A lovely true story by Margaret James

Excitedly, I have just spent time with a student, R, whom I last saw in 2012. She is now a beautiful young woman with great aspirations for her future career options.

I first met Primary School student, R, in May 2012. I was told she couldn’t read. Soon she was having great fun beating me at ‘memory’ as she learnt the words in Honey Ant Readers book 1 through card games. We then progressed onto the actual HAR book 1, book 2 …,, more card games. She wanted to read book 3, book 4.

“I think we should take a break now, R.” I said.  But no, she didn’t want to stop.  After book 5, she put the book down and looked at me, saying:  “This very funny Margaret James ‘cause I can’t read.” “Yes you can R, you’ve just read to me.”  “I can’t read any of them books.  (Pointing across the room) But I am reading these books.”  The teacher and her assistants were very excited. R went on to read book 6 before I left the school.

I received a message from her via her teacher a month later:  “I’m like genius with them books.”

On my return 2 months later, I was met at the classroom door by an exuberant R….”Margaret James, I read ALL your books. .”  Me, the doubter, asked:  “Which was your favourite, R?” “Big man grab sister.” She quickly replied. “ Mm Book 14” I thought, “unlikely.”  “Tell me about it R. “ She told me whole story in detail, but what amazed me was that she included all the underlying layers not in the book itself. She is a coastal child connecting with the deeper meaning of a desert story.

Thinking I would impress her, I said, “R look, I have the books in School English for you now.”  Standard English. R read Book 12 and threw it on the table in disgust: “I don’t like this Margaret James, I like that other language!”

2012 learning to read.

2016 into angled selfies and exciting career choices.