Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Actions Speak Louder than Words" (without using the actual phrase). (02/21/08)
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TITLE: RICHARD, THE LIONHEART | Previous Challenge Entry
By Maxine Holmgren
02/27/08 -
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I had only been there a few minutes and already I was sorry I had enrolled in the speech workshop. I knew I had to get over my fear of public speaking if I was to have a career in advertising, and so in a moment of wild abandonment, I had signed up . It was only after I had plunked down my hard earned enrollment fee that I learned who the instructor was.
Mr. Richard. Richard the Lionheart, as students called him behind his back. He had a reputation for being one of the toughest instructors at the college, and the roar of the Lion had reduced more than one female student to tears. He looked every bit like the Marine drill sergeant he had been before he retired from the military. His six foot three muscular body made an intimidating figure at the gym where I first met him. I still remember the disapproving glance he gave me as I stood by the juice bar with a friend, sipping a smoothie. I had the feeling I should drop and give him 20 pushups.
I glanced around the classroom. Other students were nonchalantly chatting. I guessed they didn’t know of Richard’s reputation. One woman was in a wheel chair. The door opened, and Richard strode in. Head up, shoulders back. He didn’t need a uniform to demand respect. Suddenly the room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. He stood at attention, and introduced himself. He informed us that we would each stand and introduce ourselves, and give a brief two minute biography.
I gulped. When it was my turn my mouth was so dry I didn’t think I could pry my tongue off the roof of my mouth with a chisel. I could barely remember my name, let alone tell the class anything about myself. When the longest two minutes of my life was over, I collapsed into my chair, a puddle of relief. The lady in the wheelchair was next. She sat up as straight as she could. She spoke slowly, in a weak voice. She gave her first name and said she had been a teacher, before her stroke She started to speak of her husband and Richard cut her right off! “You are to talk about yourself only, not your husband.” He reprimanded her in a stern voice.
I wanted to rush over and sock him! The arrogant jerk. How dare he talk like that to a stroke victim, who was obviously struggling with her speech. I seethed through the rest of the class. There was no way I could learn anything from this egomaniac and I decided I would drop out of the class.
I was in the parking lot, shivering in the cold as I waited for a friend when I saw him again. He was pushing the lady in her wheel chair. My mouth fell open as I watched him stop, come around to the front of her wheelchair, and button up her coat. He tenderly lifted her chin, and tucked a scarf around her neck.
I felt like an intruder as I watched. He continued pushing the wheelchair, and I could see but not hear him talking to her. He stopped at a van and opened the car door. Then he gently lifted her from the wheelchair into the car. He carefully tucked a blanket around her legs, and then leaned into the car and kissed his wife.
Maybe I wouldn’t drop out of class after all.
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