They say that ‘the dog wags its tail for the one who feeds it’ and unfortunately, the dog cannot tell when it is being fed poison.

Seithati, the granddaughter of Grandma Sefakoana and Grandpa Tseko, was a beautiful girl. Tall in stature, she had voluptuous legs and (as she had been a netball player since primary school)she had muscular thighs, with a waist as thin as a matchstick. She always had her hair cut short and was neat and presentable because the girl loved herself. She was from Welkom.

She was raised by her mother’s parents since her mother left after giving birth. Seithati only knew her from photographs. Her grandparents had given up everything to give Seithati a good, warm life.

However, things started to change when Seithati got to Grade 10; she started arriving home late at night, started smoking and drinking, and there were always rumours that she would manipulate and attack other learners at school. She became notorious for fighting boys. It was unknown what exactly caused this anger because her caregivers were peaceful people who did everything for her that any child could ask for.

“My dear child…” said the old lady, Sefakoana. “…today at school, please ask the principal how much is outstanding on your school fees.”

Grandma Sefakoana was a retired teacher. She liked to plan her things properly and she put Seithati’s education first, so much so that she did not want to be behind on school fees at all.

“OK, Grandma, I’ll ask her.”

* * *

“Goodmorning, principal,” said Seithati, as she entered the principal’s office, closed and locked the door, and sat on the table in front of the principal’s chair.

The principal was used to Seithati’s behaviour. He stood up from the chair and left Seithati’s side. “Stop it, Seithati! What will people say when they find me locked in the classroom with a learner? You will get me into trouble.”

“But we’re not doing anything,” Seithati said. “Unless you want us to go somewhere else so that I can…”

“Seithati! I don’t fool around with teachers! Leave me alone. Get out of my office! Go!” The principal became even angrier with her. He opened the door to show that he had had enough.

“Oh my gosh! I didn’t want anything from you. My grandmother sent me to ask how much I owe for school fees.”

“Then why don’t you say that?”

“Forget about it, principal. How much do I owe? And what will I do with you old as you are? Yikes!”

After school, the principal went to Seithati’s house to report to Seithati’s grandmother about her problematic behaviour because it was not the first time that she’d tried to get into the principal’s pants.

“Thank you for letting us know, principal. Please forgive her, she’s just being a child,” said Grandmother Sefakoana.

“Yes, but I’m asking you to promise that you will talk to her as a parent because there are many foxes out here; some men will take advantage and ruin her future.”

That evening, Grandma Sefakoana took out her whip that she kept at the bottom of the kist where she stored winter blankets. She waited in Seithati’s bedroom.

“Knock knock!” greeted Seithati, as she entered the house in high spirits. “Grandma…Grandad…”

“Seithati! You are late again! Do you like it when your grandma scolds you?” said Grandfather Tseko.

Before Seithati knew it, Grandma Sefakoana hit her on the back with the whip. She whipped her once…twice…and then Seithati started to wail.

“What do you want from me?”

“Ouch! Grandma…”

“What do you want from me, Seithati? What do we not do for you that has led you to embarrassing us so much? Flirting with teachers?” Grandmother Sefakoana was saying this with tears in her eyes. You could tell that she was exhausted from all the scolding.

Tell us: What do you think of Seithati’s behaviour so far?