‘
.
.
.
I doubt you remember me. I hated school. I had no interest in learning, which is why I left with no qualifications.
You tried hard to persude me how much richer my life would be if I was to lose myself in a good book now and again. However, all that time studying Richard the Second by the immortal bard never encouraged me to read a novel! I failed English Lit miserably.
You tried even harder to teach me grammar. I failed that too. The only grammar I was interested in was my Grannie!
Thirty years after leaving school I read my first book. I liked it. I read another and another. I thought I’d have a go at writing, and found myself more articulate than ever I thought before (sorry, that sentence is a bit clumsy!)
I’m in my twentieth year of blogging now. I’ve written over three thousand short stories and even a few poems.
What I am trying to say is that something must have got lodged in my brain during the five long years you tried teaching me. For that, I am eternally grateful.
Thank you.
.
.
Thanks to Sadje for hosting What Do You See?
I don’t doubt Mr. Salter appreciates you letting him know that something actually took in his teachings!
Wonderful, Keith. You have definitely passed now!
Passed at last! If he was still alive I’m sure he would, Rex Salter made quite an impression on me during those dreaded school years.
There is always that one teacher (one hopes, anyway)!
A wonderful reflection, Keith. I love your takeaway that even though one’s early years may not look promising in the lessons learned department, something good was “registering” in the mind… teaching lifelong examples… without instruction.
Perfectly put, Suzette!
It is a wonderful reflection. You write very well.
Have a fabulous day and week, Keith. 🙂
That’s so nice of you, Sandee, thank you.
What a wonderful letter! It’s not you, it’s the system that believes everyone should learn the same things at the same rate. And unfortunately, the system fails many children.
So true! Thanks so much, Denise.
I failed English Lit too……… wrote about Romeo and Juliet instead of a Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Started my reading phase in my 20s………. five horror stories in one week in July. Fact it was my honeymoon was incidental.
Haha! A honeymoon to remember in more ways than one!
I married the wrong guy so it didn’t last. My reading phase lasted years longer haha!
Every teacher who has made a difference needs to hear it.
I quite agree!
What teacher wouldn’t like to receive a letter like this? Wonderful, dear Keith!
I’d like to think he would! Thanks so much, Nancy.
A very heartwarming story my friend. There is no age limit for learning. Thanks for joining in.
That is so true, Sadje. Thank you so much.
You’re very welcome.
Ah, very nicely done, Keith.
Thank you, Chris!
Keith, your post reminds me of my childhood experience of learning English grammar. I failed miserably. I guess I will now write a post on that.
You really should – just make sure it’s grammatically correct!
Well, I guess, it will not be that bad. And even if it is, English is a foreign language for us Indians (and that is what I believe, no offence meant) though we are taught the language from junior school level and socially it is considered absolutely down market if we cannot speak ‘proper’ English.
I have visited India on many occasions and have always been impressed by how articulate your people are when speaking English, especially children. You sometimes put me to shame!
Nice to know that. Then you must be knowing how important it is for us to know English.
This is a wonderful, heartwarming story, Keith.
Thanks Indira, it’s based on fact!
That’s why it is more touching.
I think he just wasn’t engaging in his literary selections. Shakespear- is something you should read because you want to- I hope they are not requiring it anymore. There are so many books that would better engage young minds.
I remember finding it thoroughly boring! I hope things have changed.
What a wonderful reflection Keith I found it very moving ❤️