African Short Stories_The Prodigal Son.pdf
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Oct 08, 2025
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About This Presentation
The story of "The Return of The Prodigal Son" is a timeless lesson rooted in the core values of the Luo people: the unbreakable bonds of family and the immense power of forgiveness.
Slide Content
THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SONWritten By, Brian Ochieng Akoko VOLUME
FIVE
FIVE
AFRICAN SHORT STORIES
THE BEAUTIFUL TALES FROM LAKESIDE VOLUME FIVE
Written By, Brian Ochieng Akoko.BRAINYWORKS PUBLISHERS
THE BEAUTIFUL TALES FROM LAKESIDE VOLUME FIVE
Written By, Brian Ochieng Akoko.BRAINYWORKS PUBLISHERS
5TH EDITION
REASDERS' CHOICE (2025)
REASDERS' CHOICE (2025)
Author's Note:
4
Dear Reader,
The story of "The Return of The Prodigal Son" is a timeless
lesson rooted in the core values of the Luo people: the
unbreakable bonds of family and the immense power of
forgiveness.
Chief Odera's son, Onyango, is like many young people—
tempted by the promise of easy wealth and the exciting life far
from home. But the greatest journey is often the one that
brings you back to where you belong.
I wrote this story for young readers (ages 10-12) to show that
making mistakes is a part of life, but admitting them and asking
for forgiveness is a sign of true courage. It reminds us that true
treasure isn't found in riches, but in the unconditional love
waiting for you at home. I hope it encourages you to value the
people in your life above all else.
Sincerely,
Brian Ochieng Akoko.
4
Dear Reader,
The story of "The Return of The Prodigal Son" is a timeless
lesson rooted in the core values of the Luo people: the
unbreakable bonds of family and the immense power of
forgiveness.
Chief Odera's son, Onyango, is like many young people—
tempted by the promise of easy wealth and the exciting life far
from home. But the greatest journey is often the one that
brings you back to where you belong.
I wrote this story for young readers (ages 10-12) to show that
making mistakes is a part of life, but admitting them and asking
for forgiveness is a sign of true courage. It reminds us that true
treasure isn't found in riches, but in the unconditional love
waiting for you at home. I hope it encourages you to value the
people in your life above all else.
Sincerely,
Brian Ochieng Akoko.
PROLOGUE
5
Chief Odera was not just the leader of the village; he was a
father whose heart was as wide and deep as Lake Victoria. His
son, Onyango, was blessed with every advantage, yet he saw
only the dust of the village path.
He yearned for the dazzling lights and endless opportunities he
imagined existed far away. He was convinced that the true
happiness lay in quick fortune and excitement.
One morning, despite the quiet wisdom of his father and the
deep sadness of his mother, Onyango left. He took his
inheritance and chased a dream of effortless wealth, ignoring
the Luo truth that hard work and community are the
foundation of a worthy life.
He was about to embark on a journey that would not lead to
fortune, but to a harsh, humbling discovery: that when
everything else is lost, the most precious treasure of all is the
love and acceptance of the home you left behind.
5
Chief Odera was not just the leader of the village; he was a
father whose heart was as wide and deep as Lake Victoria. His
son, Onyango, was blessed with every advantage, yet he saw
only the dust of the village path.
He yearned for the dazzling lights and endless opportunities he
imagined existed far away. He was convinced that the true
happiness lay in quick fortune and excitement.
One morning, despite the quiet wisdom of his father and the
deep sadness of his mother, Onyango left. He took his
inheritance and chased a dream of effortless wealth, ignoring
the Luo truth that hard work and community are the
foundation of a worthy life.
He was about to embark on a journey that would not lead to
fortune, but to a harsh, humbling discovery: that when
everything else is lost, the most precious treasure of all is the
love and acceptance of the home you left behind.
THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON
nyango was young, with a restless heart. He dreamtO
6
of a life that was set far apart. From his village of hills and
the lake so wide, He longed for a world he could find
deep inside.
nyango was young, with a restless heart. He dreamtO
6
of a life that was set far apart. From his village of hills and
the lake so wide, He longed for a world he could find
deep inside.
7
His father, Chief Odera, was gentle and wise, He saw the
ambition in Onyango's eyes. He spoke of traditions, of
family, and home, But Onyango just yearned for the
world he could roam.
His father, Chief Odera, was gentle and wise, He saw the
ambition in Onyango's eyes. He spoke of traditions, of
family, and home, But Onyango just yearned for the
world he could roam.
