Neville's longest running demonstration through a child, told with the grandmother in the room. The parents were in debt and dreamed of a house, so at bedtime the grandmother and mother put the three-year-old into it: close your eyes and see this lovely home, a huge fireplace right up to the ceiling, glass all around, two bedrooms - one yours and one Julie's - and keep your eyes closed, because if you open them it will deny what I am telling you. Shortly afterwards the father's firm was absorbed, every man was given an aptitude test, and his came back saying salesman. He refused; they told him he could quit but could not stay on any other terms. He became a salesman, made a fortune, and they bought the house with the glass and the fireplace. Then Christmas came and the mother wondered how to get five dollars out of a husband who was never generous - so she used the child again, and put her into a backyard with a huge playpen full of toys. Before Christmas she telephoned her own mother to say he had gone mad: he was contemplating a hundred-dollar playpen. The grandmother asked whether she had forgotten what she did with Pammie a fortnight before. Then the marriage failed and the divorce was finalised. The grandmother asked the child whether she wanted her mother back, and when she cried, set the scene: the door opening, mother coming in in her nightgown and not in a suit, coming over and kissing you - feel the kiss. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; and on Friday the mother came back, decree or no decree. Neville reaches for Isaiah - a little child shall lead them - because the child restored the grandmother's own faith, and gives the child the last word.
Kind
Story
Interpretive layers
Experiential narrative
Teaching pattern
Collections
Lectures
Own wordings
with me Imagination works like thunder
there’s a huge, big playpen in the backyard filled with toys
Occurrences
LectureWonder-Working Power
So the little child, while in bed, was told by the grandmother and the mother, “Close your eyes and see this lovely home, a huge big fireplace right up to the ceiling, glass all around, two bedrooms for you, Pammie”
Span from: 493
to: 708
Passage revision:
608128
LectureWonder-Working Power
He’s contemplating buying a hundred-dollar playpen for Pammie and Julie, and undoubtedly, he’ll fill it with toys.
Span from: 855
to: 969
Passage revision:
608129
LectureWonder-Working Power
“You know, Grandma, you’re mature, you’re old, but with me Imagination works like thunder!”
Span from: 1168
to: 1259
Passage revision:
608143