Forty-Eight Angels
by Angus Shoor Caan
Genre: Drama
Swearwords: None.
Description: Dedication brings its own reward...
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The early days of the course were filled with humour and laughter. Instructors put their classes at ease with funny stories from the workplace. The mismanagement, the sights they saw, the howling mistakes and the camaraderie.
The more serious stuff kicked in on the second week with copious notes to take, plus book after book to study and carry around for what would seem like forever.
Week three saw the introduction of the practical side of things and the early departure of two students who couldn't quite hack it.
For those who remained, the reasons for the humour became all too apparent. A safety valve, a means of getting one's head round the outrages one could expect to come across on the shop floor; in truth, possibly the most valuable lesson of the entire course.
Lifelong friendships were formed at an early stage, combined with a healthy rivalry among the more clever of the students, bringing with it a real thirst for knowledge of their chosen subject.
Dedication was the key word, a word repeated throughout the day, every day. Without dedication, students were doomed to failure. Another oft repeated word was teamwork, again without which nothing would ever get done.
Drinking groups formed, part and parcel of their future occupation. From these groups, it was inevitable lovers would emerge to unite, a shared passion for their calling bringing them together, perhaps aware of the possibility only they could understand the rigours of the years to come.
Yet more fell by the wayside, unable to cope with the vast amount of knowledge they had to retain to make the grade. For those still inspired, the work intensified, pushing them on to their final exams.
Before that, they were treated to a couple of weeks’ work experience, a sure-fire way of ascertaining whether or not they had the stomach for it.
Most of them took to it like a duck to water. Sadly, one or two decided they'd had enough. On graduation day, from an original intake of sixty-six hopefuls, forty-eight Angels made it on to the wards of the city's hospitals. Fully trained and ready to tend their fellow man, their devotion to duty would be a lesson to all who sought their help.
Swearwords: None.
Description: Dedication brings its own reward...
_____________________________________________________________________
The early days of the course were filled with humour and laughter. Instructors put their classes at ease with funny stories from the workplace. The mismanagement, the sights they saw, the howling mistakes and the camaraderie.
The more serious stuff kicked in on the second week with copious notes to take, plus book after book to study and carry around for what would seem like forever.
Week three saw the introduction of the practical side of things and the early departure of two students who couldn't quite hack it.
For those who remained, the reasons for the humour became all too apparent. A safety valve, a means of getting one's head round the outrages one could expect to come across on the shop floor; in truth, possibly the most valuable lesson of the entire course.
Lifelong friendships were formed at an early stage, combined with a healthy rivalry among the more clever of the students, bringing with it a real thirst for knowledge of their chosen subject.
Dedication was the key word, a word repeated throughout the day, every day. Without dedication, students were doomed to failure. Another oft repeated word was teamwork, again without which nothing would ever get done.
Drinking groups formed, part and parcel of their future occupation. From these groups, it was inevitable lovers would emerge to unite, a shared passion for their calling bringing them together, perhaps aware of the possibility only they could understand the rigours of the years to come.
Yet more fell by the wayside, unable to cope with the vast amount of knowledge they had to retain to make the grade. For those still inspired, the work intensified, pushing them on to their final exams.
Before that, they were treated to a couple of weeks’ work experience, a sure-fire way of ascertaining whether or not they had the stomach for it.
Most of them took to it like a duck to water. Sadly, one or two decided they'd had enough. On graduation day, from an original intake of sixty-six hopefuls, forty-eight Angels made it on to the wards of the city's hospitals. Fully trained and ready to tend their fellow man, their devotion to duty would be a lesson to all who sought their help.
About the Author
Angus Shoor Caan is in his 50s, an ex-seaman and rail worker. Born and bred in sunny Saltcoats, he returned to Scotland after many years in England and found the time to begin writing. He is inspired by the Ayrshire coast and likes what he calls "real music". He also enjoys pool, snooker and is a big fan of rugby league side, Wigan Warriors. He has written several novels and one poetry collection and says that writing gives him "endless pleasure". His two ebooks can be viewed by clicking on the images below.
Angus tells us that all his stories on McStorytellers have been inspired by the titles of songs written by Paul Kelly, who is often described as the poet laureate of Australia.
Angus tells us that all his stories on McStorytellers have been inspired by the titles of songs written by Paul Kelly, who is often described as the poet laureate of Australia.
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