“Yarning”, the raveling or unraveling of one's imagination is like a huge ball of yarn.
The Pied Piper
It is a great ability to stretch. To create in such a way as to open up a child’s willingness to use
his/her imagination? Though they may not be as capable of expressing it with words or pictures, their mental focus on what we say in the telling of a story, makes them eager and ready to
learn, thereby, strengthening their ability to, not only, express but, to transfer their feelings,
putting them into words, for the benefit of sharing what they have heard, with others. Interestingly, the Enchantment of the tale within can, oftentimes, boost their enthusiasm, thereby, giving and adding length to their attention span. Have you ever wondered what animals do at night? Where do the birds go at sunset? Where? Why does the element of surprise, make you jump, nearly, out of your skin? Children say, “Oooohhhh! You scared my tummy!” Then, they realize, that it’s just a story. Then, they say, “Do it, again!!?” What makes reading so much fun? It allows us to build our own, personal, imaginations. Some of us never, seem to “out-grow” it. If you are thirty-something (or forty, fifty, or even, sixty-something +?), there is always, that “thing” we call our “inner child”, just waiting for the next chance to surface. To put a calm and gentle finger to the softness of their chins, smiling and giving them a tender, “coochy-coo!”. That self-same gesture, from there, leads to “Thumbelina” to “The Canterville Ghost”!? A bit of our character is built here. It even builds our personal sensitivities.., causing laughter, and filling us with such intrigue and suspense, that we cannot wait to turn the page. Why, it can even jerk a tear from us, somehow, stirring that side of our emotions? Have you ever seen a picture of a tree? Picture it in your mind. One, where there are bright, green leaves.., bluebirds.., and a yellow, sun? Soft, green grass at the base of it? Why not, look a bit closer.., see the child there.., beneath the tree? Does he (or she) have a book? Can you imagine that the child.., is you?
Oh, yes.., “The Pied Piper”.., it’s not your grandmother’s old bedtime story?
I do hope that you enjoy this tale.
Born on Dallas’ West side, Alvin E. Jordan, as a fifth-grader, began the whole bit of his writing. It was poetry that he was “hooked” on! He walked around the yards and halls of the George Washington Carver Elementary School with a notebook filled with his most prized
possessions .., poems !? All, penned by him. The notebook, entitled “Poems From A to Z”, seemed to always be in his hands. At age thirteen, he had written his first Short story a sort of coming-of-age dictionary about adolescence, the things that he experienced as a boy growing up, at that time. Two years later, on the campus of the L.G. Pinkston High School, his teacher Miss Frances Johnson held a Poetry Contest. Jordan’s submission won 20th place. However, the winning piece was also written by him. A poem he had written almost two months before the contest was even thought of. He had given it to a classmate. Without his knowledge, she submitted the work as her own. The discovery of this brought amazement to Miss Johnson, She was almost always on Alvin due to his “slouching” posture while attending her class. “Sit up, Jordan!”, she would say. He heard this, about three or four times during the class period. The very next day, she laid down the law! “No more slouching in my classroom!”
In early, 1967, Jordan, at age 16, was introduced to a kind of writing that seemed to light a fire in his mind, journalism. It opened up a whole new world of different and fun things to write about !? The introduction took place at the newly opened Dallas Boys’ Club. The Club’s Educational Director, a woman that he can only remember as “Mrs. Tipton”, showed him the “guts” of newspaper writing. The club’s in-house newspaper, “The Boys’ Club Bugle”, challenged his enthusiasm and helped him to create his own writing style. Though he loved his writing, there was also, another love, boxing. The Boys’ Club
had a Boxing Team and he was on it! Putting his writing “on the back burner”, so to speak, he fought as an amateur for a solid twenty years!
During his college years, Alvin sought to enhance his knowledge of journalism but, later decided on changing his “major” to English. His English 101 (Comprehensive Composition) Class, headed by Professor R.P. Dexter was “awe” inspiring! Mister Dexter, not only, enhanced but, also stimulated and influenced
his writing skills !? His very first class assignment earned him an “A”! Jordan says, “I never remembered ever, getting a “B” in my English Class?”
As an employee of the Dallas Boys’ Club, Inc., he resigned his newly appointed position as the
AthleticlAquatics Director, pursuing a career in Child Development Education. Spending 16 years as a “caregiver”, dealing with children from 6 to 18 years of age, he found that working with children between the ages of 2-6, though it was a more “delicate” venture, it was also satisfying. As a teacher, this helped to develop his story-telling abilities, most of all, it got him back into writing! The first of his creations, “The Tales of Prince Jack”, was the gateway to his first play, “The Magic Muffin”. Now, he’s on his way!
