When I was in South Africa last month, I was grateful for a few days with my daughter and two grandchildren in Johannesburg, recovering after the ordeal of Mom’s funeral the previous week. The last day of this time of grace fell on Patrick’s birthday. I was invited to join him at his school for his “birthday ring” at the end of the day, which I enjoyed. I had a surprise coming though - before the day was out, the class teacher co-opted me to take over and read the end of day story. (I chose “The Gruffalo”). This picture taken by Barbara shows the result:
Barbara’s caption to the pic:
Grandpa Bear reading a story after Paddy’s birthday ring, to the delight of all the class (as anyone who knows my Dad can well imagine).
(Patrick calls me “Grandpa Bear”. It’s a long story).
That is so nice. Thanks for sharing “Grandpa.” Too bad you can’t post this one on California Catholic Daily. Some of the people there truly need to lighten up. I get so annoyed by the prejudice and stereotypes sometimes. One picture is sometimes worth a thousand words. God bless you.
Thanks, Mark. You may be interested in some background.
I am the eldest in a large family, and from an early age I enjoyed reading to my younger siblings. Later, I read extensively to my daughters, especially comic and nonsense verse, much of which I ended up memorising. As they grew up, I found young nieces queueing for stories and funny verses any time I was in town - and so it ocntinued, until I now repeat the performances for my grandchildren when I am in Johannesburg.
The invitation to read at school came about because I was at the school as an observer for my grandson Patrick’s birthday fuss in the classroom. After that was over, the kids went out to play, and while I was waiting to go home, Patrick asked me to tell some of his friends about one of his favourites - “I know an old lady who swallowed a fly”. Once I get started, I don’t stop, so I then went on to some Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll. The teacher must have seen me enjoying the attention, so she asked me to take the story time.
I was initially apprehensive, thinking that in a group of two dozen five -year-olds there would be a lot of restlessness, but no: from the second I opened the book I had full attention - rapt faces, eyes fully on me from start to finish.