Its 1986 and I'm sitting in assembly

As usual Mr. Jennings is about to try to impress some moral upon us through the medium of story telling and he doesn't do a bad job. But its sooooo hard not to twiddle with my socks, or twist my hair, or not talk even! Today's particular tale was familiar, I'd heard it a couple of times before so on this particular day, I sit there with the rest of class 3, cross-legged, head tilted upwards and mouth agape listening intently right to the end. 

The story is called The Golden Windows. It's about a boy from a poor family who often looked longingly at the house on the hill far away which had golden windows that glistened brightly all the way across the valley. One day he decided to go and visit the house. It took him all day and when he finally got there it was early evening. The house seemed rather normal and quite plain. Thinking he was lost he asked a young girl where he might find the house with the golden windows. She pointed behind him and as he turned he saw his very own house glistening with bright golden windows. 

I think it used to make me think that we should be grateful for what we have and not wish for what we might want, since when we get it, it won't be what we thought. I think the story still resonates with me now- I don't do much wishing these days, mainly finding ways (sometimes round the houses) to try to achieve what my heart desires. To be fair in one guise or another I have <almost*> everything I would ever want. I know I'm a very lucky girl.

But for tonight at least, I did get to the house with the golden windows- and no, sadly it's not mine 'to keep'  but its nice to be able to say I saw it there with my own eyes, sparkling in the early evening light. 

*OK. If Santa or the big fella is listening I'd like a solar telescope, a new macro lens for my camera, a new tripod, an extra hour or two in the day and urmmmmm..... a Milkybar, please- and a face that suits hats too. That should do me for now at least.