365 days Writing Prompt: Cringe-worthy

Do you feel uncomfortable when you see  someone else being embarrassed? What’s most likely to make you  squirm?

This is a true story: I had joined the staff of Residential Model School, only a few days ago. We were in an assembly suddenly I heard the principal screaming at one of the teachers, in the presence of the students.

The students were enjoying watching the principal harass the poor teacher. I was upset and embarrassed and made up my mind that second I will resign my job.

Early one morning I handed in  my resignation letter to the principal. He read it and had a surprised look, then he said :”Is this a resignation letter?”

I said ,”Yes.”

“But you’ve only been here ten days, how can you resign so fast?” he said.

I did not want to tell him his behavior towards the teachers made me  write the resignation letter.All I could say was,”I do not like it here.”

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Writing 101, Day Eighteen: Hone your point of view

Today’s Prompt: Write this story in first person, told by the twelve year-old sitting on the stoop across the street.

What can I tell you folks, I’ve been  sitting on this platform ,thinking about Mrs. Pauley, she has lived here for many years. I’ve heard she had six boys, and her husband, Mr. Pauley worked as a day laborer for as long as the old folks here can remember, making enough money to feed his boys, himself and his missis.

Times were tough with Mr. Pauley with no education to show had to take any odd job he could get to feed them boys, the missis and himself. I remember I said ‘Hi’ one day just to be decent nothin else he barked at me as if I was gonna steal his stuff, stuff he had nothin to his name. Then I said, watch what ya think  Derek, be kind , the man I bet never sleeps a wink thinking about money and his family.

Mrs. Pauley God love her, she never forgets to smile when she sees me. It worries me to think, the six boys whom she raised, worked hard for them are gone. How heartless are they, why don’t ya guys come and help mama, she needs you. But oh no they’re so selfish, what kind of a world are we living in , sons don’t help parents, how awful!

Now Mr. Pauley is gone, died of heart attack I tell ya, why else would he die so suddenly? I see that cruel landlord       is here with a bunch of policeman to throw her out of the house, I know she can’t pay the rent, but be human, let her stay for a little while longer so she can find a place to stay.

Landlords! The most cruel people on earth. Wait a minute I’ve got a plan, I will help Mrs. Pauley, let me find my two buddies, Sam and Shawn.

I’ll call them now: “Hello Sam, can you bring Shawn with you, we need to be good Samaritans today, it’s important, I’ll tell you why I want both of you to come to my place.”

There I can see both my buddies, “Hi Sam , Hi Shawn, am I ever glad to see you both.”

Sam and Shawn( together) “why what’s up?”

Me : “You see the man and the policemen, the man is the landlord, he’s brought the policemen to get rid of Mrs. Pauley, she’s a widow, she has no one, her husband died three months ago, her sons have gone, she has no place to go, do you think we can help her?”

“Sure”, Shawn says, “My mom has a spare room in the basement, I’ll ask her to let Mrs. Pauley stay there.”

“You sure?” says Derek , “She won’t mind?”

Shawn says, “My mom loves helping people in distress.”

Sam says : “Derek how can I help, I can do something, like bring her food and bring some goodies too, is it a good idea?”

Derek: “It’s a superb idea, I’m so glad to have you as my buddies.”

Derek : “Can I tell Mrs. Pauley not to worry we will take care of her?”

Sam and Shawn : “You sure can, let’s be on our way, we’ll move Mrs. Pauley before that selfish man insults her.”

I am so happy we have been able to get Mrs. Pauley settled with Shawn’s family.Now I can breathe a sigh of relief, it feels so good to help people.

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