A Ray in Johannesburg

In the bustling, chaotic heart of Johannesburg, a man named Zulu lived. He was a native of the village of Ndotsheni, the same place that Stephen Kumalo, the naive yet wise protagonist of 'Cry, The Beloved Country' called home. Zulu was unlike Kumalo, however. He had welcomed Johannesburg with open arms, trading the tranquillity of the countryside for the heart-racing rhythm of the city.

Zulu's story was a less tragic parallel to Absalom's, his life being a mirror reflecting the effects of city life on those from humble rural origins. He had come to the city in search of work and a better life, inexperienced with the way of the world outside his village. Unlike Absalom, Zulu didn't fall into the trap of crime and corruption that swallowed many like him.

Struggling to survive, Zulu took up work as a laborer. The city was not gentle, but it was honest, and with each passing day, Zulu became more resilient, more aware. He saw the gaping disparity between the glittering richness of some parts of Johannesburg and the disturbing poverty in others. He saw the way the black people of the city were treated, much like he was, and craved change.

He missed his village terribly. He longed for Ndotsheni's endless green hills, the simplicity of life. The city held no such charm, its beauty marred by concrete and smoke. However, he clung to the hope that one day his village, his people, would see a better life. He worked hard, sending money back home, contributing his share to the upliftment of his people.

One day, he heard of Absalom's tragedy, and it shattered his heart. He realized that Absalom was a victim of the city, much like many others. The news only strengthened Zulu's resolve to work hard, to resist the city's lure of fast and easy life.

Zulu wasn't a protagonist of Alan Paton's 'Cry, The Beloved Country', but he lived it nonetheless. His tale was a counter to Absalom's, a testimony to the resilience of those who strive against all odds, holding on to their morals and values. His life was a beacon of hope in the grim reality of urban South Africa. Zulu was a shining ray amidst the gloom, a symbol that not all was lost, and that there was hope, even in the most desperate situations.