8
One day he approached with a plea and a bow, "My share
of the wealth, Father, please give it now." He wanted his
future, his fortune, his chance, To leave his old life in a
beautiful dance.
One day he approached with a plea and a bow, "My share
of the wealth, Father, please give it now." He wanted his
future, his fortune, his chance, To leave his old life in a
beautiful dance.
9
Chief Odera's heart felt a pain and a dread, He knew this
path led to a future unled. But he gave him his portion,
the land and the gold, A story of sorrow that soon would
unfold.
Chief Odera's heart felt a pain and a dread, He knew this
path led to a future unled. But he gave him his portion,
the land and the gold, A story of sorrow that soon would
unfold.
10
With his riches in hand, Onyango then fled, With dreams
of the city that danced in his head. He left the green hills
and the lake's gentle sound, For a world of adventure,
he'd finally found.
With his riches in hand, Onyango then fled, With dreams
of the city that danced in his head. He left the green hills
and the lake's gentle sound, For a world of adventure,
he'd finally found.
11
He came to Kisumu, a city so grand, With lights that
shone bright on the rich, bustling land. He was dazzled by
markets and buildings so tall, He thought he was finally
having a ball.
He came to Kisumu, a city so grand, With lights that
shone bright on the rich, bustling land. He was dazzled by
markets and buildings so tall, He thought he was finally
having a ball.
12
He spent his gold freely on clothes and on food, And
friends who would flatter and promise him good. He lived
a grand life with no worry or care, And thought that his
future was free from a snare.
He spent his gold freely on clothes and on food, And
friends who would flatter and promise him good. He lived
a grand life with no worry or care, And thought that his
future was free from a snare.
13
His wealth seemed to grow with each passing day, He
made shrewd investments in his own special way. He
forgot all the lessons his parents had taught, And the
values of home that he'd once held so taut.
His wealth seemed to grow with each passing day, He
made shrewd investments in his own special way. He
forgot all the lessons his parents had taught, And the
values of home that he'd once held so taut.
14
He forgot the soft rhythm of life by the lake, And the love
of his family, for goodness' sake. He was lost in the city, a
world of his own, A seed of great sorrow that he had now
sown.
He forgot the soft rhythm of life by the lake, And the love
of his family, for goodness' sake. He was lost in the city, a
world of his own, A seed of great sorrow that he had now
sown.
15
But as the old saying goes, "easy come, easy go," His
fortune began to sink down, down, so low. His
investments soured, his luck turned to dust, His life was
now filled with a deep, bitter rust.
But as the old saying goes, "easy come, easy go," His
fortune began to sink down, down, so low. His
investments soured, his luck turned to dust, His life was
now filled with a deep, bitter rust.
16
His so-called friends, who had promised him much,
Abandoned him quickly, with no gentle touch. They left
him to wander, alone and afraid, His grand, lavish life had
begun to now fade.
His so-called friends, who had promised him much,
Abandoned him quickly, with no gentle touch. They left
him to wander, alone and afraid, His grand, lavish life had
begun to now fade.
17
He was left on the streets, with no place to rest, His heart
filled with shame, a most terrible test. He was penniless,
hungry, and filled with despair, A life that was empty
beyond all compare.
He was left on the streets, with no place to rest, His heart
filled with shame, a most terrible test. He was penniless,
hungry, and filled with despair, A life that was empty
beyond all compare.
18
He wandered the streets, a ghost in the crowd, His head
hung in shame, his spirit unbowed. He thought of his
home and the love he had known, And the seeds of regret
that had finally grown.
He wandered the streets, a ghost in the crowd, His head
hung in shame, his spirit unbowed. He thought of his
home and the love he had known, And the seeds of regret
that had finally grown.
19
The years passed him by, and he learned a new way, To
work with his hands at the close of each day. He found
honest labor, a purpose, a plan, And slowly became a
much humbler man.
The years passed him by, and he learned a new way, To
work with his hands at the close of each day. He found
honest labor, a purpose, a plan, And slowly became a
much humbler man.
20
He thought of his father, so wise and so kind, And
wondered if peace he could ever now find. Would Chief
Odera forgive him, his foolish young son? For all of the
wrongs that he had now done?
He thought of his father, so wise and so kind, And
wondered if peace he could ever now find. Would Chief
Odera forgive him, his foolish young son? For all of the
wrongs that he had now done?
21
He thought of his mother, Akello, so sweet, And longed
for the day they would finally meet. Her love was a light
that had never gone dim, He prayed she still thought of
and still cared for him.
