{capsule} John wants to go swimming, but his father says it’s too late. Angry with dad, the boy takes matters into his own hands, sneaking out of his window one night and embarking on his “water adventure.” From swimming to rowing a boat to finally climbing on a ship, he becomes disoriented. John later finds out he has been gone longer than he thought. In that time, tragedy has stricken his family. [Editor]
{notable excerpt} He didn’t know where he was going. In the morning he found out where he was going. He was going to Liverpool, England. When he got there he found his house burnt down. He was away 2 weeks! His mother was dead and his father was in the hospital and would never be well again. His aunt said she would adopt him.
{comments} I wrote when I was in the 3rd or 4th grade, during the height of Beatle-mania. The year was 1965 or 1966. You will notice that the hero winds up in Liverpool, England. I think that was the only city I knew about in that country. Or, I wanted to appear “hip” or “hep” as we said back then. It is mildly disturbing to read that the hero is orphaned. I liked my parents, so I don’t think I wanted to leave them. Probably I was just trying to imagine the most traumatic event that could happen to a youngster. My teacher at James Buchanan Elementary School liked it. I earned an A+.
{author} Chicagoland-based journalist Jim Carper has covered home furnishings, hotels, construction and more for a variety of trade magazines. He reflects: “After [writing this], it was all downhill. I graduated from journalism school and embarked in a career in trade magazines. I no longer write in pencil but rather in pixels on my blogs.” (giftandhometoday.blogspot.com and beelohgee.blogspot.com/)
Jim–I never knew you had such good handwriting. What happened? From your sister.
Christine–Really clever idea. I’ll spread the word.
Ann, re the handwriting, back then teachers reminded us that “neatness counts.”