Denis To Motherland

At last I have found the article purporting to suggest that I have been exploiting child labour. This is all a gross misunderstanding.

I was attempting to ask a widow, whose house we were building, where she was now staying, as we were building a new house on the previous site of her dwelling. Clearly the remains of the previous construction – panels of woven cocoanut fronds, sticks and plastic sheeting - were evident nearby, but no lean-to as on other sites. With no common language I resorted to the universal sign language for sleeping, adding the words “where do you?”

A glimmer of understanding came over the mother, and her eldest boy of 12 was alerted and scurried off. 10 minutes later we saw him labouring up the hill carrying above his head a primitive bed, which was promptly placed at my feet. Embarrassed I tried to explain, but to no avail. Rather than show ingratitude for their gift, I slumped down for a while and enjoyed this bed cum hammock. Mid-morning after carrying rocks for foundations it was certainly appreciated although both unexpected and unsolicited.

It was also rumoured that I had caused her younger son, who the previous day was suffering from a fever, to have been denied his bed for the day!

The result of the incident has been that each day the bed is brought out when I arrive.

Please note that I have no control over the content of our blogsite, and bear absolutely no responsibility for the truth of what is reported. Further I am appalled at the spelling and grammar of the students. It is my intention that further items be appended with the name of the author, and also the name of their English teachers through the years!! Be warned.