Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: TASTE (07/01/21)
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TITLE: Anticipation | Previous Challenge Entry
By Corinne Smelker
07/08/21 -
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He closed his eyes and allowed his best sense to take over – his sense of smell. His tastebuds came a close second – but his nose, his nose was why he was considered a ‘super sniffer’ by his compatriots. Hmmm, that’s a beef sandwich, with just a hint of horseradish and is that, yes it is, it is chutney…
The train jolted to a halt and all of the sailors tumbled out, grabbing rucksacks and other sundries, before making their way from the station to the naval base and the docks beyond. “Hey,” one called back, “Are you coming slow poke? If you don’t hurry you’ll miss dinner.”
As he loped off the train, the conductor waved a friendly good-bye and he waved back. As a frequent traveler along the scenic route, he had made firm friends with the engineers and conductors who ran the railroad with an iron fist. And since he was always hungry (he had to feed that six-foot-six-inch frame somehow) he knew one or other of the railroad officials were always willing to share a bite of lunch.
He followed his friends, anticipating the evening’s fare. Seafood was often on the menu, which made sense seeing the base was right on the Atlantic Ocean. Although seafood of any kind was not his favorite, the mashed potatoes and gravy more than made up for the abundance of fish served on the base to the thousands of men.
As he entered the canteen, the smell of chicken (chicken for a change!) assailed his nostrils. It was so pungent he could almost taste it. His sense of hunger took over and he pushed his way to the front of the queue. “Hey!” A sailor who’d been pushed aside called out. “Stop that! Just Nuisance. Bad boy!”
Bad Boy, Bad Boy, echoed in Just Nuisance’s ears. He immediately lay down on the cement floor and raised one massive paw to the sailor.
“Nuisance, it’s ok. You just can’t push in like that. Hungry, boy?”
With the lightening of the sailor’s tone Just Nuisance got up and stood alongside his new friend, tail wagging.
As Just Nuisance waited impatiently for his plate of chicken and vegetables he couldn’t help drooling, just a little bit, in anticipation.
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Just Nuisance was born on the 1st of April 1937 in Rondebosch South Africa. His owner, Benjamin Chaney, lived on the Simon’s Town Naval Base where the Great Dane soon ingratiated himself with the sailors. He often followed them onto the local trains and became engrained in the everyday happenings at the base. He became so popular he was formally enlisted into the South African Navy on the 25th of August 1939. He was given the surname of Nuisance and the fore name of Just. He was given carte-blanche to travel by train or ship for free just the same as any other sailor as a result. He attained the rank of Able Seaman before his death on the 1st of April 1944.
In 1985 a statue was erected in his honour in Simonstown, and every year there is a parade of Great Danes from which a look-alike is selected.
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