Stories from Deli

Deli Planter by Kleian How many trees does each coolie now tap per day? Three hundred and fifty. Slightly less on the slopes. If they start here at half past five, they could be ready with the last tree by about half past nine. Then you give the signal for collection. The trees that were…

Kleian, Deli Planter Salary Mr. Van Berghe, twelve hundred guilders and forty cents. Rensema and Hartman still have to sign for receipt. And you, Mr. Reeder, how much do you need to pay out? Is your bill already at the office? Yes, Mr De Korte, please. Eighteen hundred guilders and fourteen cents. Seezoo. Now sit…

Kleain, Deli Planter Lebaran! – the end of the fasting month. No holiday is seen with such a desire as this day. Just as the children in Europe are looking forward to Christmas weeks before, not so much for the joyful memory of Christ’s birth, but more for the presents they hope to find under…

The ax blows sounded muffled through the primeval forest. Tree after tree groaned and fell with a heavy blow, where for centuries the shade had kept the ground cool and moist. Everything that had been impenetrable and inaccessible was exposed to the scorching rays of the sun. Towering forest giants of enormous size were made…

Pine tree. Do you know that it has cost society over a ton to get the lalang out of there? De Ruiter had let the lalang scrape away a little in a tobacco way, with the result that after a year, the kebon looked like a wilderness. The sound of a hand harmonica was very…