Book 16- Streets Paved with Gold

The first of these two short stories is loosely based on African folklore. The Crocodile Queen who rules over her tribe is believed to be able to control the rain. Furthermore, she is also believed to be a crocodile who changes into the human form when dealing with other human beings. The tribe’s culture is also unique in the region in that it is matriarchal. However, their centuries-old culture is under threat by the intrusion of the modern world. The outside influences are both economic and cultural. The rapidly growing cities attract labour from the countryside. Working for a wage is highly attractive to members of the tribe, but urban life loosens their ties to their roots. The cultural intrusion comes from missionaries. Some members of the tribe synthesize traditional beliefs with the new beliefs. Others resist change. However, it is the Crocodile Queen who has the final say.
The second story is set on a remote farm during the Anglo-Boer war. The farm is situated on a route between Natal and the Transvaal, a route popular with tramps. These work-shy gentlemen move back and forth between the coast and the Highveld according to the seasons. A Scottish tramp arrives on the farm just as war breaks out. He turns out to be well educated and the farmer and his wife engage him to teach their children Grade One Arithmetic. The tramp is obviously from a good family, but a “black sheep” of the family. The farm is relatively remote from the main battle scenes of the war until the set-piece battles turn into guerrilla warfare and the farm is visited by Boer Commandos and by pursuing British troops. One of the Commandos abducts the tramp and the family never sees him again. However, the tramp leaves them a small legacy, his diary, relating the story of his adventures with the Boer Commando.