Sitting with my 3-year old son in the kitchen, I heard some rustling outside, by the front garden. Living in Obs, where the houses are all quite close together, I assumed it was from a neighbour’s house, and didn’t pay much attention.
Then the sound got closer. I got up to take a look and saw someone in the garden. Since we have a fairly high wall, and a locked gate, this wasn’t welcome.
I closed the door, shouting to Anique to call the police and for Dorje to go to her.
I tend to have a bit of a berserker streak in me. So, instead of doing the smart thing and staying indoors, I grabbed my tai chi sword, and a carving knife from the kitchen, and went charging outside.
Since I’ve always thought the front wall was fairly tricky to scale, seeing a one-legged child on crutches, about 14, calmly eating guavas from the tree was a bit disconcerting.
We talked a bit, he told me about the train accident that caused him to lose his leg, and said he’d ask for the guavas next time! Then I let him go. I was amazed to see him hop over the wall (admittedly it’s much easier from the raised inside) as if it was a can in the road.
The armed response finally arrived – apparently he’s well-known in the area, and not afraid to indulge in a little petty theft. I’m sure I would too in his situation.
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Tags: one-legged 14-year olds