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Wednesday, May 16, 2007

A Stormy Day (Part 1 of 2 or 3)

Darn, my title sounds like something out of a primer.
Don't worry, the rest is already practically written.
I just don't have time to stick around and type the whole thing.
Just had to post some of it in time for this awesome weather.
Jacob had been out fishing for six days already. There was little in the world that he loved more than the wide open expanse of sea, the cold, salty air, and most of all the feeling of total power over his boat while still cradled in the hand of G-d. Even so, though he knew that once on land he would yearn to be at sea again, the week of long hours and intense work had taken their toll on him. Worn to the bone, Jacob longed to be at bay again and knew it was time to turn back.

Eight and a half months into the school year, Shifra was feeling depleted. Make no mistake; she loved each of her students dearly and never planned to stop. One of her favorite places in the world was at the front of her classroom, breathing life into the children and ruling with majesty, all the while marveling at the G-d given potential in each gem. Born with a love of learning and a thirst for challenge, she delighted in preparing engaging lessons for her young charges. All the same, lately her heart gave a little jump of joy each time she marked off another day gone towards summer vacation. The months of late-night planning, tense parent conferences, increasing administrative demands, and bottomless piles of papers to be graded had been steadily wearing away the Shifra that had been before.

When Jacob awoke on the seventh day of his trip, he knew with his keen sailor's intuition that something was brewing. The sky was still fair as dawn crept up, but the clouds at the horizon were swirling ominously, as if the angels were at war. Jacob's senses jumped into alert. He could feel a front coming in as the ripples on the water picked up pace. Even the nets he pulled in felt ornery today, seeming to have more tangles than usual. Although the air was still warm, a small shiver ran up Jacob's spine. He'd weathered nasty storms before, but each time was newly exciting and frightening all over again. Though young, Jacob spoke with the authority of a seasoned seaman when he asserted that no two storms are alike. Yet, though he spoke like a seasoned seaman, young Jacob was terrified of the coming squall.
As soon as Shifra walked into her classroom on that sunny morning, she knew something was amiss. The weather was beautiful outdoors and stifling inside. Though the students still had that innocent, freshly dressed look (some still bleary eyed from their early wakening), stirrings of restlessness were already reflected in their darting eyes. Shifra instantly switched gears to battle-ax mode. She would have to be really tough to survive the dread spring fever. Despite her background of many successful lessons and fulfilling days, Shifra was anxious today. It was only a matter of time before the situation would erupt.

11 comments:

David_on_the_Lake said...

Ok..enough of your Chapter 1s already...lol

Not even reading it..dont like to be teased..lol

the dreamer said...

i agree with david.

finish something already, my friend!

Bas~Melech said...

OK, OK, In Your Honor I will post the rest when I finish my homework today IF I am still conscious. All right?

Also, I would like to remind you dears that there is a reason this blog is called Half Baked and my mission statement has been clear from the beginning: I never promised any finished products. Read the header again. But I do pledge, bli neder, to finish this essay very soon.

socialworker/frustrated mom said...

Great stuff, come on bring on more:)

David_on_the_Lake said...

ok ok..I'll read it..

Scraps said...

Oooh, the suspense! I can't take it!

I hope you post the rest soon. :)

Bas~Melech said...

Sorry, I was NOT still conscious when I finished that work. But I did do well on it B"H. Then, later, I typed some more and for some reason I couldn't save and lost it. Never fear, I plan to try again tonight.

Thanks for bearing with me.

Anonymous said...

ah.. still waiting ever so patiently.....

the dreamer said...

something's weird with your dates...

and i can't post a comment to your latest post....

Bas~Melech said...

All better now.

Kelly said...

Appreciaate this blog post