One day at Dr F's lab, in her living room, she was reading me, Luke, Resus, Cleo, Bluey, Bingo and Six a story. It was about a little goat called Butoyi and how she coped with the gender issue in her town. "And so, Butoyi and Bukuru were all grown up with kids of their own," she read. "Now that Butoyi is grown up with a family of her own, she knows that everyone in her family must work hard for a living. The end." As Dr F shut the book, our minds began to wander, with us feeling curious about what Butoyi got up to in the story. "Why did Butoyi have to work instead of go to school and watch cartoons with her neighbours the Rabbits?" I asked. "Why on earth are Butoyi's kids lion cubs instead of little baby goats?" asked Bingo. "I know, she lived a happy life, did Butoyi, but all girls in Burundi must work when they reach a certain age when they've known enough." informed Dr F, "Anyway, did you forget that I'm taking you to lunch at a friend's house?" "Lunch! Yeah!" we cried. We loved coming round to a friend's house for lunch, especially when it's a friend of the family. I could remember reading about Winnie The Pooh having lunch at Rabbit's - eating all his honey jars whole!
"Who's your friend?" asked Bluey, feeling confused now. "Susie," said Dr F, "She lives far away in London, so her house is completely empty. It's located in the town of Bingdat, which is only a few miles away. I like to stay in contact with her via written letters or email." "Hats off to the British!" cried Bingo, saluting. "Oh boy, I've never been to a family friend's house before," I said. "I wonder what it'll be like?" "It'll be a grand house with lots of swimming pools and limousines!" said Luke. "I think it's a haunted castle out of Transylvania, with vampires popping up around every corner." Resus said. "What about a huge, great pyramid with hidden treasure?" asked Cleo. "No! Wait! A dream house car with convertible wheels!" cried Bluey. "I agree on that too," said Bingo. "Alright, everyone, calm down. We'll stop at the first supermarket we come to, and I'll get you all something to eat." said Dr F. "What are you going to get yourself, auntie?" I asked. "Noodles," said Dr F. "Did she hail from China or somewhere?" asked Six.
We crammed into Dr F's big white van, me squashed beside Six and Cleo, and off Dr F went along the road to the supermarket. As she set off, she put on some music. It was the most beautiful music we've ever heard - African Lullabies, Part 1. Upon hearing the second track, 'uNdize' by Msaki, our heads were full of dreams.
We were wandering through a beautiful green field carpeted with flowers. Hand in hand we went, Aunt F leading us through the field into the woods. There, we relaxed and make daisy crowns. It was very peaceful, and Bingo instantly fell asleep. We played a game of catch with a ball Bluey owned, all pink and green and blue, and we threw the ball high into the air. Bluey and I spun around in the field, and magically, Bluey turned into a grown adult, while I turned into a toddler again. Bluey kissed me and whispered, "I have to go now."
I watched as Bluey flew off into the distance in a helicopter. I was crying then, but a lion named Hover came up to me, and pushed a few dolls up to me with her wet, grey nose. I lay on Hover's side and played with the dollies while my lesbian lion friend watched.
When it got to the second verse, we started imagining what life would be like at Susie's house.
"We could go to school there together and enjoy home cooked meals and sausage rolls every dinner time, and Aunt F will tuck us into bed, carrying me and gently placing me under the covers! What a life I'll live."
Very sweet.
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