‘…the castle was saved and the dragon was slain.’
The boy finished reading and looked up.
‘Very good, Michaels. Back to your seat. Right, who’s next? Hines?’
Freddy stood up nervously, fumbling his jotter, and made his way to the front of the class.
‘We haven’t got all day, boy. Start reading.’
‘Yes sir,’ Freddy mumbled. ‘A Fantasy Tale, by Freddy Hines.’
‘Speak up, boy. Let the class hear you.’
Freddy gulped and stared at the page in front of him, unable to raise his head and see the roomful of eyes watching him, waiting for him to fail.
‘After school one day I ran home. My Dad was waiting for me when I got in. He was back living with Mum and me. I was very happy to see him. I got changed out my uniform and he took Mum and me out for a slap-up dinner to celebrate. I had a large pizza all to myself. It tasted so good, but it was so big I couldn’t finish it all. Then Mum went home and Dad took me to the football game. City scored four goals and won. My Dad and I celebrated each goal and at the end of the game he gave me a huge cuddle and then carried me on his shoulders when we walked back home. I got changed for bed…’
‘Stop, stop, stop, Hines! Are you taking the mickey out of me again? You were told to write a fantasy story. The rest of the class has managed to do it, why can’t you? Sit back down.’
‘Yes sir, sorry sir, but, well, this is my fantasy story, sir.’
‘Enough, you insolent boy! Report to me after class.’
This is a response to the #writephoto Prompt: Fantasy curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.
I have just finished reading ‘A Kestrel for a Knave,’ by Barry Hines, a classic text taught in many schools throughout Britain. It tells of a young boy, Billy Casper, from a socially disadvantaged family life, who trains a kestrel, but who has little opportunity in life. It is a powerful and emotional story, well worth a read, and still as relevant today as it was when it was written in the 1970s. My story steals from a scene in the book.
Brilliant! Reality for some is a fantasy for others..
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Thank you.
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And so sad. I see a boy fantasizing a day with his father who died in a war. Beautiful, but sad.
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Definitely one possible back story. Thank you.
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Very sad, actually.
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Yep, the world is not a fair place.
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Such a sad tale, even more so because such a life is truly a fantasy for so many children. (And yes, Hines’ book is superb.)
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Thanks Sue.
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Reblogged this on Sue Vincent's Daily Echo and commented:
First in this week…
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Oh, my. So terribly true. Such a wonderful job of slowly opening up what the story is about.
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Thank you Eugenia.
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This is indeed a sad but wonderful story.
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Thank you Sadje, glad you liked it.
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You’re welcome 😉
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Poor Hines. What a sad life. So many children experience that as well. Good job pointing out in a subtle way that not all children have a happy life. Even though sad, I enjoyed it.
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Thank you Michele, glad you enjoyed it.
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Oh! Iain that is so sad, I know that happy families is a fantasy for many 💜💜
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For far too many. Thank you.
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💜💜
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This is so sad… because it is too real. Heartbreaking
But always a pleasure to read your work
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Thank you Beck 🙂
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there are a lot of kids with such dreams of a home life………… and sadly teachers who don’t realise it.
Good story iain.
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Thank you Di.
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This was very sad and touching tale, Iain. If only the teacher could have spoken to him after class about it instead of berating and embarrassing him like that. There are so many kids who wish for this kind of happy home life.
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There are many good teachers who would deal with it much better these days, but certainly in the past, they were less caring.
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You’re right about many good, caring teachers today who would better handle the situation.
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Oh, poor Hines. What an insensitive teacher too. Sad.
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Thanks Janet.
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Poor little guy. A sad but powerful story. And unfortunately, the reality for many children.
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Thank you.
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Awww! Want to just give that boy a hug! Great job!
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That’s really all he needs to get on the right track. Thank you.
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😊
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Loved your story!
We often tend to forget that what we take for granted at times, is a thing of dreams and fantasy for a few!
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Thank you so much.
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Oh dear little Hines. How often we talked for granted certain things that we presume they are a given for all.
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Thank you for reading Joan.
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F’in’ clueless teacher with no sense of the imaginary in real life.
Truer words were never written, Hines!
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Hopefully teachers are better prepared in real schools!
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I think the ones with little imagination don’t last long in school settings, nowadays. The kids won’t have it, and the work is very hard.
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Oh the poor boy. Starved for affection from the likes of it. So sad, really!
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Thanks for reading and commenting Tessa
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Oh you are quite welcome Iain. Have a great week.
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