Once upon a time, there lived a family in a village far from the city. The village was surrounded by a forest with many animals.

A boy called Deng and his sister Nyekuiy lived in the village with their mother.

They were taught how to be good children, and how to live happily.

Deng played near their cow yards and learned to milk goats.

He learned to hunt animals, and to fish in the river to catch turtles.

One day, Deng's mother could not find him anywhere. She was worried. The family looked for him everywhere but did not find him.

Deng finally came home that night. He was carrying an antelope's head. His mother asked him, "Where have you been? What are you carrying?"

"I went hunting wild animals with the village boys," replied Deng. His mother was concerned because hunting wild animals can be dangerous. "Don't hunt in the forest again," she told Deng.

His mother took a stick to beat him for not listening to her. Deng saw the stick and ran. He hid up a tree and his mother could not find him.

Nyekuiy called to her brother, "Deng, Mama isn't around, come home and eat with me!" The boy came down to eat.

"Deng, I want to talk to you after your meal," said his mother.

But after eating, Deng ran out to play and then went hunting again.

His mother was concerned about his behaviour. "He should go to school in the city. How can I explain this to Deng so that he accepts the idea?" she wondered.

Mother wrote a letter to her brother, Bidiit, in the city. After some time, she received a letter in return from Bidiit. He told her that he was coming to visit them in the village.

The children were excited to meet their uncle from the city.

Bidiit arrived one month later.

"My children, your uncle has arrived," said mother.

"Let's meet our uncle," Nyekuiy told Deng. They both laughed as they ran towards Bidiit.

"You are beautiful children," said Uncle Bidiit. "I think that you will be happy living in the city with your uncle!" said mother to her children.

"I will take you to the city and you can go to school," said Uncle Bidiit.

He continued, "In a few months' time, there is a ship coming up the river past the village. I will buy tickets for you."

He added, "When you come to the city, I will buy bicycles for you!"

The children were so happy that they couldn't eat that day.

Two weeks later, Uncle Bidiit's holiday was over, and he returned to the city.

After four months, the ship finally arrived to take Nyekuiy and Deng to the city. Their mother put them on the ship and waved goodbye.

The ship carried the children on a seven-day journey along the river.

Deng and Nyekuiy watched the wind in the grass as the ship moved through the water.

They were joyful that they were going to school. They dreamed of one day studying law or medical science.

When the ship arrived in the city, Uncle Bidiit was at the dock waiting for the children.

Deng took out some fruits and gave them to his uncle's children as they met. They asked with smiles, "What is this fruit?"

Deng replied, "They are village fruits, very sweet!"

Nyekuiy and Deng lived in the city with their Uncle Bidiit for many years.

They worked hard at school and went to study at university.

When they got jobs, they supported their mother.