African Short Stories: The Beautiful Tales From Lakeside_The Lost Beads of Nyamira

Unlock the Magic of Luo Culture! 🌍 Dive into this captivating collection of African Short Stories specifically written for young readers (Ages 10-12).

Author Brian Ochieng Akoko weaves together vibrant Luo Folklore and powerful moral lessons to create tales that do more than just entertain—they educate and inspire.

Key Benefits for Readers:
a) Cultural Literacy: Equip children with valuable knowledge about Luo traditions, beliefs, and values.
b) Skill Enhancement: Boost reading comprehension and vocabulary expansion through rich language and engaging narratives.
c) Critical Thinking: Encourage discussion on essential themes like integrity, balance, and community.

An essential resource for parents, educators, and young adventure-seekers. Start your literary journey into the heart of Kenya today!

1. THE LOST BEADS OF NYAMIRA Written By, Brian Ochieng Akoko VOLUME
THREE

2. AFRICAN SHORT STORIES
THE BEAUTIFUL TALES FROM LAKESIDE VOLUME THREE
Written By, Brian Ochieng Akoko.BRAINYWORKS PUBLISHERS

3. 3RD EDITION
REASDERS' CHOICE (2025)

4. Author's Note:
4
Dear Reader,
The story of "The Lost Beads of Nyamira" is a reflection on
something we all struggle with: the dazzling power of desire
and the true cost of greed.
In many cultures, including the Luo, beautiful objects often
carry a deep symbolic meaning. Here, the legendary Beads of
Nyamira represent temptation—the pull of status and envy.
I created Aoko's journey to show young readers (ages 10-12)
that while those beads sparkle, the feeling of true loyalty and
the trust of a friend are treasures that shine far brighter and
last much longer.
Aoko learns that chasing something selfishly can cause you to
lose the most valuable thing you already have: a loving bond. I
hope this story encourages you to think about what you truly
value in life and inspires you to always choose friendship over
fleeting fortune.
Sincerely,
Brian Ochieng Akoko.

5. PROLOGUE
In the heart of the Luo lands, there was a legend whispered
among the girls, a tale of glittering treasure named the Beads
of Nyamira. It was said these beads, woven from ancient shells
and stones, possessed a magic that could bring the wearer
boundless luck and the envy of every eye.
They were impossibly beautiful, dazzling with the colors of the
deepest lake water and the brightest midday sun.
Young Aoko knew the story well, and the thought of finding
those lost beads had filled her imagination since she was small.
But when a whisper spread through the village that the true
beads might have finally resurfaced, Aoko felt a strange, cold
knot form in her chest. It wasn't just excitement; it was a
hungry, grasping feeling that made her want to possess the
treasure, no matter the cost.
Aoko was fiercely loyal to her best friend, whose trust she
valued more than anything. But now, the shine of the beads
threatened to blind her.
The legend of Nyamira wasn't just about lost treasure; it was
about the price of true desire. Aoko was about to discover if
the lure of beauty and luck was strong enough to shatter the
unbreakable bond of friendship.
5

6. THE LOST BEADS OF NYAMIRA
yamira and Aoko were as close as the two halves of aN
mango seed, their laughter echoing through the lush hills
surrounding their village. They knew every hidden path,
every whispering tree, and every smooth skipping stone
along the lakeshore. Their days were a tapestry of shared
secrets and endless adventures.
6

7. One sweltering afternoon, they decided to venture
further than ever before. "I've heard whispers of a
forgotten cave," Aoko said, her eyes gleaming with
mischief, "hidden behind the great waterfall." Nyamira's
heart fluttered with excitement. A new adventure!
7

8. With trembling hands and pounding hearts, they pushed
through the curtain of water and into the cool, damp air
of the cave. The light was dim, but their eyes quickly
adjusted. In a corner, half-buried beneath a tangle of
vines, was a clay pot. Could it be treasure? Pirates’ gold?
8

9. They carefully unearthed the pot and, with a shared
breath, lifted the lid. Inside, nestled amongst dried
leaves, were beads. Not ordinary beads, but ancient,
intricately crafted beads of various colors and shapes.
They shimmered in the dim light, radiating an aura of
history and mystery.
9

