The Silent Applause🔊

Once upon a time in the bustling city of Johannesburg, there lived a humble taxi driver named Sizwe. Sizwe was considered unusual in his community. While others spent their sideline time indulging in banter and discussing superficial issues, Sizwe would spend his free hours absorbed in the world of books. To him, books were like portals through which he journeyed into different worlds and epochs. In these books, he found solace, knowledge, and a rare kind of freedom.

His fascination for literature grew so strong that he started to pen his thoughts, transcribing his experiences and tales pulled right out of hat from the vivid imagination he harbored, onto old decaying pages and torn notebooks.

As time flowed by, Sizwe found himself pouring into the habit of storytelling. His stories were filled with profound messages dealing with social strife, political injustice, racism, and the power of resilience and humanity. Word about Sizwe’s tales started to circulate, and the smoky waiting areas of his taxi rank were soon converted into an impromptu literary club, with Sizwe at its core.

One day, while Sizwe was engrossed in his world of words, an elderly gentleman, Abraham, known locally as 'The Professor' for his absorbing wisdom and retired academic background, climbed into Sizwe’s taxi. Upon noticing the worn out pages scribbled with ink resting on the dashboard, his curiosity was piqued. He asked Sizwe about it and in return was handed a handful of heart-touching stories.

Abraham found astonishing depth in Sizwe's tales. A sense of wonder and delight filled Abraham's heart and he saw an opportunity to bring this raw talent to the limelight. Before parting, Abraham, making his intentions clear to Sizwe, said, 'Your words need to be read by more than just the people at your taxi rank, Sizwe. Let me help you reach to them.'

With the help of Abraham, Sizwe’s stories found their way to the desks of few esteemed literary enthusiasts and publishers. But things did not happen as smoothly as they had thought. Rejection letters started pouring in, bringing wave upon wave of disappointment. Undeterred, Sizwe continued to write, with the faith that someday, his words would get the recognition they deserved.

Then, as if the universe had finally conspired in his favor, acceptance came from 'The National African Literary Symposium'. They agreed to publishing his collection of stories in their upcoming edition. Overjoyed, Sizwe found renewed vigor in his endeavor. His simple words of truth and humanity were now going to be read by people far and wide.

The day came when Sizwe held his published work for the first time. A sense of immense fulfillment flooded over him, bringing with it a sense of serenity he had scarcely experienced. He was not elated at being recognized through his published work, but the thought of his stories instilling a sense of change or hope in the readers was what made his heart rejoice.

His words slowly but surely started to make a difference. They stirred a whirlwind among the masses, cutting through the fences of class, creed, and color. His stories were read and re-read, and with each reading, they touched another soul, sparking conversations and debates, kindling a quiet revolution for change and humanity.

Sizwe, who was once just a taxi driver, was now a beacon of hope for many, an emblem of resilience, and most importantly, a storyteller with a purpose. His life was indeed a testament of the mantra; it's never about where you come from, but where you're heading that determines the journey of your life.