Nature's mirror.

What are mirrors made of? My teacher asked.
Anyone? He pressed on.
I could tell by his facial expression that he was beginning to get angry.
How did a bad-tempered man become a teacher? I thought to myself.
My gaze travelled wearily from his face to the tormentor in his hand.
Slim. Smooth. Slender.
Browny chocolate…
It wooed the air with every twist and looked tender in my teacher’s fist.
Its beauty was poetical.
It was ironical… the saying:
‘The greatest beauties cause the most pain’
I remembered Pa’s words that said: ‘the cane does not cause pain…
It is the heart from whence it came.’
What are mirrors made of? I heard the question again.
This time, my teacher left what I called his stage, walking in his usual authoritative style down the aisle…
Through rows of wooden seats and frightened eyes.
I knew Kari might know the answer.
I could tell from the smirk on his face.
He always waited until one of us was thrashed before he spilled the beans.
The next thing I heard was ‘You! Tell us…’
With the tormentor pointing in my face.
I stood up and looked out the window.
Searching the clouds and bright blue sky for answers.
Finally it hit me like a wave. (Literally)
Mirrors are made of rivers, seas and oceans, I answered.
How could I not have remembered?
Being that I came from a lineage of fishermen.
I looked at my teacher’s face… happy that I had for once broken the tradition,
Only to hear the word: ‘Idiot!’
Before my face had a chance to change expression, his tormentor was unleashed,
Like a herdsman would on a stubborn goat tugging at its leash.
Twaash! Twaash!
On my bony ***sh.
Who else?
With blurry eyes, I saw Kari lift his hand and eager eyes.
Glass… Sir…
I could still see the smirk on his face.
Clap for him!
(kpai! kpai!… kpa kpa kpai!… kpai!)
Now sing the song for this coconut head!

(Whole class sings)

At first I felt like crying, but then I smiled…
I recalled that I had seen my reflection in the river just as I had in the mirror.
As I walked home that day (kicking pebbles),
I wondered who really the coconut head was.