The silk scarf by Ahmed Essop

SETTING

This story took place in Johannesburg, at a shopping centre(Oriental Plaza) during some time after apartheid.

PLOT

The story started off with two ladies, Mrs Nebo( the wife of an important official of the African front) and Margaret( her companion) who were on a shopping expedition. While shopping, an Indian dress caught her eye; she bought it and asked the shopkeepers if they had a silk scarf to match the same dress but they didn't. She then continued to look for a matching silk scarf until she came across a shop and she found it. The shopkeeper wrapped up the scarf, Mrs Nebo was ready to take it home but then she realized that she didn't have enough cash. She offered a check but the shop didn't want to accept it at any circumstance. Margaret tried to convince Mr Sakur, the shopkeeper, by telling him who Mrs Nebo is but he still didn't accept it. They kept on disputing, other shopkeepers around became aware of it and came by to know what was happening. Margaret insisted by making it clear of who Mrs Nebo is but Mr Sakur persisted with his decision of taking no cheques. Other shopkeepers thought of what could happen to them if the lady didn't get the scarf and they got intimidated. To solve the no-win situation that was going on, the shopkeepers decided to buy the scarf from Mr Sakur and gave it to Mrs Nebo as a present.

MAIN CHARACTERS

Mrs Nebo

• Medium height with heavy loins and smooth skin
• Married to an important politician
• She is well-established( decision wise)
• Very persistent when it comes to getting something she wants
• Magnificent and obnoxious. she is very objectionable and likes to make the socio-economic gap she has with others very clear.   

Mr Sakur 

• Shopkeeper( Moghul Boutique)
• He likes to maintain the decisions he makes
• Does not make exceptions to people
• He treats everyone the same way regardless of what position the occupy in the society
• He is humble.He doesn't mind being who he is. he hardly gets hurt with what people say about him.