Part 1: Chapters 1-2 Summary

This novel's author lived in South Africa as a child and uses her personal experiences to draw from for the plot of this novel.

In chapter one, Frederiek, or Frikkie, arrives at his uncle's farm during his school break and quickly rushes around to check all his favorite animals and play sports. Frikkie then goes in search of Tengo, the son of his uncle's boss-boy and the household cook. Frikkie rushes down to the kraal to find Tengo. Frikkie is treated with a great deal of respect by all who meet him because it is well known that he will one day inherit the farm from his childless uncle.

In chapter two, Tengo is outside his family's small hut, working with a hunk of clay, when Frikkie finds him. Tengo and Frikkie go swimming in the small river where...