It’s time for Friday Fictioneers, my friends!
As always, a special thank you goes out to Rochelle at Addicted to Purple for procuring our weekly photo prompt! This weeks photo is courtesy of Adam Ickes!
A busy janitor never has time to use his office.
~*~
The Janitor’s Job
Genre: *Narrative
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Mr. Johnson, our school janitor, knew all the children by name. If you were sad, he knew just what to say to make it better. If someone got hurt on the grounds, he’d bring the wheelchair, carefully put you in, and wheel you to the nurse’s office. And, if it was broken he could usually fix it. The children loved him.
One day a student of mine vomited in class. Those nearest to her jumped out-of-the-way squealing.
The janitor was called…
Susie: “Mr. Johnson, do you like your job?
Mr. Johnson: “Yes. . . most of the time.”
~*~
WORDS: 100
For some really great takes on this weeks prompt, please look
~ HERE ~
*Why a Narrative? Because sometimes the truth is as much fun as fiction! 😉
Life on the Farmlet 
Cute!
Thank you! I love it when you visit, Pam!
So adorable! No job is easy..:)
No it isn’t, but he sure made it look easy! Thank you, Camgal!
I shared the janitor’s sentiments when in a classroom situation.
Me too, Tom!
Ha! Good answer!!!! Great little narrative!!!!!
Thank you, Doreen! Someday I should write about my fun, foibles, and memories of teaching the 7 to 8 year old crowd. You can’t make this stuff up!
Yup! Years ago there was a fella named Art Linkletter who had a TV show with a panel of young children named “Kids Say the Darndest Things”…….also wrote a book with the same title. Hilarious!!!!!
We used to watch him regularly! What fun it was too!
Time does fly!!!!
Yes it does!
Your story reminds me of a news report I heard this morning. There was a veteran in a Lowe’s store in a wheelchair that didn’t work well, because the VA wouldn’t fix the thing. The Lowe’s employees said, “Enough of that!” Right then and there, they fixed his wheelchair. There’s supposed to be a video going around about it.
I guess the link I see between the two stories is the caring – even when caring isn’t the most pleasant option. Well done!
Thank you, Linda! I went looking and found the story. (I don’t watch the news much. I know; I’m bad.) A sad commentary that it took national media attention to get the VA to step up and finally replace his old wheelchair! And, HOORAY for the young men at Lowes!
I am adding a link for others who may have missed it: http://globalnews.ca/news/1451206/us-veteran-thankful-after-lowes-employees-repair-broken-wheelchair/
Dear Lynda,
Wish I hadn’t been eating breakfast for your last few lines. 😉 It seems like many schools have a janitor like Mr. Johnson. Sweet story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Rochelle, the little girl had the quietest, and sweetest voice, and the look on the janitor’s face while he worked would have helped him in his poker game. 😉
I am sorry you read this at breakfast! EW!
The janitor could always be counted on. Sweet story.
Yours too? I guess it really takes a special kind of person to be a school janitor! Thanks, Patti!
This took me back to my own school days. Sometimes the janitor is so overlooked, and yet he is always there! I am befuddled as to the link to this story, but I often miss the cleverly hidden ones. Doesn’t matter, I loved the story, Lynda!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Sigh… my brain works sideways to everyone else. When I first saw the photo I got nothing. I stared at it and after a while I saw that the story was there all along.
Yesterday I realized, that since the connection was obscure, a caption above the photograph would be needed:
“A busy janitor never has time to use his office.”
Sorry for the oblique connection and I hope the caption helps to make it more apparent. 😉
This brought back the smell of that weird “dust” the janitor would sprinkle on fresh vomit. Well done.
Alicia, I had totally forgotten that dust the janitor used! I wonder if they still use it today?
Love it (as always). And I love the new header photo – I remember when you posted that.
Glad you like it, Laurie, just a few more tweaks to go!
Lynda, That was a really cute story and well written. I used to teach 6 and 7 year olds, so know about those experiences. The kids are darling at that age. Well done. 🙂 —Susan
Yes the kids are wonderfully fun at that age! I considered teaching other grades for about a minute, and then couldn’t follow through. That age is just too fun! Glad you enjoyed the story, Susan!
Every job has it’s good and bad parts. That would definitely be the bad part of being a janitor. Great story; I love people like that.
Thank you, David! And yes, there are less than great parts to any job. He was proud of his work and seemed tireless when working his hardest. I was very happy to know that he was there when we needed him.
Great story, Lynda! I love my work here on our little ranch, but there are days that are challenging… still, we love what we do, eh?
YES WE DO! When we are able, that is. 😀 I’m so glad you liked it, Lori.
As for work, well I have been very busy of late. I am proud to say I have herded all the dust buffaloes into the vacuum, and the fur coats on all the lighting and ceiling fans have been skinned and tossed into the landfill. 😛 You can actually sit on my couch now too! It helps when you can work without an assist (cane/crutches) or pain!