One school holiday I went to stay with my grandmother and grandfather. I was having breakfast when I heard Nanma say that GrandPat was difficult to live with, as he kept doing things that were “unbecoming”. I did not know what she meant when she said, “He is getting worse and does things that are unbecoming and undignified”. Late that morning GrandPat told me he wanted to climb a tree to see if it was worthwhile living up here. He said he was tired of living in a house with chairs and tables and beds.
When I was a little girl, I lived with GrandMa and GrandPat. Mummy and Daddy were killed in the car crash between Greytown and Masterton. GrandMa and GrandPat looked after me every day and every night. I wanted them to be with me forever. I grew bigger and older and helped GrandMa. Her arms and legs got tired. She cried when she was exhausted. GrandPat was different.
Jason started school two days after his fifth birthday. It was exciting. There were so many children and the teacher told them about dinosaurs that were bigger than the school and one of them could fill the playground.
“But,” said the teacher “There are no more dinosaurs left.” Just then the school bell rang and it was time to go home.
Oliver watched his father. He was sleeping in the big chair. He was snoring. It sounded like a pig honking
Theo woke up from a long sleep and looked at his bedroom. Everywhere was dark. He could not see the pictures on the wall. He could not see his toys. He could not even see his clothes. It was dark, dark dark. Sammy and Theo looked at each other. Sammy, Theo’s favourite green coloured toy, looked unhappy. He cuddled up closer to Theo and asked, “Where is the sun, where is the sun?”
As I waited I knew the night was tired. It had heard so many sad stories. Like its storytellers it too began to cry. It wanted to go somewhere else and begin a journey across the seas and mountains to another country. It left its tears on the leaves of trees and the windows of the people. It began the long walk over the seas, mountains and the sky. The sun rose. With its bright red handkerchief it wiped away night’s tears. Birds awoke up and sang with small voices to rouse up the children. Then I was awake too. I went outside. The sun was warm.