Jackal's Dance by Beverley Harper

alleviate a family’s poverty. He had no idea what became of them – simply watched the terror and betrayal in their eyes as they were taken away. He had been no different, even though his father had tried to explain that it was for his own benefit, not that of his family, that he was being sent away. Chester had gone back to Windhoek with the Weidermans convinced he had been, at best, sold into slavery.
    It took incredible patience to first convince the boy he was safe and then train him to acceptable standards of behaviour. The cultural differences were many. Some things, like the importance of cleaning his teeth, wearing his shirt buttoned up and tucked in, keeping his hands clean at all times and the necessity of daily showers, Chester picked up and quickly accepted because they were enjoyable and he could see how his compliance pleased the Weidermans.
    Other matters took longer. Chester could not understand how the family could go to the toilet and foul such clean water. He persisted in squatting in the garden for several months before he couldbring himself to do the same as them. Blowing his nose, African style, one nostril blocked by a finger while the other was free to eject mucus onto the ground, was repugnant to Helmut and his wife. The trouble was, blowing into a piece of cloth and then, horror of horrors, putting the handkerchief back into his pocket, was equally disgusting to Chester.
    Compromise in some areas was needed. Table manners were an issue which took time. Chester had always eaten with his hands. Knives and forks did not immediately respond to his clumsy attempts to copy the family. Much to young Willem’s outrage that he was not allowed to do the same, the Weidermans turned a blind eye to Chester using his fingers provided he demonstrated a willingness to at least try utensils. He mastered the spoon quite quickly, but it was a long time before he was considered to be socially acceptable at the table.
    Then there were difficulties over which neither his host family nor Chester had any control. Diet caused problems. His digestive system could not process spicy sausages and many of the vegetables and salads he was given to eat. Anything containing sugar brought Chester out in a rash. The trouble was, having been introduced to sweet food, he developed such a love for it that his skin was perpetually peppered with spots. That problem lasted several years but Chester didn’t care. Cakes, biscuits and chocolate became his passion. Fortunately, his system eventually accepted the unfamiliar and theirritating skin condition went away.
    Chester didn’t win many contentious issues but there was one he steadfastly persisted with. Sleeping in a bed instead of on a mat on the floor became a battle of wills. He’d be neatly tucked up for the night but, inevitably, each morning he’d be found on the floor. The Weidermans gave in eventually. Chester only accepted a bed when the family dog was allowed in it with him. As a result, the animal became thoroughly spoiled and Chester had fleas. But as Helmut said, ‘At least he doesn’t insist on a goat too.’
    With gradual understanding of the German spoken in the Weiderman home came acceptance of their ways. He was not a slave. They did not plan to eat him. Their customs were strange but he could live with that. And school, once he started to understand the language, was an absolute joy.
    After a full year with them, he was taken back to Kaokoland to see his family. Chester was overjoyed at the prospect. Within half a day he wanted to leave. They seemed like strangers. His father cuffed him when he voiced an opinion during the meal, something he was encouraged to do in Windhoek. He felt awkward eating with his hands. The family shelter was lice-ridden and uncomfortable. Chester could not understand how Uncle Helmut, as he had been told to address his benefactor, who had taken him there and was staying as an honoured guest, could calmly