Once upon a Time

Once upon a Time by Niki Daly. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780711219939.

When Saries teacher says, "Children, take out your reading books," a sick feeling grips Sarie. The words trip up her tongue and she stutters and stammers, making the children in the back row giggle. But there are two people who sympathise: her schoolfriend Emile, and Ou Missus, the old lady living over the veld. One Sunday, Sarie comes across an old copy of Cinderella and begs Ou Missus to read it to her, Ou Missus says, "No - we will read it together." Saries confidence grows, until the day comes when the school principal says to Sarie, "You read beautifully!"