Angolan Short Stories: Too soon

Too soon

They are still children, but they all have to be adults and play the role of mothers and fathers, taking care of their younger siblings so that their parents can work from sunup to sundown. From a very early age they had to renounce the moments when they could play freely and have fun without having the feeling of time passing by. They show no resentment or any kind of revolt, it was always like that with their parents and grandparents. But their looks, vague and gloomy, denounce that they have become adults too soon, even without realizing it.

Madalena is still a child, but she has to be an adult and play the role of a real mother. Sheltered from the baking sun in a ragged hut, she takes care of her little sister while their parents work from sunrise to sunset. Behind the beauty of the love and tenderness she gives his sister, hides a sad reality: Madalena can no longer play freely with other children or have fun without noticing time passing. Time now runs by slowly, as if obeying a destiny that has been set since she was born. After all, it was always like this, her mother and grandmother also had to submit to the same fate. But her stare, vacant and sorrowful, doesn't lie! It was too soon!