Did That Really Happen?

Can I learn from it?

Author James Dundon has reminded us all of the ability to teach a lesson, a principle, or value using fictional stories based on the truth found in our everyday lives.

The Rossin family was much the same as any middle-income family. Perhaps with one difference. Their desire to ensure their children’s future was overwhelming number one on their list of things to do as a family.

Gavriel, the father, was himself a very educated man. His wife, Ann, was also educated. They are both teachers committed to their children in ways that some of us may not understand but would appreciate.

Many of us talk about accomplishing this or that but are unwilling to put the time or effort into the process. Enter the parents.

When Wendell and Rosie entered high school, their parents discussed taking a typing class. In turn, each of the children objected. Ann, a school teacher herself, said, “You will have exams, papers to write, even poems. If you write them long hand or print them, it will take a while. However, if you learn to type, you’ll breeze through these exercises and have more time for friends and other activities you enjoy.

Wendell said, “I can already type.” Being thoughtful, Ann asked, “How fast are you typing, and where did you learn?” Wendell said I got tired using two fingers and doing the hunt-and-peck method. I wanted to go old school but apply it to today’s world. So, I took a couple of courses online. I now type at 70 words a minute. Is that good?” Gavriel stepped into the conversation and said, “Well, that’s about ten words faster than me. Well done, Wendell, well done.”

Rosie asked, “Can you tell me where you went to learn typing? I don’t want to use up school time to learn something I can learn online.”

Review:

The objective was to get the kids to want to learn to type or anything. Explaining the benefit as opposed to issuing a command will often work. We all ask, “What’s in it for me?” There’s nothing wrong with that. Knowing that the question is usually top of mind, it’s best to be prepared with something other than “Because I said so. Or, just do it. Then there’s a fallback. If it was good enough for me, that should be good enough for you.”

A child once asked, “Dad, how many life lessons are there?” I responded that I’ve never really counted the ones I’ve learned, but I can tell you that the older I get, the less I know.

Stories, fiction, and non-fiction are a way to learn and grow. Many of the stories here at Dancing Elephant Press are life lessons for both the young and old. Sometimes there not that obvious, but I assure you, they are there.

Here are a couple of stories you may have missed:

Life can be viewed as a challenge or an opportunity. It’s your choice.