The Last Rain (3 page)

But we have been forced into a position where we must fight for our lives and the lives of our people, and today life is largely determined by frontiers, and frontiers must be defended no matter what the price. We do not have the right to shunt this moral and political responsibility off on others. The kibbutz that we build at Eldar will be dedicated not only to the renaissance of our own people, but to mankind and the future of mankind. And this includes our Arab neighbours.

Dori

We have two bedrooms. I’m in the one with Skye and Elan and Simon.

My bed is next to the wall between the bedrooms. Right where Lulu’s bed is on the other side.

Elan is in the corner after me and Simon is in the corner after Elan and Skye is in the corner near the door. When the door opens Shoshana can’t see Skye right away. If Skye is sitting up in bed she has time to get under the blanket.

We take our pyjamas out of our drawer. In Canada people keep their pyjamas squished up under their pillow but Pioneers don’t have pillows. We’re supposed to fold our pyjamas but I don’t know why. I understand about the pillows but not the folding. We don’t need pillows. But pyjamas are just for sleeping in. Who cares if they’re squished?

We get into bed and Shoshana says goodnight. This could be a bad part but it’s not so bad for me because I’m waiting for my goodnight kiss. We’re not supposed to talk. If we talk Shoshana might come back and get mad.

One of the rhymes I like is Who Keeps Barking All the Time—

Who keeps barking all the time?

It’s that little dog of mine.

He guards us with all his might

Good night, he says. Sleep tight.

What I really love is the picture that goes with that rhyme. It’s a picture of a Children’s House in another kibbutz. The children there are luckier than us. They’re allowed to get up and go to the window. Their Minder isn’t Shoshana. And they have a dog. No wonder they’re happy. I love the aqua in that picture. Aqua is my favourite colour.

Except for Friday we’re not even allowed to talk after Shoshana leaves. If she comes back and finds us talking we’ll be in trouble. Sometimes we take a chance but not tonight. Tonight no one has anything to say and it’s quiet. There’s a potty in the middle of the room in case someone has to pee. Elan sometimes pees in his sleep. He can’t help it.

It’s dark outside and very quiet. We can hear the jackals in the mountains. I love that sound.
Ah-woooooooo
. Jackals don’t like humans but they’re too far to reach us. Just like the Enemy. The Enemy is dangerous no matter what but most animals won’t bother you if you don’t bother them. Unless they’re hungry and you’re the only food.

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 Gold
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