Kwaye kukho intombazana egama linguZimkhitha eyayikuthanda kakhulu ukuhleka. Kwakumcaphukisa kakhulu utata wakhe oku kuhleka. Ngenye imini wayemgodusa ngemoto, bevela esikolweni. Bathi xa befika ekuqaleni kwesitalato sabo, wabe sele edikwe nyhani! Wemisa imoto.

“Uza kude uyeke ukuhleka okanye uza kugoduka ngeenyawo?” wabuza. Kodwa uZimkhitha wanga uyaqinisa ukuhleka.

“Kulungile ke,” utshilo, “hamba ngeenyawo ugoduke.” Wamkhupha emotweni waza waqhuba yena wagoduka, emshiya apho.

“Uphi uZimkhitha?” wabuza umama wakhe ukungena kukatata wakhe. “Ndipheka okona kutya akuthandayo.”

“E-e, S’thandwa,” watsho utata wakhe. “Ndithe makahambe ngeenyawo ukusuka phaya ekoneni kuba ebengayeki ukuhleka.”

“Usana lwam?” wakhala wenjenjalo umama kaZimkhitha. “Uthe usana lwam malugoduke ngeenyawo? Lodwa? Masiye kumkhangela.” Bakhangela, bakhangela, kodwa wayengabonakali ndawo uZimkhitha.

“Umshiye phi?” wabuza uMama. “Uphi Ron umntwan’am?”

“Owu madoda,” wambombozela ngesingqala njalo utata kaZimkhitha, ekhangela ezicithini nasemithini.

“Zimkhitha,” wakhwaza umama wakhe. “Zimkhitha, uphi?”

Mfazi uthile wemisa imoto yakhe. “Ndinganinceda?” wabuza.

“Silahlekelwe yintombi yethu encinane,” watsho umama kaZimkhitha. “Ukhe wayibona?”

Lo mfazi wajikeleza isitalato ngemoto wabuya wazisa ingxelo, “Ndibone ikati emnyama, inja etyheli nendoda ethengisa ibhanana. Kodwa andibonanga ntombazana naphi na.”