Childhood memories | Writing Challenge

Why Did They Make Me Go Here?

Day 6 - The first memory you have from your childhood

I was just rising 5 and even then somehow knew I was not meant to live in a conformist society. I really was ahead of my time, I just didn’t know it back then.

It all started when my mother presented me with my first starchy school uniform. She began to get me ready for my first day at this place called school.

There were a lot of arghs, fussing and of course, photo taking.

I thought heh this school place must be really great if everyone is so interested in me going there. And making such a commotion about it too.

My mother marched me up to the school playground. Like the other mums, she gave me a kiss and hug, promising that she would collect me later. I’m sure she was planning out all the things she could get done on her first free day.

We were ushered to sit in these rooms called classrooms. We all had to keep quiet a lot. And listen to an adult telling us what to do.

This can’t be right, my little 5-year-old brain began to process.

They must have dropped me off at the wrong place. Why would they make me come here when I could have freedom at home to play?

Definitely, something was off. Surely there’s been a mistake.

I decided that there was only one thing for it, I had to get out of this place and let mum know, using the only way I knew how.

I started crying inconsolably till the teacher had had enough. I was able to tell her, through my snotty-nosed sobs, that I lived a few doors away which I did.

I didn’t even have to cross the road I told her (this was true).

I often go to the shop on my own I told her (well almost true).

She fell for it and I am sure this would not happen in this day and age but we are going back some 50 years now, so things were quite different then.

She actually let me go home (also true).

I was elated as I walked back home. By myself!

I imagined my mum's face greeting me with a big smile. Certain that she would be relieved to have me back home to keep her company once again.

Of course, the reality played out rather differently.

My 5-year-old soul was soon to be crushed.

My mother was clearly confused to see me arrive back home on my own. So I offered her an explanation that I really didn’t think that school was the right place for me, and the school must have agreed cos they had let me home.

Somehow she did not connect with my 5-year-old inner child thinking. She marched me back to the school immediately despite my anguished protests.

And that was the start of the process to mould me into a part of the conforming world. I’ve still been trying to find my own path ever since.

Crank up your writing productivity with this writing challenge thanks to Keeley Schroder and Adrienne Beaumont

Subscribe to read more stories like this. Master List of Stories

© Bernie Pullen, All Rights Reserved