Trini nurse writes magical stories of home for UK grandson

Trinidadian Yishebah Baht Gavriel, a UK-based writer and storyteller, weaves her work with the joy and nostalgia of her island childhood in Trinidad. As a former English tutor at an after-school club, she found immense pleasure in nurturing the creative talents of her students, an experience that enriched her own literary journey. The arrival of her first grandchild, (to whom her debut short story collection ‘Clever Chrissie and the Mango Stories’ is dedicated) marks Gavriel’s self-discovery of her passion for crafting stories across genres. With a background in psychology, Gavriel emphasises the importance of sharing, a theme that resonates deeply in her writing.

“My journey into children’s literature began whimsically in 2016, watching my British-born grandson enthusiastically tackle a mango seed, which inspired my book series. These stories draw vividly on my childhood experiences in Trinidad, weaving the rich tapestry of local storytelling, rhythm, games, character skits, and dance into the narrative fabric of my books.”

Growing up as the eldest girl in a bustling household of 11—three sisters, seven brothers, a grandmother, and her parents—Gavriel says she was “deeply moulded by the social and moral teachings at home.”

Gavriel’s father, “a flamboyant figure known for his storytelling prowess and skill in ‘picong’,” was a major influence, instilling a mix of reverence and delight in his children with his iconic sayings and disciplinary tactics. Gavriel harboured three ambitions, all of which have come true: “to travel, write, and nurse.

Working as a Red Cross nurse in Point Fortin after leaving primary school at 16 set the stage for my nursing career. Volunteering at the local district hospital, thanks to my mother’s advocacy, I solidified my path in nursing while never sidelining my passion for writing.” In Clever Chrissie and the Mango Stories, the main character, Clever Chrissie, her best friend, extended family, and her beloved Grandma Wiso come to life, inviting readers into a world crafted from the heart of Gavriel’s Trinidadian upbringing.

Book Description: In ‘Clever Chrissie and the Mango Stories,’ Chrissie is a lively girl living with her parents, sister Nita, and beloved Grandma Wiso in Trinidad. Chrissie’s love for mangoes leads to mischief when she decides to hide her mango from Nita and her best friend, Kamala, refusing to share. The story takes a turn when Grandma Wiso steps in with a lesson on generosity and kindness that Chrissie is unlikely to forget. Will Chrissie learn to share her mangoes, or will her selfishness prevail? This charming tale encapsulates the essence of childhood adventures and the wisdom passed down through generations, inviting readers to join Chrissie on her journey of self-discovery and growth.

Extract from Clever Chrissie and the Mango Stories (Conscious Dreams Publishing, August 13, 2022) with full permissions granted exclusively to Sunday Guardian’s WE magazine.

“Clever Chrissie was a bright and funny little six-year-old girl. She loved to laugh, sing, play, and dance. Chrissie loved mango fruit but did not like to share with her three sisters and seven brothers, especially her little sister, Nita.

Chrissie and her family lived in a country with two islands, Trinidad and Tobago. She lived in Trinidad in a place called Point Fortin. She lived with her Grandma Wiso, Daddy Joe, and Mammy Tina. They grew many mangoes.

‘Yum! Yum! Yum! Yum!’ Chrissie would say, smacking her lips as she always did when she wanted a mango. Chrissie had a beautiful voice. She loved to sing her favourite song with Nita, and best friend Kamala. She loved playing tricks on her sisters, brothers, friends, and even her grandma. Guess what else Chrissie loved to do? She loved playing with numbers and making up rhymes like this. Mango! Mango! Mango! Ah love meh mangoes, love dem so, Gi meh ah mango, ah ready tu go; Bite into it and di juices flow!! Mango! Mango! Mango!

‘Chrissie, can we sing the mango song, please?’ asked Nita. ‘Come Kamala, let’s sing our mango song together before we go under the mango tree to find some mangoes,’ said Chrissie. ‘Let’s sing together. All yuh come nah? Leh we start!’ Man-go! Man-go! Man-go! Mango ripe, mango sweet, Mango ripe, mango sweet. Ah want a penny to buy mango ripe, mango sweet. Gimme ah penny to buy mango ripe, mango sweet. Mango ripe, mango sweet. Mango ripe, mango sweet. Man-go! Man-go! Man-go! Mango ripe, mango sweet, Mango ripe, mango sweet.

The mango tree at the back of the house had many ripe mangoes. The wind started blowing. WOOOOSHHHH! WOOOOSHHHH! WOOOOSHH! Budup! Budup! ‘What’s that noise?’ Nita asked. ‘That’s the sound of mangoes falling from the tree, Nita,’ Kamala answered. ‘Quick! Let’s run to get the mangoes before the birds eat them!’ exclaimed Chrissie, smacking her lips. As they skipped and hopped to the big mango tree behind the house, Chrissie repeated her rhyme. Mango! Mango! Mango! Ah love meh mangoes, love dem so, Gi meh ah mango, ah ready tu go; Bite into it and di juices flow!! Mango! Mango! Mango!

There were two mangoes on the ground under the mango tree. Chrissie grabbed the big ripe one and left the one eaten by the bird for Kamala. Little sister Nita did not find any mango. ‘Gimme a bite of yuh mango Chrissie, please?’ Nita begged. ‘Ah eh find no mango,’ Nita cried. She was very sad and went inside the house. ‘Oh no!’ shouted Kamala, ‘I cannot eat my mango. The bird ate it up!’ She was very sad too. ‘I know, Kammy,’ said Chrissie. ‘Let us sing my special song to the bird on the tree and it might drop a mango down to you.’ Chrissie had the only good mango and did not want to share it with her friend and her sister.

The two girls danced around the big mango tree and sang the Birdie Song. Chrissie’s daddy had taught her this song for her bedtime lullaby. Little birdie on the tree, on the tree, on the tree Little birdie on the tree, sing a song for me; Sing a song of mangoes, ripe upon the tree, Sing a song of mangoes falling down to me; Little birdie on the tree, on the tree, on the tree Little birdie on the tree, a mango for me. The little birdie did not drop a ripe mango down to Kamala and Chrissie as it wanted to eat the mangoes on the tree for itself. ‘I don’t like that birdie anymore,’ Chrissie frowned. Now Chrissie only had one mango to share with her friend Kamala and her sister Nita. She was not happy. ‘Don’t worry, Chrissie, you can share your mango with us.’ Chrissie did not answer. Her grandma and mum had always told her that it is good to share. ‘Please go and get Nita,’ Chrissie asked Kamala.

As Kamala went inside to get Nita, Chrissie hid the mango behind the little Julie mango tree at the front of the house. ‘Nita, di dinner eh ready yet. Go wit Kamala and tell Chrissie to share she mango wit allyuh!’ said Mammy Tina. ‘Mmmm, I AM SO HUNGRY!’ she moaned. When they got outside, Chrissie did not have the mango. ‘Where is the mango Chrissie?’ asked Kamala. ‘Your mammy said to share it with Nita.’ ‘Ah nyam it up already!’ she said. Nita started to cry but Kamala did not believe that Chrissie had eaten the mango so quickly. ‘Show meh di seed nah? If yuh did nyam it yuh mus’ have di seed!’ Greedy Chrissie would not get the mango but her Grandma Wiso was looking out the window and saw where she hid the mango.”

Now retired, Gavriel has embarked on the fulfilling journey of a children’s author.

Ira Mathur is a Guardian Media journalist and the winner of the 2023 NGC Bocas Prize for Non-Fiction for her memoir, Love The Dark Days. Website: www.irasroom.org Inquiries by authors can be sent to irasroom@gmail.com.