Mangled Shoes

Part title

Deborah interjected.

"But, grandmama, wisdom comes with experience and not with age."

"Smart mouth Debbie is doing her thing again." Unovara teased gently.

Deborah was facing them from behind; she heard what was said but was unable to see which of her cousins said it before turning around to see who her grandmother spoke to.

"So which of you children have experienced enough to consider themselves wiser than me? Maybe even wiser than your late grandfather?"

There was an awkward moment of silence.

"That's right, I thought so too." Their grandmother continued uninterrupted.

"Now that's the manner in which a child is to conduct themselves. When an elder speaks, you listen, period. It's not what I say or what you say. No! This is my house, and in my house, we live by my rules. Mannerisms that you've not picked up here shall you not practice here. Now go on, prepare your beds. Tomorrow is a long day, and the chores await."

"I'm so sorry..." Deborah attempted to apologize to her grandmother but was shut off quickly.

"No, you're nothing, Deborah. Go to bed."

They all got up. It appears to be walking in a straight line.

"Darn it, Deborah, you always have to ruin everything?" Kamma asked

"Yes, grandmama was busy telling us a story, and you couldn't wait to ruin it."

Peter A.K.A. Boy-Boy expressed his feelings.

"Now we have got to go to bed, having only heard one bedtime story. Like an old girl, she has not had stories for days. Just because you, ma'am, are as wise as a mouse Right girls? Unovara added."

"Do you guys know the Biblical Job story? Particularly the part where all his friends begin advising him when Job's concerns are raised as to what sin he committed for him to be persecuted. In all of that, Job continued to defend his innocence."

"Here we go again." They said it all at once.

Boy-Boy *laughed hysterically* ehehehe ahh Sukoo woo (he was a bit too loud).

"Hey, Children!" I said, corridor, make your beds and sleep not go inside and continue chatting." Their grandmother shouted from outside the verandah.

They all hurried through the corridor, each picking up their ekutu and blankets and neatly laying them on the living room floor at their designated sleeping spots.

Their grandma scooped up the "okatonga" (a long cylindrical tin) they had used to boil water for washing dishes as they lay their heads down in the sit kamer. The bowl that Deborah and her relatives had eaten from was swiftly rinsed.

It was a long-standing custom not to dispose of water at night. However, hot coal was to be tossed within or before emptying the water as necessary. Her weakened and worn-out knees appeared to be unable to reach the hearth. Perhaps Deborah, the damsel in distress, or "Exhibit D," as it would be known in court, had weakened their case.

Several young females are displaying symptoms of wisdom.