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THE witch in the modern-day fairy tale must be the state nursing sister.

I visited Muizenberg Clinic on Wednesday, 6 February with my two children, aged five years and and 18 months. My son had a cough and my daughter had a tummy bug, so I thought it would be good idea to take them to our local clinic and see how our esteemed health system could help them.

My son, the older of the two, was a little apprehensive and told me he would only go along if the nurse would not hurt him.

I promised him he would not get hurt; a sore throat does not require any injections. My daughter's tummy bug, however, was really worrying me and I felt I really needed help to get her better.

I tried to keep the visit as cheerful as possible so as not to scare the living daylights out of my two children, but I had to drag my daughter into the clinic; she has become very jaded in her 18 months about visits to the "nursing sister".

We arrived as early as possible to make sure we would not have to wait too long. My children have to go to school and I have a job to go to.

The nurse was late, no surprise. When she finally arrived, without explanation, she just called, "next!" It was not the usual nurse at the clinic ? over the past five years I have built up a friendly relationship with our local nursing sister. In her place was a scary troll they must have dug up to scare little children.

"They have to know who is boss! Children like discipline," the creature from the dark side repeated as she pulled and plucked at them, without a blimp of compassion that sick children may need a caring tone. Then she spoke to me as if I were an idiot who had no clue about parenting. My children, by this time, were clinging to me in desperation.

Little children are already fearful of nurses in uniforms.

This monstrous woman was getting distinct pleasure in making their visit as unpleasant as possible.

"It is time for her 18 month injection," the state nurse said. Now, I do not have a qualification in nursing, but I have enough common sense to know you do not give immunisation to a sick child. She then told my little girl: "You are getting this injection, because you are a naughty girl."

My daughter was already weak and the two added injections made her quite hysterical. My son cried in sympathy. The nurse, who was quite satisfied with herself, ordered us out, saying she could not stand the sound of crying children.

My daughter became terribly sick after her immunisation, and I had to take her to another clinic ? and a private doctor ? to make her feel better.

Most nursing sisters are kind, but too many delight in the pain they inflict on others ? especially under the auspices of "making you better".

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