Wednesday 21 November 2007

Friendly Fire

Read By: Mary Witzl
Written By: IMary Witzl
Length: 2 minutes, 53 seconds
Introduction: Wherein Mr Kreplach, a clueless French teacher, is on the receiving end of an egg.

7 comments:

Mary Witzl said...

I've just listened to this, and I can' help thinking it sounds a little cruel. So I just want any readers to know:

1) I wasn't one of the kids who dropped the egg.

2) I didn't laugh.

3) I felt sorry for Mr Kreplach. Who didn't really die in the Vietnam War, but I thought it was a good ending.

4) I really am a wimp.

Pat said...

I did think it was a very sad tale but that didn't spoil it for me.
If your were a wimp you would have given him a hero's death I think and sadly life isn't like that.
And I'm guessing you are not Scottish:)

Eryl Shields said...

Hurrah you beat the microphone into submission!

Poor, poor Mr. Kreplach with his pointy head. Sadly I don't think pacifists make particularly good teachers unless they are passionately pacifist.

But children are cruel, they haven't learnt to hide their feelings, whether joy or disgust, with good manners yet.

Mary Witzl said...

Thank you, Pat and Eryl. I still think I sound mean. The truth is, the only time I have even come close to laughing about this is when I was recording it just now. The humor of the situation suddenly got to me -- the thought of that egg hitting Mr Miller's head (poor guy -- that was his real name). At the time, my heart went out to him. Still does, really.

Sam, Problem-Child-Bride said...

Oh that's sad. Is this a true story?
Children can be little monsters. Poor, poor Mr Kreplach.

You do him justice here with a great description of him and by including the things that were important to him, the poetry, the pacifism, the gentleness.

Great to hear your voice too! I feel I'm getting to know everyone better.

Unknown said...

Loved this story Mary. Although I must say I am glad he wasn't killed by friendly fire. That is just the twist of fate, that is likely to happen though. I also think if you change it just a bit it would make an engaging children's book.(Teachers would make it required reading) Excellent.

Mary Witzl said...

Thank you, Sam and Carole. The only true part of this story is the egg-on-head part. Fortunately, Mr Kreplach (Miller) was smart enough to stay out of Vietnam. Bless him, I doubt he stayed in teaching.