ARRIVAL:

In January 1993, three children - Zach, Bart and Carla - discovered the Balkie under a heap of leaves on their smallholding near Johannesburg, South Africa. The Balkie was already able to communicate fluently and to move with relative ease — it was therefore clear that he was not a baby Balkie. His exact age has never been determined. His own memory only goes back to the time when he was discovered under the leaves. 

His origin is still unknown. Future generations may be able to come up with answers.

As it appears that everything concerning humans and their habits is alien to the Balkie, it is speculated that a) he is not an earthling or b) he may be an earthling but from an earlier or later time zone or c) he is from another dimension. As far as can be determined, he is the only existing Balkie as no other Balkies have so far been found.

HABITAT:

Since his discovery, the Balkie has lived with the father, the mother, Zach, Bart and Carla on the aforementioned smallholding near Johannesburg, South Africa. He is treated and behaves like a co-child in the house.

CHARACTER

The Balkie is highly intelligent, although he sometimes manifests as a bit naive, probably as a result of the fact that he experiences everything around him as strange.

His observation skills are exceptionally acute, and he also has the capacity to think for himself. He has the habit to observe and listen intently to what the people around him do and say, but will eventually draw his own conclusions. This proves that he possesses the power to think independently. Coupled with this is the fact that he is exceptionally inquisitive about everything going on around him, and that he is continually asking questions and investigating things.

Added to this is the Balkie's vivid imagination that can not be contained by negative feedback from others

HABITS:

The Balkie is fond of playing and eating. He is not particularly keen on work, but will do so under duress and will make the "work" interesting for himself. (His aforementioned vivid imagination stands him in good stead herein.)

BALKIE IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDIA

The Balkie’s interests are widely documented in various media

1) WEBSITES

a) http://www.storiewerf.co.za

Some of Balkie’s stories can be read on his page on this website. (Afrikaans only)

b) http://www.martiepreller.co.za/balkie.htm

Balkie told all his stories to Martie Preller and she wrote them down as he dictated. He also instructed Elizabeth Pulles on how to illustrate his stories.

2) MAGAZINES: ROOIROSE

Balkie’s stories were published monthly in this popular Women’s magazine  from 1993 to 2005. 

3) BALKIE CORRESPONDENCE

Balkie corresponded for years with thousands of adoring fans by means of e-mail, snail mail and Balkie Newspapers. Some of these Balkie Newspapers can be seen on his page (Afrikaans only) 

4) MUSEUM  

A portrait of Balkie hangs in the National Literary Museum (NALN) in Bloemfontein. Some of his fan mail can also be viewed there.

5) BALKIE BOOKS

       Die Balkieboek deur Balkie soos vertel aan Martie Preller  (Human & Rousseau, 2000) The Balkie received two awards for this book namely: the  Alba Bouwer award  and  ATKV-Children's award)

       Balkie en die Kleurdief  (Human & Rousseau, 2004)

      Balkie en die son se slaapplek  (Best Books, 2004)

      Balkie and the Sun’s Resting Place  (Best Books, 2004)

      Balkie en die woeste virus  (Best Books, 2004)

      Balkie and the Vicious Virus  (Best Books, 2004)

      Balkie en die lugrowers  (Best Books, 2005)

      Balkie and the Pirates of the Sky  (Best Books, 2005)

6) PLAYS

Two Balkie plays – based on stories in one of his books – are available from DALRO (Dramatic , Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation)

PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS

Length: 1,2 metres         

Mass: 30,5 kilograms (it varied somewhat before and after meals)

Skin: Brown to dark-brown fur (which stood somewhat on end when he got a fright and paled temporarily when he got a very BIG fright)

Eyes: Brown

Length of nose: 15 centimetres (the Balkie seemed to be very sensitive about the length of his nose - probably because OTHER people tended to comment on it.)

Fingers and toes: Five fingers on each hand but only four toes on each foot

DIET

Food (with special preference to biscuits, fruit and milk)