Fatou, fetch the water
The water bucket is empty! So, follow in the footsteps of forgetful Fatou, as she fetches a fresh supply for a family feast.
Neil Griffiths
But will she return from her journey through the village with
Illustrated by
just water, or with much more
Fatou , fetch the water
Peggy Collins
than she expected? A charming tale of the joys of both giving and receiving.
Neil Griffiths Illustrated by
Peggy Collins
ÂŁ 6.99 ISBN 978-1-905434-16-9
For more information, visit www.cornertolearn.co.uk
9 781905 434169 www.redrobinbooks.com
Red Robin
For each book sold, a donation will be given to Project Gambia.
In memory of Fatou Darboe, who was both a wonderful person and teacher, and to the special people of Gunjur in The Gambia. Neil x
Red Robin Books is an imprint of Corner To Learn Limited Published by
Corner To Learn Limited Willow Cottage • 26 Purton Stoke Swindon • Wiltshire SN5 4JF • UK ISBN: 978-1-905434-16-9 First published in the UK 2010 Text © Neil Griffiths 2010 Illustrations © Peggy Collins 2010 The rights of Neil Griffiths to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. Design by
David Rose Printed in China
Fatou, fetch the water Neil Griffiths Illustrated by
Peggy Collins
“Fatou, fetch the water," called her mother from the house.
“We shall have spicy rice for supper."
Fatou collected her large white bucket and hurried from the compound towards the well at the end of the village.
“Fatou," called Mrs Bojang from beneath the shade of a tall mango tree.
“I’m so glad to have seen you. Here, take these onions for your mother and thank her for my splendid purple dress."
Fatou hurried on towards the well.
The Gambia Fatou’s story is set
a musorr or tiko. The
in The Gambia,
men often choose to
a country in
wear a kaftan like the one Fatou’s mother made
Western Africa. It is the smallest
The Gambia
for Mr Touray. It is a
country in mainland
full-length, long-sleeved
Africa and is bordered by
tunic. It is often called a
Senegal to the north, east and
fataro, jalabe or shabado.
south. It has a small coastline on the Atlantic Ocean to the
The currency in
west. It is named after the river
The Gambia is called the
Gambia that runs through it.
dalasi. Mrs Jammeh paid for Omar’s school uniform with dalasis. Notes come in
Many Gambian men
denominations of 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100. Forty dalasis
and women wear
are equivalent to approximately 1 English pound.
colourful traditional clothing that tends
Gambians love fish, which are caught fresh
to be long and
every day. One of the most popular is called
free-flowing to keep
Lady Fish. This is what Mr Touray gave Fatou.
them cool in the heat. Women often wear a headdress like the one Mrs Bojang was wearing. It is called
Vegetables are grown
placed on a
by women in large
mat, with
gardens outside the
the whole
village and many are
family sitting
sold at busy colourful
around it.
markets. Fatou was given eggplants, which we
Everyone shares the food, but they only ever eat
call aubergines, by Mrs Bojang. She was also
with their right hands!
given ripe bitter tomatoes by Mrs Darboe. These are
Bread always
a type of tomato which only
accompanies the meal. It is baked locally in
turn slightly red, but can be
every village by bakers who stay
eaten when green.
up till 2 in the morning to make sure it is A popular
very fresh. Mr Jatta gave Fatou bread
traditional
called tapalapa.
Gambian meal is Benachin, which
It is almost
is rice cooked
always the girls
with meat
and women who
or fish and
collect the
vegetables.
water from the
This is the meal
well. Some
Fatou’s mother was preparing with the
families are
ingredients Fatou had brought home. She was
lucky enough to
cooking it in a big metal pot over an open fire.
have their own well, but Fatou was making her
Benachin is then served in a big bowl, that is
way to a well shared by the whole village.
Fatou, fetch the water
The water bucket is empty! So, follow in the footsteps of forgetful Fatou, as she fetches a fresh supply for a family feast.
Neil Griffiths
But will she return from her journey through the village with
Illustrated by
just water, or with much more
Fatou , fetch the water
Peggy Collins
than she expected? A charming tale of the joys of both giving and receiving.
Neil Griffiths Illustrated by
Peggy Collins
ÂŁ 6.99 ISBN 978-1-905434-16-9
For more information, visit www.cornertolearn.co.uk
9 781905 434169 www.redrobinbooks.com
Red Robin
For each book sold, a donation will be given to Project Gambia.