Sweef | Petri se Rots – Nanette van Rooyen | English Summary

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Petri se Rots – Nanette van Rooyen 

At the end of Wyebekbaai, there are rocks where a certain individual known as Petri lives. He’s the wild child of the west coast, sinewy and brown like garrick. The main character moved to Wyebekbaai with his mother and father, and it has been a year since their arrival. Petri is the main character’s only friend. Six days after the narrator’s father left, they didn’t tell Petri about it. However, on the seventh day, they left home and took a walk on the beach, dragging their feet under them. They told Petri with a clear mind because they knew Petri wouldn't tell anyone nor would he pity the narrator since Petri has no family of his own.

Their first meeting was strange. First, Petri demanded an offering – he wants an offering every single time someone wants to enter his territory. Not only that, but Petri also says he was found on the rocks with nothing but dolphin skin wrapped around his infant body. Naturally, the narrator has their reservations about the story, but since Petri is their only friend, they let it slide. Petri shows the narrator a coal grey marking on his upper arm and tells him it’s the mark of the dolphin. The narrator knows a birthmark when they see one. His eccentricity aside, Petri seemingly knows more about the sea than anyone else. He is such an expert swimmer that there are stories of him saving fishers who were unfortunate to experience stormy seas.

This time, the narrator brings Petri a mermaid-purse as an offering to enter his rock castle territory. They’re both very quiet as they watch the sunset. The narrator says it feels like they’re walking on water as the waves lap at their feet. Petri says it’s the sad season for the dolphins, adding that the narrator’s father leaving them behind is only the beginning of the misfortune. Surprised that Petri knew about this, the narrator cannot hide their anger and frustration, shouting at Petri, angrily asking what he would know.

SummariesKeroshan PillayComment