Saturday, August 21, 2010

Stories for my Grandaughters

As a child I loved stories, I loved books. As an adult I love stories, I love books. As I think about the influence they have on me, I want to retell stories for my grandaughters in the way I processed them into my being. In the 1940's and 50's girls were expected to be quiet, think of others first, learn to take care of everyone and in general, above all else - BE GOOD! -
Now just what being good meant encompassed a lot of unspoken territory. You knew when you had trepassed though! An example of a childhood story I pondered over and retold to myself is "Little Goody Two Shoes". The first line of this story in a book from my childhood started "All the world must know that Two Shoes was not her real name." My heroine is an orphan with the last name Meanwell! Talk about not so subtle messages! She was not only expected to be a good orphan, uncomplaining about her fate by the way, but also meanwell. Another way of phrasing that might be - always have good intentions! Now to add to the way I pondered things as a child, always having "good intentions" got mixed into the phrase "The road to hell is paved with good intentions", a favorite admonition of my mothers'! This was pronounced when I had not been good and I would wail "but I didn't mean to do it!"So, my first grandaughter story will be the retelling of "Little Goody Two Shoes"! Stay tuned in!

1 comment:

  1. can't wait to read the whole story, your granddaughters are blessed to have you as a gramma

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