Category Archives: 2. Saturday Centus

I’ve seen many Christmas Days in my long life and celebrated the twelve days of Christmas following. Yet another busy time comes all too soon. The “Ho, ho, ho” will resound through the decked out halls. Gifts will be left. Songs will be sung.

I’m Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus, Sinterklaas, Tomte… I’ve many names but have one aim. I bring joy to children of the world.

What awaits when Christmas Day and the following twelve are done?

On the 13th Day of Christmas I’ll sit and dream of all that has been and all that will be.

Merry Christmas to all. To all a good night.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

“HQ, Agent N.U.T.S. 15807 on location,” I reported.

Nothing Unusual To See (N.U.T.S.) is a secret worldwide organization with the sole aim of reporting to the boss and keeping our records up to date. This is just one more mission, my disguise a squirrel.

Scampering up a branch, I peer through a window then contact HQ, “Add subject to the NI list. Moving to next subject.”

A moment later the rarer, “NA list.”

I suddenly realized I was still wearing my official N.U.T.S. hat. It’s quickly hidden. Elves in disguise helping with Santa’s NAughty and NIce list can’t be discovered.

This graphic was the prompt photo on the Saturday Centus site.

Was it just last week she was begging me for a bedtime story?

“Ready, Dad?”

“You look beautiful, sweetheart. I’m so proud.”

I gave a nod to an usher at the door. The music changed. We could hear Pachelbel’s Canon in D commence. My daughter knew it had always been a favourite of mine.

One last time I walked with my little girl. A tear, a mixture of sadness and joy, came to an eye. Ahead, his face beamed at the sight of her. Soon they would be wed.

I whispered, “I love you more than life.”

Her smile will stay in my memory forever.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

I finally understood the phrase ‘a deer in the headlights’. Momentarily stunned by the lights, I stood on the stage before my fellow students.

“Today is the day we must cry out to the world, ‘NO MORE LIVES RUINED.’”

On cue, others came onto stage hand-in-hand.

“Let us all stand and join hands. Let us cry out to the world, ‘WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE BULLYING ANYMORE.’”

As the hall lights came up I could see all, even teachers, standing hand-in-hand, repeating the words.

“Bullied into suicide, there will be no more like my friend, Michael. To this I dedicate my life.”

A roar of voices erupted, “FOR MICHAEL!”

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“So this is a cook off for the inheritance?  Is that what you’re saying?” asked one amongst gathered relatives.

An eccentric, rich uncle had passed.

The lawyer continued, “Sam wanted his estate to go to the one who knew him best. You all have one hour to buy or make a meal. Closest to what is written in this envelope will win.”

There was a scramble to the door. I walked out calmly.

Within the hour, all had returned with assorted foods, each assessed privately. When I was announced the winner, others asked what I had brought.

“A rotten egg and burnt toast. He always did like the Three Stooges’s joke about a tapeworm.”

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

For those unfamiliar with the Three Stooges gag, Moe asked Curly, “Burnt toast and a rotten egg? Whatta ya want that for?”

Curly replied, “I got a tapeworm and that’s good enough for him!”

The gag appeared in their 1934 short, “Punch Drunks”

Info Source: The Three Stooges Online Filmography

Another shot through me like daggers. The pain was excruciating yet I managed to keep smiling. How could I do otherwise when my daughter was watching intently?

This had been a long process but the results had been worth the effort. The pain was now much less, apart from the occasional. For that matter, spending time with my young daughter had made the experience tolerable, even in the initial painful stages.

“How was that, daddy?” my daughter looked on expectantly.

“Beautiful, sweetheart, hardly a note in error.”

Learning had been an adventure. At her young age, I could see a violinist future for her.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

Ten year-olds repeated the calendar rhyme, “Thirty days hath September… April, June, and November.”

“Minesh, why not join us?” the teacher asked.

The class, listening intently, stopped their rhyme.

“I was considering an alternative calendar, something regular to fit our year. If we were to have 13 months with 28 days we’d have no need for rhyme,” Minesh explained.

“…the extra day, two in a leap year?”

“They’d be International Unity Days where children have opportunities to link globally online, the leap day a Children’s World Congress Day.”

“…for adults?”

“…a chance to listen to our voice.”

Minesh’s teacher had no doubt he’d be a leader one day.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

What darkness treads the world this eve of All Hallows day? The ghouls in costumed splendour trick or treat their way door to door.

A shadowy figure watches the passing scene, its eyes intent on possible prey. Many pass. It pays no heed then a twinkle is seen in its eyes.

Five children, older than the others, stop some smaller and steal their treats. The bullies laughing, the figure steps from the shadows.

“Trick!” it calls.

Five little pumpkins touched by dawn’s first light, the spell is broken. The bullies, a lesson learned but no one would believe their tale.

The photo prompt from the Centus site.

At birth, even my parents were repulsed on seeing my eyes. Too bright the sun in day, I preferred night or the shade of sunglasses.

I often sat alone.

Curiosity, revulsion, and shock greeted me daily.

“Freak!”

“Monster!”

“Vampire!”

I’ve heard them all.

I see the world as it is, unhidden by civilisation’s façade. I see their doubts and fears, sense their longings, and feel their darkest thoughts. They’re blind to most I perceive, all except for one.

Jason arrived, placing his arm around me, “Morning, Sammy.”

Jason, so pure a light in an often dark world, he sees ME.

The prompt photo used on Centus.

 Schools and students have permission to use “As I see Jason.” for non-commercial, educational purposes.

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Winter gave way to spring, spring to summer and summer to autumn. Each phase added its own page to my life’s story and my quest to make a difference in the lives of others.

I walked the path of life and felt the cool of winter, saw the spring’s colours and experienced the warmth of summer. I heard the sound of autumn leaves crunching under my boots.

My life’s autumn was a time of reflection. There were many memories I held close to my heart. They reminded me of the joys and tribulations.

The leaves crunched under my boots until they didn’t.

My epitaph read, “He made a difference.”

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.