A seasonal tale …

for Ragtag Daily Prompt which is hosted today by Christine and the given word is Stage

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Wmm

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A couple of years ago the mini-theROSEY LARGE BWxspians of Year 2 threatened strike action if their teacher’s assistant Miss Rosey Pinkerton didn’t join them on stage for the school’s annual nativity play.  And so it was she got the role of Principal Palm Tree! 

Last year she took part again, this time as one of the Three Wise People (politically correct Rosey objects to them being referred to as Wise Men!)  I was there to witness it.

The holy night was anything but silent as the children delivered their lines and sang carols with gusto accompanied by enthusiastic applause from their proud parents.

But the highlight was Rosey’s arrival in scene two when she entered stage-left too early leaving the other two tea-towel-clad wise folk waiting in the wings along with Mary, Joseph, assorted farm animals and angels. 

Little Jonny, who’d remained on stage during the interval in his The Star in the East costume, started making hissing noises hoping to attract Rosey’s attention but to no avail. The headmaster in his role as prompter let out an audible sigh as the audience started laughing. Rosey peered blankly outwards for a few silent moments then broke into a smile. She took a bow, and then still staring at her audience, started shuffling crab-like off stage to a round of applause.

As she did so a bell chimed and the other cast members trooped on. The Second Sheep had somewhat restricted vision thanks to his costume and accidentally head-butted Rosey in the tummy causing her to double up and bang her head on the sound effects microphone where she emmited a rasping belch thanks to the extremely rich mince pies she’d eaten backstage. The headmaster went pale as the laughter almost brough the roof down!

Anyway, after a bit of shuffling, re-positioning and organising the play took off again with a straight-faced Rosey performing her part with a degree of gravitas never before seen.

The play was, of course, a triumph and enjoyed as much for the bits that went awry as those which stayed on track. Rosey got a standing ovation during which the Third Angel from the Left presented her with a bunch of flowers on behalf of her appreciative class. Even the headmaster shook her hand when he came on to make his boring annual speech.

I suspect she’ll appear again this year in their socially distanced performance. After all, it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without her would it?

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1207bd743d4801635c87b9273e6377cdI’ve been sharing stories about My Friend Rosey with you since 2008, and I’m in the process of colating over 100 of the tales that proved most popular.  The first 40 or so are right HERE!

23 thoughts on “A seasonal tale …

  1. Denise Hammond's avatar Denise Hammond December 13, 2020 / 15:40

    Well, I must say that Rosey wasn’t nearly as disastrous as I thought she would be. My congratulations to her. And you!

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings December 13, 2020 / 16:07

      It was one of her more polished performances! Thanks, Denise.

  2. Sadje's avatar Sadje December 13, 2020 / 16:27

    Rosey certainly gave the audience something to remember and laugh about. Great story Keith

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings December 13, 2020 / 16:37

      She’s had me laughing for the last 12 years! Pleased you enjoyed it Sadje.

      • Sadje's avatar Sadje December 13, 2020 / 16:40

        How wonderful. 😻😂😉

  3. Prior...'s avatar Prior... December 13, 2020 / 16:36

    Rosie made a lasting impression and maybe reminded folks to keep it real –

  4. Mason Bushell's avatar Mason Bushell December 13, 2020 / 16:49

    This made chuckle. Seems Rosey is like me. Gets a little nervous and then royally buggers everything up, lol. Great story!

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings December 13, 2020 / 17:34

      One Rosey is enough for me! Like her, I hope you don’t take your disasters too seriously!

      • Mason Bushell's avatar Mason Bushell December 13, 2020 / 17:38

        I bet! Being a clumsy fellow, I do just laugh most disasters off and fix them. My life disasters though. Failing my sleuth Holly by not getting her stories out being the worst I cant laugh off. In fact they leave me in a very dark place at times. Alas I’m trying to leave novel writing behind and be happy just writing my shorts instead.

  5. relaxitsallwrite's avatar relaxitsallwrite December 13, 2020 / 17:22

    Really funny, Keith! I would have loved to see this play. Rosie is a hoot!

  6. larry trasciatti's avatar larry trasciatti December 13, 2020 / 17:47

    I’m not surprised at things having gotten so colorful with her participation

  7. sgeoil's avatar sgeoil December 13, 2020 / 18:14

    Rosie is a delightful character!

      • sgeoil's avatar sgeoil December 14, 2020 / 13:24

        You are most welcome!

  8. Christine Goodnough's avatar Christine Goodnough December 13, 2020 / 22:11

    Enjoyed your tale. I’m sure there were lots of chuckles in the wings afterward.
    I wonder what role they’ll offer her next Christmas?

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings December 14, 2020 / 12:47

      She said she’d like to be a snowman until I reminded her that snow is quite rare in Bethlehem!

  9. Marja's avatar Marja December 14, 2020 / 23:13

    Started laughing when I read “she got the role of Principal Palm Tree” lol Love the stories about Rosey

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings December 15, 2020 / 10:39

      Thanks Marja. My blog wouldn’t be the same without her!

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