THE GHOST OF

THE PINK

FLOWER

Clarisse BEMPETA, Tina BATTAJON, Maria FRANTZI, Vanèle VANHAECKE 

Grade 7-A        Year 2022-2023              Teacher’s name: Mrs D. Olivier-Forsman

Lycée René Descartes, Kinshasa, DRC

This story happened in an old Congolese village, some years ago. One morning before Mother’s Day, two sisters were wondering what they would offer their mother. She said to them: “There’s a very rare flower in the forest that is behind the house; it is called the pink flower. So far, nobody has ever managed to find it. The one who will bring it back and give it to me will be my favorite daughter!”

Then, the next day, the sisters went for a walk to the forest. While they were walking, they came across two paths. The older sister, Esther, proposed to separate. Naomi, the younger sister, didn’t agree as she wanted them to stay together. But they ended up separating.

Esther searched everywhere for such a long time but couldn’t find anything. When she realized that her sister had found the flower, she felt mainly jealous and was really upset, so much so that she did something totally unacceptable! She killed her own sister with a blade that she had found on the ground.

At home, without any mercy, she buried the body behind the hut and gave the flower to her mother.

The mother was so happy! Yet, she asked for Naomi.  Esther lied and said that she was on her way. Three days later, the mother organized a family meal to talk about Naomi’s disappearance.

After the meal, Esther went behind the house to feed the dog some bones and walked unintentionally where her sister was buried.

Suddenly, a ghost covered with blood appeared and started singing: “Sister, sister don’t trample me, because you killed me for a pink flower.” Shocked and scared, Esther called her mother. She had to tell her what had happened.   The mother stepped on the burial place, like Esther: “Mother, mother don’t trample me, because my sister killed me for a pink flower.”

Esther got beaten up and banned from the village.

The desire to win must not make us lose our humanity!...

NARRATIVE STRUCTURE

THE GHOST OF THE PINK FLOWER: The 5WH & H

1)2) WHERE and WHEN does the scene take place?

The scene takes place in an old Congolese village, in the past.

 3) WHO are the characters?

The characters are: Esther (the older sister); Naomi (the younger sister); the mother; the family.

4)WHAT happens in the story (the plot)?

For Mother’s Day, the mother would like a pink flower from the forest.  The sisters search for it and the younger sister finds it.  The older sister is so annoyed that she kills her sister.

5)6) HOW and WHY does it happen?

Esther kills her sister with a blade that she finds on the ground out of jealousy and anger.