Right now it is 12:18 pm and I am lying on the floor next to Maruge. For some reason I just can't sleep, so I sit up. Then suddenly I have an idea! Maybe tomorrow morning I can wake up early and go to the store. When Maruge and I walked to school, I noticed how his shoes were very old and seemed to be falling apart. Since, I have some travel money with me, maybe I can buy Maruge a new pair of shoes. I can't wait to see the reaction on his face when he opens that shoebox! I set my watch for 4:35 am, so I will have enough time to walk to the store and buy the shoes.
Next thing I know, I hear "Beep, Beep Beep, Beep...." and I realize my alarm is going off. I look at my watch and think " 4:35 already?!" I sleepily rub my eyes and sit up. I glance at Maruge, and he is sleeping very soundly. Quietly, I change out of my polka-dotted pajamas and into my warm clothes. I tip toe across the room and out the door. The cool breeze feels very good on my face. Even though it is still very dark outside, I feel calm and filled with serenity. I love waking up early in the morning, before the rest of the neighbors are up.
It takes me about an 45 minutes to get to the store and I am very glad when I see that they are open. I look around the store until I see some shoes lined up on a shelf. Perfect! They don't have many choices, but I am sure I will find some. I see some nice, brown walking shoes sitting on the top shelf. I take them down and they look to be just Maruge's size! I look at the price tag and it says $29.95. I am very glad because I have just enough. I take the shoes to the cash register to pay. I thank the cashier and I head out the door.
When I get back to Maruge's hut, I quietly, tip toe across the room so I won't disturb Maruge if he is still sleeping. I put the shoebox behind my small suitcase and wait for Maruge to wake up. Right now it is 6:30 and I am watching the sun rise from the horizon. It is a brilliant orange and I am amazed at the vibrant colors. Pretty soon, I hear that familiar sound of "cock-a-doodle-dooo!!"
I then hear Maruge waking up and starting to get out of bed. He comes through the door and when he sees me, he gives me a big smile. We talk for a while and then Maruge says, "I'm hungry, are you?" Ever since I woke up this morning, I hadn't thought about my stomach, but indeed, it is growling, so we make breakfast. Maruge shows me how to make a dish called Githeri, which is a boiled mixture of corn and beans. It is very good and it fills my whole body with warmth. As soon as we finish breakfast, I tell Maruge that I have a present for him. A big grin spreads across Maruge's face and he looks so happy. I wonder when the last time was when Maruge got a present.
I run over and retrieve the shoebox from behind the suitcase. I bring it out to Maruge and put it in his hands. "What's this?" Maruge asks me. "You'll have to open it and see," I say with a smile. Maruge slowly opens the shoebox and then unfolds the tissue paper covering the shoes. He looks down and his whole face fills with joy. I see a tear rolling down his face as he holds the shoes in his hands. He strokes the clean, brown leather and slowly, slips one onto his foot. "It fits perfectly!"He exclaims. " Thank you so much, asante sana."
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