10. "These are like the beads Nana uses for ceremonies!"
Nyamira whispered, her eyes wide. Aoko, however, was
quiet. A strange feeling washed over her, a seed of desire
sprouting in her heart. She imagined herself wearing the
beads, admired by everyone. "Let's... let's keep them a
secret for a little while," Aoko suggested, her voice a little
too high.
10

11. Nyamira looked at her friend, a flicker of confusion in her
eyes. "But Nana always says that honesty is the most
precious bead of all." Aoko shrugged, avoiding Nyamira’s
gaze. "We’ll tell her eventually," she mumbled. "Just…
later." Nyamira felt a subtle shift in their friendship, a
small crack in their bond.
11

12. They carefully reburied the pot, their shared secret
creating a subtle shift in their friendship. Aoko, consumed
by her desire for the beads, became distant and
preoccupied. She would often sneak away, just to admire
the beads, her fingers tracing their smooth surfaces.
12

13. One day, Aoko was admiring the beads when she heard a
rustle. A girl from a neighboring village, Adongo, emerged
from the bushes. Adongo was known for her competitive
spirit and her sharp tongue. "What have you found,
Aoko?" she asked, her eyes narrowed with suspicion.
13

14. Aoko quickly covered the pot with leaves. "Nothing," she
said, her voice trembling. Adongo laughed, a cold,
knowing sound. "I saw the way you were looking at
something shiny. I bet it’s something valuable. You should
be careful, Aoko. Secrets have a way of getting out."
Adongo walked away, leaving Aoko with a new layer of
fear.
14

15. Aoko's heart pounded. She was no longer just hiding the
beads from Nyamira and Nana Anyango. She was hiding them
from a rival, a girl who would stop at nothing to get what she
wanted. Her desire for the beads was now mixed with a
gnawing fear of being discovered. 15

16. Nyamira, sensing her friend's growing distance, sought out
her grandfather, Jaduong' Owino. He was a wise elder, known
for his calm demeanor and his deep knowledge of the land.
"Jaduong'," she said, "my friend Aoko is not herself. She is
keeping a secret, and it is changing her." 16

17. Jaduong' Owino listened patiently, his eyes closed in
thought. "A secret, my child," he said, "is like a stone you
carry in your heart. At first, it is light, but with time, it
grows heavier and heavier, until it weighs you down
completely." He looked at Nyamira with a gentle smile. "A
true friend helps to lift that burden."
17

18. Nyamira knew what she had to do. She had to help her
friend lift the heavy stone from her heart. She found Aoko
sitting alone by the river, her face etched with worry.
"Aoko," Nyamira said softly, "we need to talk. The beads
are a secret, but they are also a burden. And I want to
help you carry it."
18

19. Aoko burst into tears. "I'm so sorry, Nyamira," she
sobbed. "I was greedy. I wanted them all for myself. I
even met Adongo, and now I'm afraid she will tell
everyone." She confessed everything, the shame and fear
pouring out of her like a flood.
19

20. Nyamira put her arm around her friend. "It's okay, Aoko,"
she said. "We all make mistakes. But we can fix this
together. The first step is to tell Nana Anyango. She will
know what to do." Aoko looked at her friend, her eyes
filled with gratitude and a glimmer of hope.
20

21. The next morning, with the sun on their faces and a new
sense of purpose in their hearts, they went to Nana
Anyango. They told her the whole story, from finding the
beads to Aoko's fear and Nyamira's concern. Nana
Anyango listened patiently, her face a mixture of sadness
and understanding.
21

22. "You have both learned a valuable lesson today," Nana
Anyango said. "Aoko, you have learned the consequences
of greed and dishonesty. Nyamira, you have shown the
true meaning of friendship and courage." She explained
the significance of the beads, their connection to their
ancestors, and the importance of returning them to their
rightful place.
22

23. Together, they went back to the cave and retrieved the
pot. That evening, the entire village gathered around the
fire. Nana Anyango, with Nyamira and Aoko by her side,
told the story of the lost beads and their rediscovery. She
emphasized the importance of honesty, forgiveness, and
the strength of true friendship.
23

24. The beads were returned to their rightful place, a sacred
space where they would be honored and respected.
Aoko, though ashamed of her actions, was forgiven by the
community. She had learned a valuable lesson, a lesson
that would stay with her for the rest of her life.
24

