At sunset, the children lay down to sleep. The aardvark [note 1] hole in the mound was large enough for Clara and Kobus to lie down to sleep. Susanna and Sara wrapped themselves in a blanket and slept on the hard ground near the entrance. Lying in the dark, listening to the soft sighs and snores of her siblings, Sara’s calm and controlled façade collapsed. Tears ran silently down her cheeks and she shivered uncontrollably as the pain of loss, coupled with devastated horror at her parent’s gruesome deaths, overwhelmed her.
The moon was full when Sara awoke to the soft tones of Mama’s lullaby. Standing up, she looked out over the beautiful expanse of rippling veld [note 2] grass, shimmering like a calm lake in the silvery moonlight. A flickering shadow caught her eye and she turned towards the mound. In the soft light it looked slightly furtive, as if concealing secrets in the soft folds of velvety darkness that rippled across its rough exterior. She was not alone. One of the shadows separated from the others and came towards her. “Mama,” Sara whispered, “Is it you, Mama?” The ethereal shape moved closer until Sara could see her mother’s features clearly in the pale light. Her yellow hair hung down her back in a thick mass and her white skin shone like polished bone. She was beautiful. The careworn look that had
characterised her face in life was gone, replaced with an almost holy loveliness. She’s an angel, thought Sara. Mama’s come back as an angel to guide us.
“Sara, my dear girl,” Mama-angel said, moving closer and enfolding Sara in a protective layer of love and comfort, “Papa and I are just beyond the veil. We can’t move on to our eternal rest until Kobus, your sisters and you are all safe. It is up to you, Sara, to lead them back to Fran’s Malherbe’s party and safety. His group is not far away and is moving slowly because of the many cattle and sheep they have with them. You must walk with the sun, due West, and you will find them.”
Mama-angel released her and looked into her eyes. “I love you, Sara. Do not dwell on Papa and my untimely deaths. You must focus on the future and ensuring your survival. As you travel, look out for clusters of trees and shrubbery. They grow near water and you will need to replenish your supplies. Goodbye, Sara.”
Mama-angel faded into mist and blew away in the light early morning breeze.
Note 1: The aardvark is a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammal native to Africa. The staple food of the aardvark is termites.
Note 2: Open, uncultivated country or grassland in southern Africa.
Written for Sue Vincent’s weekly write photo prompt. You can join in here: https://scvincent.com/2020/06/25/thursday-photo-prompt-silver-writephoto/
roberta-writes.com 
Wonderfully written story, Robbie. But I have to admit, ever since reading a story about aardvarks when I was little, they have always frightened me. Good to know that theya re native to Africa…
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Hi Jim, aardvarks are not dangerous to humans and we certainly have them in Africa. Hippos are our most dangerous creature and I am trying to persuade hubby to visit the hippo sanctuary seeing as international is not going to happen for us this year.
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I have heard hippos are quite dangerous, and aggressive. Too bad no international trips this year – had you been talking about going anywhere in particular?
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Yes, we planned to go to Glastonbury, London and Wales. Never mind, we’ll go and see the hippos instead.
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I am sure your kids will love seeing the hippos!
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Guidance from above.. beautifully written and it makes me want to know how the family makes out!
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This is part of a new short [sort of longish] story of mine, Annette.
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That was going to be my question, whether this was excerpted from a longer work. There is much backstory here to be discovered!
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HI LIz, it is part of a longer short story which I am trying to keep short. Haha, I’m not very good at short and it will be about 5 000 words.
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A gentle visitation against a much darker background…
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Yes, exactly. The beginning of this story is very violent but is based on a real massacre in 1836.
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I gathered that, Robbie.
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I have had prompt block for a few weeks now, Sue. Strange, but I just could not write anything else while I was editing A Ghost and His Gold. It took over my mind entirely.
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Yes, editing does that sometimes 😉
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Reblogged this on Ed;s Site..
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Thank you, Ed.
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I was sad for the children and relieved when their angel-mom paid a visit.
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Hi Denise, thank you. The Mama-angel plays a bit part in saving her children.
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A terrific story Robbie!
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Thank you, John.
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A wonderful glimpse into Sara’s story, Robbie!
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Thank you, Bette.
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What a beautiful thread connecting a parent and child. Death does not break it. (K)
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No, it doesn’t break it. Thanks Kerfe.
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Nice story Robbie, I feel for the children. BTW, I have never seen an aardvark, it looks scary.
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Hi Valentina. Thank you for your comment. Poor Sara has a big burden to carry but Mama-angel continues to help her. Aardvark’s are not dangerous to humans like many other African animals. They are funny looking though, with their long snouts.
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I want to see my angel, I know for sure I have one who directs and protects me.
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Very bittersweet and beautiful, Robbie.
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Thank you, Jessica. It gets better, or worse, depending on how you look at it, later in this story.
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Sounds like a heart wrenching read.
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Nice response to Sue’s prompt! How sad but how comforting, too, for Sara. I think aardvarks are cool.:-)
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Thank you, Priscilla. Aardvarks are very interesting creatures and I have been dying to write a story including a termite mound. This is a small part of a greater whole.
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Beautifully told story, and good lessons within
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Thanks, Jude, I’m glad you enjoyed this.
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My pleasure Roberta
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That’s a beautiful one, Roberta 🙂
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Thank you, Deepa
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A real tear jerker, Robbie. Beautifully told.
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Thank you, Kim. I can’t seem to help my tear jerker story telling.
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You write lots of happy stories as well!
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Great story, capturing and emotional. Beautifully written
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Thank you, Bella. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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A beautiful and heart-wrenching scene, Robbie, and perfect for the prompt. Lovely writing.
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A moment of guidance to treasure.
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Thank you, Jules. I am glad you like this.
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you always write well but this is by far my favourite so far! A wondrous tale set in your homeland that you know and love so well … intriguing 🙂
This really could be expanded on to make another book?
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Thank you, Kate, I am very glad you like this. It is part of a short story that is steadily getting longer.
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good it deserves more 🙂
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Breathtaking, beautiful, and somber.
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Thank you, H. I am glad you enjoyed it.
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well done, Robbie. many tx for sharing this lovely, powerful story ❤
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Thank you da-Al, I’m glad you liked this.
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