This story is based in a South African context.668Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DaRT39pw6
Baas= Boss
“Come on David! We don’t have all day!” came the shrill voice of a young boy from outside.
“Wait Leon,” replied another young voice, “I’m looking for Phumi!”
The sun was hot and unforgiving, playing with waves of heat that could be seen dancing on the horizon. Another sticky summer’s day, the kind of day that kept everyone indoors with fans in one hand and cold drinks in the other, waiting for the worst of it to pass.
The farmers felt the harsh heat worse than the city folk, fearing for their crops and livestock struggling through the difficult season, with a drought threatening to take everything away from them every day. There was always the heavy burden of responsibility hanging over the farmer’s heads, to ensure that their families would be well provided for in the harsh winters that soon follows.
Just outside one of the farmhouses, along with the bleating sheep and the lowing of cattle nearby, the two boys searched around for their friend. They didn’t seem to mind the blistering heat, they just enjoyed the warmth on their skins and the fresh air in their little lungs.
Both of the boys called out again for the missing friend, but to no avail. They ran around the farm, eager to find their playmate so that the real fun could begin. They soon realised that they would have to take a look if he was home. Eventually they built up the courage to go to the helper’s shack that sat further out towards the stables, its skew corrugated roof blinking in the afternoon sun. They stood awkwardly outside the makeshift door, shoving each other to knock first. They were well aware of the warnings from their parents to stay away from the workers’ houses, and the consequences of not obeying these instructions, but they were determined to find their friend.
“Small Baas,” the cleaner opened the door wearily, watching carefully if the farmer was nearby.
“Is Phumi here?” David spoke up first, taking confidence in the fact that she worked for his father.
“Phumlani!” she called behind her, moving back inside to finish her work as he wormed his way out the door.
“Small Baas,” his smile was missing a few baby teeth, “we go play?”
“Can you swim?” Leon asked, now comfortable enough to speak to the child now that his mother was out of earshot.
“Yes, small Baas,” he hesitated, but the smile overcame his concern, “not good.”
“Come on,” David squealed in excitement he couldn’t contain anymore, “nothing will hurt you!”
.
The dams water level was low, but had enough water for its purpose. It was rimmed with mud that oozed through their toes and stuck to their feet, and the smell of rotting vegetation was thick in the air. The boys hopped about trying to avoid cow dung that had been left from the herd that had just passed by, laughing as they went. They soon reached the water’s edge, too far in to be deep enough for a swim.
“The water’s so low.” David pouted.
“Let’s play clay wars then,” suggested Leon, already letting his competitive streak get the better of him, “I choose this as my spot.”
“But that’s the best spot,” David sulked, “you always take the best spot.”
“First come, first serve.”
They all quickly gathered their sticks and made their little mud piles, preparing for what came next. Leon was the first to stick a big lump of mud on his stick, flinging it Phumi’s way. It was easily dodged, and the war began. Mud was flying everywhere, the chorus of laughter filling the air as all three boys covered each other in mud from head to toe.
After a good deal of fighting, Phumi’s stick snapped during a throw, flinging the jagged mud lump at David’s head. It happened too quickly for either one of the boys to react to it, and it thumped loudly against David’s face. The game was over the moment David collapsed and started howling in pain.
“Small Baas,” Phumi rushed over to his side, gently wiping the mud from David’s face, “small Baas okay?”
“What did you do?” Leon still dazed from shock, but retaliating very quickly with anger, “You cheated!”
“No small Baas,” Phumi’s lips trembled, tears rolling down his cheek, “accident of stick. It did break.”
“Liar!” Leon grabbed the scruff of Phumi’s shirt.
“Stop,” whimpered David, finally getting over the shock of the hit, “it was an accident. See? No harm done.”
“Your lip is bleeding.” Leon let go of Phumi, completely forgetting about his anger.
“Is it?” David felt his lip, wincing again when he smeared the mud into the cut.
“Let’s get you clean.” Leon helped him up and lead him to the water’s edge.
Phumi stayed at David’s heels, waiting for any opportunity to make it up to him.
“Go away Phumi,” Leon shoved him hard, “you’ve done enough.”
“Me want to help.” He leaned towards David, but got another shove in return.
“We don’t want your help,” Leon growled, “you can’t touch him.”
“Leave him alone Leon,” David scolded, finally over the pain and shock, “I’m fine.”
“Your dad won’t believe you,” Leon smirked, an idea glinting in his eyes, “we can’t let him go. Yet.”
“What do you mean?” David asked, but the question was from both him and Phumi.
“I hear they have different colour blood than us,” Leon began circling Phumi like a predator, “my dad told me that we’re different.”
“That’s not true,” David was suddenly unsure of himself, “we know he has red blood, we’ve seen it before,” He looked at Phumi for reassurance, “right?”
“Yes small Baas,” came a timid reply, Phumi already sensing that something was wrong, “red.”
“Well there’s only one way to find out.”
Before anyone could react, Leon swung a fist that connected solidly with Phumi’s chin. He did a little twirl before falling to the ground, his hands clutching his jaw where he had been struck. David rushed to his aid, but Phumi flinched away from his touch. It took a moment for him to look up at David, tears running down his cheek, mixing in with mud and the blood of his cut lip. There was nothing but fear and sorrow in his eyes, not knowing what to do with his first encounter of violence from a Baas.
So without a word or wince, he pulled himself to his feet and looked Leon in the eye, “Sorry Baas.” He turned and ran as fast as his little feet would carry him back home.
There was a short moment of silence before David broke it.
“Why,” was all he could whisper as he watched the small frame of Phumi disappear, “why would you do that to him?”
“It’s what he deserves,” Leon sneered and spat at the ground, “It’s what they all deserve.” He stalked off without another word.
There David stood, watching both his friends in the distance. One fleeing in fear and the other walking away in absolute anger. No one was sure exactly what happened, but a once happy memory had now become a lesson.
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