I was about six or seven when I first discovered the meaning of loss. It wasn't anyone close to me, or even a favourite pet. It was, quite simply, a book. We were having a collection of toys at school for 'underprivileged children' and the teacher urged us to donate something another child would treasure. 'It's easy to give what you don't want,' she reasoned, 'but if you part with something you care about, the gift will be extra special.'
So home I went to find my most prized possession: a Brer Rabbit annual. I can see it now - the shiny turquoise cover beckoning from the bedside table - each magical story waiting to be read over and over again...
Now, I know it was only a book, but it's one I will never forget. Looking back, I think I pined for it, though I had no idea at the time what the word meant. Over the years I visited the library every week, hundreds of stories passing through my eager hands, but I never saw that Brer Rabbit annual again.
My teacher may have meant well, but it seems she didn't see life through the eyes of a child. And yet, when it comes to Brer Rabbit, I still do.
So home I went to find my most prized possession: a Brer Rabbit annual. I can see it now - the shiny turquoise cover beckoning from the bedside table - each magical story waiting to be read over and over again...
Now, I know it was only a book, but it's one I will never forget. Looking back, I think I pined for it, though I had no idea at the time what the word meant. Over the years I visited the library every week, hundreds of stories passing through my eager hands, but I never saw that Brer Rabbit annual again.
My teacher may have meant well, but it seems she didn't see life through the eyes of a child. And yet, when it comes to Brer Rabbit, I still do.
7 comments:
Oh dear that's so sad! If I were you I'd look for that book on ebay and abe books! I got myself a copy of a childhood friend called Jolly Jingles because my original one was falling to pieces. I had to pay to get it from Australia but it was well worth it!
Thanks for your comment on my blog, and HNY back to you to! Looking foward to showing my daughter, son in law, grandson + grandaughter Guernsey in June!
So sorry you have never been able to find that book again but please let us know if you do.
Thanks Faith and Diane for your kind comments. I have searched vintage books on the internet over the years but this particular annual remains elusive. Oh and by the way - we almost always go to Guernsey in June - it's definitely the best time of year!
All I can say is that the teacher has a lot to answer for!
I still have my tattered Brer Rabbit book. I think it was my brother's before it was mine, and possibly Mum's before that. Dad would curse come bedtime because he'd had to read the stories in the book to my brother and then to me and he always got tongue tied with Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear and so on! :) And of course, I still read it many times when I was old enough to read myself.
Thanks Nikki-ann for your comment - it's so good to hear from someone who remembers Brer Rabbit so fondly! Look forward to reading your blog...
If there was a Brer Frog I bet you wouldn't have given that to anyone!
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