T H E T A L E OF A N A F R I C A N BRIDE

                        A Celebration of African brides  

                                                          Source unknown 

Chapter One 

The love story between Zamalethu & Uche

Once in AFRICA, the lived a young woman called Zamalethu, she was a beautiful young girl who lived in a wonderful village called Kasi wethu (Village), this young beautiful girl met a wonderful young man called Uche who asked for her hand in marriage, Zamalethu couldn't have been any happier he was the best hunter most handsome and the strongest man in the whole Muzi, of course, deserving of a girl like Zamalethu. 

Zamalethu and Uche meet at the river where Zamalethu and her two friends Oge and Karabo fetched water for laundry, cooking, and drinking, this is how it all happened. 

The water is colder than usual don't you think? 

Zamalethu asked her two friends, Oge and Karabo, Oge was the girl that told it as it was, she was straight to the point no filter none at all, while Karabo was the warm sweetheart of the village and Zamalethu brought the balance in the group by being a little bit of both. 

"I think it's because it's a bit cold today" replied Oge, testing the water was her left leg and hanging on Karabo's shoulder  

"I agree" added Karabo.

 Uche was admired in the village for his bravery and extraordinary strength and power, like every other day he went hunting as he was hunting he heard what was to him the most beautiful voice and so he went closer to see who in this village sounds so beautiful, the closer he got the more he heard the voice and finally, he saw three beautiful girls but he came for only one. "Hello amatombazani (Girls) " he greeted them from across the river almost shouting trying to get their attention, 

"Bwino" (fine) 

They replied at the same time holding buckets of water, Zamalethu like all the girls in the very knew who the handsome warrior was. "I'm looking for the one with a voice of an angel" he paused after realizing how pathetic that sounded, the girls giggled "we do look like magic but this isn't heaven, " said Oge, Zamalethu pinched Oge and looked at her with popped eyes. Uche stood there still wondering who is it but somehow in his heart, he knew it was the girl with short curly black hair, brown eyes big lips, and hips, her beauty captured him immediately. The girls got the buckets on their heads and started walking away, at this moment he feared he may not see the girl with an angel’s voice so he decided to go with his heart, 

"Hey you, the girl with the short hair" 

Zamalethu turned "Yes" immediately he knew she was the girl with the voice of an angel he was excited he ran from across the river to where she was, Zamalethu and her friends stood still with buckets in their heads and wet faces as water overflowed from their buckets to their faces. 

He took her bucket off her head and asked to help her carry the bucket home, she was gutted to see him carrying her bucket. The two walked very slowly chatting away while Oge and Karabo went right ahead of them. 

"So I sound like an angel? Asked blushing Zamalethu, "not even, an angel would be jealous of you" he smiled at her and she smiled back, Zamalethu was now convinced he was worth taking a walk with

 "I have only seen you at ceremonies, you are always the best," she said, "thank you, it's what I love to do" he replied. He was no stranger. When they got to Zamalethu's house her mother was sweeping the yard, Uche put the bucket where Zamalethu had asked him,  he did and knelt down on one knee and greeted Zamalethu's mother, She responded and thanked him for helping Zamalethu out. Zamalethu watched at a distance as he left, she couldn't wait to tell her friends about what just happened to her. 

Zamalethu and Uche fell in love instantly, the long walks to the river and market were precious. 

Holding her basket filled with fresh vegetables and fruits Uche reached out for mango and gave it to Zamalethu who was totally flirted by his actions of carrying her basket and now giving her a fruit “oh how sweet of you” she looked down as she replied to him, he too looked away “you’re welcome”  both smiled looking at different directions. 

Zamalethu and Uche’s love blossomed into a wonderful thing and Uche was ready to make this wonderful feeling last forever. So 6 months later he spoke to his family informing them about his intentions with Zamalethu, they were pleased with his choice oh how they loved and adored her. So Uche and his family prepared to go and ask for Zamalethu’s hand in marriage.