Makato and the Cowrie Shell is a story about a young boy named Makato who lives in a small village in Africa. One day, Makato discovers a beautiful cowrie shell on the beach and decides to sell it in the market.
As Makato travels to the market, he encounters many challenges and obstacles along the way. First, he must navigate through the dense jungle, where he is confronted by a group of monkeys who try to steal the shell. Makato is able to fend off the monkeys and continue on his journey.
Next, Makato must cross a deep river, where he is confronted by a crocodile who tries to eat him. Makato is able to outsmart the crocodile and continue on his journey.
Finally, Makato arrives at the market, where he meets a wealthy merchant who is interested in buying the cowrie shell. However, the merchant tries to lowball Makato and offer him a low price for the shell. Makato is able to negotiate a fair price for the shell and sells it to the merchant.
Overall, the plot of Makato and the Cowrie Shell teaches a valuable lesson about determination and perseverance. Despite the many challenges and obstacles Makato faces on his journey, he never gives up and is able to achieve his goal of selling the cowrie shell for a fair price. The story also highlights the importance of negotiation and being able to stand up for oneself in the face of injustice.
Makato and the Cowrie Shell is a novel by Nigerian author, Yinka Egbokhare, that tells the story of Makato, a young girl living in a small fishing village in Nigeria. The novel follows Makato as she navigates the challenges of growing up in a poverty-stricken community, and ultimately finds the strength and resilience to overcome them.
At the heart of the novel is the central plot point of the cowrie shell, which serves as a symbol of Makato's journey and growth. The cowrie shell is first introduced as a small, insignificant object that Makato finds on the beach and keeps as a souvenir. However, as the story progresses, the shell takes on greater significance and becomes a metaphor for Makato's own journey.
As Makato grows up, she becomes increasingly aware of the poverty and hardships that her community faces. She sees firsthand the struggles of her parents and the other villagers as they struggle to make ends meet and provide for their families. Despite these challenges, Makato remains determined and optimistic, and she sets her sights on a better future for herself and her community.
Throughout the novel, the cowrie shell serves as a reminder of Makato's goals and aspirations. She holds onto it tightly, using it as a source of strength and inspiration as she works towards her dreams. As she matures, the shell becomes a symbol of her determination and resilience, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and hard work.
One of the major themes of the novel is the power of determination and hard work to overcome adversity. Makato's journey is a testament to this, as she refuses to let her circumstances dictate her future. She works hard to improve her education and skills, and she ultimately becomes the first person in her community to graduate from college.
In the end, Makato's hard work and determination pay off, and she is able to use her education to make a positive impact on her community. She becomes a teacher and is able to inspire and empower the next generation of young people in her village. The cowrie shell, which once seemed like a small and insignificant object, becomes a symbol of Makato's journey and the power of determination and hard work to overcome even the most difficult of challenges.
Overall, Makato and the Cowrie Shell is a powerful and inspiring story about the resilience and determination of the human spirit. It serves as a reminder that no matter where we come from or what challenges we face, we all have the potential to overcome them and achieve great things.
