So in Europe, when kids are learning to write, they get to graduate writing instruments. From pencil to pen and then to fountain pen they move as their writing becomes tidier.
Today Matthieu got a note from his teacher that said he was allowed to start using a fountain pen! I was super excited when I read this because, as all of you probably know, I'm a fan of the stylo-plume (french name for a fountain pen).
I ran upstairs and grabbed my old blue Parker, which is one of my favorites for everyday kind of stuff. It is an inexpensive one but writes clearly with a really smooth nib in all directions. I had cleaned it out earlier today for storage because I'm not using it so much anymore now that I have newer better pens. I was so pleased I happened to have a cartridge of ink lying around too. Normally I use a converter to draw ink from a large pot. It's cheaper and makes far less waste, but the potential for mess is too much for a 6 year old.
Anyway, I brought it down and asked Valerie if it was alright if I gave him one of mine. She said that would be fine as long as it was one that I don't use anymore. So I gave it to Matthieu and showed him how to insert the cartridge and put it back together.
I was super excited because it just so happens that a blue Parker was the first fountain pen I ever owned. Mr. V, my fourth grade English teacher gave it to me. Of course I mangled the nib back then and it never wrote again, but I hung on to the non-functional thing for ages until I could figure out what brand it was so I could replace it. That was hard work because I'd never tried tracking down a pen model before...I didn't even know there were models.
So the pen was ready to go and Mathtieu got some paper out to try it. He scribbled a bit, and I was holding my breath, he set it down and I looked to see what he thought of the fancy new pen. All he says is...
"I don't want that one."
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6 comments:
Funny story.
Kids can be very humbling. Gee, wonder where I learned that lesson?
With Love
Your mom :-)
You are not still holding your breathe are you? I wouldn't be surprized if he ends up liking it. A Marcia
Chris, Your Mom fially helped by sending an address that is two lines long. No wonder my messages never were sent to you. Also I had been emailing to your gmail address which you might not be reading.
Sound like you are enjoying life there. I'm glad.
Grandma kay
We'll just see, he may end up liking it, or he may decide to use a different one. I must say I can certainly sympathize with the little dude if he just doesn't like it, lord knows there are many pens I don't like too. Gotta respect his honesty.
Thanks for the comments everyone! Keep 'em comin'! :-) It's more fun to know when folks are reading than it is to actually write.
You need to write more often! I enjoy reading your stories, but there are too long of gaps! I feel like I am missing you...
Your gay lover boy... :-)
Chris,
I love the pen story. It reminds me of how excited I was as an exchange student in Denmark (at 16) at all the choices of "pencil houses" or carrying cases for pens and pencils that all students seemed to have. Boy did they take their pens seriously! But here I'm talking to the wrong person; someone who wanted a pen display case for graduation!
I mostly wanted to add that I've thoroghly enjoyed every one of your blog entries. For some silly reason I've always shied away from commenting on a blog. Your mother shamed me into actually speaking up to say, "Hooray!" "Keep going!" I love any story that involves Belgian beer, which most of yours do... or anything that has to do with you.
You keep going girl!
Much love,
(Aunt) Peggy
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