Every Thursday morning, Mashobane always got out of bed excitedly. He would toss his bed covers aside and sprint to the bathroom. Thursdays were quite special to him, because he sang during morning assembly in front of the entire school. Today, however, he sat in bed in silence and held on to his bed covers. He was still thinking about the tragic nightmare he just had.

In the dream, his father was back from the land in the sky. The two of them were on a small boat that gracefully floated on the bright, blue ocean. His father gently rowed the boat, while Mashobane sat in front him, singing joyfully. The sun danced in the sky to the rhythm of his soothing voice. He felt the calm sea breeze touching his skin and the smell of the ocean tickling his nostrils.

Suddenly, the sky was covered by humungous, dark-grey clouds and the sun was no longer in sight. The calm sea breeze was chased away by strong gale forces. Water gushed into the boat from all directions and they found themselves within a ranging storm. His father tried to put up a fight against the high tides but all his attempts were in vain. He slipped and fell off the boat.

Mashobane tried reaching his hand out to him, but his tiny frame did not stand a chance against the mighty sea. He held on the edge of the boat and watched him sink even deeper. It was only when he opened his eyes to a dark room, did it occur to him that it was merely a dream.

Nevertheless, he was still shaken by the entire ordeal.

As he slowly got out of bed, he realised that the nightmare was not over. He had wet his bed for the third time this week. He knew his grumpy grandmother would scold him and talk about it throughout the weekend. Ashamed, he decided to just sit in bed and try to hide it.

“Mashobane! Mashobane vuka bo! Wake up, you are going to be late for school,” his mother shouted, walking into his bedroom. She switched on the lights and saw him sitting against the pillows in bed.

“Masho, why are you still in bed? Are you not feeling well?” She asked while placing the back of her hand on his forehead to check his temperature.

“Yes, Mama. I am not feeling OK. My stomach feels sore and keeps on turning. I think I should not go to school today,” he said still clinging on to the covers.

“Since when, do you not go to school when you are sick? Izolo loku, just not so long ago, you had the flu. The whole week you went to school sneezing with tissues in your hands,” she said all confused.

“I am really not feeling well Mama. I think it is because of the samp and beans we ate last night,” he said still holding the covers.

“Hawu, but that is your favourite. But not to worry – there is still some medicine in the cabinet. I will give you some after breakfast,” said his mother lovingly.

“The truth is, I had another nightmare. I dreamt that Baba was back, but went away again. This time not to the sky, but the ocean swallowed him,” he said softly. His mother felt sorry to see him this devastated. She sat down next to him, smiled and rubbed his hand gently.

“I know you miss him dearly and I miss him too. You may not see him, but he watches over you from the land in the sky,” she said now holding him tightly. “One day we will all be together again, living happily in the land in the sky. But for now, get out of bed already. You don’t want to miss the train,” she said removing the covers.

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Tell us: How do you think Mashobane’s mom will react when she sees the wet bed?