Angelina Jacqueline is a single Australian mom, living on the outskirts of Southern Australia near to the Charles Darwin University (CDU). She has a six year old child whose name is Croco. This name was given to him after his father was eaten alive by crocodiles while he was hunting fishes in the nearby marshlands, almost a year ago. Now Angel, as she likes to be called, is attending college at the CDU.
Last Sunday afternoon, Angel took Croco for his usual free play in the nearby park, where he would be able to play with other kids in the neighbourhood. While they were strolling along the footpath towards the park, an English professor, named Obingi Obungu was walking alongside them; he was heading towards the CDU library. He was from South Africa on contract with Charles Darwin University English Department.
As the English professor was about to pass Angel and her son, Croco on the sidewalk, the child suddenly held his mother’s hand with a firm grip. She looked down at him questioningly, her forehead almost revealing a question mark.
“Are you alright, Croco? “ Angel asked the child. She paused for a moment to look down at him.
Croco did not answer. He looked somewhat petrified , as he was staring wide-eyed at Obingi Obungu, the English professor.
“What’s the matter, Croco ? “ Angel again asked. This time she was looking at the child with a more puzzled gaze. “Is something wrong ?”
Croco slowly raised his right hand and pointed to Obingi Obungu, the English professor. His mother lifted her head and also looked in the direction of the English professor as he was walking away from them. He nodded at Croco, and smiled at him in passing.
“Mom” Croco started to whisper. Almost trembling as if he had seen a ghost. “ It’s laughing, Mom.”
“What ? What did you say ? “ Angel almost shouted at the boy, while she herself was now looking in the direction of the English professor.
Angel suddenly had a thought of what was likely going through Croco’s mind.
The child had visited the Australian zoo with friends not so long ago. Angel recalled Croco talking about how Taffi, the black-coloured monkey waived at him, and how the monkey screamed at him when he did not respond. Moreover, Angel realized that Croco was never in contact with black children. The children he played with at the park were just like him in colour. And what was also of interest, Angel was a top student in Obingi Obungu’s Creative Writing class.
Angel felt a sense of guilt for not knowing what to say to her son, Croco. She quickly gave him a big hug and said to him, “That’s O.K. Croco, sweetheart. The ones you see on the street are friendlier than the others in the zoo. Someday you’ll learn the truth.”
Croco smiled. He wondered what his Mom meant by the word “truth”. His Mom took him back home to play with his toys.
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