My Brothers Gift

Victoria lived in a picturesque town nestled between rolling hills and lush, sprawling fields. Her family was well-known and respected in the community. Her father, Saudi, was a diligent farmer whose crops seemed to flourish under his care. Her mother, Mary, was a beloved teacher at Beginning Primary School. Victoria's older brother, Hardwick, was a soldier whose commitment to peacekeeping missions earned him admiration far beyond their town.Victoria adored her family. The way they all came together, the way they supported each other, made their household feel like a haven of warmth and security. She had two close friends, Joy and Fredrick, who were always by her side, and their adventures together brought boundless joy to her young life.One crisp autumn morning, as the sun's rays gently filtered through the trees, Victoria and her friends were at school, eagerly awaiting the weekend assignment Mrs. Bandawe had promised. Mrs. Bandawe, their teacher, was known for her enthusiasm and her passion for education. She handed out a task that involved researching local flora and fauna, a perfect excuse for Victoria and her friends to explore the nearby forest.After school on Friday, Victoria, Joy, and Fredrick set off with notebooks, pencils, and a sense of adventure. The forest was a place of wonder for them, a realm where they could let their imaginations run wild. As they wandered deeper into the woods, they saw a man carrying a large, worn bag. He seemed intent on his journey, disappearing further into the forest's depths. The children paid him little mind, more focused on their assignment.They spent hours collecting leaves, observing insects, and making sketches. The day turned to dusk, and the children, tired but satisfied, headed home with their findings. They felt confident about their work, certain it would impress Mrs. Bandawe.Monday arrived, and with it, the anticipation of results. Victoria, Joy, and Fredrick handed in their completed assignment with hopeful smiles. However, when Mrs. Bandawe returned the graded papers, Victoria’s heart sank. Their assignment had received only a 35%. Other students snickered and made unkind comments, which stung deeply. Victoria tried to hold back her tears, her self-esteem bruised.That evening, Victoria’s thoughts were with her brother Hardwick, who had been stationed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of a United Nations peacekeeping force. He was due to return home soon, and Victoria missed him greatly. Before leaving for his mission, Hardwick had given Victoria a special gift—a pen. It was a simple pen, but to Victoria, it was priceless. It was the first time her brother had given her a gift, and she treasured it dearly.When Hardwick returned home for a short visit, Victoria proudly showed him the pen. He explained that it was a symbol of his belief in her and her potential. Victoria was overjoyed, feeling that the pen was not just a writing instrument but a token of encouragement and love.The following weekend, Mrs. Bandawe assigned another project, and Victoria eagerly set to work with her new pen. She believed that with Hardwick’s gift, she would be able to produce a much better assignment. She spent hours researching and writing, determined to make her brother proud. Monday came, and Victoria handed in her work with a sense of accomplishment. This time, the results were fantastic; her assignment received an impressive grade. Victoria’s face lit up with pride, and even her friends were amazed by the turnaround.But then, disaster struck. The very next day, Victoria discovered that her cherished pen was missing. Panic set in as she retraced her steps, but it was nowhere to be found. She went to her teacher, suspecting that a jealous classmate might have taken it. Mrs. Bandawe immediately organized a search of the classroom, but the pen remained elusive.Victoria’s anger and frustration boiled over, her face flushed with tears. She felt betrayed and alone. After school, she was called into the headteacher’s office. To her immense relief, the headteacher informed her that her pen had been found. Victoria was overjoyed, but she knew she needed to be cautious.At home, she contemplated hiding the pen to keep it safe. Her father, Saudi, was skilled at finding lost items, and she worried that he might stumble upon it and use it for his farm business. So, she decided to bury it in the forest, a place where she believed it would remain secure.With determination, Victoria ventured into the forest, digging a small hole beneath an old oak tree. As she dug, her spade hit something hard. Curiosity piqued, she unearthed a large, dusty bag. She opened it, her eyes widening in disbelief. The bag was full of money, an enormous sum that glittered with the promise of a better future.Victoria's heart raced as she hurried home with the bag. Her father, astonished by her find, contacted the police. The authorities quickly det