Henry's Birthday
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 8:29 pm
Every day I wander down to the local Gloria Jean's for a coffee. I know all the staff quite well. Well enough anyway. There's Bec who has the biggest smile and the biggest heart and huge hopes. Reggie, who is all beautiful energy, in a four foot packet and wants to own her own cafe. Miles, a true coffee artist, is soon to become a teacher. Then there is Katey who dazzles the local lads without a clue as to why. All good kids. All bright and as well educated as any other of their generation.
So, on Monday I asked if they knew whose birthday it was. Of course I knew that Henry wouldn't come to mind so I exclaimed, "Henry Lawson!"
It was then that I heard the crickets chirruping.
I told them that Henry was possibly Australia's greates poet and story teller.
No. Nothing.
A chap in his mid forties standing nearby slapped his hand to his forehead in a startling fashion and the crack of it frightened a little boy.
I gave them a few lines of 'Andy'. Nope.
Not to be put off I asked if they had ever read 'The Loaded Dog' or had it read to them as children.
The loudest noise in the coffee shop was my tinitus.
" I think I might have heard of him." ventured Katey. "I was in Lawson House in School!"
"Aha!" I was on to something. "Now was that Lawson the poet or Lawson the explorer?"
Chirrup. Chirrup. Chirrup.
Miles and Reggie had a quite consultation. "We did learn about Robert Frost" explained Reg and then she and Miles quoted a few lines in perfect harmony.
In twelve years of schooling they have no recollection ever reading Lawson, Paterson, Ogilvie et al.
This is why we have the ABPA.
Happy Birthday Henry.
Fond Regards,
Mal the Oldfart.
So, on Monday I asked if they knew whose birthday it was. Of course I knew that Henry wouldn't come to mind so I exclaimed, "Henry Lawson!"
It was then that I heard the crickets chirruping.
I told them that Henry was possibly Australia's greates poet and story teller.
No. Nothing.
A chap in his mid forties standing nearby slapped his hand to his forehead in a startling fashion and the crack of it frightened a little boy.
I gave them a few lines of 'Andy'. Nope.
Not to be put off I asked if they had ever read 'The Loaded Dog' or had it read to them as children.
The loudest noise in the coffee shop was my tinitus.
" I think I might have heard of him." ventured Katey. "I was in Lawson House in School!"
"Aha!" I was on to something. "Now was that Lawson the poet or Lawson the explorer?"
Chirrup. Chirrup. Chirrup.
Miles and Reggie had a quite consultation. "We did learn about Robert Frost" explained Reg and then she and Miles quoted a few lines in perfect harmony.
In twelve years of schooling they have no recollection ever reading Lawson, Paterson, Ogilvie et al.
This is why we have the ABPA.
Happy Birthday Henry.
Fond Regards,
Mal the Oldfart.
