View Full Version : Woot! Essay.


BloodyBunny
Oct 4th, 2005, 03:03 PM
I don't think this sounds right... we were supposed to right a two page essay on a child hood memory. I need feedback quickly!! About my Grandparent's dog, Charlie.


Charlie


I was only six when Charlie died.

I loved Charlie with all of my heart, or at least as much heart as a six year old can give. Charlie was my grandparents’ miniature collie dog, a little vicious ball of fur. He was a beautiful dog with the characteristic narrow nose and gold and white coat, short lets and a tail that waved as a flag following him

My grandma called one night and said that Charlie had died. He had gotten into my grandpa’s fishing fear and swallowed a hook. She said it had lodged in his throat, and that was how he died. What she meant was that he choked on his own blood out in the fishing shed, his throat torn from the inside out. But she didn’t tell me that. I was only six when Charlie died.

Charlie was one of the most energetic dogs ever. He would have to be, growing up on my grandparents’ farm. He would jump on everyone, even my dad – who is allergic. Charlie loved everyone, though, and it showed. He knows he was cute, and used it the fullest advantage. He would always get table scraps, treats, or pieces of something, whining and begging until he got a snack. I thought he was too cute to resist.

I remember when my parents told me that Charlie was gone. I didn’t understand, really. But I cried and pouted and showed all the theatrical versions of how people can mourn. Wasn’t that what people did when someone died? My parents comforted me, as I saw they also did on movies, and explained about death and how it was okay. That it was going to be okay. I still don’t understand. I was only six when Charlie died.

I didn’t fully understand until I traveled to my grandparents; house a few months later I was so excited, I was going to get to play with Charlie! As soon as the car pulled into the driveway, I was out and b0unding up the steps to my grandparents’ front door. My grandmother opened the door before I was halfway up the steps, and I flung myself past her and into the house. I braced myself, waiting to get jumped on. It didn’t happen.

I slowly opened one eye, and then the other. I looked around, turning in circles to take in everything. I was confused. “Where’s Charlie?”

My grandmother sobered up, and my parents glanced at me in surprise. I repeated my question, and still no one answered. I was getting frustrated, so I asked one more time. It was my grandma’s soft, quiet voice that I remember. “Charlie’s dead.”

“But that was months ago. Isn’t he back yet?”

“No. He’s not coming back.”

“Why? Why can’t he?”

“Because he’s dead, sweetie.”

So I finally got it. My six-year-old mind grasped the cold fact of death. He was gone. Charlie was dead. He was dead and he wasn’t coming back. Ever. I decided, in that moment, that I hated death. But I didn’t cry. I only nodded and walked back outside to the car to get my bag.

I dragged it inside, but the adults were still quietly standing there. Taking my bag to my room, I never mentioned Charlie again. I don’t think I could stomach that look on my grandma’s face again. Yes, I hate death.

I was only six when Charlie died.


XOXO

:~: Bunny

Jerzideva
Oct 4th, 2005, 03:39 PM
First of all, it's very well written. It's a very sad story and I think you did a good job of capturing just how bewildered a six year old can get, especially concerning matters such as death.

Now... there are a few mistakes here and there. I also noticed that you jumped between tenses on a few spots.
[...]white coat, short lets and a tail that waved[...]
I'm quite sure you meant to say legs.
[...]gotten into my grandpa’s fishing fear and[...]
Gear instead of fear, correct?
He knows he was cute, and[...]
I think knew is the correct tense to use here.
I still don’t understand.
Didn't instead of don't.
I didn’t fully understand until I traveled to my grandparents; house a few months later I was so excited, I was going to get to play with Charlie!
I think the correct way to write this should be "I didn't fully understand until I travelled to my grandparents' house a few months later; I was so excited! I was going to get to play with Charlie!"
[...]was out and b0unding up the steps[...]
I think you meant bounding. I don't think your teacher would appreciate 1337 speak. :laugh:
I decided, in that moment, that I hated death.
I think it should be "at that moment".

Aaaaaaand I think that's it.

RinRinEva
Oct 4th, 2005, 03:45 PM
Ah, everybody makes mistakes, Bunny.
And, as you can see, Jerzi's already taken the oppurtunity to correct them. :amused:
It's very saddening story.
Totally captures the sadness of losing a best friend. (a.k.a. A Pet)

Aside from the grammatical and spelling errors, it very well written.
Good job. ^_^

meowwl
Oct 5th, 2005, 02:23 PM
I think it's well written, and Jerzi got all the typos..but there is one small thing that bothered me..a little vicious ball of fur..Vicious means violent, dangerous, mean...Are you sure you weren't trying to say vivacious, which means full of energy, bouncy, full of life?