Themes at Stephen’s home- The role of the church “The small child ran importantly to the wood-and-iron church with the letter in her hand.”

“I bring a letter, umfundisi”

“A letter, eh? Where did you get it,my child?

“From the store, umfundisi. The white man asked me to bring it to you”

“Perhaps you might be hungry, small one.”

“Not very hungry, umfundisi.”

“Perhaps a little hungry.”

“Yes, a little hungry, umfundisi.”

“Go to the mother then. Perhaps she has some food.”

“I thank you, umfundisi.” 

“I have heard it, my friend.”

“Our corn is nearly finished, umfundisi, It is known to God alone what we shall eat. And the stream has been dry for a month, umfundisi.”

“Where do we get water, then?”

“The women must go to the river, umfundisi that comes from the place of Jarvis.”

  -The power of nature- One day a young man came to Kumalo’s house.

“You are the umfundisi? I am the new agricultural demonstrator.”

“Come into the house, said Kumalo, excited, “Who sent you to me.”

“Why, the white man who brought me, Mr Jarvis. He is paying me to work here. I come to Ndontsheni to teach farming,umfundisi.”

 

 -Freedom and entrapment “This Court finds you guilty, Absalom Kumalo, of the murder of Arthur Trevelyan Jarvis. Have you anything to say before I sentence you?” 

“I have only this to say, that I killed this man, but I did not mean to kill him, only I was afraid.”

“I sentence you, Absalom Kumalo, to be hanged by the neck until you are dead. And may the Lord forgive you.”

-Reconciliation between fathers and sons “There the son is brought to them. The old man takes his son’s hand in both his own, and the hot tears fall fast upon them. The boy stands unhappy, there is no gladness in his eyes. He twists his head from side to side.”

“My child, my child”

“Yes, my father.”

“At last I have found you.”

“Yes, my father.”

“I hear it, my friend.”

“They are satisfied.”

 “The call comes from hunts and the hills-Umfundisi, you returned.”

 “There is a lamp outside the church, and as Kumalo and his wife approach, the men and women   there lift their voices into a song of thanks to God for his kindness.”

And Kumalo must pray. He prays loudly with the people. “God, we give thanks..God, give us rain…”And at last, “And God, my son…forgive him his evil.”