STUDENTS: This is Why You Must Pray Before TRAVELING This December

Native African Tales
11 Dec 202420:19

Summary

TLDRIn this gripping story, Mr. John and his family prepare for their yearly Christmas trip to the village, unaware that danger awaits them. Despite warnings from an old woman and his wife’s persistent prayers, Mr. John dismisses the danger. When their bus crashes, his family miraculously survives due to his wife’s prayers, while Mr. John is severely injured. The plot reveals betrayal by his stepmother, Mama Amaka, who, along with witches, cursed the family. The story ends with Mr. John’s transformation, realizing the power of prayer and never returning to the village after the traumatic experience.

Takeaways

  • 😀 The story revolves around Mr. John and his family, who prepare for their yearly Christmas trip to the village, unaware of the dangers ahead.
  • 😀 Despite Mr. John's reluctance to pray, his wife, uu, regularly prays for God's protection over their family.
  • 😀 An old woman warns Mr. John to pray and fast before the journey, foreseeing danger, but he dismisses her advice as superstition.
  • 😀 A mechanical failure prevents Mr. John's car from starting, leading to a change of plans and forcing the family to take a bus.
  • 😀 The family’s journey is marked by tension as uu continues praying, despite her husband's skepticism and embarrassment.
  • 😀 Mama Amaka, a jealous villager, conspires to sabotage Mr. John and his family’s trip due to her resentment over their wealth and success.
  • 😀 Mama Amaka seeks help from witches to curse Mr. John’s family, resulting in a planned accident intended to kill them on the road.
  • 😀 As the family travels, the bus suffers a mechanical failure and crashes into a tanker truck, but uu’s prayers shield her children and herself from harm.
  • 😀 Mr. John is seriously injured in the crash, losing his legs, but his family is miraculously unharmed, leading to a moment of reflection on God's protection.
  • 😀 The old woman reappears in the hospital, explaining that it was uu’s prayers that saved them, and revealing that Mama Amaka and the witches had cursed them.
  • 😀 Mr. John learns a powerful lesson about the importance of prayer and faith, ultimately changing his attitude and becoming more devout in his beliefs.

Q & A

  • Why did Mr. John dismiss the old woman's warning about the journey to the village?

    -Mr. John dismissed the old woman's warning because he believed that his past experiences with traveling to the village had always been safe. He felt that her advice was superstitious and unnecessary, especially since he had made this trip many times before without incident.

  • What was the significance of Mrs. John's constant prayers throughout the story?

    -Mrs. John's prayers played a central role in protecting her family. Despite the family's disregard for prayer, especially from Mr. John and the children, she continued praying for their safety. Her faith ultimately shielded them from the dangers that were set in motion by her husband's stepmother.

  • What is the symbolic meaning of the car breaking down before the family could start their journey?

    -The car breaking down symbolizes a divine intervention or a warning from God. It serves as a moment of hesitation and a chance for the family to reflect on the potential danger of their journey. It also marks a key turning point where Mr. John begins to question the situation more seriously.

  • What role does Mama Amaka play in the story, and what motivates her actions?

    -Mama Amaka plays the antagonist, driven by jealousy and bitterness over Mr. John's family's success and wealth. Her jealousy motivates her to seek out the village witches to curse Mr. John and his family, hoping to prevent them from overshadowing her own sons during the Christmas celebration.

  • How does Mr. John's attitude toward prayer change after the accident?

    -After the accident, Mr. John's attitude toward prayer undergoes a dramatic change. He realizes the importance of prayer and how it had protected his family. He becomes the first to call his family for prayers every morning, and he becomes more dedicated to his faith, attending church regularly.

  • What does the bus accident represent in the story?

    -The bus accident represents a life-threatening test of faith for Mr. John and his family. It also serves as a moment of divine protection, as despite the severe crash, Mrs. John and the children survive unharmed, showcasing the power of prayer and God's protection.

  • How does the old woman contribute to the family's survival?

    -The old woman is a messenger who warns Mr. John about the dangers ahead and advises him to pray and fast. Although he ignores her warnings, it is her words that plant the seed of reflection in Mr. John's mind. In the end, it is Mrs. John's persistent prayers that ultimately protect the family, as the old woman had forewarned.

  • What is the significance of the witches' curse and Mama Amaka's involvement in it?

    -The witches' curse represents the dark forces Mama Amaka turns to in her jealousy and desire for revenge. She seeks to ruin Mr. John's Christmas visit by using supernatural means, hoping to punish him for overshadowing her sons. This curse is a pivotal element, driving the conflict in the story.

  • What message does the story convey about the power of prayer?

    -The story emphasizes that prayer is a powerful tool for protection and guidance. Despite facing danger and evil intentions, it is the persistent and heartfelt prayers of Mrs. John that shield her family from harm, teaching the lesson that faith and prayer can overcome even the darkest of forces.

  • How does the story illustrate the consequences of ignoring divine warnings?

    -The story illustrates that ignoring divine warnings, such as the advice to pray and fast, can lead to danger and hardship. Mr. John’s refusal to heed the old woman's advice and his initial dismissive attitude toward prayer led to the accident. However, his survival and transformation afterward show that it is never too late to change and embrace faith.

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Related Tags
Christmas StoryFamily DramaFaith JourneyPrayer PowerVillage LifeSuperstitionSpiritual GrowthMiraculous SurvivalHoliday TragedyDangerous CurseFamily Reunion