A Wall of Light - Edeet Ravel [7]
The Other Children’s House
Dori
I suck my finger while I wait for my kiss. My brother David sucks two fingers but I only suck one. Some children suck their thumb but with me it’s always my first finger. That finger is already flatter than the first finger on my other hand. I know I’ll stop when I’m older but I don’t know when. David is ten and he still sucks his fingers.
I like to touch something soft while my finger is in my mouth. Under my eye for example—especially if I squish the skin a little with my thumb. Or I can flap my earlobe back and forth. They’re both good. Eye or ear. The main thing is that my finger is in my mouth. I can’t help sucking my finger. It’s not up to me.
It’s really quiet outside. Big and dark and quiet. When when when will Mummy or Daddy come?
The Good Fairy
Dori
Here she is! Here she is finally! Mummy comes to my bed. Everyone is jealous. She doesn’t say anything to the other children. I wish she’d say goodnight to everyone but she doesn’t. She sits on my bed and only talks to me. I know it’s not fair but I can’t help being happy. Very very happy.
Usually she has a song or a rhyme for me. She knows a lot of rhymes by heart because she’s a teacher. She loves rhymes. Her favourite is Four Ostriches Said—
Four ostriches said
Let us visit the pheasants
How good it will be
To bring lots of presents
Four ostriches sighed
Our visit was pleasant
Too bad we forgot
To bring all the presents
Mummy laughs. I can’t say I know exactly why this rhyme makes her laugh. I wouldn’t be happy if I forgot to bring a present. But I’m happy that Mummy’s laughing.
I know everyone else is listening too. They’re jealous but they can’t help liking the rhymes. Mummy says one more and then I have to go. She chooses a very plain rhyme. It’s so plain I don’t even know why it’s in a book. Anyone can come up with a rhyme like that—
Winter’s here
Down comes the rain
Look! Raindrops on
The window pane
Then she kisses me again and leaves. Now I’m alone like everyone else but at least Mummy came.
Thy Neck with Chains of Gold14
Characters:
RITA, a teacher in her late twenties, currently working as Minder of the eight-year-olds, including Michael and Marina’s son Efraim (Effie).
ricky, a short, balding man in his late twenties who is
courting Rita.
michael, a tall, brilliant high-school teacher in his
mid-thirties, father of Lila, 3, and Efraim (Effie), 8.
marina, a high-strung woman in her mid-thirties,
married to Michael.
eli, the work coordinator.
Note:
The characters were born in North America and speak
English.
Time:
The late fifties.
Place:
A remote, northern kibbutz in Israel.
Scene:
rita’s cabin room, containing a single bed, small table,
chair, two shelves for a kettle, dishes, hotplate, etc., a
black kerosene stove for heating, vase with wildflowers,
photos and prints on the wall. michael and marina’s
room is next door but not seen. As the play opens, RITA
is washing the floor of her room with a mop and pail.
ricky stands at the doorway watching her.
RICKY
It’s a bit late for washing floors, isn’t it?
RITA
I couldn’t take a break today. The children in my Group
are sick. My hotplate broke and I had to run to the kitchen
for boiled water. There’s been no laundry for three days
because of the rain and I’m drying their clothes on the
stove. I’m stuck in the Children’s House with them all
day and they’re cranky. I thought they’d never fall asleep.
RICKY
(takes mop from her) Let me.
RITA
As you like.
RICKY
Of course I like. Anytime you need a mopping job done,
just call on Ricky.
RITA
(shaking a mat outside) This mud—where does it all
come from?
RICKY
Tomorrow it won’t rain.
RITA
How do you know?
RICKY
Oh, I have many fine qualities. I’m a good floor-washer,
I can predict the weather, I’m kind, generous and con-
siderate, and I do fifty-four push-ups a day. (Does push-
ups) 16, 27, 62, 54 … Can you think of anything else?
RITA
No.