THE LESSON

How would you feel if you willingly take responsibility and then fail to keep your words? Mum
asked me to clean up my room to immaculate effect, do the gardening, and help her with the
chores. I generally avoid her commands and she gets triggered. 6 AM. An instantaneous
thought just struck my mind. How could I have forgotten that it was Saturday? I have already
told my mum that I would go to the amusement park. I grabbed my silky, black coat and dressed
myself. Mom, I am going to the amusement park and I am taking Jeremy with me. “What!” mom
shrieked out. “You are even reluctant to do simple chores when I am outside and now how can
you take responsibility for your little brother Jeremy?”.
Mom, I am serious. I will be sure to take full care of Jeremy.
Are you absolutely sure? She uttered with a glaring look. “Make sure you keep your words.”
“I promise” I commented, rather reluctantly.

We went inside the sumptuous exhibition of the amusement park with all the enchanting rides,
the palatable food and the fascinating smell of foods, and the fragrance of flowers. I was
captivated by the display of one shop. Illuminated words of GAMING ELECTRONICS propelled
me to visit the shop. I was engrossed in my own world after I entered that shop. All the gadgets,
the play stations, the gaming controllers enlightened me. In my oblivious mind, looking at the
joystick that is wriggling like a caterpillar, I discern that I am missing something. I look to my right
and to my left. I squint my eyes multiple times. “Where is Jeremy?” A disturbing and painful
echo vibrated through the air. Jeremy, where are you? Are you hiding somewhere? Is it you
playing pranks on me again?. I will find you. I left the headphones and joysticks with
abhorrence and left the shop viciously, while the glass door banged as if it is about to shatter.
Just like my mind. . I waddled throughout the surrounding area, my vulture-like eyes magnified
looking for any miniature creatures. Did I usher my brother into danger? I am consumed with
worry and guilt. Bitter sweat trickles down my forehead --- actually throughout my body.
Instantaneously, there is a lump in the throat. Did the odious demon from hell land here in this
buzzing place. Where do I search in this gargantuan place, among this plethora of people?

All of a sudden, the illuminated manifestation faded as I hallucinate perilous occurrences. The
vermillion display of the ice cream shop creates a blood-curdling effect. In the middle of a crowd,
a man is selling balloons: a man with his face painted white, yellow large teeth, and an
eerie-looking red outfit. As I approach the balloon-seller, instantaneously, I see a group of
people wearing all black: their faces covered. Why are they walking with long bamboo sticks in
their hands and looking at me this intensely? Do I approach them and show my audacity? I am
also wearing a black costume, does that mean I am a malevolent person? My mind replied, “
Your mother would agree to that “. This park is famous for the long chronicles of lost children.
Now, fate did not leave me alone. Deep within me, I blamed no one but myself. I realized that
she was right; I had let them down. I had let them down very badly.
 The world seems to be inundated with darkness but still, I continue to ask many people whether
they had observed a child with yellow clothes and a red tie. People do not usually bother to
help. They did not.

I will apologize, I thought. I will eat humble pie. I will beg to be forgiven but I will never forgive
myself. I was out to prove something. I wonder what. I yell with all my might. Forthwith, I hear a
child whimpering. I run with all my strength towards the noise. I can see a child wearing a yellow
dress. He is being taken away by someone. I try to reach the child by running as fast as I could.
There is a tinge of hope. A moment of optimism. However, it is not Jeremy. The child is
pestering for chocolate from his parents. I am famished and a cold feeling gripped my heart. My
heart is beating fast and my mind is blank. Failure struck me like a bullet.

I rummage through the rustling bushes and the oak trees while the wind howls. The thunder
groans like a hungry lion. How will I show my face to my parents? Will I be welcomed back
home? My brother: a studious, smart, tidy, responsible boy. All the adjectives belonged to him
that would never be prescribed to my name. I feel miserable and apprehensive but it is better
than what I am able to do-----Nothing. I saunter throughout the park with a bowed head. To my
right, I see something. Isn’t that Jeremy? I can see him near the electronics shop from where I
left at the beginning. I rush towards him. I put on a solemn look though inwardly I am smiling.
He is perfectly all right. I hugged him and he held on to me. I realize I am part of the deep love
we have for each other. People must have thought we are crazy. We did not care. I have got a
very good lesson. From now on, I will be sincere and will follow everything my mother asks me
to do.

Planning:

Setting: My house and the amusement park

Characters: Me, my mother, and Jeremy (my little brother)
Conflict: Man vs Self, ( not being able to accept what happened, emotional turmoil)
Man vs Destinty (Luck being bad)

Plot, conflict, and resolution for a narrative essay should not be written in the planning in my
opinion as it stymies the curiosity of the readers. It may reduce the interest of readers, as they
will not be emotionally attached to what is forthcoming. That is why I am not writing these points.

Key points: Make the opening interesting: I asked a question here to make readers think what
may be the story.
Use dialogues.
Use suspense (people in black outfits, evil clown)
Guilty feeling, Bring emotional attachment with readers.
Use foreshadowing. Seeing a kid for the first time, but it was not Jeremy. Winds howling
Inundating darkness. Red display fading. Blood-curdling effect.