secondary school and is also a comic performer.
