When we arrived to Ifati, I made some remark to my co-travellers that it would be nice to have these kids hanging out with us, we could practice our French with them, and possibly communicate enough to learn how they managed those ever-so natural highlights in their hair (from merely swimming in the ocean every day of their lives, it turns out).

They certainly weren't shy, and came by to visit almost immediately. We said "bonjour" back and forth a lot.
They lived in a small house behind our bungalow, and swam frequently in the ocean. Twice a day, like clockwork, they would come barrelling out of their home in full–speed running mode, splashing into the bath–water warm, clear, blue water.

Their job was to come by and sprinkle rat poison in our rooms, with cheery gusto, which was to keep the giant ants away. They brought us candles, and bathing water via an ox driven cart.

Sometimes they hung out a little bit too long, and we found ourselves saying "au revoir". They usually responded simply with "bonjour" and remained on our porch. They were really beautiful children who laughed a lot. They made us laugh, too.