It was Khazamula’s birthday and he was very excited. He knew that there would be a big dinner that night. His mother was going to cook his favourite meal – fried chicken, pap and gravy! His family always celebrated birthdays by cooking the favourite meal of the birthday girl or boy. Khazamula was so impatient that he began to lay the table early in the afternoon.
‘What are you doing?’ his mother laughed. ‘I haven’t even begun to cook yet. Dinner won’t be ready for hours.’
‘I’ll lay the table anyway.’ Khazamula spread the big tablecloth over the dining table. He put out the plates, knives, forks, spoons and serviettes. He even picked some flowers from the garden and put a lovely vase of roses in the middle of the table.
‘Why, that’s beautiful Khazamula,’ his mother said. Then she pulled something out of the drawer of the sideboard. ‘Here is your present. I was going to give it to you at dinner but I think you need it now.’
Then he heard Papa’s car in the driveway. He ran to the window and waved to his father. But Papa did not see him. He was opening the car door for someone. Khazamula wondered who had come home with Papa.
‘What’s wrong, Khazamula?’
Then he went into the kitchen and opened his comic book again. His mother came in to get some cool drinks for Uncle Makwanga and Aunt Makolo.
‘It was too early,’ Khazamula mumbled.
‘That didn’t matter; you should have left it as it was. Now you will have to lay the table again. Please set two extra places. Uncle Makwanga and Aunt Makolo are staying for dinner.’
‘Oh no,’ sighed Khazamula, ‘will they leave any food for us?’
‘Don’t be rude, Khazamula.’ Just as Mother walked out with the tray, Khanyisa and Misaveni came in through the back door.
‘Hey, here’s the birthday boy,’ shouted Khanyisa. ‘Why are you sitting here instead of entertaining your guests?’
‘Yes, your favourites, Uncle Makwanga and Aunt Makolo,’ Misaveni teased.
‘They’re not my favourites. Why did they have to come to spoil my birthday?’
‘I know. I know. Uncle and Aunt are very hungry.’
Mother gave him a warning look. ‘Girls, come and help me put out the food.’