3320. Cursive writing © Bruce Goodman 6 September 2025

When Leonie came home from school her mother wasn’t home. A hand-written note propped against a can of coke had been left on the dining table. The note read: “I tried texting you but couldn’t get through for some reason. I have to urgently see grandma. She seems to be okay, but I think she might need to go to hospital. I won’t be back until tomorrow morning but you’re old and responsible enough to look after yourself and get yourself to school in the morning. Love Mom.” Poor Leonie. She was intelligent enough but she couldn’t decipher the note. All those flowing bits and pieces on a handwritten page; for example a capital F looked like a 7 with a line through it. “I can understand why they call it cursive writing,” she thought. “People look at it and curse.” There was only one thing for it. She would go to the neighbours and ask if they would read the note. She didn’t know them very well but they were sure to help. She rang the doorbell. The guy that answered the door seemed nice enough … … but it was not a nice area and in the long run … Contact Author Back to Index Next Story Previous Story