One hot summer's day Mana and his eight-year-old brother, Majahonke, jumped into the river to swim. The river was near their home. The boys swam there often. Soon other boys came to swim with them. The water felt cool. It was so much fun to swim and splash in the water until—until a very large crocodile grabbed hold of Majahonke! The crocodile was about to have a delicious dinner with little Majahonke between its teeth!
Mfana shouted, "Help! Help!" But no one came to help rescue his little brother from the jaws of the crocodile. Bravely Mana, himself, swam toward the crocodile. He began to beat the crocodile on the nose with his bare hands! He beat with all the strength he had. He did not stop hitting even when he became tired.
When Mana thought he could beat no longer, he kept on and on. At last the crocodile let loose of Majahonke! It was defeated. It swam away under the water with nothing to eat.
Quickly Mana carried his brother to the bank of the river. He laid him on the sand. The other boys all
gathered around.
They shouted, "Good, my boy! That was brave of you to save your brother's life!
Mana replied, "When you love your brother, you must be brave."
Just then a car took both injured boys to the hospital. The joy of saving his brother's life made Mfana forget his own bleeding hands! In the hospital, both boys told the story again and again to all who came to visit them.
A Soldier in the Swaziland Army
The king of Swaziland heard the story about his grandsons. Mana and Majahonke were the sons of his daughter, Princess Ginaphi.
People all over Swaziland heard the story. It was hard to believe that a 12-year-old boy could fight a live crocodile with his bare hands!
Some said, "Even grown-up men would not try that!"
The king said, "Mfana is a brave boy. He will be honored before the whole nation!"
A few weeks later, men, women, boys, and girls came from all over to a nationwide celebration.
The celebration was held at the great Somhlolo National Stadium. Hundreds of important people sat on the benches in the shade. Thousands of people sat in a big circle out of doors on grassy banks.
School children sang as the people came.
Police bands played as they marched. The Swazi army followed the police bands into the stadium.
Everyone stood in place.
Very important people arrived next. Their names were called over the loudspeaker. Some of the most important people were members of the royal family. The Swazi people are proud of their royal family.
Everyone became very excited as the Queen
Mother arrived. Then all eyes were on King Sobuza as he got out of his royal black car. He stepped into a white jeep and rode around the stadium. This is always a very special time when Swazis can see their king.
Everyone was happy as the celebrations continued. The king inspected hundreds of policemen and thousands of army men as they stood in straight lines.
Then came a surprise! Twelve-year-old Mfana walked out on the long red carpet. He was dressed in a soldier's uniform. He stood in front of the leader of the army.
The people became very quiet as the leader spoke. He spoke loudly and clearly, "Mana, your king and your nation honor you today. You are now a soldier in the Royal Swaziland Army with a rank of corporal. It shall never be forgotten that you nearly gave your own life to save your brother. Before these thousands of people, we honor you with the King's Medal of Bravery! You are a Royal Hero!"
Never before had such an honor been given to a 12-year-old boy. Never before had Mfana been so happy!
Soldiers for Jesus
At the Sunday afternoon Bible study the children talked about Mfana. Then the teacher asked the children a question. "Can you think of a greater royal hero? Can you think of One who loved us and gave himself for us?"
"Yes!" They said, "His name is Jesus." The teacher nodded and said, "Jesus defeated
Satan on the Cross. Then after three days Jesus rose from the grave as a winner! He is the greatest of all royal heroes!
"Satan wants to destroy us just like the crocodile wanted to kill Majahonke. Satan hides in our selfishness as the crocodile hides under the water. When we are selfish, we do wrong.
Wrongdoing hurts us.
"Jesus died to forgive us. He rose again to live in our hearts. He will help us do right if we repent and believe in Him. He wants to fill our hearts with His love so we will love our brothers everywhere."
Before the children left they prayed together:
"Dear God, make us soldiers in the Lord's army.
Help us to fight against Satan and wrong."