Final answer:
In English literature, the inability of children to find their caretakers in these stories stems from miscommunication, illness, or death, highlighting the emotional impact of their absence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The narrative passages presented lie within the realm of English literature, focusing on various themes such as neglect, loss, and absence. The children in these stories are unable to find their caretakers, be it a great-aunt, a grandmother, or a mother, due to circumstances such as miscommunication, illness, or death. These tales unravel the emotional fabric of familial ties, highlighting the void left by the absence of loved ones and the resulting impact on the younger characters.
In one scenario, Auntie Aissatou misses a naming ceremony due to the lack of communication, whereas, in another, a grandmother is left alone in her dying moments because none of her children or grandchildren are present. Similar themes of absence and longing occur when children are distanced from their mother due to her illness or when a mother learns of her son's illness too late. Each story portrays the stark reality of human connections strained or severed by circumstances beyond control.