Not Listening
“Miss Rudy says I should audition. She says I might enjoy it. She says being in a play is like becoming somebody else. But I don’t know. What if I forget all my lines? Or fall over? And one of the girls you have to kiss a boy at the end.”
Mrs Mwanna is doing that thing where she wanders around muttering and you don’t know if she’s listening or not. Sometimes she is, but this time I know she wasn’t because she looks right at me and says “You’ll never enjoy swimming if you’re busy looking out for jellyfish.”
elmowrites 
Now that is the type of teacher one does NOT want to have…
Rough with the smooth, I guess! Thanks for stopping by, Dale
Truly. It’s good to have a balance.. ahem.
Mrs Mwanna is great!
I love her; she’s a lot of fun to write and one of those characters I can really ‘see’ in my mind.
Wise teacher! Even if she is listening in! Great snapshot of a child’s mind.
She is wise, but possibly a little over Melanie’s head this time. 😉
Wonderful, Jen.
Self-doubt is a crippling emotion, and you show perfectly that life is for living.
But what if???!
Wise words, I hope they get through! 🙂
Hopefully one day! I could have done with a Ms Mwanna in my childhood sometimes, but I got there in my own way.
Dear Jen,
Hm. I’d say Ms. Mwanna is listening better than she thinks. Fun story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Adults usually are, in my experience!
Good advice, actually.
Thank you, I’m glad you think so
We all need a Mrs. Mwanna in our lives. Love this character.😀
Thank you! She (and the young narrator) is a recurring character and one of my favourites to write
Strange how one rarely forgets teachers, good and bad, but I only remember the names of the good ones.
I think Ms Mwanna’s advice was spot on, but maybe not for a child. A nice slice of life.
Thanks! One of the things Melanie loves about Ms Mwanna is she doesn’t speak down to her… unfortunately sometimes that means they miss each other!
I love this ending. Wonderful writing.
wow, thank you!
She’s blessed she has someone encouraging her. I hope she decides to try out for the play. Good story!
Thank you
You’re welcome!
Cryptic people always seem like the most wise. Fun character!
How very true!
Very true.
But she still may have to kiss a boy…
I love this and it reminds me of my own childhood where I just hopped into ‘fun things’ and then I realized all the cringy things (for a child) that went with it.
Oh how we suffer for our art… perhaps she will enjoy it!
I’m guessing Mrs Mwanna is one of those people who randomly spout words of wisdom which nobody understands (until years later, possibly) 🙂
Years later would be a start. I think Melanie (the narrator) should start listening!
You finished with an excellent thought for the day! Nice one.
My story!
Thanks Keith. Enjoy the swim!
How true. Nicely done.