Once upon a time, in a small village located amidst rolling hills, surrounded by lush green meadows and blooming wildflowers, lived a young girl named Maya.

The village was inhabited by hardworking farmers who cultivated the fertile land, skilled artisans who crafted intricate pottery and woven textiles, and friendly neighbours who celebrated life’s joys together.

Celebratory songs often filled the air with music and laughter, creating a lively atmosphere that made the village feel like a close-knit community.

With her black kinky hair, bright and curious eyes, Maya possessed a kind heart and a vivid imagination. However, she often struggled with self-doubt, particularly when finding the courage to express her creativity.

She yearned to pursue her dreams of becoming an artist. However, she never thought she was good enough. The fear of failure and the opinions of others held her back, casting a shadow over her confidence.

One sunny morning, after completing her morning cleaning routine, Maya took a trip to the attic. It had been a while since she cleaned up the attic, and the damp smell seemed to be coming from above.

As she was lifting the old scrapes to dispose of and arranging the fairly old furniture, she came across an ancient, weathered journal hidden in a pile of old clothes. Its pages were adorned with faded ink.

The black and white portraits on every page caught her attention. She hurriedly finished clearing the mess and, on her way out, brought with her the ancient journal.

She spent the rest of the day going through it, taking in all the tales of extraordinary individuals who had faced their doubts and fears and emerged victorious.

It highlighted the stories of renowned artists, like Kitili Kunta, a painter who doubted her artistic abilities; Daudi Cha, a musician whose voice brought a sense of peace to his audience but wrestled with stage fright; Fildaus Toto, a writer who, for the longest time, had his work appear ‘Anonymous’ for he feared his perspective in words was not relatable and would never touch a soul. Each tale spoke of triumph over adversity, instilling hope and inspiration.

As Maya delved deeper into the journal, she found herself captivated by the stories of these remarkable individuals. They spoke of their struggles with self-doubt, just like Maya, but also their unwavering determination to conquer their fears.

They discovered that their true strength lay not in perfection or having all the answers, but in embracing their imperfections and having the courage to persist.

Determined to embark on a journey of self-discovery and conquer her self-doubt, Maya packed a small bag, bid farewell to her beloved village, and set off into the unknown.

Along her path, she encountered numerous obstacles that tested her belief in herself. She was confronted with the daunting prospect of performing in front of a large audience, trembling with stage fright. She faced the challenge of a blank canvas, unsure of her artistic abilities.

To feel encouraged, she would whisper to herself, ‘Kitili Kunta did it; I can do it. Daudi Cha did it; I can do it. Fildaus Toto did it; I can do it.’ The whispers became louder and stronger by the day. This was her daily dose of motivation.

There were moments when doubt crept back in, whispering that she was not talented enough, that she was too small to have dreams that big. However, Maya refused to let them consume her.

She reminded herself of the stories she had read, drawing strength from the tales of triumph over adversity. She realized that believing in herself meant acknowledging her unique strengths, embracing her imperfections, and having the courage to keep moving forward.

As Maya ventured deeper into her journey, she met Lila, a wise old woman who recognized the determination and potential within Maya. Lila became her mentor, the voice of confidence that Maya had lacked, and the cheerleader that Maya longed for.

She guided Maya through various trials and taught her invaluable lessons about resilience, perseverance, and the importance of self-acceptance. Lila challenged Maya to push herself beyond her comfort zone.

She supported her in facing her fears, such as painting intricate details she thought were beyond her capabilities and performing in front of smaller audiences to overcome her stage fright gradually.

Through Lila’s patience and guidance, and Maya’s growing belief in herself, her talents began to blossom within her. Maya discovered a remarkable ability to paint vivid landscapes that seemed to come alive on the canvas.

She found solace and joy in composing beautiful melodies that stirred the emotions of those who listened. Word of Maya’s exceptional talent and her inspiring journey spread like wildfire.

People from different villages traveled miles to listen to her soul-stirring music and be moved by her heartfelt stories. Maya’s success didn’t come without setbacks, but she faced each challenge with an unwavering belief in herself.

Maya’s journey not only transformed her life but also inspired others, young and grown, to believe in themselves and pursue their passion fearlessly. She realized that the ability to realize her dreams resided within her.

By believing in herself and achieving her dream of becoming an artist, she also ignited a spark in others, just like the ancient journal had done for her. Their dreams were within reach if only they believed in themselves.

Dennis Kimeu, Studying Quantity Surveying, the Technical University of Kenya, edited by Start A Library Trust.