The Singing Drum

In a village in Nigeria, young Chioma loved music more than anything. Her favorite instrument was the talking drum that her grandfather carved. "This drum has been in our family for many generations," Grandfather said. "It carries the voices of our ancestors." One day, the village was preparing for the Harvest Festival, but there was a problem. The oldest talking drum, which always started the celebration, had been lost! "Without the sacred drum, we cannot begin the festival," said the village elder sadly. Chioma remembered a story Grandfather told her. "The drum will always return to those who listen with their heart," he had said. That night, Chioma closed her eyes and listened. Deep in the forest, she heard it - the soft rhythm of the sacred drum! "I'll find it!" Chioma told her mother. "Be careful," Mother said. "And remember, the forest teaches those who respect it." Chioma walked into the forest, following the sound. She was scared at first, but she remembered to be respectful. She greeted the trees, thanked the birds for their songs, and stepped carefully to not harm any plants. Finally, she found the sacred drum hanging in an old baobab tree. A family of monkeys was playing with it! Instead of grabbing it, Chioma had an idea. She took out her small drum and began to play. The monkeys stopped and listened. Then they began to dance! Chioma played a song her grandfather taught her - a song about friendship and sharing. The monkeys loved it so much, they brought down the sacred drum as a gift. "Thank you, my friends!" Chioma said. When she returned to the village, everyone celebrated. The Harvest Festival began with Chioma playing the sacred drum, and the monkeys came to dance too! "You found the drum by listening with your heart," Grandfather said proudly. "And you used kindness instead of force. That is the true way of our people." From that day on, Chioma became the youngest drum keeper in the village, teaching others that music and kindness can solve any problem.