Exploring The World

Impossible ambitions are chased in this inspiring short story by Vanda Inman.

The class trip to the zoo was reminding me of my childhood dream . . .

OK, kids.” I smiled at the expectant faces of class 3A. “Don’t forget to bring a packed lunch and a couple of pounds to spend in the shop. Do you have any questions?”

William’s hand shot up, as I knew it would.

“Please, miss, can we spend our pocket money on ice-cream? A chocolate one?” he added eagerly.

I wasn’t supposed to have favourites, but I couldn’t help having a soft spot for William.

“Of course,” I replied. “Anything you like. There will be lots of things to choose from.

“A pencil, perhaps, or a little animal to remind you of the day.”

I could tell from the looks on the faces of the other children that William’s idea of ice-cream far outweighed anything else.

“So, be ready tomorrow morning, and we’re off to the zoo!” I finished.

As I packed up, I couldn’t help thinking of William and his ice-cream.

This wasn’t the first time he’d mentioned it. Getting ice-cream seemed to be his current dream, making me think back to when I was eight years old.

“What do you want to be when you grow up, Lizzie?” people had often asked.

“An explorer,” I always replied. “Going around the world and finding animals we’ve never seen before.”

They usually looked slightly doubtful at this point, so I’d bring in my back-up plan.

“Or a bus driver . . . maybe a teacher?”

This would be met by a nod as if it was within the realms of possibility.

“And to be married to the man I love and have lots of children,” I always finished.

This usually resulted in a pat on the head, signifying this to be a likely outcome.

****

The next day was bright and sunny and we arrived at the zoo in high spirits.

My classroom assistant, Jeremy, was in attendance, along with a few parents.

“Now,” I began as we assembled at the entrance. “Anything in particular you’d like to see first?” William’s hand shot up. “A whale!”

“I don’t think there are any of those, but there might be tropical fish.”

“Elephants, lions and tigers,”’ Jeremy put in.

The children all cheered. “You OK?” Jeremy asked a little later. The children were intent on drawing a friendly elephant.

“Just thinking about dreams,” I replied and told him what mine had been.

“How about you? Did you have any when you were their age?”

He looked thoughtful. “I wanted to be a chef. “I spent a lot of time with my grandparents and loved helping Gran in the kitchen.” He laughed. “I still love cooking.”

I smiled.

“I was just thinking, dreams can be achieved in all kinds of ways.

“You aren’t a chef, but you’re still cooking, and that’s what matters.”

Our eyes met and my heart gave a lurch as a flicker of understanding passed between us before I looked away.

“Better move on to the lions,” I said.

Later, I was surprised to find William sitting a little apart from the rest of the group, watching the flamingos and carefully drawing on his pad.

“Not interested in the monkeys?” I asked.

“I like these,” he replied, showing me his drawing of a blob standing on one leg. “Fancy birds being pink!”

“What d’you think the explorers said when they saw them? They wouldn’t have seen anything like it.”

He grinned at my comment.

“It’ll soon be time for that ice-cream you’ve been looking forward to,” I said. But he shook his head. “Haven’t any money.” “Why not?” I knew for a fact he’d had a couple of pounds in his pocket earlier. “Did you lose it?” He shook his head.

“Put it in there.”

I looked at where he was pointing and saw the collection box asking for donations to help extend the area for the flamingos.

Whatever people said about the youth of today, there was always hope in them for the world of tomorrow.

****

“Right,” I said when we were back at the shop. “As a special treat, for being so good, I’m buying you all an ice-cream.”

Jeremy glanced at me and raised an eyebrow.

“Tell you later,” I mouthed, and we busied ourselves at the counter.

As we prepared to leave, I checked the tired children, sitting in the bus.

William’s mouth was smeared with chocolate. I checked his seat belt. We had a strict rule that he call me “Miss” in class, but I wasn’t surprised by what he said next.

“Thanks, Mum, you’re the best.”

I hoped all of the children would achieve their dreams in life. Some people have big dreams, some small.

Being an explorer, searching out new animals, driving a bus, being a teacher, marrying the man I loved, having a family.

Some of them might have sounded quite impossible; but in some way I’d achieved all but one, even if it had only been on a day trip to the zoo, and I was driving the minibus.

As we set off I glanced across at Jeremy and he winked. Over ice-creams he’d invited me round to sample his cooking.

Perhaps that final dream might happen after all.

Some ambitions do seem impossible but, just like explorers, you never know quite what’s around the next corner. It’s always good to dream.

The End.

JOSIE hadn’t realised how crowded the valley walk would be on a Sunday. Coming here was a bad idea. Families were out enjoying the weekend, but today, she wasn’t feeling sociable.

Unfortunately, she owned a very friendly dog who was keen to run up to everyone who passed and introduce himself, including small children and people she could tell weren’t very keen on having a boisterous Dalmatian charging them, even if it was just to say hello and nose in their pockets for food.

Worse were the ones who wanted to talk to her.

Those who asked her where the other hundred were, or did she know that they were born without spots?

Once, Josie had loved the conversations that owning a dog prompted.

Standing in a field, chatting about how many walks a day were needed and the latest items that had been chewed, used to be her idea of heaven.

But since Matt had ended their eight-year relationship for a woman he worked with, Josie didn’t want people asking personal questions, or even being friendly.

She’d been badly hurt, and now she reckoned that she and Pickle were better off keeping to themselves.

Josie saw another group heading her way and whistled to Pickle.

They struck out away from the main path and up a hill. Josie was panting when she reached the line of woodland.

Pickle took off again in delight as they passed through a gate into the woods, and Josie smiled as she watched her beloved dog charging happily through the undergrowth.

This was better. Few would stray from the main paths of the estate.

All she could hear now was birdsong and twigs cracking underfoot.

The cooler air felt good against her skin, and she slowed her pace.

Her anger dissipated, leaving a quiet sadness.

She didn’t need anyone but Pickle. They would look after each other.

It was one of the main reasons she had chosen to move here.

The job of assistant curator at a stately home in the Wiltshire countryside came with the option of renting a cottage in the grounds.

It was remote and quiet, with miles of space for her to lose herself in.

Unless it was a weekend, she realised, as more and more people stopped at her cottage to admire its quaintness and take photographs.

It had forced her to escape.

Josie and Pickle walked for a while without meeting a soul. Then Josie heard excited barking up ahead and a big black Labrador burst on to the path.

He and Pickle circled around each other, sniffing.

The Lab disappeared again, with Pickle in hot pursuit.

Josie followed them up an incline. The woodland was thinning out and they reached a clearing at the the top of the hill.

Josie turned to see the valley floor laid out below, the river snaking through it down to the lake.

The big house looked like a doll’s-house beside it.

“You’re trespassing.” A deep, unfriendly voice came from above her.

Josie jumped and turned to see the figure of a man silhouetted against the