Humour is an antidote to suffering, and Herman de Jong made good use of it in this imagined visit with Jan and Marie. Suffering their complaints graciously leads to a surprising conclusion. One that we’re all too reluctant to accept.

This featured story, titled Kwalen in Dutch (uneasily translated as Complaints or Burdens), is a good example of the challenge (and satisfaction) of translating from another language and another culture. Many of Herman’s stories are unabashedly Dutch. After all, my father, like me is indigenous (see I am Indigenous). There is still an audience for this among compatriots, but there is always something attractively universal to it as well. Just so long as the Dutchisms don’t get in the way.

Burdens is also a good example of Herman de Jong’s preaching style. Whether that was with an organ interlude between stanzas, or in his Friendship ministry, or in the stories he told, the message comes through subtly but clearly. After this story’s surprise ending, we’re left with the uneasy feeling that we’ve been pranked, and for a good cause.