"Zo, Musa!" Mama called. "It's time to go to the village!" I jumped up, my heart racing. Today, I would visit grandmother's village for the first time!

We packed biscuits and nice clothes as gifts. The bus rumbled down a dusty road, passing by trees.

When we arrived, Auntie Asabe ran to hug us. "Nna kwana!" she cheered. The village buzzed with laughter.

Children chased chickens, and smoke curled from clay huts. Grandmother greeted me with a bony hug. "You've grown tall, little lion!"

The next morning, cousin Laraba handed me a bucket. "Come! We fetch water from the river."

We walked past cassava farms. The river sparkled like diamonds. Laraba taught me to scoop water without spilling.

At the market, Auntie sold mangoes and colorful fabrics. I nibbled danwake (spicy boiled grain balls) and tapped a talking drum.

A man sold wooden carves, and grandmother bought me a tiny turtle carving. "For courage," she winked.

That night, villagers gathered around a crackling fire. Grandmother told stories of Gizo the spider. "Gizogizo tricked the snake into becoming a rope!" she cackled.

The stars twinkled above, and I imagined Gizo weaving his webs in the sky.

On the last day of our visit, drums boomed! The village celebrated the Harvest Festival. Dancers in bright Atanfa cloth spun like whirlwinds.

Grandmother tied a sash around my waist, and I danced until my feet ached. "You're a true villager now!" Laraba laughed.

Time to leave. Grandmother pressed a woven bracelet into my palm. "Remember your roots, Musa," she whispered.

I hugged her, smelling the smoky scent of her dress. As the bus pulled away, I waved until the village became a tiny speck.

Back home, I drew pictures of the village: the river, the drums, Grandmother's smile.

Mama framed my drawing. "The village is always with you," she said. I fell asleep dreaming of frogs, firelight, and Gizogizo's tricks.