Page 65 - English Reader - 7

to continue up the path. “Hawu!” she thought to herself. Soon she would
no longer be able to make it down to the river and back. By the time

Gogo came within sight of the evening fire, the children had put away
the washed clothing and deposited the firewood where it was stored.

They were now squatting in a tight circle, the older ones rocking on their
heels, waiting for their elders to finish eating that they might then have

their dinner.

After everyone had eaten and the pots were filled with water to soak, Gogo

and the children
settled down before

the fire. “Gogo,”
asked Methembe

rather tentatively,
choosing to look

into the fire rather
than at his beloved

granny, “why do
people grow old

and die?” The old
woman looked

lovingly at her
grandson and

smiled. She knew his unspoken fears.

“Ahh, my little Hope,” she answered, looking into the fire herself. “That

is a very interesting tale! Shall I tell you, my children, the story of why
people must grow old and die?”

“Yebo, Gogo! Yes!” they all answered as if one.

Dolphin English Reader Book 7 65