This poem paints a vivid picture of a regular occurrence in the slums where the oppressed black south Africans lived.

The narrator describes the scene by stating the fact that there was panic in the location. After seeing this line, what we expect to follow is that of unrest and chaos. The setting of this poem is a school because as we read further, we are told that ‘little children clasping school bags are put to flight’. They seem to be running from something, but we do not know what this is.

The narrator proceeds to tell us that he heard the screams of a child. Apparently, this boy is crippled and cannot run like his fellow school mates. He is clutching his teacher tight. At this point he is not worried about the bullying he has experienced. A much higher terror has gripped him.

The last stanza of this poem gives us a shocker. This unrest has been caused by a mere rumour!!! This would not be an uncommon scene because during that period, the white police officers conducted raids frequently. We could infer that falser information spread like wild fire and this caused the chaos that happened in the school.

THANK YOU FOR READING!!!!!