Gideon is a cook for a wealthy white family in Zimbabwe. When Mrs. Farquar (his boss), gives birth to a beautiful baby boy named Teddy. Gideon takes wonderful care of him, making the two of them best friends. With his bright blonde hair, Gideon gives the child the name Little Yellow Head. One day, Teddy is attacked by a snake, and Gideon saves him with a special herb he found in the forest. The Farquars are very thankful to Gideon for saving their child, but later propose the idea that Gideon sells the herb for the benefit of others. Gideon decides not to show the herb and this displays three important messages; somethings are best kept secret, culture has a major importance; and never judge a book by its cover. The first message from No Witchcraft for Sale is somethings are best kept secret. Gideon refused to show the Farquars where the herb was that healed Teddy, but why? He could help many people by making the root accessible to everyone. Gideon decides to keep it a secret none the less, and his
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Gideon was viewed only by a simple cook, but when he healed Teddy from the snake bite. The Farquars were in shock of his skill in medicine. “Unknown and useless except for the tiny scattering of Africans who had the knowledge, natives who might be digging a ditch,” (Paragraph 18). This shows that the Farquars were wrong to judge Gideon as being a simple cook. They later discover that he was the descendant of a well known medicine man and he helps many people in the village.
In No Witchcraft for Sale, the three messages became obvious; somethings are best kept secret, culture has a major importance; and never judge a book by its cover. This piece by Doris Lessing in a very influential story with messages that many don’t tend to focus on. Shining light on dark areas, like discrimination, people can become more aware of the problems that were faced by Africans in the
Gideon was viewed only by a simple cook, but when he healed Teddy from the snake bite. The Farquars were in shock of his skill in medicine. “Unknown and useless except for the tiny scattering of Africans who had the knowledge, natives who might be digging a ditch,” (Paragraph 18). This shows that the Farquars were wrong to judge Gideon as being a simple cook. They later discover that he was the descendant of a well known medicine man and he helps many people in the village.
In No Witchcraft for Sale, the three messages became obvious; somethings are best kept secret, culture has a major importance; and never judge a book by its cover. This piece by Doris Lessing in a very influential story with messages that many don’t tend to focus on. Shining light on dark areas, like discrimination, people can become more aware of the problems that were faced by Africans in the