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Topic: googled (04/10/14)
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TITLE: At the Last Minute | Previous Challenge Entry
By Adekunle Lawal
04/16/14 -
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At the Last Minute
Frank was lying on a couch in his family living room, watching a football match on television. The match was between his favorite team, Hawks, and Thunderbirds. Frank was a student of Grade 8 at Flavor Middle School.
“Hi son, how was your day at school?” Dr. Wright, Frank’s father, just arrived from work. He is a medical doctor at one of the clinics in the city.
“It was alright, dad.” Frank did not shift his gaze from the television.
“Have you done your homework?” Dr. Wright was not interested in the match; he was worried about the behavior of his son. ‘This boy doesn’t understand how to set priority straight; he should have done the homework before watching the match.’
“No, it’s a History assignment that is due tomorrow morning. I have a textbook on the topic; a latest edition.” He smiled at his father.
Dr. Wright was persistent, “When are you going to do it? It’s already 9.30 p.m.”
“It will be done early in the morning tomorrow before I leave for school; it won’t take more than twenty minutes.” He assured his father.
“Really, tomorrow morning, is that wise?” Dr. Wright asked with irritation in his voice.
“Dad, don’t worry, it will be completed tomorrow morning; besides I’m very tired, I don’t think I can handle any homework at this moment.” Frank yawned to confirm his statement.
Having taken their dinner, they both went to sleep.
Frank woke up as early as 5.30 a.m. He took bath, did his daily chores, hurriedly ate his breakfast; and then settled down for the homework by 6.20 a.m. He opened the History textbook. The assignment was on compilation of names of the Secretaries of State of the United States of America, from the first secretary up to the incumbent. ‘Easy task, I will be through with it in few minutes.’
Frank started writing inside his History assignment notebook; the textbook was wide opened before him. He had written sixty-five secretaries of State’s names, state of residence, took office date, left office date; then he noticed that the incumbent in the textbook was Collin L Powell, took office since January 20, 2001. Frank paused for a while. He knew that Powell was not an incumbent; John F Kerry was the current secretary. Moreover, the History teacher told them that the number of the secretaries up-to-date should be sixty-eight; Frank had got only sixty-five names. Some names were missing. He started sweating.
“Dad!” He called for his father in panic.
“Yes, what’s the problem?” Dr. Wright, tying his necktie, came to the living room.
Frank explained the problem to his father. Both the father and son started to analyze the situation. Dr. Wright provided the name of the immediate predecessor, Hillary Clinton. Adding Clinton and Kerry to the number that Frank had got, that gave them sixty-seven names; one is missing. Dr. Wright could not come up with the missing name. Frank looked at his father anxiously. ‘Come on, Dad!’
Then an idea struck Dr. Wright, “Have you googled this assignment?” He asked with excitement.
“What are you talking about?” Frank was confused.
“Have you checked the list on the internet with Google Search Engine?” Dr. Wright did not wait for the answer. He brought out his laptop, switched it on, and typed “list of Secretaries of State of the United States” into the Google search box. Instantly, there came out all the sixty-eight names of the secretaries with their details! The missing name was Condoleezza Rice. Frank hugged his father, and hurriedly copied out the remaining three names and their details.
Dr. Wright looked at his wrist watch, it was 7.28 a.m. “Son, let’s get moving, I don’t want you to be late to school”.
While in the car, Dr. Wright faced his son, “You see, what happened this morning reminded me of, how one of the two thieves hanged with Jesus Christ got his salvation. He secured his salvation at the last minute before his death (Luke 23: 39-43). Google saved you this morning from punishment of incomplete assignment; likewise Jesus Christ saves every repentant sinner from going to hell. Jesus Christ saves souls, even at the last minute.”
Dr. Wright started the car’s engine, and they headed towards the school direction happily.
_____________________________
(Fiction)
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Well done!
God bless~
I would only suggest that you practice doing more showing than telling. Example, instead of writing "He is a medical doctor at one of the clinics in the city." You could describe actions and behaviors that would reveal the same information, such as: "He tiredly walked through the front door and tossed his white coat with his clinic badge attached to it, on the rack." (Not the best line but I hope you get the point I'm trying to make.)
I enjoyed the father-son relationship that you used instead of using the typical mother-child one. Keep writing.
Were parts added for length?
I just don't know why I felt like I did. Sorry.
How would this same story come out if you were asked to tell the same story again.