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Gormless? by Ronald Mackay

20/5/2021

11 Comments

 
It is a pleasure today to feature the second story from Ronald Mackay in this year's Authors Showcase.

Enjoy reading Ronald's contribution entitled Gormless? by clicking here.

If you have your own story to share, I'd love to feature it on the blog. You can find out more about the guidelines here.

Ronald Mackay was a member of the Boy Scouts from age 12 to 17. As first a Scout, then a Second and finally a Patrol Leader he not only enjoyed an excellent training, he also learned how to support and encourage others. Ronald is grateful that he has been able to draw on these early experiences and make good use of them throughout an interesting and eventful life, first in his native Scotland and later in many far-flung and isolated parts of the world. He writes in both English and Spanish and is the author of: Fortunate Isle, a Memoir of Tenerife; A Tenerife con Cariño, and The Kilt behind the Curtain.

In his short biographical stories, he tries to capture the tiny but important lessons that he has learned as he reflects on his life. Often, these are insights that are elusive and difficult to capture in words with precision and exactitude.

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11 Comments
Viviana Galleno
20/5/2021 07:34:32 pm

Touching story highly recommended to young - and old. Lovely pictures.

Reply
Ronald Mackay
21/5/2021 02:00:56 am

Thank you, Viviana! I haven't changed a bit!

Reply
Palmer Acheson
21/5/2021 06:37:26 am

Yet another masterful story from Ron! His vivid descriptions of places, and in this case of people, are like multi-facetted diamonds. One can turn them this way and that, and the light illuminates the different surfaces and the fires of life deep within.

Reply
Ronald Mackay
21/5/2021 11:02:42 am

Thanks, Palmer. Happy to know that this story struck a cord with you, a former Patrol Leader, Queen's Scout and Scout Leader. For us, Scouting was a fine education. I appreciate your kind words.
Ron

Reply
Syd Blackwell
22/5/2021 06:43:46 pm

Love the story. Stirred fond Scouting memories from western Canada. Scouts were good for a lot of us in those times that seem so far removed from the world today. As usual, Ron, thanks for your artful story telling that open other doors.

Reply
Ronald Mackay
23/5/2021 04:04:09 pm

Happy to know that I stirred forn memories in a fellow- Boy Scout, Syd! Thank you! Best,
Ron

Reply
Nila Mendoza
23/5/2021 03:47:14 pm

Apart from the extraordinary handling of the literary images and the beautiful language used, characteristics that identify each of your writing, I find a great lesson about the meaning of moral commitment between fellow men, which is made explicit as a corollary of what you want to convey in this part: "I became aware of the responsibility that a "my-you" relationship implied. A relationship in which each gave trust to the other, trusting that trust would not be violated”. I think this part is truly relevant, since, without explaining much, the writer clearly states the deep meaning that the commitment acquired and the achievement of the accepted mission have for him. Brilliant, indeed!

Mackay, it was difficult at that time to know what was expected of each of us; and I think we were all groping in some way, because society, including our parents, had a hard time teaching us the essence of everything, because they didn't even know it themselves.

The reader learns from your experience and is delighted with the vividness of your narrative. I also loved the pictures. Sincere congratulations. A big hug. Nila Mendoza.

Reply
Ronald Mackay
23/5/2021 04:05:29 pm

Thanks, Nila! As usual, you capture the essence of the story. Thank you for reading and enjoying it. Abrazos, Mackay

Reply
Jonathan Munro Jones
26/5/2021 10:07:21 pm

Ron, one need not have been a Scout to identify with your skillfully crafted story. With an economy of words, you captured the tense vulnerability of hierarchical peer groups. I enjoyed every nuance. Did Neil ever unshackle himself from Gormless?

Reply
Ronald Mackay
29/5/2021 10:06:51 am

Thanks for capturing the essence of the story, Jonathan. What happened to the young Scout? That's a completely different story -- and an interesting one! Best wishes, Ron

Reply
Denis Dextraze
16/6/2021 02:30:42 pm

Very well written.. Denis

Reply



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