Another brilliant piece from a GUNNAS WRITING MASTERCLASS WRITER
The first time I saw it, I was surprised. I mean I’d never seen one before. It was red and spotted and rather, well uninteresting. I guess it might say the same about me, except for the spots. I took it in my hand, rolled it around, tossed it from side to side. It was light, unassuming, rather nebulous, unlike me. I’m definitely not light!
I took it out from the shadows to look at it in the light. It made no difference. It was still dull. I tossed it and shook it and nothing happened. I threw it on the ground, rolled it around with my toes and looked at it from every side. Just the spots, that’s all, nothing remarkable.
It was smooth, and felt nice in my hand. I rolled it through my fingers, around and around. It seemed to reduce my tension. I breathed a little easier. I closed my eyes and wondered what I could do with it. I decided that I should slip it into my pocket where I could touch it, should I feel a little anxious.
And so I continued my walk around the park. It was a beautiful bright and sunny day, gentle breeze, children playing, flowers blooming, birds singing. I was at ease. Every now and then, I placed my hand into my pocket and touched the little red thing.
On the footpath ahead, I saw a small abandoned coffee cup. You know, those disposable ones. The ones you only use once and then throw away. I was cross. It should have gone into the recycle bin at the very least. I wondered about it. Could I reuse it in some way? Goodness, I didn’t drop it! How is this my responsibility? I started to feel cross and reached into my pocket to stroke the red thing. I calmed down a little, took the cup over to the fountain tap, and rinsed it out.
I took the red thing from my pocket and popped it into the cardboard cup. It clattered around making a rattling noise. It was quite funny. I took a change in course, across the soft green lawn and sat under a shady tree. It looked a little like one of Dr Suess’s illustrations straight form The Cat in the Hat. Awesome! I’ve always liked those drawings. I tossed the little red thing around and around in the cup still wondering what it was, but enjoying its company never the less.
A seagull set itself down not far from me. I think he was wondering whether I might throw him a chip or two. Of course I didn’t have any, but the seagull was optimistic. The next minute a dozen more landed down beside me calling out in their usual gawking ways. I was amused for several minutes, but they were getting a little fresh so I shooed them away. They alighted hesitantly. I’m sure they thought they were going to miss out on something, but I had nothing, just the red thing and a coffee cup.
What’s that smell? Ahhh, sausages. Over on the hill a group of scouts were cooking sausages to raise funds as they do. I think I’ll have myself one or two. The seagulls were onto me. They followed me across the green. I bought three sausages, two for me, because I was as hungry as a horse, and one that I shared with them. You should have seen the fight. Seagull everywhere!
I dropped my cup in all the commotion. Let me check, where is that red thing! Oh no! Where is it! I scrambled across the grass checking every blade. I started to panic. Down on my hands and knees. Then I saw it. A young scout had picked it up. He looked at me. I looked at him. I took it from his hand.
“Please Sir, can I have my dice back?