Naima: I’m very grateful to have you both as my friends. Cynthia, you always stood by my side even in hard times. And you Zama, you encouraged me to be the real person I always wished to be.

Cynthia: That’s what friends are for.

Zama: I’m just glad to help.

Naima: You both did your best to save my dream. This situation of my book and poem once discouraged me, but now I’m turning it into a testimony to encourage others.

Ludachris: That’s nice of you (He came from behind the girls without them seeing him.)

Naima: Hey stranger.

Ludachris: How are you ladies?

Naima: We’re good and how are you?

Ludachris: I’m good. Naima, I heard about your story and I think it will be the best.

Naima: Thank you Chris.

(Then the 12th of October arrives. Naima and her friends are very happy)

MC: A warm welcome to you all, and thank you for joining us in this adventurous journey of our contenders.

(The audience gives a loud applause.)

MC: First up, we will have our young poets then followed by our young authors and storytellers.

(A warm applause from the audience.)

MC: Let’s warmly welcome our first poet.

(Naima is backstage warming up and calming her nerves.)

Cynthia: Chommie, you’re gonna make it, this prize is yours.

Naima: Thank you chommie.

MC: Next up, we have a young storyteller who wishes to encourage others through her story, and that is none other than Naima Rowlene.

(A very big applause from the audience as Naima takes to the stage beaming with pride.)

Naima: I’d like to greet the judges, our guests and everyone in this room. I’m Naima Rowlene from Umhlanga Rocks, I’m a 17 year-old Grade 11 learner at Umhlanga Girls High. Without any hesitation, I’m an author, a poet and a storyteller, but today consider me as only a storyteller. My story is called ‘There’s always a first time for everything’.

(Naima told her story until the end. The audience gave her a very big applause.)

MC: Now it’s time for the results. Who tried their best, who was better and who nailed it? Starting from poetry, sitting at third place is…

(The MC calls out the results until it is time for storytelling.)

MC: And for storytelling, in third place we have Andiswa Ndekane.

(A big round of applause from the audience.)

MC: And in second place, we have Nomandla Myalatya.

(Another round of applause.)

MC: The winner of our story telling category is… Naima Rowlene!

(A very big round of applause from the audience and a very loud scream.)

Cynthia: You nailed it chommie. I’m so proud of you.

(Naima, Cynthia and Zama are very excited, jumping up down, making a loud noise . From out of nowhere appears Mama.)

Mama: I’m so proud of you Nana, and I forgive you for your behaviour after that book you wrote on social media.

Naima: Thank you mama, I love you a lot.

(They all embraced each other.)

***

Tell us: What do you think of the play?