25. Nyamira and Aoko’s friendship, though tested, emerged
stronger than before. They had learned that true
friendship is more precious than any treasure, and that
honesty, like the most beautiful bead, is a virtue that
shines brighter than any material possession.
25

26. And as they grew, they would often share their story with
the younger children, teaching them that the things that
tempt us the most are often the things that hold the
greatest lessons. They taught them that honesty and true
friendship are treasures more valuable than any beads,
no matter how ancient or beautiful.
26

27. The hunt for the Beads of Nyamira was over, and the dust of
the chase had finally settled. Whether the beads Aoko sought
were the legendary ones or merely fine copies, the truth was
that their shine had faded for her.
Aoko never forgot the cold, empty fear she felt when she
nearly lost her friend's trust. The glittering pursuit of the beads
had caused her to see only herself, and in that selfishness, she
came perilously close to losing the most precious thing in her
life.
From that day forward, Aoko wore her simple bracelet of
woven thread every day. It had no magic and no dazzling
stones, but it was a quiet, powerful reminder. She realized that
true treasure is not something you wear on your neck, but
something you keep in your heart: the honest bond of a friend.
The legend of the lost beads taught the village that while
materials can be replaced, a broken trust is lost forever. Aoko
learned, at last, to value the steadfast comfort of a loyal friend
far more than the fleeting sparkle of gold or shell.
EPILOGUE
27

28. 28

29. 1. According to the legend, what special power did the Beads of Nyamira
supposedly give the person who wore them?
A. The ability to talk to animals.
B. Great speed and strength.
C. Boundless luck and the envy of every eye.
D. The power to change the weather.
2. What was the cold, grasping feeling that entered Aoko's heart when
she heard the beads might have been found?
A. The fear of deep water.
B. Excitement about traveling far away.
C. A selfish desire to possess the treasure.
D. Worry about her friend's safety.
3. What was the most important thing that the lure of the beads
threatened to shatter in Aoko's life?
A. Her small fishing canoe.
B. Her family's home.
C. The unbreakable bond of her friendship.
D. Her reputation for being a good cook.
4. What did the final discovery teach Aoko that the "true treasure" is?
A. The shining gold found at the bottom of the lake.
B. A piece of luck that lasts forever.
C. The honest and loving bond with a loyal friend.
D. The most beautiful piece of jewelry she could wear.
5. Why did Aoko come perilously close to losing her friend's trust?
A. She told a lie about where she was going fishing.
B. She broke a promise about a village chore.
C. Her selfishness caused by the pursuit of the beads.
D. She failed a test at the village school.
"The Lost Beads of Nyamira"
Comprehension Quiz
29

30. 6. What simple item does Aoko wear at the end of the story as a
reminder of her lesson?
A. A necklace made of small, perfect pearls.
B. A brightly polished silver ring.
C. A simple bracelet of woven thread.
D. A new pair of decorated sandals.
7. In the Prologue, why was the knot in Aoko’s chest described as cold?
A. She was sitting too close to the river.
B. The beads were found in a block of ice.
C. The feeling of selfishness made her forget her warm, kind heart.
D. She felt ill and needed to go home.
8. Which word best describes Aoko's behavior before she learned her
lesson?
A. Courageous.
B. Generous.
C. Selfish.
D. Loyal.
9. What is the main message or moral of "The Fisherman and the
Hippo"?
A. Always choose the biggest nets for fishing.
B. Respect nature and avoid the danger of greed.
C. Storms are a natural part of life on the lake.
D. Never trust goddesses or spirits in the water.
10. After the event, how does Otieno’s behavior change before he goes
out to fish?
A. He starts fishing only at night.
B. He switches from fishing to farming.
C. He stops talking to Nana Anyango.
D. He kneels at the water’s edge and takes only what he needs.
30

31. REQUIREMENTS:
1.STRICTLY COMPLETE THE Q&A SESSION BY YOURSELF.
2.YOU CAN PLAY THE MAZE GAME IN PAIRS. MAZE GAME Task: Fun Activity
Help the Rabbit find his carrots. Use a black color
pencil for the outline.

32. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced,
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electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, or by any information storage and retrieval
system, without the prior written permission of the
author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book
review or scholarly journal.
This edition has been published and distributed by SCRIBD.
All Rights Reserved.
© 2025
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33. READERS'
CHOICE