Book 17- Streets Paved with Gold

Once a week, the fishmonger delivers fish to households in the countryside in his horse-drawn cart. His arrival is welcomed by housewives, children and by the local cats. The cart is a wonder of construction, made out of wood and iron. Against strict instructions from his parents the young boy in this story hitches a ride on the fishmonger’s cart disappearing for about three hours. His mother is frantic with worry. The picture of childhood innocence is contrasted with the political disturbances of the 1960’s when coloured people were forcibly removed from the so-called “white suburbs”. Many years later, as an adult, he finds a fishmonger’s horn in an antique shop which reminds him of his act of disobedience. Now, as an adult, he recognizes the significance of the events he witnessed as a child.
The second story is an African version of Shakespeare’s play: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A wife plans revenge on her unfaithful husband. She consults a sangoma to put a spell on her rival. However, a friend of hers persuades her rather to use a love potion on her husband to re-gain his affections. The friend has an ulterior motive. If the potion works, she would like to use it on her own husband. However, events do not work out exactly as planned and the wrong people fall in love. However, as Shakespeare decreed, the mix-up is resolved in the end. All is but a dream.