First Steps

by Claire Tennant

Sally and her Mum were invited to morning tea at the home of a couple they had just met. The house was built in an era when servants did the work, and the landlord had the power. Sally was fascinated by the stately house but more so by the staircase. It was carpeted, with railings on either side and shrieked elegance. There was no real danger of slipping, she judged, and probably no creaks and groans from the steps if a rotund person, you know, the one that loves his or her food, would embark on the stair journey. She guessed there were bedrooms upstairs.
Sally had a club foot and had not yet mastered the art of climbing stairs with ease. She stood staring at the staircase. She so wanted to climb at least the first lot of stairs. The sunlight shone through the window at the landing. With a determined expression on her little face, she grabbed hold of the rail, but just as she was about to start, Sally heard a noise.

"Why, who is this?"

She froze.
'Oh, of course, it was Mr...' she thought.
"Why it's Sally? I guess you are here with Mummy."
She nodded.
"My name is Ted. Were you trying to climb the stairs?"
Sally nodded.
"Well, how about I help you?"
Ted encouraged Sally to take hold of the rail while he took her other hand.
Sally panicked and almost tripped. Ted held on tightly.
"Take it slowly, love. There is no hurry."

With Ted's encouragement, Sally climbed the stairs. As a reward, he lifted her up and let her see out the window. She recognised the church, her school, their house, and that of their bad-tempered neighbour.
"Wow!" she said.
"Mrs Smith has had her washing out for three days."
Ted's laughter was spontaneous. He ruffled Sally's hair.
"Well, I suggest we find Mummy and Mary, my wife. I believe they have chocolate cake, and a brave girl like you deserves that. We will practice again tomorrow or any time you want. Don't let these stairs stop you from your dreams."

While she was eating the chocolate cake Sally smiled to herself.
She was exceedingly glad that she did not have to dust the railings or vacuum the carpet. She wondered, though, what it would have been like to live in an era when you had servants.

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Staircase writing prompt entry

Writing Prompt
Write a description or scene, in prose or poem about a staircase.

*Use the ordinariness of the subject to really push the genre. Maybe it's a fantasy staircase that transports one between worlds, or a gothic staircase descending into the depths of a castle, or a gritty urban fire escape, etc. Variations like stairs, steps, or ladders are fine.
*A story isn't necessary. Focus on description of the stairs and its setting, or a scene playing out on them.
*100-500 words recommended for prose. No restrictions for poetry.

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I was imagining the staircase in a friend's home.

First Steps

by Claire Tennant

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