The annual conference was soon approaching. Kasilami hosted a talent show annually and invited talents from a nearby town to enter and be entertained. This year, the Bishop wanted to suggest to the local town mayor to invite talent from the city as well.

The event was organised by the women in the church with the help of the nuns and they worked tirelessly at it. All genders and age groups could enter, as long as you had a unique ability; this was your platform to show it off.

Not far out of Kasilami was small town called Zabadah. Zabadah was about twice the size of Kasilami and had a population of about twice the population of Kasilami. The town was not known for much though. The two town mayors were friends and every year so far it was the talent that came out of Zabadah that won the competition each time.

The Bishop addressed the Mayor about inviting the City and the mayor agreed.

To my friend and beloved brother,

Kasilami will be hosting a Talent show on the second Saturday of the following month

Please ascend the training and travel through Mount Madiba to come be with us. Ask your talents in the city to prepare well and come and share with us their uniqueness.

The mayor of Zabadah and its talents will be with us as well.

Your friend

Kasilami Mayor

Word spread like wild fire in the city and the people were eager. The day arrived and the amphitheatre was draped with beautiful cloths of colour, with candles and the audience eagerly took their seats awaiting the performances to take place.

Some sang in choirs. Little children did recitals. Young poets poured out their word in rhythm. All was well and the air was light until a certain young girl, no older than thirteen, took the stage.

She was dressed in a red cloak that covered her whole body including her face. She filled her lungs with air and let out a range of opera notes, a melody so beautiful it brought the Bishop to tears. She went high and she went low, effortlessly, connected, talented and raw.

The three town mayors wondered amongst themselves who the girl was and which team was she representing. The audience clapped hysterically and gave her a standing ovation. The Bishop leaped onto the stage to give this girl a hug and to ask her to reveal her face, such talent deserves to be recognised.

He loved this symphony. It brought back nostalgic moments for him. He searched for Sister Mabel with his eyes and he found her standing behind the stage curtain, where she would be organising the talents as they went in and took the stage.

Her face was pale, struck stiff by the moment. Amazed by this talent. Awed by the size of this little girl.

Her eyes met the eyes of the Bishop. And they both remembered. Happy times together listening to this music. It was a long, long time ago. But love and memory are not restricted by time and distance. They rush forth and take over whenever they are called upon. The Bishop wrapped his arms around the body of the young girl that stood covered before him.

Mabel began to cry behind the curtain.

The audience was still on their feet applauding the young, and she stood still, quietly, safe, wrapped in the arms of the loving Bishop

“What is your name?” sister Mabel shouted from behind the curtain. But shouted so loud even the audience could hear her.

The audience partially stopped clapping to give chance to the covered young girl to answer. But she did not respond nor did she turn around and face the direction the voice came from.

“I said what is your name young lady?” she repeated, out from behind the curtain. This time the girl gave the same reaction as before.

The audience became quiet. It became apparent that Sister Mabel was asking that question with deep intention; fear and some could also say anger. The girl tried to wiggling herself out of the Bishop’s grip and run off the stage.

“You are scaring her Mabel. Calm down please,” the Bishop addressed the Sister.

The sister raised her hands in surrender and ran off the stage herself. The Bishop loosened his grip of the young and she ran off the stage after she was set free, crying under the cover of the cloak she was wearing.

The show went on and many great acts came on. Many other standing ovations followed. Many great prizes were given but the girl with the cloak was named the winner but she was nowhere in sight to collect her price.

The Bishop took to the stage and thanked the sisters and the women for the fine effort they put into preparing for this day. The audience clapped in agreement and the women and the nuns bowed and appreciated the love from the people.

The Kasilami mayor took the stage and thanked the Bishop, the City Mayor, the Mayor form Zabadah and the nuns and their helpers as well as their visitors. He congratulated the visitors on giving good shows and thanked them for coming. The audience clapped in agreement and appreciation.

After the speeches the people began to disperse out of the amphitheatre. Sister Mabel instructed the all the nuns and all the women that came to help to leave the mess as it was and go and enjoy the eats and refreshments prepared for all outside. This was uncommon for Sister Mabel. She always preached “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” but the women did as they were instructed and left the matter to rest.

Eats and refreshments were prepared separately for the Mayors and their guests of honour in the upper room. The Bishop asked Sister Mabel and 2 others come and help him host his guests. The others went but Sister Mabel was nowhere to be seen and nor was she entertaining other guests eating outside the amphitheatre.

She went back into the dark amphitheatre alone and did not turn on the lights.

***

Tell us: Do you think the Sister knows the girl?