I live in Kakuma village, a very hot dry place, full of thorny trees, and more goats than people.

Even the market place is quiet, with only a few small shops. Most people use bicycles for transport.

One morning, Mother called me and said, "Etabo, today you turn six years old. We have a present for you."

"What is it? What is it?" I asked eagerly. "Tomorrow we're going by bus to the market in Eldoret. You're coming with us!" she replied.

My first visit to the city! I was so excited that I could hardly sleep that night.

The next day at the Kakuma bus stop, I stood between Mother and my aunt. I wore my new pair of blue jeans and a red T-shirt.

I felt very small between my tall slender Mother and my big round aunt.

The bus was very full, so I had to sit on Mother's lap.

Tired from the heat and excitement, I slept the whole way and saw nothing.

The sun was just rising when we reached Eldoret market. At the entrance was a woman selling grains. Over in one corner there were two men getting ready to lay out their sweet potatoes.

Over in another corner was a woman holding a shiny blue helicopter. "Mother, mother, look at that helicopter!" But Mother pulled me away.

In the middle of the market, there was a large stall that sold different types of fruit. Some of them I had never seen before.

"What are the names of these fruits?" I asked Mother.

She pointed, "These are oranges, and these are guavas." I turned around and said, "And these?"

Of all the fruits at the stall, I liked the apples most. I liked their shape and colour. I wondered how they tasted.

I turned to Mother and said, "Could you buy one for me?"

As soon as she gave me the apple, I let go of Mother's hand, took the fruit with both hands, and bit into the juicy flesh.

I had never enjoyed a fruit the way I enjoyed that apple. All I cared about was my apple.

When I finished the apple, I looked up to talk to Mother. But she was not there! Mother and aunt had gone. 

I looked to the right, then to the left. But they were nowhere to be seen.

"Have you seen my mother?" I asked the women selling potatoes nearby. They took no notice. I started to cry.

A while later, a woman took me by the hand and led me to a place where there were other children.

A big man with a thick beard asked, "What's your name, boy?"

"E-ta-bo," I replied through my tears.

I wondered if children were also sold at the market. I stopped crying and looked around to see if anyone would buy the children in the room.

Soon a woman came in and picked up one of the children. "I will be the next one to be taken away," I thought. "And then I'll never see home again!" I started crying once more.

When I heard the big man with the thick beard saying, "Where is Etabo?" I cried even harder.

"I do not want to go with you!" I sobbed. I hid away from him.

When Mother and aunt heard my name, they rushed to the room.

"Etabo, Etabo!" a familiar voice called. It was Mother.

As I got up to hug Mother, my aunt said, "Etabo, we were looking for you to give you your birthday present."

And from a big bag, my aunt pulled out a shiny blue helicopter. "It's yours!" she said.