What’s your earliest memory involving another person? Recreate the scene — from the other person’s perspective.
I spent most of my early life living in the bush. Our home was the mine managers cottage of a working coal mine. We were isolated from the mine itself, so we saw very few people. At home was mum, dad, me (5) and sister (3).
***
My sister was always wandering off. She was the brave one. Or, as some people say, the stupid one. Anyone would think I am the oldest. I have more sense. I know wild animals are dangerous and there are plenty around here:
- Snakes
- Dingoes
- Foxes
- Brumbies—free roaming feral horses
- Possums
- Birds—especially magpies
- Feral Cats
“Where is you?” I asked.
“Over here, in the long grass with my friend Sam, ” replied Max.
“Who is Sam?”
“Sam snake. Isn’t he beautiful.”
“Max, leave him. Come and play with me.”
“But look how big he is.”
“I don’t like snakes.”
“They won’t hurt you. They just lye in the sun.”
“I don’t think so, they’re scary.”
“His skin is so shiny. I want to touch it.”
“Stop” I yelled. “Mum, she’s playing with the snakes again.”
“Okay, okay. What do you want to play?”
“I want to ride our scooters”
“Go get them and I’ll be over in a minute”
“You better come or I’m telling mum.”
***
There was one concrete path between our house and the outback toilet. This was the only place we could ride. It was wide enough for two small girls to play together and expend some energy. We spent many hours in the early years entertaining ourselves with this and other activities— always waiting and hoping for someone to visit and break the boredom.