The Tail End of the Donkey: A Kiwi Summer Memory

 

Girls Riding a Donkey

Looking at this illustration, you might see just a charming, storybook scene of three girls enjoying a sunset donkey ride on a beautiful farm. The golden light is hitting the hills, the native New Zealand Cabbage Trees stand tall, and everything looks peaceful.

But this image is so much more than just a pretty picture. It’s a direct window into my mother’s childhood.

This artwork was created to tell a specific story she shared with us over the years. Back in the day, my mother and her older sister would spend their summer Christmas holidays staying at their grandfather’s farm in rural New Zealand. It was the classic Kiwi upbringing—long days outside, freedom to roam, and warm summer evenings.

A neighbor’s girl down the road owned a donkey, and naturally, Mum and her sister wanted to ride it. They would pile onto its back for trips down the farm tracks. However, there was a distinct pecking order.

My mother, being the youngest of the trio, was always allocated the "tail end."

As the image perfectly captures, while the older girls got to face forward and steer, my mum was made to sit right on the donkey's rump, facing entirely the wrong direction! Her job was to hold on tight to stay on as they trotted along.

Notice that look of concentration and slight apprehension on the face of the littlest girl at the back? That’s the authentic emotion of my mum just trying not to slide off! This is image is a perfect allegory of my mum's determination to always hold on tight and get through all the trials and tribulations of life.

I hope you like how this piece captures the specific geography of a New Zealand farm, but even more, how it preserves a funny, very human family story that might otherwise be forgotten. It’s a tribute to those endless summer days at Grandad's and the distinct joys and challenges of life.

The image is available in my Redbubble shop in both vertical and horizontal formats to accommodate the different merchandise items available. If you are looking for something that would make a great jigsaw puzzle for lazy New Zealand summer holidays, this would be the perfect NZ farm life puzzle for you. 

Search @kornkobart at Redbubble to see the latest items in my catalog