The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Foreign Language (12/09/10)
A line, twenty deep, awaited Sarah's move to the glass door Friday morning.

"Oh, it's going to be one of those days. . . again. Don't you people have anything better to do?" Hoping her lips weren't moving in cadence to her inner voice, she logged into the three computer systems required to progress each customer from Point A to Point B, keeping her eyes on the keyboard and the ever-ticking clock at the bottom right-hand of the screen, avoiding eye contact with the zealous, gathered crowd.

"God, help me through this day. Thank You, that You are my shield, my ever-present help in time of trouble. Help me to be and receive your blessing this day."

Painting a façade smile, at precisely 8:30 a.m., she flipped the television on and walked to the door, swiveling the lock to remove the protective shield separating her from drivers and wannabes awaiting service.

"Good morning!"

"Yeah. Sure took you long enough. Can't you go any faster?"

"Aren't the elderly supposed to be nice? Pleasant?" Bristled thoughts swarmed at greeting the wrinkled woman first in line, but Sarah kept her smile in place. I'll be right with you.

"Well, it's about time. I've been here since 7:30."

"How may I help you?"

"What?"

"How may I help you, Ma'am?"

"Well, what do you think? I'm here to renew my license."

"You're in the right place. May I see the license you have now?"

"Oh, for cry'n out loud. I already put it away. I have to dig it out of my billfold. You people. You just don't make things easy, do you?"

"I wonder what made her so bitter, Lord. Help me to be patient." The weathered patron slid her expired driving pass on the counter.

"Very good, Ms. Blast. Here you go. If you'll fill out this form while you wait and take it to the counter when Number 400 is called, you'll be first up."

"What do you mean, wait? I have to wait again. You people. You people." Ms. Blast's grumbled snatch of the clipboard let loose the attached pencil, which dropped hastily to the floor.

So focused on serving Mrs. Blast, Sarah hadn't noticed the woman standing behind her. Quiet, unassuming, a purple sarong framing an olive-complexion, the young miss bent to retrieve the departed lead. Sparkling, ebony eyes followed an outstretched hand yielding Mrs. Blast's writing utensil. For you.

"Oh, for land's sakes, what are you doing here? I suppose you're getting a license. I'm an American. I deserve one. Give me that pencil!"

Bending her head as though in shame, it was clear she did not understand Mrs. Blast's diatribe, but absorbed her tone.

"That was nice of you. How may I help you?" Sarah aimed to reconcile the act of kindness with acknowledgement, but the patron could not understand the gesture.

"I come, for license, please."

"Do you have a license from another state?"

The dark-eyed woman stared blankly at Sarah. Silent.

"You want to take a computer test?"

"I would like license, please."

"Oh, for cry'n out loud another foreigner. I've been waiting here since a quarter of eight. Now I have to wait another hour for someone to translate for this woman. Boy, if I went to her country, they sure as heck wouldn't have someone standing by to interpret what I said. Only in American. I deserve to get my license first." Words uttered by the six foot, four inch, 250 pound, dressed in coveralls man with a beard were laced with anger.

"May I see your documentation?"

A captive victim surrounded by a war of words, the woman feverishly rustled through a cluster of papers clutched, like life bread, in her left hand and placed the stack on the white-washed counter in front of Sarah: I-551, Social Security card, apartment lease agreement, driver's license issued from California.

"Looks like you have everything you need here. Very good. Your number is 401. You fill this paper out and take it to the counter where your number pops up, okay?" Sarah pointed to the red neon digits displayed above Stations A, B, C and D. The woman nodded and then, most unusual for a day in the DMV, she looked up at Sarah and smiled, eyes moist.

"Thank you." Reaching for the clipboard, a petite hand patted Sarah's ever so slightly. "Thank you," she said once again, softly, almost inaudibly.

Everyone can speak kindness; it need not be a foreign language.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 795 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Melanie Kerr 
12/17/10
Some very unpleasant people your MC had to deal with! I liked the ending - reminding us that we can all speak the language of kindness if we choose to.
Philip Barrington
12/18/10
So true. We can show a little kindness and people will know what kind of people we are.

luic
diana kay
12/18/10
a really good piece of writing, in my opinion. you do great descriptions of the people and unfold the story in such an absorbing and realistic way. I felt like i was there in that room.The topic too of intolerance of "foreigners" is a common one the world over and so relevant and bang on the theme> I hope you get a ribbon for this one :-)
Cheryl Harrison
12/22/10
I really felt for your MC. Poor thing -- having to deal with all those grumpy people. I appreciated the way your MC remained compassionate in the midst of all that complaining. Good job.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
12/24/10
I really enjoyed this. It brought tears to my eyes. You did an outstanding job and I loved your message. So many of us need to hear it! This was one of my favorites!