Monday 12 November 2012

ABC Wednesday, R for Remarkable


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A few years ago I read a most remarkable story ! After 93 years a christmas card found at last its way to the address it was meant to be delivered to. The person it was directed to, had died in the meantime, but her sister-in-law, Bernice Martin, accepted the card. The card,representing Father Christmas and a young girl, was posted in 1914 and was delivered a few days before Christmas, but 93 years late. Of course the one cent stamp was no longer sufficient and more stamps had to be added.Where it had been in the meantime is a mystery. It would be nice to invent a story in which this card played a major role. A love story for instance. When I was still teaching, I told half a story and asked the class to finish it, which resulted in the nicest stories. Some of those pupils were very talented, and used their imagination in such a way, that I realised ,that they could have become great writers.Is there anybody among you who can tell me what happened with this card between 1914 and 2007? Next week we can choose the three best stories!

With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC, and we must thank Roger too for the weekly job to find our ten bloggers we have to visit and read their posts. For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar . This week we are looking for words beginning with R.

18 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

behold you bring us a mystery...

Sylvia K said...

What a great story/mystery it is, Wil!!

genie said...

I would have done exactly the same thing when I was still teaching writing to 6th graders. What a wonderful story even if we do not know the middle. Loved the post. genie

Vagabonde said...

What a great story. I wonder what could have happened. Maybe the card fell behind a desk and got lodged between the floor and the furniture where no one could see it, then when the post office was remodeled and new furniture installed that is when they found it? I am telling you this because that is what happened to a Christmas check my husband had received from his mother 15+ years ago. We never could find it at the time, then when we had to change the refrigerator a couple of years ago we found the check stuck to the bottom of the old one, but by then my mother in law had passed away and the $100 check was no longer good!

The Weaver of Grass said...

What a lovely story Wil.

George said...

This is definitely remarkable. It's fascinating that the card got to its intended destination, but its journey gives new meaning to the phrase 'snail mail'.

Kay said...

I love the idea of giving children half a story to finish. That is such fun and a great teaching tool. It certainly is a mystery where that card had been languishing.

photowannabe said...

If I was clever and a story teller this wold be a wonderful assignment. I hope some ABC Bloggers will take you up on the mystery.
Wil, i really like your header photo. Its beautiful.

carol l mckenna said...

Interesting post and great shot of flag raising or being taken down ~ (A Creative Harbor) ^_^

Leslie: said...

I think, since it was posted in 1914, it got put in a postal bag that got lost due to the outbreak of WWI. It got shifted around a lot over the years until it finally made its way to the top of the bag and some nice postal worker thought he/she'd pop extra postage on it and send it on its way. Maybe it was from a young man heading off to war and he was sending it to his sweetheart - who never knew what happened to him.

Mae Amore said...

I wonder where the card went all those years.

My first time with ABC, hope you can drop by.

Mae

Hildred said...

What a great challenge Wil. Thank you for your kind words.....

Anonymous said...

Charming story, heartwarming, Wil. That sounds like a wonderful school project. Brian, can you weave it into your program somehow?

I'm not a prose writer but I'll check back and see if others took up the challenge!

It reminds me of the movie, "Amelie," a delight if you've never seen it. Peace, Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.com/2012/11/13/rejoice/

Lisa said...

What a great challenge! I should have my kids do this. I love it!!! I can't wait to read what people come up with.

Lisa

Lisa said...

I like Leslie's story ending! Great choice for R-day.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Now, that is fascinating!

Running Shoes
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

Gattina said...

What an amazing story ! I am curious to see what people will write ! It probably was under a desk in the post office, imagine the dust of 93 years !
I think you met Kay and Dick in Amsterdam together with Mara ! I wished I could have come too as I met them here in Brussels, but I couldn't make it ! I am in Amsterdam this weekend to celebrate the 2nd birthday of my little Grandson. I read on Mara's blog, that there had been some delays and your meeting was rather short.

Lisa said...

Hey Will! I'm going away with family tomorrow for the holidays. If I have time while away. . I'll do it! It may take me some time I'll be thinking of this. Thanks!