Buks and Joseph by Athol Fugard. Book Review

From Books on a Bicycle by Van Papendorf. Up the Swartberg Pass (Kobus se Gat to Top)

Buks and Joseph is a short story by Athol Fugard. A South African playwrite, novelist, actor, director and teacher. One of his most famous works is Tsotsi; a novel about a Sophiatown gangster. It was also made into a movie. He wrote many stories about the Karoo where he grew up - a semi-desert area of South Africa. Fugard has written, directed and acted in many plays of his own and his works have been performed widely throughout the English speaking world and translated into many different languages. He was born in 1932 in Middleburg, Eastern Cape. Currently he lives in Stellenbosch South Africa.

I found this story in the public library in George. In a book called “Karoo and other stories”. Maybe it would be better to say it found me.

Before I do my review I would like to say that it is one of the most beautiful stories I have every read. It is my honest opinion. There is no way that I can do it justice through my review. My main purpose is to highlight the story in an effort to encourage others to also take the time to read it and use its wisdom or share it with someone in need.

The story is about two brothers. Buks (72) and his brother Joseph (78). Buks being Athol Fugard’s right hand man and friend for life, and Joseph being a very unique and beloved member of the community. One morning they arrive at his door with a request. Buks did all the talking and Joseph just stared out the window. Here is what Buks explained:

“It was the year before last Master - or was it the year before that? - no, it was definitely the year before last because there had been those heavy rains in September if Master remembers - I was busy up there at the dammetjie (small dam) when I saw that one of the fallen plums had taken root, there where it fell. Ja, sommer so right there where it fell. All by itself. Almighty wonderful that he gives us a little fruit tree like that. And for nothing! Anyway, about the little plum tree, can you believe it when spring came there it was again, and what is more it added a few inches that year. Well, when I saw it there again this spring I just knew that I had to look after it. So I started giving it its share of water, and what me and Joseph want to know now is, does Master want that little plum tree for himself or could we dig it up and plant it at his house down there by the drif?”

An investigation was in order so they proceeded to go and do inspection: “It was a short walk through the still dew-drenched sweet-smelling patches of lucerne growing under the fruit trees to the old plum tree at the top of the orchard and there was as healthy a young plum tree as you were ever likely to see.”

After a few minutes of silent deliberation Fugard looked up and spoke directly to Joseph: “It would make me very happy Joseph if you would take this tree and plant it at your house.”

For a while Fugard stood there wondering what it was that bound the three of them together in this sacred trinity in that orchard there in the Karoo on that day? He could feel the heartbeat of the powerful and mysterious force that is driving all of us and making us grow…

The tree was dug up and planted at Joseph’s house.

“Joseph died four years later. Buks gave me the news one morning when I joined him in the akkers with a mug of coffee. I asked about the little plumb tree and why he had wanted it for his brother. He explained that when Joseph’s wife Lettie had died a year earlier, Joseph had become very depressed. He had decided to ask me for the young tree because he knew that planting it would make his brother feel better.

Did it work, I asked. Oh, yes, Buks said. Planting a tree did that to a man.

And the little tree?

Oh, it was growing. One day Joseph’s grandchildren would eat plums from it.”

The Karoo and its people are very special and unique. Expressing the truth and wisdom in a way that can completely overwhelm you with emotion.

In conclusion, it is advised to plant a tree to ease the pain associated with losing a loved one and coping with grief. There is healing power in looking after something and helping it to grow.

Thank you to Buks and Joseph Jacobs and Athol Fugard for highlighting this truth, and illustrating it in such a powerful way.