The Silk Scarf by Ahmed Essop

Setting:

The setting of the story is in the oriental Plaza in Johannesburg, this a shopping centre where most shops are owned by Indian people.

Plot:

Mrs Nebo, her friend Margaret arrived athe the oriental plaza with the chaffeurs.  The two ladies were on a shopping expedition.  Mrs. Nebo and Margaret bought some shoes, then jewellery, then swimming costumes.  Mrs. Nebo saw a lovely Indian dress and decided to buy it.  Afterwards she asked the assistant if they have a similar scarf to match that dress.  The assistent showed her several scarfs, but she did'nt want any.
She went from shop to shop untill she came Moghul Boutique,he showed her some scarfs and finally she found a scarf that matched the dress perfectly." It was a pure silk scarf and very beautiful".
She decided to take it, she looked into her purse and found out that the money was not enough.  She asked if she could pay by cheque, but the shopkeeper declined, saying that he deals strictly by cash, no credit.
Mrs Nebo felt offended immediately, her integrity was being challenged .
Mrs. Nebo caused a scene, saying that the shopkeeper was claiming that she had no money in the bank, while no cheque of her has ever bounced.
The two escorts moved closser, but Mr. Sakur, the shopkeeper did not feel intimidated.  He insisted he did'nt care about who she was, he does'nt except cheques.  The shopkeepers in the plaza, spoke to Mr. Sakur and told him not to offend the lady,because she was the wife of an important politician, but he remained adimant.
Mrs. Nebo decided she would not move without the scarf.  The other shopkeepers was scared their shops would be closed down, so they bought the sild scarf and gave it to her as a gift.

Main Character:

Mrs. Nebo. She was of medium hight, with heavy loins, smooth skin complexion.
Her husband was Clive Nebo, who had already been designed as the Foreing Affairs Minister.
She was a heavy spender.
A sofisticated woman.
She was very particular about wearing clothes whose colours blended harmoniously.
She acts as if she is superior to over others.
Always gets what she wants, one way or another.