Children and Childhood

Little Grass Shopper

Every mothers’ Nightmare is having to leave their kids alone with no one to care for them. For me, being left on my own meant an opportunity to ransack every nook and cranny of the house, play dress up and mess with my mother’s makeup and wardrobe. My mum understood that clearly, therefore she had vowed never to leave me alone.

It’s better to leave me with the neighbors or make a choice that can make her come back to multiple chores. I felt the concern and seriousness in her voice as she issued out her warnings sternly, before leaving me with our neighbor. “Please Zara, no grasshopper hunting today. Those bushes are dangerous and snakes could be lurking there.”

I assured her I wouldn’t, but as soon as Aisha and the entourage of kids I usually hung around with arrived, I sneaked out quietly to meet them. My guardian didn’t even notice my absence. It was a great win for me as I caught a giant grasshopper. I made a cage for it from maize stalk and fed it grass.

Evening came and my mother came to get me, as soon as I saw her, I didn’t know where to hide my grasshopper because I had been running around all day in my pant. So I quickly removed it from its cage and put it in the only place I felt would be safe for him, my pant!

My mum took longer than usual thanking my neighbor for watching me. She turned around and asked me if I went to the bushes but I told her I didn’t. I kept hoping impatiently on one foot. As I urged her to hurry so we could leave. Just as we were about leaving, I felt a sharp bite, followed by gut-wrenching pain and all hell came loose. I still shiver when I remember the beating I got that day.

Vera