Thank God it’s Friday. I need the weekend to rejuvenate – but with old age steadily creeping up, a four day weekend is a serious consideration. I could take Monday off and that old excuse comes to mind: ‘So dronk soos ‘n kleurling onderwyser.” But then again, ‘You’re the captain of the ship”, they say. The ship cannot sail without you. I’ll have to be at school on time.
In the staff room, I take minutes at the meeting. Good, everyone’s present. The ship will sail today.
Then, a brisk walk to the quad. Welcome to hell. The noise assaults your very being. They scream, shout, run, jump and inevitably there are two wailing choristers. With a sharp blow of the whistle, miraculously the noise subsides. But you sense the energy simmering.
Now the long walk to the classroom. ‘Teacher, he’s tripping me”, ‘Ma’am, she’s pulled my knitting out”, ‘Hey, stop rubbing your snot on me”, I hear.
They line up outside the classroom. The business of school begins. Now, for the PO (Programme Organiser), which today is ‘My Favourite Things”. My kids love this – it’s all about food, dancing and singing. The words pour forth. So easy to brainstorm. I learn about mala mokodo (intestines of the sheep or cow) and morokgo (spinach cooked with various ingredients, even peanut butter).
I think of the song from The Sound of Music. Will they relate to copper kettles, cream-coloured ponies, blue satin sashes, snowflakes and apple strudel? I don’t think so.
It’ll have to be new words. Okay, I’ll think Jo’burg:
Raindrops in summer and rolling of thunder
Bright smiling faces and mealies with butter
A good loud cheer when the school bell rings
These are a few of my favourite things
Strong healthy children and wide open spaces
Soccer balls, meatballs and quickly run races
All of my friends with good things to eat
These are a few of my favourite things
Girls in short dresses and wearing no shoes
Dancing around wherever they choose
The screeching of taxis going my way
These are a few of my favourite things
When the dog bites, when the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad—
The kids sing it – they are so musical and enthusiastic, I should record them. But I know I won’t.
There’s an assembly on Monday and the kids have to be trained for a presentation. So much to do. The day is gone. I mark the creative writing, and then have a 20-minute break. Some of the kids’ writing is rubbish: ‘I heard footsteps. I think it was a snake”. I can’t take this now, I think to myself.
Finally it is time. They are going, going, gone! ‘Bye teacher, enjoy your weekend.” What sweeties they are. ‘See you on Monday.”
They have used every part of you.
You think of them, the blushing roses amongst them so few. But you’ll unearth them. For they are all, all so beautiful. And you wonder at all those out there who will never get to know, feel, experience the beauty of every single one of them. Like you do.