Short Stories
Boudica
Have you heard of Boudica? She was queen of the Iceni, a tribe of people who lived in eastern England, in Britain, almost 2,000 years ago. Boudica was tall, with very long red hair, and wore a gold necklace and a beautiful brooch.
She was very intelligent, and had probably been to ‘warrior school’ so she knew how to fight. By AD 43, the Romans had conquered southern England. At first, they allowed Boudica and her husband to continue to rule. But when Boudica’s husband died, the Romans took all his land and property.
They decided to rule the Iceni and they treated them very badly. So, in AD 60 or 61, Boudica and the Iceni rebelled against the Romans, together with other tribes who were also treated badly by the Romans. Boudica and her large army defeated one Roman army and destroyed the capital of Roman Britain, Colchester. In Colchester she destroyed the temple built for Emperor Claudius. They also destroyed two more cities.
Many people died. ‘Now I am fighting for my freedom. We must win this battle or die. Let the men live as slaves if they want. I will not!’ Finally, Boudica and her army were defeated.
The surviving Iceni people ran away, or were turned into slaves. Boudica probably killed herself with poison – her body has never been found. The rebellion was so shocking to Emperor Nero, the ruler of the Roman Empire, that he wanted to withdraw from Britain! In the end, the Romans occupied Britain for over 350 years more.
But they treated the British people more fairly and introduced lower taxes. Boudica has been an inspiration to other female leaders such as Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria. Her rebellion was one of the most significant against the Roman Empire. Now, Boudica is remembered as one of Britain’s greatest heroines.
Source: www. learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org
Short Stories
GFA to hold maiden U-15 Girls Inter-Regional Challenge Cup at Prampram
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) will hold the maiden edition of the U15 Girls Inter-Regional Challenge Cup at its technical centre in Prampram – the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence.
The Association earlier this month announced that it will be establishing four new age group national teams each for boys and girls to complement the existing ones.
These new national teams will be for developmental purposes to serve as feeder teams for the competitive national teams.
President of the GFA who doubles as Chairman of the National Juvenile Committee, Mr. Kurt. E.S. Okraku, announced that the U15 Girls Inter-Regional Challenge Cup will be held in June, 2024 at Prampram.
The competition will provide a platform for the national team coaches to identify top talents for further development and progression into the appropriate age group national teams.
The Football Association already has the KGL U17 Regional Championship for boys and the U15 Regional Challenge Cup for girls will be the first of its kind in the country.
The new national teams will have U-16, U-18, U-19 and U-21 for Boys and U-16, U-18, U-19, U-21, and U23 for Girls.
The Association is keen on transforming women’s football and making it competitive across all levels, which will have a positive impact on the National teams.
Players from each of the age groups will progress to the relevant next level year after year as they will camp, train and play games locally and Internationally as part of their development.
Short Stories
Fisherman and wife(Final Part)
The man trembled with fear at every joint. Outside there was a terrible storm. Trees and mountains were shaking. The heaven was completely black, and there was thunder and lightning. In the sea he could see black waves as high as mountains, and they were capped with white crowns of foam. He said:
Mandje! Mandje! Timpe Te!
Flounder, flounder, in the sea!
My wife, my wife Ilsebill,
Wants not, wants not, what I will.
“What does she want then,” said the flounder.
“Oh,” he said, “she wants to become like God.”
“Go home. She is sitting in her piss pot again.”
And they are sitting there even today.
