HAMARI KAHANI
OUR STORY | EIN STORI EDITED BY CHARLOTTE BROWN & HAMMAD RIND ILLUSTRATED BY ADÉOLÁ DEWIS
Hamari Kahani Our Story | Ein Stori
We live in a diverse society. This diversity can be underrepresented in the stories we read in books or watch on television. We all have come from somewhere and we all have a story or stories to tell. ‘Our Story’ is a project to encourage and invite our young storytellers to tell their own stories in their own words. Here is a selection of the beautiful pieces they created.
Tanisha’s Story By Tanisha Bandyopadhyay Anas’ Story By Anas Yousuf ’s Story By Yousuf Lleu Shah Malachi’s Story By Malachi Saltus-Hendrickson Sofia’s Story By Sofia
Edited by Charlotte Brown & Hammad Rind Illustrated by Adéọlá Dewis Supported by Literature Wales | Cardiff, Autumn 2020
Tanisha’s Story My name is Tanisha. I live in Cardiff, Wales. Last summer I went to India to see my grandparents. I love to go to India, to see new places and eat a lot of yummy, delicious food. My aunties, uncles and grandparents all spoil me and give loads of presents. My cousins and I play a lot of games, like, tag, cricket, baseball, catch a ball and hide and seek. Sometimes, we go out for picnics although the weather is very, very hot and boiling. I feel warm, excited, sometimes calm and relaxed and at other times busy but I am absolutely happy when I am visiting India. I especially love the overnight train journeys, which take me from one place to another. I get to sleep on the top bunk of the train and the train’s movement sings a lullaby to me. When I come back to the UK, I am a bit sad to leave my family. Then I go to school in September and meet all my friends and I feel happy once more. I wish we could all live together in one big country rather than in two different continents. Then we could all live happily ever after.
Anas’ Story
My name is Anas. It’s a Muslim name, it means kindness. My dad named me. He’s from Jamaica. My mum is Moroccan and French. I lived in France and then came to Cardiff. Two years later my little sister was born. I was sad when I moved here and I still miss France. I miss the beach and my family. I especially like playing with my cousin and playing catch by the beach, riding a scooter or going for an ice cream. Also I love going to my Nana for a couscous. One year we went to Corsica from Marseille on the boat. I loved camping in Corsica, swimming and watching the different animals around. One day I went with my sister and cousin exploring around and my mum thought we were missing.
Yousuf ’s Story
Once upon a time there was a boy called Yousuf and he lived in his house with happiness and he always felt safe. One day when he was older, his Mum said “can you go out for the eid shopping Yousuf?” Yousuf said “uhhhh but you know it’s my first time right?” “Yes yes but it will be fun” said mama. “Ok mama if you say so.” He went off with the Eid list (because it was Eid the next day!) but because it was his first time HE GOT SCARED!!!!! And he ran out but he thought about his home and his family and their l ve and
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then took a DEEP breath. He went IN and in a blink of an eye he had DONE IT! By the time he got home IT WAS 1am so he went to bed. The next day
IT WAS EID!!!
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He put on his beautiful golden thobe. He prayed and gave money to the poor and smiled at them. He shared presents with A WHOLE COMMUNITY and they gave presents to him too. Then Yousuf and his family had scrumptious and delightful chocolate mousse. His Nan made him a stocking full of sweets and chocolate. He ate 10,000 sweets and was full so he fell asleep and because of that the story fell asleep and that means … THE END
Malachi’s Story
When I think of where I belong, I am thinking of my family. My family are my closest community, they make me feel safe and loved. My mum teaches me about my Welsh Afro-Caribbean background and gets me involved in my community. My dad is Buddhist and he teaches me about Buddhism and the Buddhist community. My dad is into his music. I learn about the black folks in a white world who played brilliant jazz. I have mentioned community, to me community is a social network that is bigger than your family e.g. school, neighbourhood and religious community. I feel like I belong.
Sofia’s Story
My name is Sofia and I’m here to tell you a story. My family come from Morocco. One day I was visiting Morocco in Casablanca on my Nan’s land my brother and I were building a tent out of sheets. When it got dark big moths came inside and were flying everywhere and we were all screaming except for my Nan. She was just laughing then it landed on her. My Nan’s face went all red and she started screaming, trying to get it off her. Then we turned off all the lights so the moths left and we finally went to bed. The end.