There lived a curious girl in a small village named Bisi.

Bisi loved asking questions about anything and everything, she asked questions about the birds in the sky, the trees and animals.

She also listened to stories told by elders.

One day, while Bis i was playing near the village square, Bisi noticed something.

Resting beneath a tall Mango tree was a beautiful wooden drum. It looked really beautiful with swirling patterns and symbols.

It looked really old.

She went forward and asked the elders sitting under the tree curiously, "who does this drum belong to"

The elders smiled. "That" they said, " is the Talking Drum". It does not speak to just anyone. "

Bisi could not sleep that night, when everyone was asleep, she tiptoed back to the mango tree.

Carefully she tapped the drum. Dum...Dum...Dum!

To her surprise the drum answered her, not with words but with rhythm.

Night after night Bisi returned, she listened closely, learning the drums rhythm.

Soon she understood its message. The drum carried the voice of the village, reminding people of who they were and where they came from.

One day, the village was quiet and still, everyone was sad and confused because the rains had refused to fall.

Bisi stepped out and began to play the drums just as it has taught her. Strong, steady and true. Boom! Boom! The rhythm echoed.

The elders listned, the villagers listened and they rejoiced with joy in their hearts.

And together they remembered how they cared for each other with love in their hearts. They shared love and laughter and the village blossomed.

Before long, the clouds gathered and the rain fell gently on the rooftops. From that day Bisi became known as the keeper of the Talking Drum. Not because she played the drums perfectly but because she listened with her heart.

And the drum, it still speaks to those who are willing to listen...