Stories From Kiribati

A father was beating his son - an attempt to stop him from acting like a girl. After several beatings, the father asked, “Are you a boy or a girl?”

The son replied crying, “Dad, I am a girl”

“No no! This time I will tie and put you at the corner of the house for hours!” said the father. And he did what he said. Later, he came back with the same question, “Are you a boy or a girl?”

“Dad, I am a girl” cried the son.

“Stubborn! Now, I will throw you into the ocean and leave you there!” said the father. And he did that. Then he asked the son, “Now, are you a boy or a girl?”

“Dad, I’m a mermaid” said the son.