Once Upon a Time

When Sarie’s teacher says, “Children, take out your reading books,” a sick feeling grips Sarie.
The words trip up her tongue and she stutters and stammers, making the children in the back
row giggle.
But there are two people who sympathise: her schoolfriend Emile, and Ou Missus, the old lady
living over the veld. One Sunday, Sarie comes across an old copy of Cinderella and begs Ou
Missus to read it to her, Ou Missus says, “No – we will read it together.” Sarie’s confidence
grows, until the day comes when the school principal says to Sarie, “You read beautifully!”