Rick-a-chee and the Sky-Blue Cap
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
Nigerian boy learns about how jealousy can destroy a friendship.
Description
This sixteen page book tells a story about a young Nigerian boy named Rick-a-chee. He and his friend Sooly discover that their village shop sells brightly colored caps. Rick-a-chee wants a sky-blue cap. Sooly wants a bright red one. The parents of both boys said they must wait until the peanut harvest to have the money. The harvest is weeks away but the caps are selling fast! What can they do?
Rick-a-chee begins to weave a grass rope to earn money for the blue cap. Then Sooly's uncle comes to visit and buys Sooly the blue cap. Rick-a-chee becomes angry and refuses to play with his friend. Later he felt guilty about his anger and talked to his mother about it. She told him that his anger was because he wanted what his friend had. She said the Bible gives instruction about anger and how to replace it with love.
Later, as a dangerous thunderstorm approaches, Rick-a-chee searches for his friend at the village dye pits. Rick-a-chee's little dog finally finds Sooly, who is trapped in a pit. Rick-a-chee helps Sooly escape by using his grass rope. The next day Sooly and his father visit Rick-a-chee to thank him for his help. Then they take him to the shop to buy a red cap. The boys trade caps and both are happy.
This story is suitable for young children. It has enough danger to be exciting, but has a happy ending.
Considerations
- The story is printed on every-other page. The other pages have black and white drawings that illustrate the story.
- The illustrations cover the whole page. All except one page show the full scene. The exception is the one of Sooly trapped in the dye pit where Rick-a-chee can't reach him. This picture will need an explanation.
Limitations
Guidelines for Use
- Permission is given to reproduce the illustrations in the book when used as teaching aids.
- This story could be adapted by an oral story-teller.
- A flipchart could be used for the illustrations.
- A coloring book would help the listener remember the story.
- This story could be used as an audio book or a filmstrip.
- It could also be used as a radio story.
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
Cost
$2.25 (US)This is the cost in 2006.
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
Author Edna O. Menzies; Illustrated by Ann Douglas
Current copyright owner
SIM International
Other Information
If you are interested in translating this story for a minority language, contact SIM International. Working together you will make Creative Commons License agreement.
Reviewed by
Dec. 13, 2004 Initial submission of material by VWolter Dec. 14, 2004 Additional details added to review by VW
