Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of “All that Glitters is Not Gold” (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (01/24/08)
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TITLE: Tea Time? | Previous Challenge Entry
By
01/31/08 -
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The archeological dig site did not appear promising. Plenty of time had passed to allow for it to have been contaminated. The Brits, who claimed it years ago, had left in a hurry, but claiming they would be back someday. Many years later the country had calmed and someone thought this site was worth looking at. So much so, that I knew I could stake my own claim to the next level of becoming a leader amongst archeologists. I just needed more assignments to the richer part of this site.
The last of my coffee along with plenty of grounds, stained the sand as I poured it out. I tossed the metal cup into the dish bucket as I headed over to the main tent for today’s assignment.
“Jennings, you have 24B today.” My humorless boss planted a finger on the map spread across the table marking my spot.
I didn’t say a word as I noted it sat on the line between the good and what was classified as contaminated. The good sector shrank daily leaving only a quarter of the site worth digging. I had a good chance of finding treasure or disaster. I did not like leaving things to chance.
I grabbed my tools and headed down to my small patch of ground for the day knowing my knees and back would ache for no good reason yet again. This negative thinking would not help at all, but a month of finding nothing could drain anyone.
What seemed like hours later, I sat back on my heels, and removed my hat to wipe the sweat off my forehead with a handkerchief. Something had to show up soon. I did not feel inclined to go back and become a history professor. However, this dig did not prove promising. If Indiana Jones could teach, so could I.
I glanced about as I laughed at my thoughts. Thankfully no one worked near me or even noticed. A mark for delirium from the heat or whatever excuse they applied to it would not bode well. So I slapped my hat back on and eyed my little plot of dirt.
Did something glitter? I shifted a bit in order to see things from different angles. There it was again. I quickly grabbed my brush and reached out to whisk the sand away from the spot. My hand paused as I realized gentleness was needed or the fragment could be destroyed.
Patience paid off. I had found something shiny and white in the boring sands of plot 24B. I found myself hurrying with excitement even as my trained hands worked with care. A handle appeared and then the rest of the cup. A treasure indeed, but something did not look right.
Finally, a dainty, English teacup with flowers painted on it became free of the earth that had encased it for several decades. I started laughing again. Maybe I really had delirium from heat stroke because I couldn’t stop this time.
I had no ancient treasure. This would not cause a promotion for me. It just proved that plot 24B was contaminated. The Brits had either dropped it there as they were driven off by irate locals or we missed our mark to wind up on top of their hastily abandoned camp. So I had a fine, china cup that gleamed in the sun, but had no treasure value at all for this dig.
Maybe it was time for me to stop trying to find my treasures in foreign soils and start looking back home. Who knew what I might find if I did. The desert sure didn’t offer any prizes other than a teacup to keep as a memento.
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The narrator has an engaging voice; I enjoyed this.
"If Indiana Jones could teach, so could I."
Be careful about using words that are in the topic, like glitter.