After he got to the point of describing in great detail the house he had built for Palesa and Liau, the one that so many people admired, he stopped and paused for a minute. Everyone sat up in their chairs and got ready to clap.

‘He’s finished at last,’ said Refiloe’s mother to her father in relief, ‘now we can serve the food,’ and she started to stand up.

Ntate Lesome had just taken a new breath, when the first chicken spread its wings and took flight.

It landed on Mme Ngwe’s bosom, put its head on one side and stared straight at her with its little bright eyes.

Mme Ngwe was far too surprised to do anything. She stared back at the chicken right under her nose.

When it pecked at her seshoeshoedress with the beautiful yellow corn pattern, Mme Pedi next to her started giggling.

Mme Ngwe flapped her hands at the chicken, ‘go away you stupid thing,’ she said in a very loud whisper, trying not to make too much noise.

The chicken flew up onto Mme Ngwe’s new duku and stretched its wings. The people at the next table tried not to laugh.

Mme Ngwe shook her head, but that chicken did not move.

‘Paaak, pak-pak-pak,’ it clucked, spreading its wings and pecked again.
Then it sat down.

The woman next to Mme Ngwe could not help herself, ‘ha, ha, haaaaaa, he, he, heeeee!’ she laughed, and the other people at her table held their hands over their mouths. Their shoulders were shaking.