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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Linda Kreger
CLICK ON FROGGY AND HOP ABOARD
Genre: Hysterical Faction
Word Count: 100
ERAT CHIROGRAPHUM DECRETI
For Jeffrey, trying to learn Latin was somewhat akin to pushing a cart sideways—uphill. Verb tenses made him tense. Nouns didn’t compute.
He stared at his teacher’s one word comment scrawled across his most recent quiz. “Mr. Bland, what does ‘tennible’ mean?”
Mr. Bland leaned back in his chair. “Let’s explore the Latin roots. ‘To have. To hold.’ Teneo, I have. Tenet, you have…from that root we arrive at ‘tenable—capable of being held.’”
Jeffrey presented his paper. “Why did you write it on my test?”
Taking it from the boy, Mr. Bland frowned. “That’s not tenable. That’s ‘terrible.’”
My brother Jeffrey and his wife Debbie.
*The title is Latin for Handwriting. The story itself is not my own, but my brother’s. It was too good not to share.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Haha, I would be the same. Some just aren’t cut for learning more than one language. Fun read. I’m sure your brother has other skills.
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Dear Tanille,
Jeff is a highly intelligent man with a vast vocabulary–in English. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Funny story, Rochelle. It reminds me of the famous apocryphal quote from a school history paper “Henry had five hores shot from under him during the battle and died while mounting the sixth”
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Dear Neil,
Poor Henry. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Cute and funny memoir, Rochelle. I totally sympathize with Jeffrey. I tried to learn Marathi. The poor lady teaching me told me after several weeks, “You know as much Marathi as someone who just stepped off the plane.” I thanked her and gave the book back. After almost twenty years here I know certain words but that’s all. A friend asked what my mother tongue was. I said English. She said,”No, your mother tongue.” I said “English”. 😀 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
You must speak your few words with a good accent. I find that my gift for picking up accents and inflections gets me in trouble because I sound like I know more than I actually do. 😉 Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This made me laugh, love it 🙂
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Dear Iain,
Mission accomplished. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Poor boy. His teacher does not understand him.
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Actually, I think his teacher understood him just fine, Colline. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is great. We just watched an episode of Barney Miller when Barney asks Dietrich “Are you familiar with the word ‘pedantic?’ Well done.
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Dear Josh,
Pedantic is a great word for Dietrich. I don’t recall the scene but I’m sure his reply was classic. Re my story, I thank you. My pedantic brother Jeff thanks you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an inventive use pf the prompt! And thanks for using it, by the way. I’m really looking forward to the stories this week:)
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Dear Linda,
Glad you enjoyed my use of your wonderful photo. Thank you for the nice comment and for sharing the picture with us.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice one Rochelle.
Surprise from me this week, have actually used 100 words today!
https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2019/08/28/friday-fictioneers-30th-august/
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Dear Di,
Kudos for making 100 words this week. 😉 Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yay!!
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Pushing the cart uphill-sideways was pretty much me throughout High School. I loved literature and was a decent writer but when it came to grammar, I sucked. Latin wasn’t an option for me although, I picked up Spanish and was able to read, speak and write without mental interpretation. Jeffrey is, and was, a very intelligent guy. I bet he actually had a fit when he heard the teacher say “terrible “. Good job. AND……I know you have to watch what you say around you or you may wind up in a novel or story. Just sayin……
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Dear Jan,
You sucked at grammar? Say it isn’t so. 😉 I think at the time Jeff’s teacher told him his paper was terrible he didn’t really care. (By his own admission.) He is highly intelligent and has a vocabulary that shoots way off the charts. To be fair, I warned Jeff when he told me the story that I would probably use it. 😀 Thanks, m’luv.
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I can relate. When it comes to foreign languages, and I’ve tried studying a few, I think ‘tennible’ describes my outcome as well 😉 I guess having a Mr. Bland as a Latin teacher is better than Mr. Irate…
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Dear Trent,
Ironically his last name really was Bland. Apparently he didn’t teach penmanship. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I thought it was a Dickens last name, better that it is real.
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I saw your discussion about accents. I’m very good at picking them up, usually within a minute or two of hearing it. Never really thought much of it, but it does kinda help when visiting a new area not to stand out so much. Annnd, to feel a little more ‘in the loop’ with locals… languages…. I understand written and heard languages, but to speak them myself… not so good. Latin, well, my Gr. Grandpa taught me at his knee, used to say that if I learned it really well, I’d be able to at least have half and understanding no matter where in the world I went. He was right. I don’t know how many times I’ve taken a foreign language back to it’s Latin roots to figure it out. Most of the time, I can then glean a general idea of what’s being said. Hebrew glyphics are still giving me fits, though. ~Shalom, Bear
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Dear Bear,
Hebrew can be daunting because it’s a whole ‘nuther alphabet or alef-bets, if you will. 😉 I do love languages and wish I had the capacity and time to learn them all.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I wish I could learn them, too.
