Author celebrates rural roots in new book ‘The tale of a village girl’

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A new literary work, ‘The Tale of a Village Girl’, has been released, offering readers a poignant exploration of identity, belonging, and transformation through the eyes of a young protagonist.

Zuwaira Halilu, the author, who is also an educator and storyteller, said the inspiration for the book was born out of a quiet desire to reflect the realities of those who live between the simplicity of village life and the fast-paced changes of the city.

“Every story begins somewhere. For me, ‘The Tale of a Village Girl ‘ began in silence — a silence filled with the rhythms of the village, the rustling of trees, and the slow grace of everyday life.

” I wanted to show that even in simplicity, there is beauty, depth, and meaning,” the author said.

Halilu said the novel followed Salmah, a young girl striving to find balance between her rural roots and the pressures of modernity.

“As a storyteller, I am drawn to voices often overlooked.

“This book gave me the chance to give those voices space to explore what it means to belong, to remember, and to find peace within oneself,” she said.

Shared her inspiration behind the widely acclaimed novel, she revealed that her passion for writing began at the age of 13.

She described writing as a “quiet friend and safe place” that allowed her to make sense of the world, noting that her latest work was born from a deep desire to give voice to the unspoken experiences of girls from rural communities.

“The driving force behind the story came from wanting to show the strength, dreams, and emotions of village girls whose lives are often overlooked.

“Writing became a way of preserving their voices and turning empathy into expression,” she said.

According to her, readers of the book will learn valuable lessons about resilience, hope, and transformation.

“The story reminds audiences that one’s beginnings do not determine one’s destiny and that “even dreams born in the smallest villages can one day reach the world.”

Offering words of encouragement to aspiring writers, she urged them to begin their journey without waiting for perfection.

“Start with what you have and where you are. Your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect; it only needs to be honest,” she advised.

She emphasised that every writer’s voice was unique and important, adding, “Write, not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary.”