Wednesday's Words on a Friday

The original Words for Wednesday was begun by Delores and eventually taken over by a moveable feast of participants when Delores had computer troubles.

The aim of the words is to encourage us to write. A story, a poem, whatever comes to mind.

If you are posting an entry on your own blog, please let us know so we can come along and read it.

This month the words are supplied by wise Web Woman and can be found here.

This week's words are:

1. subway
2. question
3. library
4. bench
5. voice
6. organise
7. fishmonger
8. horizon

and a video clip of a Fiddler playing a tune

Here is my story:

Conversation had been intense for several minutes and Mr Galloway looked pleased with himself.  A substitute teacher, he'd been warned that Room 12 contained a mix of students well known for rowdiness and what Mrs Spurling called "Hi-jinks". Rob Galloway had raised a family of five boys himself and was sure he could handle Room 12. Being only required for one day, he'd decided to dispense with the usual curriculum and instead find out what the children liked. 
After a few nervous twitches, foot shuffling and scowls, a hand was raised. "Yes, Daniel, you have a question?" "Aren't we going to do the usual lessons?" "Not today, it is Friday and I'm only here for the one day. Mrs Grisham will be back on Monday and I'm sure you will all remember what you're up to in the usual lessons, so today I'd like to hear discussions on what you all like to do outside of school hours. Let's start with music. What do you all like?"

A veritable galaxy of stars shone from all eyes as the boys discussions filled the room. Talking in groups while Rob Galloway walked around listening and adding his views proved a good idea and everyone relaxed. A half an hour later, he rang a small bell for quiet, then asked individual questions. "Where is the most interesting place any of you has heard any type of music that you hadn't known about?" William Abercrombie, commonly known as "Abby" or sometimes "Dear Abby" stood immediately to tell his story. 
"Last weekend, me Dad and me went to the city to organise for Grandad to come and stay with us for a while. He lives in an old people's home next to the library,

and when we got there, we was surprised to see a big new Subway where the old fishmonger used to be. I don't remember the fishmonger meself, but Dad always talked about how Grandad used to stand out front and call in the customers. "Fresh fish, come and get your fresh fish" he'd say, or that's what me dad told me anyway. So we get there and Dad says we can stop in there for lunch before we see about grandad. So we cross the road


and just as we get to the other side I hear some music from the park next door. I says to me dad, 'What's that music?" and he says, "it sounds like a fiddle to me," so we walked around and saw the man on the park bench with a fiddle, playing and singing a bit too, really nice voice he had."

"He even got up and walked around to where the open door was on the side of the library where people were going in and out, I could see all the books on shelves inside

and said to me Dad maybe we could get some for Grandad to read while he stays with us."

He sat down with  a thump as if he'd exhausted himself all at once, while Rob Galloway said his story was very interesting and had he never heard a fiddle being played before? He went on to talk about violins and the people who played them, Irish, Gypsies, even people in Symphony orchestras. 
"Since you boys all seem to like music so much I wonder if there is a musical career on the horizon for any of you?"


August is my turn to provide the prompts, so don't forget to pop in.

Comments

  1. Sounds like my kind of teacher. Imagine, actually being interested in what the kids think.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. only slightly confused; aren't they supposed to be? most of my teachers were and a couple were really excellent at imparting the knowledge as well.

      Delete
  2. Ah, where was he when I was in school. A teacher who listened.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arkansas Patti; he must have been here, in Australia. Most of my teachers were listeners as well as teachers.

      Delete
  3. An excellent teacher, i had a couple like that, it made a difference.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. messymimi; it makes a world of difference when a teacher can connect with the students.

      Delete
  4. That's how a sub survives Room 12. I love the "Dear Abby" nickname!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Val; It's easy for a sub I suppose to change things around for a day. I love the "Dear Abby" too, I was going to make it so because of the name "Abercrombie" but maybe it's also because he always has time to listen and will himself be a teacher one day.

      Delete
  5. Lovely.
    I hope he gets a class of his own soon, and isn't condemned to life as a 'casual'.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elephant's Child; I was thinking of him more as an older, semi-retired teacher. If the story grows, I might change that. Or maybe not. He might have more influence as a relaxed semi-retiree, who can take things a bit easier. Perhaps he could morph into a student counsellor.

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  6. Outstanding job! The story is well-told, and the dialogue is terrific. If I didn't know it ahead of time, I never would've guessed you wrote this story around a specific list of words. Well-done!

    More teachers should be like that. I subbed for a few years when our kids started school, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it isn't for the faint of heart. I especially enjoyed working with the special needs kiddos.

    Have a super weekend!

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    Replies
    1. Susan; I do try to make the words inconspicuous, the story seems more real that way. I couldn't ever be a teacher, I'm far too impatient.

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  7. Very good, River...like a fine-tuned melody! :)

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