A Medal for Leroy ‘That was when Auntie Snowdrop’s words came back to me – “Always remember, Michael, it’s not the face that matters, not the skin, not the hair, it’s what lies beneath. You have to look deeper, Michael, behind. Look through the glass, through the photo, and you’ll find out who your papa really was.” I looked hard into Papa’s face, into his eyes, trying all I could to know the man behind the glass, behind the photo, behind the eyes.... I’m telling you this, writing it down for you, Michael, because we all have a right to know who we are. I should have told you myself, face-to-face, a long time ago. Early on, when you were little, I always thought you were too young – or that was my excuse. And then as you grew up, I didn’t know how to tell you. I never had the courage, that’s the truth of it. I should have told your maman too, but I could never quite bring myself to do that either.’
Storytelling challenge: Can you invent a story with a hidden clue for a character in your story?
You should: • Think of a story where a character needs a clue to help them. Perhaps they need to find a hidden key; the treasure is hidden somewhere and they are not sure whom to trust. • Think of a clue that they need to work out. • Work with a partner and tell the story, including a character getting the clue and how they work out what it means.
You might: • Write your story down after telling it to your partner. Does this change how your clue works?
Stuck for ideas? Here are some suggestions for different clues: • For treasure hidden under the mattress: “Perhaps sleeping on the problem will help.” • For a key hidden behind a clock: “Time will tell…” • For a warning that the troll they meet will actually be friendly: “Remember, looks can be deceiving…”
A Medal for Leroy