Finding Answers Through The Written Word

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday October 23, 2007

Showcasing achievements of students, teachers and parents.

For high school English teacher Lori Lebow, writing is the best way to solve problems.

"Putting together imaginary people and situations, and then working out what could happen in order to better deal with real situations and real people seems to be my best method for learning how to solve problems," she says.

"Writing allows me to focus on the challenge of crafting language to communicate ideas.

"Hopefully the issues that concern me concern others, and my writing projects may amuse and assist them, too."

Dr Lebow teaches English at Warilla High School and often reads her fantasy short stories to her students. The following is a story from her latest anthology Franz the Cat and Other Stories.

Waifs of the Week

Mrs Pudley absently stirred her coffee as she read the local advertising paper. The news articles were interspersed between photos of local shop owners, school sporting teams, an art gallery in the neighbourhood, and council members planting trees near the new library. She read the article about bromeliads on the gardening page and told her husband Nate, "Home And Hosed is having a half-yearly sale on all of their gardening tools."

"Um," Nate replied. He was reading about the latest recycling practices in a glossy horticulture magazine.

On the next page Mrs Pudley read the column Waifs of the Week in which the RSPCA profiled animals seeking homes. Usually there was a dog or a cat, and sometimes a rabbit. This morning, Mrs Pudley was surprised and disappointed to see photos of a boy and a girl instead. Under one was a caption: Mark. And under the other one: Brandy.

Mrs Pudley read aloud: "Mark is a 13-year-old, highly energetic, athletic youngster who would like a family with a big yard where he can run. He suffers from an allergy to some milk products so his new home must be able to cater to his special dietary requirements. He has been assessed and is improving with his reading disability. Sometimes he demonstrates a tendency to bully so he needs to be in a family without young children. Mark has been arrested twice for property damage offences."

"Sounds like he would be a handful," Nate commented without looking up.

Mrs Pudley read on: "Brandy is a 16-year-old girl who likes to have fun. She was a leader of a wild crowd who were arrested during raids on licensed premises allowing underage drinking. She requires a comfortable environment enjoying modern conveniences of deluxe standard and high-tech electronic equipment that is regularly upgraded. Brandy needs an indulgent and financially affluent home where parental supervision will be minimal and pocket money will be maximal.

"What do you think, Nate? Mrs Pudley asked at last.

"I wasn't listening, dear," he said.

"The girl sounds good, but I wonder if our lifestyle would suit her." She sipped her coffee, which was cold. "It would be fun to have a teenager again, Nate, don't you think?"

"Um," Nate turned a page.

Mrs Pudley sighed and closed the paper. "What becomes of them if they don't find homes?"

* Franz the Cat and Other Stories and Dr Lebow's gothic novel Read for your Life will be launched on Halloween (October 31), 4pm at the University of Wollongong's UniShop.

Dr Lebow's books can also be obtained from the website www.lorilebow.com or by contacting her at Warilla High School on 4296 3055 (ext 123).

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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