📚 Auxtoria Stories

Chapter One: The New Girl

"Class, we have a new friend today," Miss Ofure said, smiling as she walked into Primary 3. Every head turned. A girl stood at the door, holding her bag tightly like she didn't want to let go. She had two neat braids tied with red ribbons, and her eyes moved nervouslyIn a worried or uneasy way from the window to the floor.

Her name was written on a form in Miss Ofure's hand. She looked at it and began to read slowly: "Chi… ma… manda… On… ye… jekwe."

The class went silent for two seconds. Then the whispers started. "Onye—what?" "That name is too long." "Will she even fit it on her notebook?"

A boy at the back giggledLight, silly laughter. Another girl cupped her mouth, whispering to her seatmate, "It sounds funny." Soon the gigglesLight, silly laughter spread, like a wave.

Chimamanda's cheeks burned. She looked down at her sandals. She wished she could run back outside.

Miss Ofure clapped her hands sharply. "Enough! That is not how to welcome a new friend. Everybody say, 'Welcome, Chimamanda Onyejekwe.'" The class mumbledSpoke quietly and was not clear half-heartedlyDid something without really trying, "Welcome, Chimamanda Onye…."

"Good," Miss Ofure continued. "Go and sit at the empty desk beside Hadiza." Chimamanda nodded quickly and walked to her seat. Her footsteps felt heavy, as if everyone was still staring.

Chapter Two: Hiding the Truth

The next morning, Chimamanda came to school early. She sat quietly, hoping nobody would laugh at her name again. But when Miss Ofure began the roll call, Chimamanda quickly raised her hand and said, "Please, ma, just call me Amanda."

The whole class looked up in surprise. "Amanda?" someone whispered. "Yes," Chimamanda said quickly. "It's easier."

Some children nodded. "Ehn, that one is better." "Short and fine." Miss Ofure hesitatedPaused because you were unsure but finally said, "Alright then. Amanda."

During break, the four friends saw Chimamanda sitting under a mango tree with some girls. She smiled when they called her Amanda and looked much happier than the day before. "She's laughing now," Nate whispered. "But do you think she really feels okay inside?" Kate asked softly.

Later that day, when the twins walked with Chimamanda to the school gate, Kate asked carefully, "Why don't you like Chimamanda? It sounds… special." Chimamanda looked down at her shoes. "You don't understand. People laugh. It's too long. I don't want to be different." She quickly waved goodbye and ran off.

Chapter Three: The Discovery

That evening, while the family was having dinner, Nate couldn't hold it in anymore. "Daddy," he blurted out, "what does Chimamanda mean?"

Mr Johnson raised his eyebrows. "Chimamanda? Where did you hear that name?" Kate quickly explained about their new classmate who wanted to be called Amanda instead.

Mr Johnson's face softened. He set down his spoon. "Ah. Chimamanda is a beautiful Igbo name. It means 'My God will not fail me.'"

Nate's eyes widened. "Wow… that's great!" Kate clapped her hands. "So powerful! Why would she not want it?"

Mr Johnson smiled gently. "Sometimes children don't understand the weight of their names. Or maybe she feels embarrassedFeeling shy or ashamed about something because her friends teased her. But one day, she will know how special it is."

The next day at school, the four friends huddledGathered closely together during break. Nate almost burst with excitement. "My dad told us what Chimamanda means! It means My God will not fail me."

"Wow…" Hadiza's eyes sparkled. "That's deep!" The friends agreed they wanted Chimamanda to know how special her name really was.

Chapter Four: The Breaking Point

The next week at school, something happened that made Nate's chest tighten. During handwriting class, the teacher asked every child to write their full name at the top of their paper.

Chimamanda froze. She bit her lip and stared at her exercise book. Slowly, she wrote: Chimamanda Onyejekwe. The boy sitting beside her peeked and started giggling. "Chima-mama!" someone teased.

Chimamanda's face turned red. She quickly erased her name and wrote Amanda instead. Then she slumped in her chair, her eyes fixed on the desk.

At break time, the four friends gathered under the mango tree. "That was so mean," Hadiza muttered. "We have to tell her now. She needs to know the truth," Kate said firmly.

Hadiza said softly, "If we don't tell her, she'll keep hiding her name. And she'll never know that her name means something powerful." Nate looked at his friends, his heart beating fast. "Okay. Tomorrow, we'll tell her. Together."

Chapter Five: The Transformation

The next morning, Chimamanda came to school quietly, looking sad. At break time, Kate gently nudged her shoulder. "Come and sit with us under the mango tree."

Chimamanda shook her head. "No. You'll just laugh at me like the others." "We won't," Nate said seriously. "We're your friends." Slowly, she followed them.

Finally, Hadiza whispered, "Chimamanda… do you know what your name means?" Chimamanda looked down. "It's just a long name. Too hard. Everyone makes fun of it."

Nick leaned forward. "But it's not just a name. My dad told us it means 'My God will not fail me.' Isn't that amazing?"

Chimamanda's head snapped up. "What?" Kate nodded eagerly. "Yes! Your name is powerful. It's like a prayer. Every time someone calls you Chimamanda, they are saying, 'God will never fail.'"

Chimamanda blinked, her eyes growing wet. "Really?" Nate smiled. "Yes. That's why you should never hide it. Your name carries a big promise."

That afternoon, when the teacher asked everyone to write their names again, Chimamanda didn't hesitate. She picked up her pencil and wrote boldly: CHIMAMANDA ONYEJEKWE

Some children snickeredGiggled or laughed quietly again. But this time, Chimamanda sat tall. She even raised her hand proudly and said clearly, "My name is Chimamanda Onyejekwe. It means 'My God will not fail me.'"

The class went silent. Even the teacher paused, smiling proudly. From that day on, Chimamanda never hid her name again.