This original fairy tale is written exclusively for FunDza readers. Nqobi’s mother works hard at two jobs; her lazy, wicked step-father does nothing but count his money and terrorise the village. One day, while Nqobi is running errands for her stepfather, she is given a violin. She doesn’t know how to play it, but it catches the eye of a curious dragonfly. Will this gift improve her life, or only make it worse?

Characters (alphabetical order):
Gwentshe, Mr – shopkeeper
Moanegi – storyteller (Sotho)
Nqobi – ‘She has conquered’ (Nguni)
Sompisi – ‘Of the hyena’ (Nguni)
Zinikele – ‘You must sacrifice yourself’ (Nguni)