In looking to see if Rochelle had posted a new picture prompt for a hundred-word story, I found the one below and mistakenly took it for the latest. I furiously scribbled a story, arising from reading about the hardships suffered by some schoolchildren in rural areas in South Africa.
Then I went to post – only to find this selection is closed. Oh well. I may as well bung it in here, anyway …
‘This gate picture,’ Thandi said, ‘reminds me of the farm school I went to, until …’
‘No time for mooning around; you’ve an office to clean,’ the boss snapped, starting to walk away. Then he turned to ask, ‘Why didn’t you finish schooling?’
‘The Department closed the school. Said it wasn’t needed. The nearest alternative was three hours walking; no taxis. I gave up.’
‘You should have stuck it out,’ disinterestedly. ‘Oh, tell me, which technical section in the factory has Thandi Gumedi? She’s put a brilliant production suggestion in the box. She deserves to be promoted.’
‘That was me.’
Great post, as always, Col! It is so sad that so many people could not finish or even go to school.
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That it is, indeed!
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hah ! only just saw this after i posted. you and i are on the same wavelength with management today!
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It would indeed seem so!
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I am glad you posted it, as it made me think about sponsoring a child’s education. LOL Maria
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A worthy cause as long as the child has shown the education will not be wasted – as it is, unfortunately, with some who have been handed it on a plate.
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Wonderful storytelling, Col, so satisfying and told with great economy. Love it.
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Pleased indeed if you feel I have successfully met the challenge of relating it intelligibly within the exact word-number given.
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Brilliant story, Col. Perfect ending too.
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Muchos gracias. Pity such endings so rarely arise.
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Glad you didn’t mothball this one. Perfect story!
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Very kind of you to say so!
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Good one! And a saad testament to the fact that there are not enough schoolls in the rural areas.
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That is a fact – and due to poor policy implementation, quality and standards have declined sharply.
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I remeber seeing that – and being sad about it. Instead of keeping the things that worked, the powers that be tossed everything aside.
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Including some highly-qualified and dedicated teachers. My elder daughter was one – the UK now has the benefit of her considerable talents.
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And I am helping children in Toronto 🙂
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Equally sad ….
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Good one, Col! I love reading about bosses who have no clue as to who work for them! Ignorance isn’t always bliss! As Viv says – a good ending.
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It is surprisingly – should I say, disgustingly – common. Very often the top bosses hardly even know the names of middle management, much less the dregs further down.
Thanks!
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I love stories with a happy ending.
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Ditto – which is why the ones I write generally have them!
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Prompt or not – we got a great post out of you today!!!
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I’m glad the effort wasn’t wasted – my first impulse after finding it was out-of-date was to put it in mothballs!
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Never – the ingenuity is still yours!
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