Question

Writing task: Write a story entitled NO COUNTRY FOR OLD PEOPLE​

Answer 1

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD PEOPLE

“Mummy, where did grandpa go?”

The fresh sun was grazing the top of the houses as the birds started trilling the dawn of a new day. It cannot be said that Rebecca woke up early, she barely closed one eye, let alone two, waiting for this day. It was one of her favourite days (the order went: her birthday, Christmas, the day when the ice-cream truck comes on her street and this day, tying with grandma’s, mummy’s and daddy’s birthday). And it was always an amazing day.
Rebecca jumped out of bed and started preparing the gift for her grandpa. She had already put the frame she made in the shoebox, leaving only the card left to be placed over it in the morning. She wrapped it as nicely as she could (granted, she had no prize in gift-wrapping). But as she was leaving her room, mum came in. She smiled faintly, leading Rebecca back to the mirror and sat her down in front of it. She took the brush from the bedside table (Rebecca knew what was coming and was not very happy) and redid her hair. She was gentler than Rebecca expected. After an approving nod, they both went downstairs and joined dad, who was already waiting in the car.
A not very long ride later, they were finally there. The car came to a full stop next to the sidewalk, but neither mum nor dad got out. Rebecca, full of excitement, was not having it, so she burst the door open and sprinted towards grandpa’s and grandma’s house. Grandpa was waiting at the door and Rebecca jumped directly into his arms, being spun around two times and put on his shoulders. They went inside, followed by mum and dad, where they were greeted by the other grandpas and grandmas that were living there as well. There was cake and balloons and a big big banner for grandpa’s birthday. They played some games and laughed and grandpa gave Rebecca some candy he always kept in his pocket for her. Grandpa blew in the candles and they ate cake. They played some more outside, because it was a sunny day. As the sky turned pink, a nurse came to the door and called them all inside. They gathered in a circle and grandpa opened his gifts. He then got up, thanked everybody. Rebecca did not want to leave, but grandpa said he was tired and needed to go to sleep. He gave Rebecca the biggest hug ever and slipped the whole bag of candy in her pocket. Then he hugged mum and dad. And they left.
The ride home was too silent for Rebecca taste. They pulled in the driveway and again, neither mum nor dad were too eager to get out. She waited this time. Then dad got out, opened Rebecca’s door and carried her in his arms inside. He drew up a bath for her and laid her pyjamas on the bed. Rebecca was a big girl, big enough to manage her night-time routine herself. She was lying in bed when the bedroom door opened slightly, letting a stream of light in. Mum came in quietly, sat on the edge of the bed, and gave Rebecca a good night kiss.
A few days have passed since Rebecca last saw grandpa. She wakes up and gets ready to go to school. She goes downstairs and eats her cereal. Then her mum tells her to go get her coat and put on her shoes. As she put her coat on, she felt something heavy in one of her pockets. She puts her hand in and, what is that? Grandpa’s candy! He must have accidentally put them in her pocket! Silly grandpa! She runs up to her mum and demands they go see grandpa to give his candy back. Mum looks at Rebecca:
“I’m sorry, dear. We can’t go right now... You have to go to school.”
“But we have time. Please, mummy! We have to give grandpa his candy back!”
Rebecca did not know this look on mum’s face. She had never seen in before. Then mum sat down and patted to the place next to her on the sofa. Rebecca sat down.
“I think grandpa wanted you to have these.” says mum.
“But if I have them, that means he doesn’t have them. And he needs them. We have to give them back.”
“Grandpa... he doesn’t need them anymore.”
“Why?”
“Sweety, grandpa had to leave...”
“Where could he go to not need his candy?”
Mum doesn’t say anything. She looks at Rebecca. Rebecca looks at her and she can see her eyes sparkling in the morning sun.
“Mummy, where did grandpa go?”