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Monday, 7 January 2008

Reported conversations No. 3

Three-and-a-half degrees at 8:30am. Overcast and damp. Has anyone mentioned to the god of Carmine's weather that the forecast is for sun?


AJ : Mama! Shadows! [Shows Mama the shadows on the wall made by the hanging laundry].

Mama : Oh yes, shadows. Do you know how shadows are made? Well, let me see. Here’s the light bulb and light comes out of it in waves. I know you can’t see the waves, you just have to believe me. Okay, forget the bit about the waves. The light shines on the wall. But if I take this cushion and put it in the way of the light…

[Mama - ‘O’-level physics with an ignominious grade C - proceeds to lecture on light waves, the difference between reflection and refraction, and related issues … ]

Mama : …so you see, that’s how shadows are made.

[Long pause during which Mama looks at AJ and AJ seems lost in thought.]

AJ : Mama…

Mama [expectantly] : Yes, darling?

AJ : My trousers are falling down…

No comments:

Monday, 7 January 2008

Reported conversations No. 3

Three-and-a-half degrees at 8:30am. Overcast and damp. Has anyone mentioned to the god of Carmine's weather that the forecast is for sun?


AJ : Mama! Shadows! [Shows Mama the shadows on the wall made by the hanging laundry].

Mama : Oh yes, shadows. Do you know how shadows are made? Well, let me see. Here’s the light bulb and light comes out of it in waves. I know you can’t see the waves, you just have to believe me. Okay, forget the bit about the waves. The light shines on the wall. But if I take this cushion and put it in the way of the light…

[Mama - ‘O’-level physics with an ignominious grade C - proceeds to lecture on light waves, the difference between reflection and refraction, and related issues … ]

Mama : …so you see, that’s how shadows are made.

[Long pause during which Mama looks at AJ and AJ seems lost in thought.]

AJ : Mama…

Mama [expectantly] : Yes, darling?

AJ : My trousers are falling down…

No comments: