15/07/2026
Crime Does Not Pay
Lukadzi Village lay peacefully, a stone's throw from the mysterious Ntunjambili Caves. To the east flowed the winding Dondolo River, whose sparkling waters carried an ancient legend from one generation to another. The elders often narrated that in years of bumper harvests, an old woman, bent with age and leaning heavily on her weather-beaten walking stick, would appear before sunrise. Silently she would fetch crystal-clear water from the Dondolo River and disappear into the dark mouth of Ntunjambili Caves. Her appearance was believed to herald seasons of abundance. To the south, the Manyanke River bubbled endlessly from natural springs, generously oozing the precious liquid of life that nourished crops, livestock and every living creature.
It was in this picturesque village that two mischievous boys, Kimy and Mbeky, spent their childhood. Their laughter echoed across the dusty footpaths as they chased rabbits through thorny bushes and kicked a homemade plastic ball until the golden sun sank behind distant hills. Their feet were forever coated in reddish dust, yet their hearts overflowed with youthful excitement.
Their grandfather owned a well-stocked store that tempted every hungry eye. Neatly arranged on wooden shelves were colourful sweets wrapped like tiny jewels. Beside them rested baskets overflowing with luscious mangoes, juicy oranges, rosy apples, succulent peaches, golden bananas and purple grapes. The sweet fragrance floated through the air, making their mouths water. The ripe fruits glistened like polished treasure while the sweets sparkled like colourful stars.
Every afternoon, Kimy would whisper, "Mbeky, Grandfather is watering the cattle. This is our chance."
Mbeky's eyes would shine with excitement.
"Quick! Fill your pockets before he returns!"
Like sneaky cats stalking helpless birds, they tiptoed into the store. Their trembling hands grabbed handfuls of sweets while their bulging pockets swallowed the mouth-watering fruits. Their hearts pounded like war drums, yet greed pushed them forward.
For weeks, their secret remained hidden.
Then came the unforgettable afternoon.
As Kimy reached for a large, ripe mango, a deep voice thundered behind them.
"So, this is where my missing fruits have been disappearing!"
The boys froze like statues struck by lightning. Their faces turned pale, and the stolen sweets slipped from their shaking hands onto the floor.
Grandfather stood at the doorway, his eyes blazing with disappointment rather than anger.
"Why have you been stealing from me?" he asked quietly.
Neither boy answered. Their guilty silence spoke louder than words.
Finally, tears rolled down Kimy's cheeks.
"We are sorry, Grandfather," he sobbed. "We were tempted by the sweets and fruits. Please forgive us."
Mbeky lowered his head.
"We promise never to steal again."
Their grandfather believed that discipline was an act of love. After giving them a sound caning, he sat them beside him beneath a giant msasa tree.
"My sons," he said gently, "easy things gained dishonestly never bring lasting happiness. Remember this for the rest of your lives—crime does not pay. An honest person sleeps peacefully, but a thief is always chased by fear."
Those words sank deeply into their hearts like seeds falling onto fertile soil.
From that day onward, the boys transformed completely. They worked diligently in the fields, fetched water from Manyanke River, helped the elderly, and protected every fruit in the family orchard as though it were priceless gold. Their honesty spread through Lukadzi Village like the sweet scent of blooming flowers after the first rains.
Years rolled by.
The playful boys who once chased rabbits across dusty plains became hardworking, respected men. Kimy pioneered modern irrigation schemes that transformed dry fields into carpets of emerald-green crops. Mbeky introduced solar-powered water systems that supplied clean water to homes, schools and gardens throughout the village. Together they promoted conservation farming, planted thousands of fruit trees and inspired young people to embrace education, integrity and hard work.
Whenever villagers praised their remarkable achievements, the two elderly men smiled knowingly.
Kimy would often tell the children gathered beneath the ancient fig tree,
"We nearly destroyed our future because of stealing."
Mbeky would add with a gentle smile,
"Our grandfather corrected us while we were still young. That painful lesson became the greatest gift of our lives."
The children listened attentively as the cool breeze carried the soothing sounds of the Dondolo River. Above them, the silent Ntunjambili Caves stood as witnesses to generations of wisdom.
Indeed, the greatest wealth was never hidden inside the grandfather's store or buried beneath the hills of Lukadzi. It was found in honesty, discipline and hard work.
Crime may offer sweet rewards for a moment, but integrity produces a lifetime of honour, peace and success.
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