Short story in English

The Battle of Newton Road

Leslie Dunkling

This is the story of a road, and a battle. It is the story of Newton Road. Newton Road is in English town.

Granny Robson lives there. She lives in a small house, but she is happy. She likes her house, and she likes Newton Toad. She likes her neighbours,  and her  neighbours like her. Newton Road is a happy road.

‘We’re not rich,’ the people in Newton Road say. ‘Rich people don’t live in small houses. We’ve got small houses, but we aren’t poor. Our neighbours are our friends, and we’re happy. With friends you can’t be poor.’

Newton Road – a happy road. But this is the story of the battle of Newton Road.

Granny Robson is walking in Newton Road.

She sees her neighbours, Mrs Brown and Mrs Johnson. Mrs Brown is small and fat. Mrs Johnson is tall and thin. They are talking. ‘Hello,’ Granny Robson says. They say hello to her.

‘Are you going to Mr Morgan’s shop?’ Mrs Brown asks.

‘Yes, I’m going there now,’ Granny Robson says. ‘Look in the window,’ Mrs Johnson says. She is excited. ‘Go to the shop and look in the window.’

‘What is it?’ Granny Robson asks. ‘What’s happening?’

‘Go and see,’ Mrs Brown says.

Granny Robson is excited too. What do Mrs Brown and Mrs Johnson mean?

Granny Robson goes to Mr Morgan’s shop. It is on the corner. MORGAN’S CORNER SHOP it says, over the door.

People are looking in the shop window. They are excited.

‘Hello,’ Granny Robson says. ‘What’s happening?’

‘What’s happening!’ the people say. ‘Look! Look at this!’

Granny Robson looks and sees this:

 IMPORTANT

To the people of Newton Road:

Public Meeting, Saturday, 1^st March.

10:00 a.m.

Please come to this public meeting.

It is important.

Come to the Town Hall.

THIS IS YOUR MEETING. COME!

‘Public meeting!’ Granny Robson says. (...)