Just before Recess

Just before Recess

Open Ended

Who is the author of the story?

About the story

From the editors:Of the many forms of fiction, pure flash fiction is one of the most difficult to write well.What is “pure” flash fiction, you ask? It is a story in a small package. A complete story, with character development, setting, plot, conflict, and a satisfying resolution. It requires careful management of each of these elements in order to rein in the complications brought on by a plethora of characters, or overcomplicated conflicts, or sweeping settings.James Van Pelt’s “Just Before Recess” (first published at FFO in March 2008) is an example of each of these elements handled with the kind of mastery that happens less frequently than one might think. Flash is difficult to do well precisely because it is short.Of the many stories I’ve seen cross these pages, this is the one I most frequently use when teaching flash fiction workshops, with the gracious permission of Mr. Van Pelt.Every word is precisely chosen, every detail necessary, every character economically and completely drawn.At the center of the story is schoolboy, Parker. And, as we learn in the very first line, “Parker kept a sun in his desk.”I hope you enjoy discovering what comes of that intriguing first line as much as I did the first time I read this remarkable story.

Poll

So, what genre is the story about Parker 'Just before recess'?

• detective story

• fiction

• poem

• science fiction

Multiple Choice

Parker was feeding the sun with twigs. What are the twigs?

• pebbles

• wooden shoots

• rocks

• candies

Multiple Choice

Synonym of the word toasty?

• bread

• cold

• icy

• warm

Multiple Choice

What sound did the rock made after Parker dropped it to the bottom?

• bang!

• Boom

• Woof

• clink

Multiple Choice

What privileges were the students loosing if misbehave during the lesson?

• privilege to sit near their friends.

• privilege to have lunch

• privilege to go home right after the lessons

Multiple Choice

What does the author compare the sun with?

• star

• plate

• golf ball

• football

Multiple Choice

Why was Mr. Earl sure that Parker was irresponsible?

• Parker was chatting

• Parker was eating on the lesson

• Parker had no book

• Parker was passing the notes

Multiple Choice

What did the teacher do before lurching against the desk?

• screamed

• screeched

• fainted

Multiple Choice

What has happened to the sun after Mr. Earl was swollen by it?

• It has disappeared too

• it became bigger

• it turned green and yellow

• it stopped glowing