Stephen Kumalo's Diary
Dear Diary,
Today, I got a letter from my brother saying my sister Gertrude is very sick. This saddens me because my brother never writes to me, only if it is really urgent. I fear the letter said I have to go to Johannesburg. I do not travel often because I stay here taking care of my family. This digs deep in my heart to leave my family, because I love them dearly. Though I do not know how long I will be gone, I know my family needs me. Farewell, and I hope to be back soon.
~ Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Diary,
I have started my journey to Johannesburg to visit my sister Gertrude. Currently, I am in this dirty, noisy train that makes a stop very often. The wildlife outside the train is very beautiful. There are rolling hills of green, and pretty creatures dancing around. I find the wildlife quite fascinating, and quite mysterious. The train climbs through the hills and crowded cities. I feel nervous to see what my sister has been doing, as well as, how she got to this point. When we were growing up, she was very healthy. Though I feel nervous, and am excited to see my family who I have not seen in a long time. This magnificent journey has just begun.
~ Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Diary,
I have finally arrived in Johannesburg, and not off to a good start. While I was looking at the different landscape, somebody stole my wallet! My wallet had all that I needed for the trip, so now I am left with limited supplies. I do not feel comfortable or welcomed in this city since somebody stole my most precious resource. After that, I went to a mission house and a nice man helped me adjust to this new place. Tomorrow I will visit my sister Gertrude to help her and to guide her on a right path. So long!
~ Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Diary,
Today, I visited my sister Gertrude and she is not doing so well. She admitted to me that she is a prostitute, which to me is a very bad sin. It dishonors my family and me, and makes me feel like I cannot fix this problem. She is doing this because she needs more money to support her family. Right as I found this out, I wanted to scream at her, but I knew it would only make her feel worse. I am really mad at her, my family, and myself because I did not find this out until a few days ago. I feel as though half the guilt has been put on me and half on Gertrude. I blame myself for not knowing this and fixing this problem sooner. Hopefully this will work out sooner than I expect it to be.
~ Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Diary,
Today I was at the Mission House. I am so thankful for it. It has given me a house for these past few days and some delicious food. Complements to the chef! Today I brought my sister to stay with me in the house and she also brought her son also. Her son is so fun to play with. I had forgotten how much fun it was when I played with my son. She and I have worked out things and she promised that she was going to work really hard for her son and to raise him well.
Earlier today I heard some bad news, a white man was killed. I am still very worried about my son and I hope he is fine. I am going to find him soon; I can feel it!
~Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Diary,
Today I went and searched for my son, Absalom. When he was a small boy I use to argue with him so much, but when we parted when he believed he had grown up I never saw him again. I have visited many different towns and villages that people they saw him last at; but he is not there! He has disappeared!! I fell so helpless and lost.
God help me in finding my son so I may meet him again. Amen
~Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Diary,
Today I had traveled a village and someone had told me that Absalom had a friend. I had knocked on the door and a pregnant young woman stepped in the door way. She introduced herself well and said that this child was her and my son’s baby. Wow! My son was not married to this woman and my grandson, and grandson of a priest did not come into the world the way it should be by marring first. I am very disappointed and upset that I am a priest and my grandson is going to be born this way. I am going to put my pen down because I am quite upset.
~Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Diary,
I found my son today; but the police found him first. He is accused of murder because of the white man’s death. Man, when are the bad things ever going to stop! I went up to the prison and talked to him. He was talking at first but then went quite when I asked him about why he did it. I am still wondering why he did it.
God still my heart, still my anger, still my unanswered questions, and still fear so I can find the answer.
~Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Today, I got a letter from my brother saying my sister Gertrude is very sick. This saddens me because my brother never writes to me, only if it is really urgent. I fear the letter said I have to go to Johannesburg. I do not travel often because I stay here taking care of my family. This digs deep in my heart to leave my family, because I love them dearly. Though I do not know how long I will be gone, I know my family needs me. Farewell, and I hope to be back soon.
~ Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Diary,
I have started my journey to Johannesburg to visit my sister Gertrude. Currently, I am in this dirty, noisy train that makes a stop very often. The wildlife outside the train is very beautiful. There are rolling hills of green, and pretty creatures dancing around. I find the wildlife quite fascinating, and quite mysterious. The train climbs through the hills and crowded cities. I feel nervous to see what my sister has been doing, as well as, how she got to this point. When we were growing up, she was very healthy. Though I feel nervous, and am excited to see my family who I have not seen in a long time. This magnificent journey has just begun.
~ Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Diary,
I have finally arrived in Johannesburg, and not off to a good start. While I was looking at the different landscape, somebody stole my wallet! My wallet had all that I needed for the trip, so now I am left with limited supplies. I do not feel comfortable or welcomed in this city since somebody stole my most precious resource. After that, I went to a mission house and a nice man helped me adjust to this new place. Tomorrow I will visit my sister Gertrude to help her and to guide her on a right path. So long!
~ Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Diary,
Today, I visited my sister Gertrude and she is not doing so well. She admitted to me that she is a prostitute, which to me is a very bad sin. It dishonors my family and me, and makes me feel like I cannot fix this problem. She is doing this because she needs more money to support her family. Right as I found this out, I wanted to scream at her, but I knew it would only make her feel worse. I am really mad at her, my family, and myself because I did not find this out until a few days ago. I feel as though half the guilt has been put on me and half on Gertrude. I blame myself for not knowing this and fixing this problem sooner. Hopefully this will work out sooner than I expect it to be.
~ Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Diary,
Today I was at the Mission House. I am so thankful for it. It has given me a house for these past few days and some delicious food. Complements to the chef! Today I brought my sister to stay with me in the house and she also brought her son also. Her son is so fun to play with. I had forgotten how much fun it was when I played with my son. She and I have worked out things and she promised that she was going to work really hard for her son and to raise him well.
Earlier today I heard some bad news, a white man was killed. I am still very worried about my son and I hope he is fine. I am going to find him soon; I can feel it!
~Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Diary,
Today I went and searched for my son, Absalom. When he was a small boy I use to argue with him so much, but when we parted when he believed he had grown up I never saw him again. I have visited many different towns and villages that people they saw him last at; but he is not there! He has disappeared!! I fell so helpless and lost.
God help me in finding my son so I may meet him again. Amen
~Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Diary,
Today I had traveled a village and someone had told me that Absalom had a friend. I had knocked on the door and a pregnant young woman stepped in the door way. She introduced herself well and said that this child was her and my son’s baby. Wow! My son was not married to this woman and my grandson, and grandson of a priest did not come into the world the way it should be by marring first. I am very disappointed and upset that I am a priest and my grandson is going to be born this way. I am going to put my pen down because I am quite upset.
~Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Diary,
I found my son today; but the police found him first. He is accused of murder because of the white man’s death. Man, when are the bad things ever going to stop! I went up to the prison and talked to him. He was talking at first but then went quite when I asked him about why he did it. I am still wondering why he did it.
God still my heart, still my anger, still my unanswered questions, and still fear so I can find the answer.
~Stephen Kumalo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________