The Lost Son: An Ethiopian Parable about Forgiveness in English and Afaan Oromo

Based on a parable from the New Testament, this touching story of forgiveness follows a wayward son whose poor choices lead him far from home. When he realizes the folly of his mistakes, he is moved to return to his family to make things right. Though his brother is angry and reluctant to forgive, his father greets him with open arms, and we are reminded of the healing power of love and that it is never too late to make good decisions. A moving portrait of unconditional love and acceptance in dual-language text to support emerging readers of Ethiopian languages. Part of the Ready, Set Go! books by Open Hearts, Big Dreams, whose mission is to support literacy in indigenous Ethiopian languages. Ready Set Go Books, an Open Hearts Big Dreams Project, is focused on increasing the literacy rate in Ethiopia through giving readers books with stories in their heart languages, full of colorful illustrations with Ethiopian settings and details. Profits from book sales are used to create, print, and distribute more Ready Set Go Books to kids in Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous country. Ethiopia's population is 44% children, ages 0-14 (43 million out of 97 million total). Only 5.5% of children attend pre-school or kindergarten, and the adult literacy rate is 49%. Our books are based on wise Ethiopian sayings that often rhyme in Amharic. If an adult says the first half, many children can chant the second half. Sometimes the meaning of these sayings is clear. Sometimes it has to be puzzled out and argued over. But sayings and idioms and proverbs help people express truths and beliefs in unusual ways. Since late 2017, OHBD has published over 100 unique #ReadySetGo dual language titles in three Ethiopian languages plus English and has plans to publish another 100 titles and add more languages in the coming years. New titles and/or languages are added monthly; follow our author page to get new release announcements. Open Hearts Big Dreams Fund (OHBD) is a 501(3)(c) not for profit organization that believes the chance to dream big dreams should not depend on where in the world you are born. Our mission is to inspire and enable youth in Ethiopia through READY SET GO books, STEM and Innovation Projects in collaboration with individuals and organizations providing literacy, education, and leadership opportunities.