Our traditional Kidz Kamp was marked by tent colors: blue for boys, red for girls. Mine, as Counselor, was yellow. I said it meant “courageous” and the young children believed me. Bigger kids would catch on right away. It stands for “coward.”
That was not always so. “Just give me a flashlight and let me at ‘um,” was my motto. I was an owl-chasing specialist. Until the “spider” incident. I screamed. The kids came running to offer their help. Betsy stepped on the spider – barefooted.
Those kids have grown; the story is dead. But it sticks with me. Coward.
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https://carrotranch.com/2018/08/03/august-2-flash-fiction-challenge/
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About oneta hayes
ABOUT ME
Hello. To various folks I am Neat’nee, Mom, Grandma Neta, Gramma, Aunt Neta, Aunt Noni, Aunt Neno, and Aunt Neto (lots of varieties from little nieces and nephews). To some I’m more like “Didn’t you used to be my teacher?” or “Don’t I know you from someplace?” To you, perhaps, I am a Fellow Blogger. Not “fellow” like a male or a guy, but “fellow” like a companion or an adventurer. I would choose to be Grandma Blogger, and have you pull up a chair, my website before you, while I tell you of some days of yore. I have experienced life much differently than most of you. It was and is a good life. I hope to share nuggets of appreciation for those who have gone before me and those who come after me. By necessity you are among those who come after me and I will tell you of those who came before. Once upon a time in a little house on a prairie - oops, change that lest I commit plagiarism - and change that “house on the prairie” to “dugout on the prairie.” So my story begins...
Darned good thing it was a spider and not a scorpion. There’s a reason campers, hunters, and general recreationalists around here are advised, “Shake out your boots before you put them on!”
Betsy was fast. The scorpion would never have known what hit him. Oh what a courageous little girl.
Hmmmmm…..I will not judge you a coward. I really really do not like spiders!
Understand soul. This story is made up but I do get help if I can when a spider intrudes.
Wow! Kids are so naturally courageous, I do not like spiders but still hope to ‘rescue’ when I can but that’s when I know I am a coward, I simply can’t get too close.
Faye, this story is fiction; however, I do believe kids are normally not afraid of bugs and spiders. My serious stuff is always the truth as I know it, but I do a lot of this short fiction stuff. If I can include a moral I do, but this was purely tale spinning. 😀
😀 Loved this story. Camp counselors can be so important in the lives of kids. I had one at church camp who finally taught me how to tame my curly, frizzy hair! Her name was Cha-Cha! 😀
Some practical advice that lasts a lifetime. Great gift.
lol some real fun!
😀
Spiders are squashable, certain other things are not, she should count her blessings 🙂
😀
Wonderful story, Oneta! You introduce the colors, dive into the meanings and complete the tale and evidence. Great writing!
Why, thank you, for such gracious feedback! 😀
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Thank you.