He thought of his mother, Akello, so sweet, And longed
for the day they would finally meet. Her love was a light
that had never gone dim, He prayed she still thought of
and still cared for him.
22
At last, he decided to travel back home, To leave his sad
life and no longer to roam. The journey was long, and the
road was so steep, He walked with a heart that was heavy
and deep.
At last, he decided to travel back home, To leave his sad
life and no longer to roam. The journey was long, and the
road was so steep, He walked with a heart that was heavy
and deep.
23
He came to the village at dusk's gentle light, And saw the
warm glow of the huts in the night. He stopped at the
edge, filled with hope and with dread, Unsure of the
words that he wanted to have said.
He came to the village at dusk's gentle light, And saw the
warm glow of the huts in the night. He stopped at the
edge, filled with hope and with dread, Unsure of the
words that he wanted to have said.
24
He saw his dear mother, Akello, so kind, And fell to his
knees with a peace in his mind. "Forgive me," he sobbed,
"I have made a mistake," His mother rushed to him for
goodness' sake.
He saw his dear mother, Akello, so kind, And fell to his
knees with a peace in his mind. "Forgive me," he sobbed,
"I have made a mistake," His mother rushed to him for
goodness' sake.
25
His father, Chief Odera, then came from the door, And
saw his dear son he had longed for and more. He opened
his arms with a slow, gentle smile, And held his dear son
for a long, loving while.
His father, Chief Odera, then came from the door, And
saw his dear son he had longed for and more. He opened
his arms with a slow, gentle smile, And held his dear son
for a long, loving while.
26
The village then gathered, a great feast was made, For
the son who had left and whose debt was now paid. They
welcomed him back with a cheer and a song, The place
where he truly had always belonged.
The village then gathered, a great feast was made, For
the son who had left and whose debt was now paid. They
welcomed him back with a cheer and a song, The place
where he truly had always belonged.
27
He learned that true wealth is not riches or gold, But
family and love, a story now told. He had come back to
himself, and to his dear home, And knew he would never
again have to roam.
He learned that true wealth is not riches or gold, But
family and love, a story now told. He had come back to
himself, and to his dear home, And knew he would never
again have to roam.
EPILOGUE
28
The joyful sound of drums and singing from Onyango's return
faded, but the warmth of the welcoming fire lingered long in
the village. Onyango was no longer the boastful, impatient
young man who had left. The hard lessons of the outside world
had stripped him of his arrogance, leaving only humility and
gratitude.
He spent the following season working tirelessly, teaching the
younger children that his once-expensive clothes were
worthless compared to the simple joy of honest labor. His worn
sandals, saved from his final desperate journey home, became
his most cherished possession—a constant reminder that
reckless choices lead to hardship.
Onyango finally understood Chief Odera’s unspoken wisdom:
that the greatest display of wealth is not in possessions, but in
the unconditional love and unbreakable unity of the family and
community you serve.
28
The joyful sound of drums and singing from Onyango's return
faded, but the warmth of the welcoming fire lingered long in
the village. Onyango was no longer the boastful, impatient
young man who had left. The hard lessons of the outside world
had stripped him of his arrogance, leaving only humility and
gratitude.
He spent the following season working tirelessly, teaching the
younger children that his once-expensive clothes were
worthless compared to the simple joy of honest labor. His worn
sandals, saved from his final desperate journey home, became
his most cherished possession—a constant reminder that
reckless choices lead to hardship.
Onyango finally understood Chief Odera’s unspoken wisdom:
that the greatest display of wealth is not in possessions, but in
the unconditional love and unbreakable unity of the family and
community you serve.
29
"The Return of The Prodigal Son"
Comprehension Quiz
1. Who is the father in the story, and what quality is his heart compared
to?
A. Onyango, compared to a strong shield.
B. Chief Odera, compared to the wide, deep heart of Lake Victoria.
C. The Alchemist, compared to the rising sun.
D. The Weaver, compared to a fine piece of cloth.
2. What did Onyango mistake for true happiness when he decided to
leave the village?
A. A peaceful life of quiet study.
B. The challenges of building a new home.
C. Easy wealth and excitement in a far-off place.
D. The wisdom of the village elders.
3. What specific virtue did Onyango lack when he first left home,
according to the Prologue?
A. Strength.
B. Kindness.
C. Respect for his father’s wisdom.
D. Speed.
4. When Onyango realized he had failed and lost everything, what
emotion did he finally show?
