I winched and fell to the ground as a long, leather whip slashed the back of my legs. A tall man was whipping me, wearing a dirty grey top and torn trousers has come to sell us. You might of guessed... we’re slaves...
My mother lived in Cape Town in Southern Africa. Her fellow Africans Friends were paid and threatened to capture strong and Healthy Africans to use as Slaves. She was lucky to come to Jeb Henson’s Virginia Plantation. Massa Henson the owner of us, was a very kind and caring man, he fed us well and gave each slave their own small house. He has never used his whip on anyone, Massa Henson was very kind to my mother when she was pregnant with me. I was given birth to in the house we live in now beside the fire place. I often went and sat on the spot where I was given birth to and pretend I am a couple of months old. My mother named me Tassa- Rose. She named me that because her favorite flower is a Rose and her mother was called Tassa.
I was cutting the crops when Massa Henson announced to someone that some of us were to be sold, the message spreaded like fire until everyone was talking and crying about it. I ran over to my mum who was taking a rest in the shade, she looked frightened. My mother held me close and kissed me on the forehead.
“Will I be sold?” I asked frightened as I put my long skinny arms around her waist.
“I don’t know, but whatever happens you have to remember three things, okay? One. You have fine and strong mother and father who will always love you. Two. You be proud of who you are and always hold your head up high! And three..” She whispered pulling me closer. “There is a place where slave tradery is not excepted and anyone who does it gets in big trouble! It’s called... Canada. Once you’re across the borders into Canada, you will be free! Free as a white man!”
“But Mother... I need you!” I whispered a tear trickled down my cheek.
“Well whatever happens we will get to Canada, one way or another and be free forever!” My mother smiled shaking off her worries. “Any way we better get on to these crops. They won’t cut themselves!”
I smiled and walked back over to the crops I had been cutting and carried on, scared but fascinated about a place where white men and black men live in harmony. I worked hours more on the crops happily, the sun was starting to go down and the darkness was rising. I was ordered to go back into the house and go to bed. I slipped into my nightie and trailed myself to my blanket on the floor. I slept on a big pillow on the floor with a blanket on the floor. It was really warm in the house even at night time. There was still enough light so I could see round the house. I closed my eyes and tried to get to sleep but there was one thing I just couldn’t get out of my head... Canada. A place where all culture’s lived together happily and never said a bad word against each other. It sounded like Heaven. When I finally got to sleep I had a dream, a nightmare. I was about to cross the border into Canada when what seemed like a glass wall prevented me getting into Canada. My mother was on the other side of the glass, she was telling me to come. I was trying to tell her, but no words were coming out of my mouth. I heard shouting into the distance and looked around my shoulder. A whole gang of angry men that were shouting and they had whips in their hands. I woke up screaming, balls of sweat trickled down my forehead. My mother opened her eyes and jumped out from under her blanket and ran over to me. I sat upright and fell into my mother’s arms. She hugged me tight and rocked me back and forth, telling it was going to be okay and started singing a African melody. My eyes started becoming heavy, I loved it when I was in my mother’s arms, I felt safe and secure.
I woke up in the morning under the blanket. It was still dark outside, but the cockerel was yelling us to get up. I sleepily trailed out of my bed and rubbed my eyes.
“Mum?” I shouted around the living room.
I looked out the window and saw my mother talking to Massa Henson. He was hugging her while she cried hysterically in his arms. I gasped and ran out the door, I had never seen my mother like this.
“Mum? What’s the matter?” I asked running over to here.
“Hello Tassa- Rose... do you want to go and get back into bed... you have the day off because you are such a good worker!” He laughed nervously.
“Something’s wrong?” I sighed patting my mother’s shoulder. “Mum, what has happened? If you are scared about the man coming today... he won’t take us. He can’t separate a mother and child!”
“But baby, he can!” My mother cried picking me up.
I think I was a bit of struggle to life because 10 seconds later she put me down and came to my height and hugged me.
“Tassa- Rose... you are being sold to the slave trade and we will be separated!” My mother shouted and fell to the ground crying.
“Wh-What?” I stuttered.
“The slave trade wanted a girl of 10 years old, strong, healthy and tall!” Massa Henson sighed. “But I will never get to see my mother again. She is my mammy!” I cried falling to the ground beside her.
“I am giving you both the day off to spend time with each other. He will be arriving at 1 pm. It is half 4 now so you have 8 and a half hours left with each other. I am deeply sorry once again1” He cried blowing his nose.
Massa Henson trailed away, his head hung low and his shoulders no long straight.
