Mrs. Dubose

In "To Kill a Mockingbird" Mrs Dubose came across as a sour old lady, who went out of her way to cause Jem and Scout trouble. Later in the book, it becomes clear that Mrs Dubose was struggling with a pain killer addiction, and at the same time was coming to grips with the fact that she was slowly dying. This probably caused her to become bitter, and instead of venting all this pent up emotion on someting inanimate, such as preparing a big dinner, or cleaning the house, she chose to let it out on those around her. Jem and Scout happened to be two such vicyims, but as they were so young at the time, it would be very hard for them to understand why she was saying and doing what she did. This is one other example of the advice that Atticus gives the children "before you judge someone, walk a mile in their shoes".

Being Ashamed

I remember when I was in year 5, there was a building blocked off to the rest of the school. This building was completely out of bounds-only the teachers were allowed there. As a dare, a group of us snuck into this building, and, thinking we were being too cool for school, sat around talking. Of course we were soon discovered, and we were all in heaps of trouble. We all had a massive "i'm very disappointed" lecture and were told to write a letter of apology. All of my friends (who had not been involved) thought I was really silly for doing it and it was really embaressing having to hand up this apology letter in front of everyone. I look back and think it was no big deal, but to my year 5 self it sure was-and i was definatley ashamed.

Childhood Phantoms

Dear Diary,

Today was boiling and Mum made us put sunscreen on. We wanted to go to the pool but Mummy said we should just fill up our paddling pool because she was too tired to drive us. The only problem with that is that the paddling pool was in the shed, and because I was the one that wanted to swim, I was the one that had to get it. Sheds don't normally bother me, but this one was different. it didn't matter how bright it was outside, once you stepped into that iron and tin box everything was dark and damp. And creepy. No, not creepy-creeping. I couldn't help but see daddy long legs' everywhere I looked. I could feel their webs on my face and I would freeze just a metre into that house of horrors. I decided that I would swim in the bath instead.