Lit Soup

Lit Soup II

Lit Soup has become an annual publication intended to showcase the writings of our adult learners. Enjoy two of the stories below.

A Message from Candace Stanton-Layne, tutor and Lit Soup editor--

Words are the most powerful tools we possess -whether they are spoken or written. Unfortunately, many people are never given the forum to express their thoughts in writing - and hopefully that is what Lit Soup II (and the gentle prodding and help of the tutor) provided - an opportunity to try one’s wings as a writer. To the writers - Some of you found a voice you never knew you had - these are delightful and inspirational accounts - thank you for giving this a try. These stories introduce us to new lands, enchanting bits of imagination, hopes and dreams. I also wish that the some of you who enjoyed this, will continue to write - in a journal for your own outlet, or in letters or stories to share with others. Writing is a way to taste life twice, once in the living and again in the telling.

A Little Story About My Life

I thought my life became very complicated when I came to the USA. I arrived here from Poland, where I had a doctor’s degree at a very young age. I was only 22 years old and did not know how to speak English. So, I could not do anything with my doctor’s degree. I felt bad because in Poland I was someone needed and here I could not help anybody.

When I got married, my Polish husband wanted me to be a full-time housewife. I did not go to school to learn English and I did not need to speak English because I lived in a Polish community. After my husband died, I started learning English to be able to take care of my bills, bank account and other matters. At the beginning I had lots of misunderstandings, but my life changed when I started learning English at the Siena Literacy Center. Now I am able to understand my bank statements and I can complain when some-thing is wrong.

My English was very handy when my 92-year-old friend, Carroll, was operated on and spent two weeks in two different hospitals. I stayed with him twenty-four hours a day and was able to convince the doctors to allow him to take expensive tests such as MRI and PET SCAN. If it was not for my ability to speak English, I would not be able to help him. I hope to continue studying English for a long time to get even better.

Plus Bus Fare

Two more miles, I can’t wait to get home. These old feet are going to soak in some hot water before I start to fix supper. This left knee is trying to act a fool too. Sometimes I wonder which is worse, on my knees picking cotton on Mr. Billy’s cotton farm, or crawling on my knees with a toothbrush scrubbing Miss Ann’s white kitchen floor. Why would anyone, with three boys running in and out all day, get a white kitchen floor? Rich folks are funny that way, but if you can pay someone to do the work, it is O.K. I guess. I’ll say one thing about Miss Ann, she pays good, “six dollars plus bus fare.”

I don’t ride the bus, I walk to work and back. It is not that far and I am saving the bus fare so that my baby can go to college and get a good job. My baby is not going to be no cleaning woman! Oh no, not my baby, she is going to college.

I heard about a Colored college where they teach you to be a secretary. Yes, my baby is going to work in an office and wear pretty clothes. I asked Miss Ann where she buys all of her pretty dresses, and she said, “Hudson’s Department Store.” Sometimes when I am walking back home, I stop and look in their window at all of them pretty things, and I feel happy inside. My feet stop hurting and this old knee feels better because I know it is worth it to save the bus fare. I save it so my daughter can be better than her old mama. I don’t care how long I need to save my bus fare, my daughter will go to that college, come hell or high water!