Zindi’s Journey
Finding Gem
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
When Zindi was young, she sang like a dove, so liquid and pure. She danced to the beat of a Kudu hide drum. And she soon learned to plinkety-plonk the wooden marimba.
The river was clear and bright. It raced with the wind past her home. Zindi sipped its fresh waters and splish-splashed her sweet face.
“Oh river,” she sang, “how beautiful you are. Always dancing and sparkling in the sun. Look how your waters sing and laugh as they tumble over the rocks. I love how you play here with me.”
Zindi imagined that she sang and danced in the Moon Dance Festival. She dreamt that people traveled from far and wide just to see her.
As she grew up, Zindi had to do chores. Her parents explained there was no time for dreaming or singing or dancing.
“Chanting and swaying will not pay the bills. So go now and get on with your work.”
On her left shoulder a shy voice whispered, “Great Zindi, you chant and you dance so well. Don’t stop now. You can still be a star.” But that voice of sweet Gem was timid and faint. Her light was only a flicker.
Then one day, as Zindi slumped over the water, Squelch oozled onto her right shoulder. With a smirk on his face, he shmoodled loudly, “No, Zindi! No way! You can’t chant and sway. Hah-hah! You’ll never be good and you haven’t a hope, and what’s more, you’re poor and you’re shabby. So remember your parents’ words: ‘Work hard, be sensible and don’t dream’.”
PARENT/TEACHER GUIDE
EXERCISE 2: Wish Box
Objective: Acknowledge and cherish hopes, dreams and wishes. Create a sacred/special container for these dreams.
Materials: One carton (e.g. discarded cereal or tissue boxes, milk or margarine cartons or coffee tins work well)
Old magazines, newspapers or brochures
Any of the following objects found inside: beads, string, wool, pieces of fabric, old wrapping paper, ribbon, pipe-cleaners, aluminium foil, or outside: leaves, feathers, flowers, seed pods etc.
Craft glue
A pair of scissors
A candle (optional)
Time: 40 – 60 minutes
Music: Any soothing, relaxing music
Instructions:
1. Put on your relaxing music and light the candle.
2. Close your eyes, take three deep breaths in and out while listening to the music for 5 minutes. Feel the music wash over you.
3. On a piece of paper write or draw a list of wishes for your life.
4. Place your carton in front of you. What do you see? What does it feel like? What does it smell like? Shake it, tap it or bang it – what does it sound like? You are about to transform this simple carton into a special “Wish box”.
5. Page through the magazines and newspapers and cut out pictures or words that appeal to you.
6. Start to decorate your carton with your inside and outside craft objects, and magazine cuttings. Go wild and have fun! This is your special box.
7. Take your ‘wish list’ and cut out each wish separately and place in the wish box.
8. Sit comfortably holding your wish box in your hands.
9. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths in and out. Imagine your wishes have come true.
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Book Details
About the Book
Zindi’s Journey – Finding Gem is a children’s story with a message for everyone, set in the fictitious Valley of a Hundred Hills in Africa. It is about a young girl named Zindi who follows both an internal and external journey, similar to one that so many of us travel. We are all born with “gems” of creative potential. Then gradually, as parents, teachers, and society burden us with their expectations to be practical, sensible, and to conform, a thing I call “Squelch,” our internal critic, emerges. It has the power to squash and devour our creative spirit.
Zindi is born with “tap-swaying” feet and a voice of honey and gold. However, her parents expect her to do chores and believe her singing and dancing is a waste of time. Simultaneously, the village river runs parallel to Zindi’s journey. It reflects the creative life force. At her peak, it whooshes by, sparkling with “gems” that dance and sparkle. Then a factory appears alongside the river, polluting it with its grime. When Zindi is at her lowest, when she is forbidden to chant and to sway, the river becomes sluggish and slow. “Squelch” lurks around with a smirk on his face, feeding off the sludge and the slime. “Gem,” who represents her creative potential, flickers faintly. But when Zindi can take it no more and decides to break out of her slump, things change.
At the back of the book is a Teacher/Parent Guide, with practical discovery tools and resources to help children or oneself mine deeper to explore hidden dreams and life passions. Besides their educational value, they’re great fun too!
About the Author
Jennifer Pretious Koh is a Certified Professional Coach, Social Entrepreneur, Management Consultant, Writer, Yoga Instructor, Sculptor, Dancer and Mother. She was born in Swaziland, Africa and grew up, studied and worked in South Africa. Jenn currently lives with her two young sons in Calgary, Canada.