Hope Tenars' Stories: Durban Scrapbook

Once upon a story, Emile, was walking down the forest path. Emile was from South Africa and not used to the forest path, as it was only his second day in England. 

He had arrived the day before, on the flight, to spend some time with his Grandad in England. 

Emile now lived with his Grandad and he was glad. He did not like it in Durban. It was alright, but he preferred the wooded fields of England. The climate was cooler, but it was quieter rather than the busy coastal city of Durban. 

Emile had decided to explore a little today, so he had asked his Grandad if he could walk to the forest park and back. Grandad had said yes, but to be back within an hour. 

Emile did not have long. He walked down the path to the swings in the forest park, and sat on them. A girl walked down the path to where he sat swinging. 

The girl said "Hello, I see you are on the swings. 

I'm going to join you on this swing, if that's alright". Emile said yes, in his Durban accent. 

"I'm Emile, smiling. What's your name?" I'm Joanna. she said smiling. 

I haven't seen you here before. Are you new to the area. 

"Yes, Joanna" said Emile, "I arrived here yesterday, from Durban in South Africa. I came to live with my Grandad, he wants me to go back in the house in a few minutes, but I can stay for a little longer."

"Do you need a push", Emile asked?

Joanna said, no I'm alright. Off she swung, high with her legs in the air. She smiled. 

Emile started swinging too and was smiling too. The air was warm, the swing creaked, and it was a good day. 

After a few minutes, Emile stopped his swing, and said to Joanna, "Do you know the path into the forest? Is there any camp sites or anything?

Joanna said, Yes I know the path into the forest. Its easy, its marked all the way. I can go with you, if you like. tomorrow, we can go tomorrow, because I have to go home now. Emile said, thats alright - yes lets go tomorrow, I will see you here after school, alright? I live over by the bridge with Grandad. Alright said Joanna. see you tomorrow. Bye. 

Emile walked past the swings back to Grandad's house. 

Grandad was waiting with the door open. Grandad, I made a friend, Joanna and she's going to take me to the forest path, and we can see what's there. He was really excited. 

Grandad smiled. That's good, I see. In you come. 

Emile went inside, and said what's for dinner. 

Later that evening, after dinner, Emile's Grandad Paul, said "hey, I have something to show you. 

Paul came over to where Emile was sitting in his bedroom, and brought over a book. 

Emile looked at the book and said is that for me?

Yes said Paul, I saw it in the shop today, and thought we could make a scrap book, of your time here. 

Have you ever kept a scrap book before? 

No said Emile. 

Well, it's easy, see. Wherever you go, you can pick up clues, or momentos of where you have been. 

So what shall we put in page one? Well I have your airplane tickets from Durban to England. 

Shall we start with that and you can stick the airplane ticket in the book, and write how you came to England how long it took. ? 

So you will remember? 

"Thats so cool" said Emile. Yes lets do that. Do we have glue?

Paul said yes, we have glue. Lets do it now. Here is the airplane ticket stub. 

Let me get the glue stick. Ah here it is. Lets stick it in. Alright now you can draw your suitcases next to it, and also your writing, and that will be day one in England. You can draw that you had fish and chips as your first dinner here. 

Emile said, that's brilliant grandad what a great idea. 

Lets do that. Tomorrow I will walk to the forest path with Joanna and pick up some leaves and things from the forest, and make up a page about that. This is so exciting. 

Thank you so much Grandad. I had a good time, today finding the forest park. 

Are you missing Durban, Grandad asked Emile.

Emile sat and thought. A little, it's very different to here. But I'm here today and I'm starting this scrap book with you, and that's fun. So no time to waste, let me get drawing my suitcase here. 

Emile started drawing the suitcase. Do we have any photos of Durban, Grandad? 

Yes - let's get some of those stuck in the first page too. 

Yes said Emile. Thats great. I won't be long, colouring in the suitcase, beaming.

After bath time, Grandad sat with Emile, and Emile said, do you mind if I ask you some questions Grandad. 

What do you want to know, Emile. I'll answer as much as I know. 

Well in the forest tomorrow, there will be many seeds, and plants I won't know, because they won't have had them in Durban. Will it be possible to get a book, or have a look online, to find out what they are? 

Yes, Grandad said. thats a great idea. We can learn together. 

What's going to happen Grandad? 

What do you mean Grandad said. what's going to happen when?

Emile, looked down. 

Well, Mum stayed in Durban, and it's great to spend time with you Grandad, but will Mum come to England, or will I go back to Durban? What's going to happen?

I see said Grandad. 

Right now, today and the next two weeks, you will be staying with me in the house here. After that, your Mother will come to England, from Durban and find a school, and get you set up here in a new house, but you can stay with me as long as you like. 

Does that answer your question?

Yes. I miss Mum. Can we call her? 

It's a little late in Durban, alright Emile. We can talk to her tomorrow before dinner, and then it won't be too late in the evening there. 

Thank you Grandad. I love you. 

I love you too, Emile. time for sleep now. 

Grandad, what will happen to Dad? 

Dad will stay in Durban, and live his life. 

He will visit you here, but your Mother and father don't want to live together, so your Mum thinks it best you and her live near me here in England. 

Any more questions, hey Emile? 

Emile looked up at his Grandad, and said, I will miss Dad very much. Even when he was working hard, he always read me a story. 

Yes, I know - its very difficult, and of course you will miss your Dad, but you can call, and write. 

But you will have me here, with your Mum. 

And you will make lots of friends. Dad will visit too - he was talking about it the other day, already. It will be alright.

Yes said Emile, that's good. Alright, it will be alright.

Tomorrow, you can go and see the forest with Joanna and then bring some items back to stick in your scrap book, and you can draw too. 

Thanks Grandad, for the scrap book, it's a great idea. It Will help me remember what happened and I can tell Mum, and Dad. Night night.