A Gift for My Mother

There is a big difference between a child and an adult because a child sees things differently than an adult and they do not think about the consequences of their actions. A child do not always know what is right and wrong, even if they do it in a good sense.
The short story, “A Gift for My Mother”, published in 2011, written by Viv Mcdade. The main character in the shorts story, is little Lucy from Africa who sees that her mother and father are having problems, then Lucy try to solve the problems on her own way.

Lucy is 10 years old and she has a childlike ability to admire the nature around her when she is out to find flowers to his mother. She describes in detail how each flower and plant looks like. Her fascination with nature is pure and unspoiled.
”The leaves of the Msasa trees were shiny, and the sun made it look as if there were diamonds on the big granite boulders.” (ll. 46-47)
She also uses the shadows from the trees to measure how late it is. It shows us that she is a young girl who has a different view of the world.
”By the time I got home the long grass was making shadows across the path...” (l. 62).
Lucy is a little girl who wants to make everyone happy. She thinks that if she picking flowers for her mother, will she be in a better mood. Since it only works temporarily, Lucy tries to make her mother happy to get some money by selling flowers. ”I longed to give my mother something so beautiful and precious...” (ll. 58-59).
Without understanding why she should give the money back, then senses Lucy anyway, it might be about something else than just flowers. But she does not understand that it would be embarrassing to take the money from others. ”I walked home thinking about how everyone else had taken back their money as though it had nothing to do with the flow- ers.” (ll. 167-168)

The story takes place in South Africa, where the small family living in a house with a grassy plain at the back.
The environment seems raw and environment seems a little desolate. The house could very well be in a working-neighborhood in a major city. The description of the house is not very detailed, but I get the impression that the family spends a lot time in the kitchen.
The mother's dream is to live in a house on the other side of the railway.
Lucy detailed representation of the mother's dream shows us that the mother often told Lucy about all the things that the others have, and what she wants. Lucy knows just exactly how “the dream house” looks like. Lucy says that the mother uses her "dreamy voice," which also means she often dream away to another life. ””I love a fresh flower in the house,” she said in her dreamy voice.” (l. 8)
“I knew she was thinking about the houses on the other side of the railway line, houses with hallways and moulded skirting boards and neighbors who didn’t go down to the shops with chiffon scarves over their curlers.” (ll. 9-12)

The main character, Lucy has a close relationship with his father. As soon as he gets home from work, she tells him about her day. She is his darling, and he calls her "my precious", and tells her how good Lucy is. ”Fantastic. You’re the best speller I know”. (l. 20)
It is obvious that she looks very up to his father, and that she's "daddy's girl". ”He’s very good at explaining things and never makes you feel nervous or stupid.” (l. 24).
For Lucy is the collection of money through flower sales an attempt to give the mother a gift that can make her happy. Lucy does everything she can and carries the heavy box of flowers until she gets pain in arms. ”My arms got tired”. (l. 48).
Lucy's parents are bad at hiding their problems. The mother is unhappy with the family's financial situation and blames her husband for not making enough money. ”What you’ve earned isn’t enough for us to live on” l. 33.
In the short story, the economic problems in South African society as seen through a child's eyes. As it is seen through a child's eye, we do not get further insight into the emotional details of their parents' conflicts. But it is clear that the conflicts fills in the small home and Lucy know they are there, but do not fully understand them. The title of the short story, “A Gift For My Mother” shows therefore the contrast between the childish and the adult world, and the reaction Lucy gets from her mother when she comes home with money.