Lesson learned

SOME of us might remember an era when it was perfectly acceptable for a complete stranger to chastise children if they were doing the wrong thing. “Pick that up!”, if one was seen dropping litter, or “Wait your turn!” in a queue to buy lollies or a soft drink.

Nowadays, that doesn’t happen, and it could be debated that it should.

However, I must relate what happened to me once, aged six. A lesson I never forgot.

I was riding my bike to school alongside my friend “stupid Annette”, as my mother called her – no punches pulled there … I went to put my right hand out, as I had been taught, to turn right into the school grounds. Annette said “Oh, you don’t need to do that, they all know we are going into the school grounds.”

“How do they know?” I asked. “Because we’re wearing our uniforms, silly!”

A light went on in my small brain. Of course they knew. So next day, riding by myself this time, I did as Annette suggested, and turned without indicating. Suddenly, to my surprise, a small sedan pulled up beside me, and an old lady (probably younger than I am now) strode up to me, shouting: “What do you think you are doing, you silly girl! I nearly ran into you. Why didn’t you put your arm out when turning right across the road like that.”

I was mortified, speechless, tearful.

I promised never to do that again. I would always indicate, always, always, always.

Fast forward to becoming a driver of a car. I always, always, always indicate. I even indicate when I know there’s no one behind me, turning into our driveway. I indicate in shopping centre car parks, I even indicate when I change lanes.

I’m wishing that some of the other drivers around here had had the same experience as me when they were younger. I’d like to get into Dr Who’s Tardis and teach them a lesson they might never forget also. Indicate, indicate, indicate.

P. S. A heartfelt thank you to the people who have said they liked my letters. You have now created a monster and I really appreciate your comments.

KAT ADAMS, Toowoomba