“I’m going to live there,” he said, jabbing his dirty finger at the picture in the book.
The castle in the picture loomed high above the city.
“Ach, wee laddie, that’s nae place we will ever live,” said his mother.
“Not we. Me!”
His mother looked at his ragged dirty clothes and shook her head sadly.
“Mama,” he said, “someday I’m going to walk right up there and –“
“Nae, wee laddie. Ye cannae!”
“But I will,” he insisted. “I’m going to walk right up to the big gate.”
“Ye ken there’s a gatekeeper? He will nae let ye in,” she said, trying to be gentle with her words, but realistic for her son.
“Ah, but he will Mama! I am sure!” he said, so earnestly that she felt her heart breaking as she looked into his face. “My hands and face will be clean! I will scrub them!”
“Aye, but yer clothes, wee laddie,” she said.
“My clothes will be new. I will work hard for them!”
“Aye, I ken you will, but –“
“Mama, listen. I will walk to the gate with clean hands, clean face, new clothes. The gatekeeper will look at me, and maybe he’ll growl.”
“Aye, he will most definitely growl.”
“‘State yer business,’ he’ll say.”
His mother nodded.
“I’ll smile up at him and say, ‘”‘Sir, my mama is the best cook in the land. She taught me how. I want to work in your kitchen.’ He’ll let me in.”
She hugged him and cried.
This is my response to the Unicorn Challenge: base the writing on the photo, no more than 250 words.
It feels slightly audacious to try to write a brogue I’ve only read. How’d I do?
Hot Dogs and Marmalade 
That’s beautiful! I love the brogue! You did well!
it made me think of our access to the throne of Grace. Coming before our Lord just as we are.
i love the lads faith.
Me too!
Such a beautiful story. That child deserves a hug. Made me teary eyed, dear friend. Bless you. I loved this. Thanks. 😊
It’s good to have goals, no matter how lofty.
Nice one, Sally.
Och Sally, ye brocht a tear tae ma een.
Great command of Scots and a beautifully touching story.
I wasn’t expecting that, but he wee laddie has a dream that he can make a reality – hurray!
And yes indeed, it is Edinbugh, the castle seen from Princes Street
geat story 😀😀
Sally I love it! Writing dialect is hard and you managed it with aplomb!
Fun story, Sally.
As your ‘brogue’ seems to have pleased the other colonials, I as a Scot will say nothing!
Ach, it wis braw, hen.
I’m not crying. YOU’RE crying! That was a very sweet story, and she did a fine job, raising a very fine son, full of hopes & dreams that just might come true! ❤🧚♂️❤
What a wonderful story, Sally! With his determination…I’ll bet he will realize his dreams!