Aania (8): Suddenly I stood in the water

Of course she just wanted a necklace. That's what you're a girl and eight for. Can I expect a key moment from such a young person, I actually hope not because she has to be a child. When she asked me what I wanted in return for a necklace, I said: a story you want to tell me. She didn't even think for half a second. 'I was in Paternoster (beach town near Cape Town) with my parents. I don't really like the beach because I'm afraid of water. I always get through beach days with crabs. I look at them, I feel like I'm playing with them! At one point a very beautiful crab dribbled towards the water and I followed behind it. He stopped and moved closer to the water again. So do I. Before I knew it, my feet were in the water and I felt like this crab wanted to tell me to stop being so afraid of it. The crab disappeared into the water and that afternoon I played in the water for the first time in years! She looked hopefully at my necklaces around my neck and said: 'Can I pick one out now?'.