Make Up a Story
Stories from Around the World
A Distant Threat
Once upon a time there were two boys called Don and Derrick who were on holiday, by the sea. They are both on the beach although they don’t know each other. No, they are not brothers. They’re facing up to each other over a ball that has been kicked into the sea. They are also fighting over a sixpence that they both saw in the sand. Don looks very young – like he might be called ‘baby’. Whilst they are fighting another boy picks the sixpence up. His name is Stanley Simon, and he is the brother of Don. He also picks up a handful of sand to throw at Don and Derrick and stop them fighting. He’ll throw the sand and run away. If sand gets in their eyes there will be a lot of screaming and they’ll have to go home for an eye bath. Stanley Simon may just be egging them on.
Don is wearing something round his neck. It’s a necklace and it’s used for protection. Possibly a religious symbol and Don is defending it by holding it close to him. A smaller boy wearing the same kind of shirt as Don has also got something round his neck. His name is David. These two boys know each other – they go to the same church. Derrick doesn’t like it and is challenging them about their faith. He is leaning back ready to throw a punch - he is posturing. It’s the age for posturing.
They are living in the 1920’s and their parents are at the pictures. There was much more freedom in those days. Then maybe it’s the 1930’s or 1940’s. There is a lady leaning on a wall who is intent on watching them, she could be the mother of one of the boys. Or a member of staff from a children’s home; Derrick could be an orphan. She’s going to stop the violence. In the 50’s children’s homes did have outings with staff.
They are all wearing different trousers – long ones, short ones, and breeches. They are very old-fashioned. Or foreign ones. They could be in Italy or Naples. The sun is shining and it is hot. After midday because of the shadows. Yet so hot, Derrick has his shirt off. There are Italian songs being sung by wonderful tenor voices and there are smells of spaghetti bolognese sauce, pizza and garlic. There is an ice-cream van playing music on the road the other side of the beach. It’s a seawall separating them. More like Teignmouth. Or Brighton – they could be the Kray twins! Yes, they’re the Kray brothers. Although they may just be two boys who grow up to be a banker and a fighter.
Story created by Don, Mary, Kelly, Jill, Nigel
Bovey Tracey Memory Café – 17th September 2015
Share This:
