The old man was just a skeleton. His intensely black skin stretched over his bones, and glistened in the dim light in the hut. He peered shortsightedly at Abdool. Abdool sat sullenly in the corner.
“Your son is destined for a life far from here, my daughter. It is in his stars. He will live in luxury across the seas. It is the wish of Allah.” The old man looked at Abdool and nodded his head gravely.
Abdool slumped in the corner, disinterested. His mother looked at him. Could it come true ? Could her lazy good-for-nothing son become somebody one day ? And when he did, would he remember his long-suffering mother, and take her to live with him in his luxurious home “across the seas” ? She sighed.
***
Abdool sat on the rocky beach. His friends Ali and Sayeed were roasting the crabs over a small fire on the rocks.
“Achmed is looking for help. It’s an easy job. The takings are good. Achmed drives a Toyota truck now. It’s our hope for a good life.” Sayeed was earnest.
Ali was not so sure. “Last week Muhamed came back with a serious injury. He is still lying on his bed."
“Muhamed is a loser. Are you so scared? Come on, in life we have to take risks. Otherwise you will end up a loser too.”
***
Achmed stood silently on the violently bobbing skiff. It was a dark moonless night. As they approached alongside the immense wall of the cargo ship, Abdool and Ali readied the grapnels and the ropes. Within minutes they were on board, the M16 rifles slung across their shoulders. They moved silently towards the bridge.
Suddenly blinding bright lights. Before they knew what was happening, sub-machine guns were at their necks. The commandos grabbed them roughly, almost strangling them, and pulled their weapons away.
***
It had all gone by in a whirl. Abdool and his compatriots had been flown in an airplane to a strange land. The boys stared wide eyed at the picturesque scenery. The people were tall and white-skinned. Many had golden hair. They could not have imagined such a place in their wildest dreams. It was all so magical. It was like a dream. They appeared before a court, and were sentenced to 20 years in prison.
***
Abdool had his own room. It had a clean white sheeted bed, with a firm spring mattress. A small toilet / bath led off the back part of the room. A TV was mounted on the wall. Although most of the programmes were in a strange language, Abdool found it entertaining. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served in a dining hall nearby. The food was delicious. There were also 2 sessions of exercise and outdoor activity every day. Abdool had never imagined that he would be living in such luxury. As Abdool lay slumped on the bed, watching the TV idly, he suddenly recalled the old man. Abdool chuckled. “You were right old man.”
“Your son is destined for a life far from here, my daughter. It is in his stars. He will live in luxury across the seas. It is the wish of Allah.” The old man looked at Abdool and nodded his head gravely.
Abdool slumped in the corner, disinterested. His mother looked at him. Could it come true ? Could her lazy good-for-nothing son become somebody one day ? And when he did, would he remember his long-suffering mother, and take her to live with him in his luxurious home “across the seas” ? She sighed.
***
Abdool sat on the rocky beach. His friends Ali and Sayeed were roasting the crabs over a small fire on the rocks.
“Achmed is looking for help. It’s an easy job. The takings are good. Achmed drives a Toyota truck now. It’s our hope for a good life.” Sayeed was earnest.
Ali was not so sure. “Last week Muhamed came back with a serious injury. He is still lying on his bed."
“Muhamed is a loser. Are you so scared? Come on, in life we have to take risks. Otherwise you will end up a loser too.”
***
Achmed stood silently on the violently bobbing skiff. It was a dark moonless night. As they approached alongside the immense wall of the cargo ship, Abdool and Ali readied the grapnels and the ropes. Within minutes they were on board, the M16 rifles slung across their shoulders. They moved silently towards the bridge.
Suddenly blinding bright lights. Before they knew what was happening, sub-machine guns were at their necks. The commandos grabbed them roughly, almost strangling them, and pulled their weapons away.
***
It had all gone by in a whirl. Abdool and his compatriots had been flown in an airplane to a strange land. The boys stared wide eyed at the picturesque scenery. The people were tall and white-skinned. Many had golden hair. They could not have imagined such a place in their wildest dreams. It was all so magical. It was like a dream. They appeared before a court, and were sentenced to 20 years in prison.
***
Abdool had his own room. It had a clean white sheeted bed, with a firm spring mattress. A small toilet / bath led off the back part of the room. A TV was mounted on the wall. Although most of the programmes were in a strange language, Abdool found it entertaining. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served in a dining hall nearby. The food was delicious. There were also 2 sessions of exercise and outdoor activity every day. Abdool had never imagined that he would be living in such luxury. As Abdool lay slumped on the bed, watching the TV idly, he suddenly recalled the old man. Abdool chuckled. “You were right old man.”
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