"Will Read A Short Story For An 'A'"

Did you ever wish you were back in college? You know what I mean - being young, being free, being full of life. Well my answer to that question is no! I have no desire ever, ever to go to school again. By the time I got out of high school, college, and then law school I was fully sated with education. And since that time I have taught school at the high school, college and graduate level and that filled me up even further.

Now having gotten that out of my system I will say there are aspects of college life I wouldn't mind living again. The main one is the instant friendships you formed. You could meet a group of people one day and have three best friends by the next day. At least that happened to me my freshman year of college. And these friendships have lasted.

What started my mind thinking along these lines was my invitation last week to go back to the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina and speak to a writing class. I graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law back in the last century and hadn't returned since I got that degree.

I always liked USC and I especially liked Columbia, South Carolina. It was the biggest city I had ever lived in at that time and I was amazed at how many things there were to do there. There were movies, restaurants, clubs and masses of people. I loved it!

Upon my return to that city last Thursday I learned Columbia is even bigger than ever. And so is the University. I didn't recognize a single building, or a familiar landmark - other than the Capitol Building that is.

After a few wrong turns I was able to find the Business Administration Building and made my way to the third floor. There I met Bob Lamb, the instructor of the class to which I had been invited to speak. Bob told me the class was very laid back and believe me it was.

There were about fifteen students attending this night and all of them looked to be about fifteen years old. I could feel my bones creaking as I walked up to the podium to address them. Bob hadn't told me exactly what I should talk about so I just hit them with the "How I Got Published" stories, which I thought might interest them. I don't think they were overwhelmed.

I threw in some of my movie reviewing experiences thinking this might perk up their interest. These guys hadn't seen a movie in months. As one person told me, they cost too much. Obviously students wait on the videos. Who then is going to the movies?

When I was finished with my wonderful talk I asked for questions. I got four, and they were basically about my luck in finding a publisher. I then sat down and Bob asked for volunteers to read one of their short stories. He had three people who came up and read. I was amazed that anyone would want to do that.

After the class I told Bob that I wouldn't have stood up and read anything I had written when I was in college. He leaned forward and whispered confidentially, "They have to do that in order to get an 'A' in this class."

In my minds eye I suddenly got a picture of these students standing by the side of the road. In their hands they held signs which read, "Will read short stories for 'A's"."

Times may come and times may go, but that old push for an A still works wonders. I guess college kids today are basically just the same as we were all the way back then.

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

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