Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Home Group (11/29/07)
-
TITLE: Chit Chat and Flapjack | Previous Challenge Entry
By Susan Dale
12/05/07 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
trouble I’ve had this week, first there was the cat, it had kittens behind the settee,
and I didn’t know it was expecting, supposed to be doctored and all that you know....
then...” “Would you like a cup of tea and a piece of flapjack?” “Oh yes, thank you ...
and then I had a phone call from Edna Gilbert she has a rash on...” “Milk and sugar
Miss Pugh.” “Tar”..... The door bell rings... “Excuse me Miss Pugh.” “Good morning
Mary, nice to see you here today.” “It’s a pleasure I just love coming if only for your
delicious flapjack.” “Would you sit next to Miss Pugh today she seems a bit
distressed this morning?” “No problem Jenny I will cheer her up”.
Jenny and Ted had been running their house group for a few months now. They
moved to the area two years ago from busy city life and their dream was to ‘escape
to the country.’ Living in the city did not enhance the community spirit they so
longed for. Since moving to the village Jenny had become rather famous for her
flapjack, which she always makes for numerous village functions. Fr. Dominic had
asked Jenny and Ted if they would like to lead one of the church house groups.
They were very keen both to spread the word of God and to meet and interact with
villagers and also to pass on some of their experiences of life. Jenny and Ted now
retired, had spent most of their life travelling Europe, where according to Ted they
played out their ‘passion’ for acting.
Off goes the door bell again. “Come in you two, welcome.” “As this is your first visit
let me introduce you to everyone”... The group all now assembled having had tea,
flapjack and niceties aplenty Jenny starts the session with a short prayer. “Gracious
Lord, help us today to seek you and listen to your guidance in our deliberations. May
we through your love grow in maturity and faith as we read and study your word not
just today but always.” “Amen.”
Ted begins by asking everyone what they think about the title for today’s session.
(Yes you have guessed, it’s Chit Chat and Flapjack). Miss Pugh immediately
jumps in with “Its nuts you know.” “What do you mean Miss Pugh?” Ted asks.
“Edna Gilbert´s rash, its cos of the nuts, the nuts they put in food these days.”
“Have you put nuts in the flapjack Jenny, I don’t want a rash too?” Ted by this time
is desperately trying to get the discussions back on track. “Never heard of nut
rashes when I was a nipper you know.” Jenny now reassures Miss Pugh that there
are no nuts in her flapjack today.
Ted tries again, “Now as I was saying, about our title today.” Sarah one of the
younger members of the group quietly speaks. “I think it is a great title for
discussion and I am sure God will be very amused.” “Yes” says Ted “we often think
of God as being stuffy and someone without a sense of humour, but remember
Psalm 126: 2, Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations, The LORD has done great things for them.”
Mary, one of the quieter members of the group is keen to embrace the words of
scripture too and exclaims, “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with
shouts of joy JOB 8:21.” Jenny now continues “Thank you Mary, let us take a
moment to think of other words or phrases we might use instead of chit chat.” Miss
Pugh can’t contain herself, “I likes a bit of a natter and a gossip you know and
chinwag with old Ned over the fence....” “Excellent Miss Pugh you have identified
several admirable alternatives.” Jenny and Ted now get things going with
questions for the whole group and thanks to their guidance the session proves to
be very thought provoking and successful.
Session over Jenny began to show everyone out when Miss Pugh asked if she
could have some flapjack for Edna. “What about the nuts?” said Jenny. “Oh yes
she’s always been a bit that way but hearts in right place you know.” Jenny
shrugged her shoulders and wrapped up some flapjack for Mrs Gilbert. What
theatre she thought!
Scripture references from NIV
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
You can make it easier for your reader to differentiate between speakers if you separate out their dialogue. So your first paragraph, for example, would look like this:
"Good morning Miss Pugh how are you today?”
“Oh you wouldn’t believe the
trouble I’ve had this week, first there was the cat, it had kittens behind the settee, and I didn’t know it was expecting, supposed to be doctored and all that you know.... then...”
“Would you like a cup of tea and a piece of flapjack?”
“Oh yes, thank you ...
and then I had a phone call from Edna Gilbert she has a rash on...”
“Milk and sugar Miss Pugh.”
Your characters have real personality; this was a fun read.