Sue's Imaginarium

  Once upon a time, in a village surrounded by tall palm trees and golden fields of millet, there lived a young girl named Tami . Tami was bright and energetic, always running ahead of her thoughts. She laughed loudly, played boldly, and sometimes spoke before thinking. In the center of the village square stood an old wooden table, and on it rested a large, beautifully carved calabash . It was smooth and polished, with patterns of waves and birds etched into its sides. The villagers used it to store grain during harvest season. But this calabash was no ordinary bowl. It had a reputation. The elders said long ago, a wise woman had blessed it with a simple purpose: it would never hide lies. Whenever someone spoke dishonestly near it, the calabash would react. Sometimes it rattled. Sometimes it shifted. And sometimes, if the lie was serious enough, a thin crack would appear along its side. Because of this, people were careful near it. Disagreements were settled honestly. Promises...

Fear is a feeling everyone experiences. It is the body’s natural response to danger or uncertainty. When something feels threatening or unfamiliar, the brain sends signals to prepare the body to protect itself. The heart beats faster, breathing becomes quicker, and the mind becomes alert. This response can help us stay safe. For children, fear is very common. Many things can make a child feel afraid. Darkness, loud noises, new environments, separation from parents, school pressure, or even stories they hear can trigger fear. Sometimes children cannot clearly explain what they are feeling. They may simply say, “I’m scared,” or show it through crying, avoiding certain situations, or wanting to stay close to their parents. Fear itself is not the problem. Fear becomes a problem when it begins to control a child’s thoughts, decisions, and confidence. When fear grows too strong, it can stop a child from trying new things, meeting new people, or trusting their own abilities. This is where fai...