Rahara N.S. is a two
teacher mixed school in Co. Roscommon. Mrs. Connaughton's
class wrote about
"Big Ben!".
Ben was in Ballybridge N.S. for less than a week but already
he had succeeded in making more enemies than friends. He had
a natural talent for it. This was mainly due to the fact that
he really believed he knew everything about everything even
the dangerous bogs around Ballybridge. !!!
Ben had come over from London to his Uncle John Carroll
because his mother was very ill in hospital and he had noone
to mind him. He was the same age as Ciarán and Catrióna. He
went to school with them every day on Barry Egan's bus. He
thought the school was very small. The boys and girls in Mrs.
Cannon's room were mad because Ben kept nagging them. He wore
"Nike" runners and "Adidas Tearaways" and a "Fila Top" to
school. Every morning there was a row in Carroll's house.
"It's not fair that I have to wear this boring blue shirt
and navy tie" moaned Ciarán.
In school Ben annoyed the children and slagged their "dorky"
uniform. He kept boasting about his own laptop. Ciarán, Catríona,Seamus,Jonathan,Patrick
Fiona and Sandra were delighted to have 2 computers in their
classroom. Ben just mocked them and "licked up" to Mrs. Cannon.
His laptop was linked to the "Net" and he used it to email
his Mum every day in school. He was such a "Goody- goody"
in class!! All the teachers thought he was great. But in the
yard things were different!!!
Ben always had to be captain. Mrs. Cannon thought it would
be nice to let him be captain for the few weeks he was in
Ballybridge School bossed all the children. William, Jonathan
and Pieter were forced to play in defence. Damian, Rosemarie,
Catriona and Martina had to play in "Mids". While Seamus,
Patrick and Fiona had to play up front. Poor Sandra was always
stuck in goal. They didn't like this but "Big Ben" had to
have his way.
They just couldn't take much more. In two days time it would
be the Twins birthday. The "gang bang" met at the back of
the school shelter on Friday at lunchtime while Ben was "Surfing
the Net".
"I can't take much more of this "said Patrick.
"Let it Rip" said Ciarán.
"We all know Big Ben is your cousin," said Rosemarie, "
but he's so cocky. He makes me sick. He thinks he knows everything".
"You'd want to be in our house," said Catriona. "Mammy thinks
he's an angel"
"I think it's time we taught him a lesson," said Seamus.
"Why don't we take him to "Ballagh Bog" on Sunday when we
are at your party and dare him to jump across the "Scrine
Canyon" said Jonathan smugly.
"Right on. Oops!!! --. Oh!--- Ben. Are you ready to play?
We were all waiting for you," said Ciarán.
At last it was Sunday. It was a lovely mild November day.
Bubble gum trotted happily in the field. All the twins' classmates
came to the party. Teresa asked them all to put their scraps
in the worm bin for recycling food. Ben pretended he knew
what it was for.
"We're going to Fitzgilberts for some chewing gum, Aunt
Teresa and then we're going to Ballagh Bog to collect heather
for Mrs. Cannons nature table chuckled Ben.
"Be careful in that Bog," said Grandad Joe. "When you come
back, I'll tell you about an adventure I had there some 50
years ago". 'No problem" said Ben and I won't forget to close
the door this time, Gramps"
They all headed off to the shop. From there they went across
the 'humpback bridge', down River Road and into the bog. 'Lets
play some games' said Fiona. 'Lets see who can jump the widest
bog hole " Scrine Canyon'.
"Sure that's simps" boasted Ben. "You go first then' said
Damian. 'Go on. -- I dare you". When Ben saw the bog hole
he was scared. But he wouldn't give in. He just ran and jumped
--- splash. He landed in the cold brown muddy water.
"Ha, ha ha'" the children all laughed. "H---h-help" cried
Ben." "Only if you stop showing off and stop pestering us,"
shouted Martina "l will I will. I. p.p.p.p.p. --- promise''
pleaded Ben. Seamus and Patrick threw in a rope that they
had brought. All the children helped haul him out. Ben was
frozen. His teeth chattered. Peter gave him his jacket. They
all ran back to Carrolls house. Ben changed his clothes.
Teresa said to John '"Poor Ben! He is lucky to have so many
friends. That could have been an awful tragedy in Ballagh
Bog today". Ben was very quiet for the rest of the day.
In school on Monday he apologized to the whole class for
being so "cocky" and he thanked them for helping him. He spent
2 more weeks in Ballybridge .On his last day in school the
children gave him a present of a black and white Ballybridge
Rovers jersey.