Part 1: B- Part 1
Part 2: B- Part 2
Kairo and I make every effort to nurse the children's exhaustion and weakness. After many days they look healthy and we start to talk and get to know each other. We learn to understand the other's disposition and friendships form. We cook, laugh and explore the village as a family.
Kairo and I watch Sadie, Heal, Buiy and Fah grow.
The school accepts Sadie and Heal and they start their studies. When they arrive home they tell us about their day. I listen attentively to their words, happy that they enjoy their school and other pupils. Buiy and Fah enjoy the delights of the village also and play with the children during the day. The heat does not bother them so Kairo and I take turns to teach, sometimes we draw together or recite poetry. Buiy and Fah look forward to the arrival of their brother and sister, they show them their drawings or sing songs for them. When I sit outside, sometimes I hear Buiy's high and melodious voice float past. I let the tune encourage love within me. I send him good thoughts, thank God for his beautiful voice and sink gently into a doze.
In the evening, we gather our food and make dinner together. A knock is heard at the door, Heal opens the door, and Simta enters the room. Kairo asks Simta if he would like to join us for dinner, he accepts and we sit at the table together. Kairo shares the rice, taking care to give our guest the largest portion. I glance at Simta and think, 'Simta looks unhealthy and his skin is changing colour.' His deep brown skin is fading and a yellow cast glimmers in its place. Sadie talks to Heal about school, her eyes full of interest when Heal mentions some of the people in his class. Heal's hands move about in a deliberate manner, careful not to knock the dishes on the table. His face lights up with a smile when he recalls an event that has happened, though usually his features settle in a contemplative manner. Buiy and Fah eat quickly, proud of the food that lies before them. Buiy tells Simta about the dinner, he tells him that he is in charge of buying the best ingredients. Simta feigns admiration which encourages Buiy to talk more.
Once Kairo sits, Simta transfers his attention to him. Simta is a chemist. He talks about his shop, commenting on the need for it within the community and the satisfaction he receives each day, safe in the knowledge he helps everybody who enters. He tells everyone that Heal's teachers are keen to further the boy's talents. The teachers have conversed with Simta about Heal's ability, they are impressed by his intellect. Heal modestly averts his eyes and looks at his dinner. Simta asks him to look up, which he does, and Simta says, 'Do not be ashamed of your intelligence, Heal.' Heal shakes his head and says nothing. We carry on with our dinner and chat about the village and its life.
As soon as the children leave the table, Simta sips his tea and his expression changes. He explains to me and Kairo that he is in need of another assistant. 'Heal's talents in science and maths will be valuable in the shop. He could help with the accounts, give advice to those who buy medicine or have an ailment. The teachers agree that it would benefit him should he decide to study medicine.' Kairo and I look at one another and I say, 'Kairo and I need to discuss this with Heal.' Simta shakes his head, 'I understand. I know Heal is of a sensible disposition.' Simta mentions that he often catches Heal reading when the other children play and that he is able in the art of conversation with his elders. He adds that he will pay the boy a wage for his duties. Simta drinks his tea and says goodbye.
We sit together and talk about Heal. We both agree we will allow Heal to decide and that we will stand by his decision. Kairo puts his arm around my shoulder and I rest my head on his chest. We sit in silence. I am content to sit here and be with Kairo. I listen to his heartbeat, his breath gently caresses my wiry hair, his body warm against mine. I squeeze Kairo's arm in an affectionate manner and tell him that I love him. He embraces my shoulder in reply and I smile. I feel lucky to be alive and able to love my husband and the children. Kairo senses my thoughts and voices the doubt I do not wish to address, 'If only we weren't so old!' My smile fades. I know there is nothing we can do about time. Like the watch, we are only more evidence of its infallibility.
Part 2: B- Part 2
Kairo and I make every effort to nurse the children's exhaustion and weakness. After many days they look healthy and we start to talk and get to know each other. We learn to understand the other's disposition and friendships form. We cook, laugh and explore the village as a family.
Kairo and I watch Sadie, Heal, Buiy and Fah grow.
The school accepts Sadie and Heal and they start their studies. When they arrive home they tell us about their day. I listen attentively to their words, happy that they enjoy their school and other pupils. Buiy and Fah enjoy the delights of the village also and play with the children during the day. The heat does not bother them so Kairo and I take turns to teach, sometimes we draw together or recite poetry. Buiy and Fah look forward to the arrival of their brother and sister, they show them their drawings or sing songs for them. When I sit outside, sometimes I hear Buiy's high and melodious voice float past. I let the tune encourage love within me. I send him good thoughts, thank God for his beautiful voice and sink gently into a doze.
In the evening, we gather our food and make dinner together. A knock is heard at the door, Heal opens the door, and Simta enters the room. Kairo asks Simta if he would like to join us for dinner, he accepts and we sit at the table together. Kairo shares the rice, taking care to give our guest the largest portion. I glance at Simta and think, 'Simta looks unhealthy and his skin is changing colour.' His deep brown skin is fading and a yellow cast glimmers in its place. Sadie talks to Heal about school, her eyes full of interest when Heal mentions some of the people in his class. Heal's hands move about in a deliberate manner, careful not to knock the dishes on the table. His face lights up with a smile when he recalls an event that has happened, though usually his features settle in a contemplative manner. Buiy and Fah eat quickly, proud of the food that lies before them. Buiy tells Simta about the dinner, he tells him that he is in charge of buying the best ingredients. Simta feigns admiration which encourages Buiy to talk more.
Once Kairo sits, Simta transfers his attention to him. Simta is a chemist. He talks about his shop, commenting on the need for it within the community and the satisfaction he receives each day, safe in the knowledge he helps everybody who enters. He tells everyone that Heal's teachers are keen to further the boy's talents. The teachers have conversed with Simta about Heal's ability, they are impressed by his intellect. Heal modestly averts his eyes and looks at his dinner. Simta asks him to look up, which he does, and Simta says, 'Do not be ashamed of your intelligence, Heal.' Heal shakes his head and says nothing. We carry on with our dinner and chat about the village and its life.
As soon as the children leave the table, Simta sips his tea and his expression changes. He explains to me and Kairo that he is in need of another assistant. 'Heal's talents in science and maths will be valuable in the shop. He could help with the accounts, give advice to those who buy medicine or have an ailment. The teachers agree that it would benefit him should he decide to study medicine.' Kairo and I look at one another and I say, 'Kairo and I need to discuss this with Heal.' Simta shakes his head, 'I understand. I know Heal is of a sensible disposition.' Simta mentions that he often catches Heal reading when the other children play and that he is able in the art of conversation with his elders. He adds that he will pay the boy a wage for his duties. Simta drinks his tea and says goodbye.
We sit together and talk about Heal. We both agree we will allow Heal to decide and that we will stand by his decision. Kairo puts his arm around my shoulder and I rest my head on his chest. We sit in silence. I am content to sit here and be with Kairo. I listen to his heartbeat, his breath gently caresses my wiry hair, his body warm against mine. I squeeze Kairo's arm in an affectionate manner and tell him that I love him. He embraces my shoulder in reply and I smile. I feel lucky to be alive and able to love my husband and the children. Kairo senses my thoughts and voices the doubt I do not wish to address, 'If only we weren't so old!' My smile fades. I know there is nothing we can do about time. Like the watch, we are only more evidence of its infallibility.
Other long stories can be found here: Gracie's long stories
Read part 4 here
Follow me here...
Twitter: Gracie's Twitter Page
Facebook: Gracie's FB page
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please leave a comment!