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Mr Bland’s use of Latin is clearly greater than his use of the pen!
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Penmanship is indeed lacking, Keith. 😉 Thanks for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha ha – that was funny and clever on several levels. 🙂
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you, Susan. Happy to make you laugh. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sound’s a little like Hogwarts colloquialism I think! Looks like her brakes are on! That will slow them down! Cute! Rochelle
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Thank you, Nan.
😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Uphill battles, some schooling can be, eh? 🙂
Fun one!
Here’s my take on this smile-making prompt. Based on a sort-of-true-story, too.
🙂
https://naamayehuda.com/2019/08/28/driving-mrs-mama/
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
So my brother informed me that it wasn’t that Latin was so difficult. The problem was that he was lazy and easily distracted…by everything. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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LOL! Well, that’s that, then … 😉
Easily distracted can mean highly entertained and/or entertaining (though perhaps not to the Latin teacher … ;))
🙂
Na’ama
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Real life inspires many tales, true and untrue.
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Dear Joe,
Life experiences make for good stories. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh… just like Nan I thought about the grading at Hogwarths … to me it seems like a clear case of dyslexia, and these days there are ways to deal with that I think.
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Dear Björn,
Actually, according to my brother, it was really a clear case of laziness. 😉 Knowing my brother, Mr. Bland probably handled the situation properly. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Languages are hard to learn. I’ve encountered many who speak one and are far from mastering it. I’m always in awe of people who can learn more than one. Despite being half Hispanic and taking three years in high school, my Spanish is mediocre at best.
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Querido Nobbin,
I, too, have always wished for a second language. I’m told I do well in Spanish but I’m far from fluent. In my brother’s case it wasn’t really a matter of difficulty, he claims it was more a matter of laziness. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom y paz,
Rochelle
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Languages present a terrible struggle to learn, but the results are often very rewarding.
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Dear Jo,
If I could learn all the languages of the world I would. So many, so little time. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I love this way outta da box take! Poor Jeffrey 😉
School and languages are not for everyone.
Shalom and lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
According to “Poor Jeffrey” the course wasn’t difficult for him, he was lazy and easily distracted by everything. 😉 This same kid came out of the air force, went back to college and graduated with honors. Go figure. Thank you re my story. (I don’t like to be hemmed in by boxes).
Shalom and lotsa hugs,
Rochelle
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Haha! Typical… The lazy part, that is.
Obviously, when the interest is there, he can do anything. 😉
Can’t stand boxes myself.
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Uncomfortable for Jeffrey, but so entertaining for the rest of us, Rochelle.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Lisa,
I warned him when he told me the story it was going to be a Friday Fictioneers piece. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, what are family for if not fiction fodder? 😉
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Squilla Parum W(T)F,
Mr. Bland doesn’t seem too bland to me. I can understand the ability to decipher the scribbling though. At least Bland didn’t write LOL, or WTF. 🙂
How’s his Russian?
Raspy Putin
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Dear Raspy Putin,
In some cases, handwriting need not apply. I once received some critique from Dusty. It took a while to decipher his hieroglyphics. Since we’re talking the 60’s here, people were still speaking in full sentences so WTF and LOL might’ve been appropriate but were unheard of. 😉 LOL thank you for coming by. Miss your silly face on the Hollywood Squares but appreciate the visit.
Shalom.
Squilla Parum W(T)F
Hey! Are you calling me a shrimp?
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If the crustacean shell fits . . . 🙂
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🖖🏻😜
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Ha! Ha! Mr. Bland should have been a doctor. Actually I shouldn’t be laughing. My English teacher in grade 7, Brother Comber, had named me ‘the scribe’. He promised to give me 100% if I could improve my handwriting. Never got that 100% 😉
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Dear Subroto,
Penmanship is a dying art I think. Sadly. It sounds like for Mr. Bland it never lived. 😉 It’s okay to laugh. In fact, that was my mission. To make my readers laugh. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
For a quick second, I thought I was beginning to develop dyslexia. lol
Clever way to keep us on our toes. What an interesting tale. It’s something that
could happen to any of us. Un cuento muy bueno. Gracias por compartir con nosotros.
