“Kurukukuuu!
Wake up, Zingisile!
Today is your birthday!”
It’s my birthday, and
it’s also a school day.
“Mama, Mama!
Guess what day it is?” I shout.
I always ask my mama every morning on my birthday.
“This is your birthday porridge. Now, quickly, eat up
and get ready.
You can’t be late on
your birthday!”
Mmmhhh.
I love mealie porridge when it’s runny...
At preschool everyone knows it’s my birthday.
They sing happy birthday and give me handmade
love notes.
I can’t wait for my special meal from Mama.
I can’t wait to see my
favourite cousin, Sisipho.
She is also my best friend.
Her birthday is coming
in September.
Which chicken will Mama cook for me? I hope it’s the fat one.
“Zingisile, what was your favourite part of the story?” asks
Mrs Mkombe.
“Pumpkin and mealie pap!”
I shout, still in my
daydream.
All my friends laugh.
When I get home, Luhambo is excited. He has only had one birthday, on the 28th of April.
Now I’ve had five
birthdays already!
Look at all the food!
Mama has made my
favourites – spinach and sweetcorn and pumpkin and mealie pap and gravy and her special bread. Everything is
from our garden.
“Happy birthday, Zingisile!
Mini emnandi kuwe, Zingisile!
How old are you now?”
“I’m five years old now!”
I sing back.
My papa picks me up
and spins me around.
“My Zing-star!
You’re so old you’re
almost a teacher!”
Mama lets me pick the
biggest piece of chicken.
She dishes for me first.
I dip my delicious bread in
the gravy and I smile.
I can’t wait for my
next birthday!
It_s my birthday
