Alina’s holiday
Sponono Mahlangu
Khanyisa Masemola
There was a rich woman called Alina.
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Alina lived in a big house in a beautiful compound.
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She had achieved a lot, but she was not happy.
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One day, Alina thought to herself, “I would like to meet new people. Maybe I will make new friends if I go on holiday. Perhaps I could even meet someone special.”
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Alina planned a holiday at the most beautiful beach in the country.
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She was excited when the day came for her to travel.
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She quickly settled down at her hotel to enjoy her visit to this stunning setting.
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Alina lay on the beach and relaxed. She lazily observed the people around her. She soon noticed two children. with their father.
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The family didn’t seem to be enjoying themselves. They looked unhappy. The children played quietly.
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Alina thought, “I wonder how they can be so sad in this beautiful place.”
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Later that day, she was swimming in the hotel pool when the man’s children came to swim.
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Alina was curious and began chatting to them.
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The children were Karembo and Kazungu.
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They told Alina that this was their first holiday since their mother died.
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When Alina met the children’s father, she saw the pain and loss in his eyes.
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His name was Clemens.
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Clemens, Alina, and the children were soon all spending time together.
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Karembo and Kazungu loved playing with Alina on the beach.
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Alina taught them how to weave baskets from palm leaves, and how to make sandcastles.
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The days passed pleasantly in the sun.
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Alina did not want to return to her lonely compound.
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“My holiday is coming to an end. Perhaps if I stay here longer, I will not feel so sad?” she wondered.
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That evening, Alina heard a knock on her door. When she opened the door, Karembo and Kazungu were there.
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They spoke together, “We want you to be our mother!”
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Alina did not know how to answer them.
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After they talked, Alina walked with Karembo and Kazungu to their room.
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Seeing his children happy with Alina made Clemens smile. She hugged the children and said goodnight.
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Alina thought to herself, “I have met three special people.”
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In the morning, Alina joined Clemens and his children for breakfast.
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Karembo and Kazungu looked hopefully at Alina as she sat down.
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“Is there something going on?” asked Clemens as he looked at his children’s expressions.
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A year later, Alina and Clemens were married!
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Each year, the family visited the beautiful beach to celebrate their first meeting.
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They swim in the sea and make sandcastles, as they did when they first met.
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Your attribution should include the following:
Title: Alina’s holiday
Author/s: Sponono Mahlangu
Translator/s: Sponono Mahlangu
Illustrator/s: Khanyisa Masemola
Assurer/s: African Storybook
Language: English

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