A. Fierce anger at his father.
B. Joy at having seen the world.
C. Humility and regret for his choices.
D. Confusion about the weather.
5. How did Chief Odera react when he saw his son returning home in
rags?
A. He ignored him and turned away.
B. He demanded that Onyango pay back the money.
C. He ran to him and welcomed him with love and forgiveness.
D. He told him to clean himself up before entering the village.
30
Comprehension Quiz
1. Who is the father in the story, and what quality is his heart compared
to?
A. Onyango, compared to a strong shield.
B. Chief Odera, compared to the wide, deep heart of Lake Victoria.
C. The Alchemist, compared to the rising sun.
D. The Weaver, compared to a fine piece of cloth.
2. What did Onyango mistake for true happiness when he decided to
leave the village?
A. A peaceful life of quiet study.
B. The challenges of building a new home.
C. Easy wealth and excitement in a far-off place.
D. The wisdom of the village elders.
3. What specific virtue did Onyango lack when he first left home,
according to the Prologue?
A. Strength.
B. Kindness.
C. Respect for his father’s wisdom.
D. Speed.
4. When Onyango realized he had failed and lost everything, what
emotion did he finally show?
A. Fierce anger at his father.
B. Joy at having seen the world.
C. Humility and regret for his choices.
D. Confusion about the weather.
5. How did Chief Odera react when he saw his son returning home in
rags?
A. He ignored him and turned away.
B. He demanded that Onyango pay back the money.
C. He ran to him and welcomed him with love and forgiveness.
D. He told him to clean himself up before entering the village.
30
6. What was the significance of the feast the Chief prepared for
Onyango's return?
A. It was a formal way to punish Onyango.
B. It was to celebrate the start of the fishing season.
C. It symbolized his complete forgiveness and unconditional love.
D. It was a bribe to keep Onyango from leaving again.
7. In the Epilogue, why were Onyango’s old, worn sandals his most
cherished possession?
A. They were a gift from a rich friend.
B. They helped him run away quickly.
C. They reminded him of the hardship caused by his reckless choices.
D. They were made of gold and silver.
8. What did Onyango realize was the only "true inheritance" worth
striving for?
A. A large bag of gold coins.
B. A secret magical formula.
C. The love, community, and acceptance of his family.
D. A new job as Chief.
9. What character trait is demonstrated by Chief Odera's immediate
forgiveness?
A. Laziness.
B. Greed.
C. Empathy and unconditional love.
D. Jealousy.
10. What is the central moral lesson of this Luo tale?
A. Never travel far from your home village.
B. Making mistakes is okay, but forgiveness and family love are more
valuable than any treasure.
C. Always save your money for a time of need.
D. Only listen to the advice of the youngest person in the room.
31
Onyango's return?
A. It was a formal way to punish Onyango.
B. It was to celebrate the start of the fishing season.
C. It symbolized his complete forgiveness and unconditional love.
D. It was a bribe to keep Onyango from leaving again.
7. In the Epilogue, why were Onyango’s old, worn sandals his most
cherished possession?
A. They were a gift from a rich friend.
B. They helped him run away quickly.
C. They reminded him of the hardship caused by his reckless choices.
D. They were made of gold and silver.
8. What did Onyango realize was the only "true inheritance" worth
striving for?
A. A large bag of gold coins.
B. A secret magical formula.
C. The love, community, and acceptance of his family.
D. A new job as Chief.
9. What character trait is demonstrated by Chief Odera's immediate
forgiveness?
A. Laziness.
B. Greed.
C. Empathy and unconditional love.
D. Jealousy.
10. What is the central moral lesson of this Luo tale?
A. Never travel far from your home village.
B. Making mistakes is okay, but forgiveness and family love are more
valuable than any treasure.
C. Always save your money for a time of need.
D. Only listen to the advice of the youngest person in the room.
31
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced,
distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means,
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
COPYRIGHT CLAIM
© 2025 CleverMotions Creative Agency | BrainyWorks Publishers
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Tel: +254 712429510 or +254 791 501545
Email: [email protected] or
[email protected]
Blog: https://clevermotionsmedia7.wordpress.com
Address: 20100, Nakuru East, YMCA, Nakuru City - Kenya
distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means,
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
COPYRIGHT CLAIM
© 2025 CleverMotions Creative Agency | BrainyWorks Publishers
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Tel: +254 712429510 or +254 791 501545
Email: [email protected] or
[email protected]
Blog: https://clevermotionsmedia7.wordpress.com
Address: 20100, Nakuru East, YMCA, Nakuru City - Kenya
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