The Sound of New Wings

Bo looked up. Above him was the huge expanse of the darkening African sky. Already you could see bright stars pinpricked out in it. He lightly bumped against Nathi's shoulder, and tilted his head up. 'Look, Nathi.' 'Where?' 'Phezulu.' Nathi looked up. 'Ezulwini,' he said. 'What's that?' 'The heavens.' He flicked a look across at Bo's face. 'Ndiza, nyoni.' 'And what's that mean?' Bo asked, his words scarcely audible as his neck arched back. 'Fly, bird, fly,' said Nathi with a smile. Bo, a young Swedish student, spends a year at school in Africa. As he learns about his fellow students, the community and the culture, he learns too that friendship can grow into love. But loving a Swazi student of his own sex brings its own complications.