It was a cold and rainy morning. Mama was dressed in her warm coat and scarf. “Thoko,” said Mama, “I’m going into Cape Town for a job interview. I’ll be back in time for supper.”
Gogo and Thoko watched through the window as Mama walked into the rain. Poor Mama! Gogo said, “Brrr, it’s too cold to stand here, I’m going back to bed for a little while.”
Thoko poured her favourite cereal into a bowl, added some milk and gave it a stir. And that’s when she got her brilliant idea. So, when she had finished eating she filled a pot with water, and then looked in the fridge to see what she could add to it. Ah, last night’s leftovers of pap and gravy! Thoko plopped the leftovers into the pot and gave it a stir until the pap broke up and the gravy turned the water brown. Then she stood on a chair to peek into the food cupboard.
“What are you doing?” asked Gogo, coming into the kitchen. She was still wearing her fluffy pink dressing gown.
“Making soup for Mama to have when she comes home cold and hungry,” said Thoko.
“What a lovely idea,” said Gogo. “Let me help you.”
Gogo looked into the pot. “What’s this?” she asked.
“Leftovers,” said Thoko.
“That’s a good way to start soup,” said Gogo, “but we need something else.”
“I know,” said Thoko. “Peaches! Mama likes peaches.”
“You don’t put peaches into soup, Thoko,” said Gogo. “What we need is a carrot.”
Gogo peeled and chopped a carrot. Then she added it to the pot and put it on the stove to boil. Next Gogo added a handful of split peas. Thoko went to the cupboard and came back with a packet of ginger biscuits.
“Mama’s mad about these,” said Thoko. “They will make the soup taste very nice.”
Mama looked cold and tired, but she had some good news. She had got the job!
“I’m starving!” said Mama, taking off her coat. “What’s that lovely smell?”
“Thoko’s made some soup for you,” said Gogo.
“Thank you, Thoko,” said Mama. “That’s just what I need to warm me up.”
As soon as Mama had changed into dry clothes they sat down to eat.
“Mmmmm,” said Mama, “this is delicious! What is it that’s making this soup taste so special?”
“I added some of that nice vegetable stock,” said Gogo.
“No,” said Mama, “that’s not it. I can taste …”
Thoko kept dead quiet. Gogo frowned.
“Yes, something yummy and sweet!” said Mama.
Thoko kept her head down. She could feel Gogo staring at her.
“Thoko,” asked Gogo, “what have you done with Mama’s chocolate?”
“And it is a special occasion,” smiled Gogo. “You got a job today!”
“Thoko’s special soup,” said Thoko.
“Well, it really is the best soup I have ever tasted,” said Mama, giving Thoko a big hug.