BTW … my grandson – the one you painted – is a Jeffrey too. Such a strong and manly name. I loved it from the beginning. Perhaps, you were drawn to the photograph by the strong energy of these Jeffrey’s.
Abrazos y carino,
Isadora 😎
ps – my internet may be intermittent due to the impending arrival of a hurricane called Dorian.
Perhaps, he’s looking for his painting. LOLOL
I’ll do my best to read the entries of others. 👍🏻🤪😂
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Querida Isadora,
Ironically, my brother Jeffrey thought the painting of your Jeffrey was him since it was similar to one I did paint of him. Sí, es un nombre fruerzo. 😉 I was definitely drawn to the photo…not sure it was the name but definitely the energy. 😀 Gracias.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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🙏🏻
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Hi Rochelle,
Haha!! I enjoyed every bit of your tale. Loved it.
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Thank you, Kitty. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Welcome, Rochelle 🙂
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Well, maybe he learned one word anyway. Even if that’s not what the teacher wrote 🙂
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Dear Ali,
At any rate, it’s made a great anecdote that has lasted for decades. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That was cute and funny. And I’m sure it wasn’t that terrible. 🙂 Grammar is hard.
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Dear Gabi,
Jeff assures me it was terrible. 😉 He said it wasn’t that the subject was hard so much as his own laziness. Glad you enjoyed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can relate to this, m’lady.
My Latin teacher, Fizzy Duncan, once said to me that my translations were seldom accurate but often entertaining.
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Dear CE,
Fizzy Duncan? What a great name. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Funny – but what a cruel teacher. The boy will never learn Latin now.
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Dear Liz,
I don’t know that the teacher was cruel as much as he was frustrated with a student who could do better if he applied himself. Knowing my brother the way I do…;) Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Latin may be uphill task for the boy. Teacher has a bad handwriting that makes even English words appear like Latin.
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Dear Abhijit,
That about sums up the story. 😉 Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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he needs more patience. takes time. 🙂
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Patience was something my brother didn’t have and I think Mr. Bland was losing. 😉 Thank you, Plaridel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sadly grammar and I do not get on. Fortunately one teacher understood that. I will alway be in his debt.
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Dear Mike,
It’s good to have teachers who understand their students. However, in Latin and other languages, learning the grammar is essential. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great punchline, Rochelle. 🙂 As someone with terrible (tennible?) handwriting and who has studied and taught language a lot, I can relate to many parts of this story. I’ve missed reading your stories. We moved to Erie, PA this summer and so I’m finally getting back to a place where I can write more regularly. Hope you’re doing well.
-David
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Dear David,
I can see where you’d relate on both sides of the story. 😉 I’m glad you’re in a place where you can participate in FF. I’ve missed you. Sorry it’s so much farther away, though. Another face to face meeting would be nice. My love to you and LeeAnn (sp?)
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, who knows. I travel in the US for my job too, so I’ll let you know if I’m back in the KC area. 🙂
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Loved the punchline, dear Rochelle
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Dear Neel,
It was too great a punchline not to write it. 😉 Glad it worked for you. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I guess your brother found the argument, that he should Latin, untenable. 😊 Fun story.
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Dear Andrea,
You could say it wasn’t Jeff’s best subject. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Of course I meant learn Latin, sorry! Brings back good memories of high school Latin, puella parva, SPQR and so on. 😊
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LOL. I get it, Andrea. 😉 I took Spanish and German in high school. I did very well in the former, but the latter not so much. I was also trying to learn Hebrew at the same time. 3 lenguas at once is not a good idea.
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So funny! 🙂
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Thank you, Sascha! 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The story made me laugh – Jeffrey is so endearing – I felt for him.
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Dear Francine,
Knowing how endearing my brother was back in the day, I felt a bit more sympathy for Mr. Bland. 😉 I do adore my one and only sibling. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, poor thing. Hopefully his future work got better. I love the word breakdown though. Fun piece
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Dear Laurie,
I don’t know if his work improved. By his own admission, Jeff was lazy and easily distracted. But it makes for a great anecdote. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love that you shared this story.
Family ❤
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Dear Dawn,
I warned him when he shared the story recently that it was bound to end up as a Friday Fictioneers piece. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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❤ …I have a family weekend coming up…so excited…you've made it more so!
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😘🖖🏻😎
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So, hte Latin paper was so awful it caused terror, which came to Latin “terrere” by way of Middle English and French! Good one!
Shalom,
Ronda (who finally got my contribution posted today)
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Dear Ronda,
Lol…well Mr. Bland thought the Latin paper was terrible. 😉 Jeff still jokes about the incident. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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