Farmyard Dreams to Golden Threads: My Journey to Inspire
- Nov 18, 2025
- 3 min read
By Walé Akingbadé
Early Roots
My journey began on my uncle’s farm in Ibadan, the largest city in Africa, where I spent my summers and most days after school working with my siblings and older cousins. Those daily chores taught me how nature works. I knew intimately where every piece of food on my plate came from, whether it was the tilapia or catfish from the pond, eggs or chickens from the poultry or the variety of fruits we would snack on between meals. Evenings were for gathering under the low-lit lanterns supplemented by the moonlight as we listened to stories told by elders before preparing for the following school day.
Tales of cunning tortoises and brave hunters captivated us, always imbued with a moral lesson, showing me how storytelling could bind a community and spark imagination. Those early experiences planted a seed that would grow into my life’s purpose.
At the age of 10, when I went to a boarding school in the city, I discovered books unlike the folklore I grew up with. My curiosity about how complex gadgets and tools worked eventually led me to study engineering when I moved to the United Kingdom. Working while studying for an MBA in my 20s taught me patience and persistence. Years later, I earned a counselling diploma, driven by my curiosity about the mind and inspired by the works of Carl Jung and Dr David Hawkins, as I sought to help people heal. Combining business insight with counselling skills made me realise how much power stories hold, how they give courage and comfort in quiet conversations.
Golden Threads of Inspiration
Living far from home, I noticed how fear and disconnection eroded confidence in both children and adults. I began writing stories rooted in African tradition, and friends told me how deeply they resonated. I decided to create picture books that children would enjoy and that would encourage meaningful conversations with parents, teachers and mentors. Each tale draws from African wisdom while speaking to universal themes of identity, courage and kindness.
The first book, The Tree That Found Its Roots, follows a tree that learns its true strength comes from deep roots, not admiration. The second, Night in a Wood Cabin, focuses on a girl who spends a night in a mysterious cabin and learns to turn fear into curiosity.
This character is an ode to the women who shaped my growth through empathy, friendship and mentorship. In September 2025, Journey to Oja, published independently, tells the story of Sefu and his brother Jabari as they travel through markets and villages. Everyone they meet offers advice, but the brothers learn that listening inwardly is more important than following every opinion. My next project, A Merchant’s Tale, will explore the tension between ambition and integrity through the eyes of a young trader.
Life’s lessons disguised as simple tales
I don’t write to preach, rather, to invite reflection. My style is conversational with a touch of poetry, honouring African storytelling while exploring universal values. By weaving lessons of curiosity, resilience and compassion into simple narratives, I hope to spark conversations that might not otherwise happen. Picture books slow us down, making space for children and adults to talk about the things that truly matter.
Whenever I visit a new country, I intentionally look out for rural farms to feel the soil beneath my feet and connect with the locals who remain grounded in the simplicity of daily chores, discipline and family. This reminds me of where I learned to listen; I find much more similarities than differences, a confirmation that there is an invisible thread that connects us all. Although life has taken me far from the farm where I learned my values, the boy who sat under the moonlight listening to stories remains within me. Through my writing, I hope to weave golden threads between generations, honouring the past and inspiring a kinder future.
About the author
Walé is a storyteller, qualified counsellor and founder of the Golden Threads of Inspiration series. Born on a farm in Ibadan, he now lives in London, England. With an Engineering degree, an MBA and an NCFE Diploma in Counselling, he combines business insight with emotional intelligence to craft stories that empower children and adults alike. Connect with Walé at thinkgti.com or via social media: Instagram thinkgti
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