The Boy Who Preferred a Knife

by Moqheeta Mehboob

The title sounds astonishing, doesn’t it? Even I was taken aback when this young boy asked for a knife. We often watch short inspiring stories on social media or read them in Reader’s Digest or other good books. But I feel truly privileged to have experienced a real-life moment of inspiration—one worth sharing.

During my work stay at Tamani School in Zanzibar, one Sunday, my husband and I decided to visit the local market just for the experience.You learn so much about a place’s culture and practices from raw, unpolished spaces like local markets. To fully immerse myself, I opted to take the same local transport the residents use. As I was boarding the dala dala—the public minibus—I was pleasantly surprised to see a group of boys from Tamani School also getting on. They greeted me enthusiastically, and I was impressed to see them so early in the morning, dressed neatly and ready for the day.

They got off at Kinyasini—the very market I was headed to. Curious, I asked what had brought them there, and I learned that they had come for their special maths sessions. Their dedication to learning was truly admirable.

To enter the market, I had to cross the road. I assumed the boys would continue towards their maths centre, but to my surprise, they wanted to cross with me. The market wasn’t very big, but its entrance was bustling. Small stall owners lined the street, selling everyday essentials. On one side, more than half a dozen food stalls displayed their mouthwatering treats—mandazi (fried doughnuts), chapati, cakes, vitumbua, boiled peanuts, and more. Everything looked absolutely scrumptious.

If I was tempted, what about these young boys who had left home without breakfast? Like any adult would, I offered to buy them something to eat.

Their response was instant—no hesitation, no false modesty. They were delighted and quickly began choosing their preferred breakfast. Their innocence was refreshing.

But then, I noticed one boy standing away from the stalls. He wasn’t interested in the food. Instead, he quietly said, “I want to buy a knife.”

A knife?

For a moment, my mind struggled to process his request. Why would a young boy need a knife? With all the violent incidents we hear about these days, the thought was unsettling.

It took me a few moments to compose myself before I asked, “Why do you need a knife?”

Mwanaheri, a teacher from the school who had kindly accompanied me, spoke to the boy to understand his reasoning. And his answer left me speechless.

Unlike his friends, who were joyfully picking their breakfast, this boy remained firm in his decision—he wanted a knife.

Why?

Because his mother didn’t have one at home. Every time she needed to cut something, she had to borrow a knife from the neighbours.

In that moment, he became a hero in my eyes.

He saw an opportunity and immediately thought of his mother and her daily struggles. He could have taken the breakfast and then asked for a knife, but he didn’t. He was ready to forego his own temptation for the sake of his mother’s needs.

He couldn’t have been more than 12 or 13 years old, yet he displayed such maturity, selflessness, and resilience.

And if you’re wondering whether I let him buy the knife—of course, I did. He carefully selected a good one for his mother, and I insisted he choose a nice breakfast as well. He had more than earned it.

Even now, when I think of him, I do so with great admiration and respect.

I hope to follow his journey because I have a strong feeling he will do well—not just for himself, but for his family and for Zanzibar. These are the true pearls that beautify a society.

I am grateful to have witnessed such inner beauty.

Here are a few key lessons I learned from this encounter:

• Resisting temptations and prioritising what truly matters.
• Navigating external influences with confidence and clarity.
• Maintaining mental strength and unwavering focus.
• Making swift yet thoughtful decisions.
• Understanding the qualities that shape true leaders.

Kombo

This boy is a hero in my eyes and will remain so for a long time to come.

My treasure hunts of Zanzibar!