The inside story

Annette Cockburn

Theo is the most obliging child, apparently always willing to do chores, go to the shop, etc. But one day he confesses that he often feels like saying NO but he hasn't the guts, and then he hates himself for not being brave enough. A familiar enough story for all of us. So we encouraged him “Say NO! Theo, just say NO!" Sure enough the day came when he did: “Theo, you must go back to school!" “"NO!"

Ashwell, who is very small, had a loose tooth. “Put it in that tin on the window" I said “and we'll see if the tooth mouse brings you some money!" The little ones were wide-eyed; and when Ashwell found R2 in the tin, the news of the “tandemuis" spread like wildfire!" “Where does he live?", “Can he speak?".

They told Sifisu, who is much bigger. “Hau", he said “this is the first time I hear of a rat who fetches teeth!" Then Julie appeared. “I don't understand it," she said, “usually you have to plead with them to go to the dentist; now they are queuing up for letters!" A steady trickle of teeth pleading for money, and even the housefather's dentures appeared in the tin!

Eventually the tooth mouse spoke: “Only teeth that fall out by themselves will be paid for!"

The day after the March of the Street Children to Caledon Square, Taka asked for some copies of the press photo to show his teachers at school. Driving home from work I found him at the robots: “Only 20c to help a street child, only 20c each!" He was selling the photocopies! I stopped the car in the middle of the traffic, frog-marched him home and read him the riot act!

Siyabonga is – as his teacher puts it – like ten children in one: he is very small and powerful. He had lost his towel and wanted another, and so apparently did all his little friends at Patrick's House. Siyabonga led the mutiny into my office, demanding towels.

"This should be easy enough to quell" I thought, not realising how formidable an opponent Siyabonga is. Threats, bribes, promises.., nothing worked. Eventually Julie brought in the punishment book – pocket money fines for all! “Write, write!" said Siyabonga.

In the end we had to carry him out of the office, kicking and screaming. We all laughed; so small and so determined. I got into the car to go home, a fierce little face appeared at the window: “Towels!", he said. I accelerated wildly and escaped.

"Simpiwe, were you smoking dope last night?" Vociferous protestation and adamant denial. Rather try the trick question: “Simpiwe, who was smoking dope with you last night?"

"Vuyo!"