Comment from Wayne Fowler

Excellent

How sweet of you to perform.
Nicely written story. Good beginning, middle and end.
Myself, there;s very little I enjoy more that saying 'no' to someone who won't take no for an answer.
Best wishes.

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2023

I like saying no too now, but when you are just a kid, as I was, your "nos" don't carry much weight. Mama always has the last word. LOL
Beth

Comment from Sally Law

Excellent

It is my experience that the minister's wife, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, or Lutheran, gets their way, especially for the Christmas pageant. How precious this is and fun. Another older post I just love!

Thanks so much for sharing.

Sending you my best today as always.
Sal XOs

 Comment Written 27-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2023

Thank you so much Sally. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one.
Beth

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

You did a great job, Beth, sharing this story. I enjoyed
reading it from start to finish. I liked the POV of you as the
student wondering how things would turn out. I was thrilled
everything went so well. Your words were descriptive. I could
imagine all the people, the sets, and the program. Your mother
was strict.
Thanks for sharing, Jan

 Comment Written 26-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 26-Apr-2023

Thank you again Jan, I'm so glad you liked my story. The one at the church didn't keep me waiting forever on the steps like the first one did.

Comment from Spitfire

Excellent

Your stories are always first rate and keep me interested to the last word. You built up your worry that something would go wrong, I expected it would. What a surprise when you delivered the part so well that another church wanted you to go through the whole ordeal again!

 Comment Written 25-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 26-Apr-2023

Thank you for another great review. I'm so glad you like my stories.
Beth

Comment from Faith Williams

Excellent

You did an excellent job setting the scene as well as setting up the long wait to your recitation. I started chuckling as I read the ending. Gotta love Mama!

One minor thing: 'Good King Wencelas' is spelled Wenceslas.

Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed your story.

 Comment Written 25-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 26-Apr-2023

Thank you, Faith. I'm so glad you like this and got a chuckle from it. I think is hilarious now that I was so naive, but some reviews seem to feel bad for me rather than finding it funny.
Beth

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Oh my goodness! You lived through that nerve-wracking time of your young life only to have to do it all over again for the Presbyterian Church! But I can imagine you were fabulous at it and wouldn't be surprised if you performed in theatre in high school. Your kids did! Thanks for sharing this memory!

Suggestions if you hadn't already corrected:
they would chaint in unison (chant)
"Baptist don't dance," (Baptists)
if I could alrealy sense (already)

 Comment Written 25-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 25-Apr-2023

Thank you Helen. I enjoyed the comments and i appreciate your thoughtful review. I did enjoy acting in the plays the classes put on.
Beth

Comment from royowen

Excellent

My elder daughter, who liked to dance, was denied that privilege of dancing at her wedding, I asked why? But nobody could explain to me why not. I guess it must have been from some weird traditional root problem, I was a first generation Christian, I rejected any sniff of cultishness, beautifully written Beth, see you do have talent, blessings Roy
Typo : appeared like carved (statures) statues? 2: baptist(s) don't dance.

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 24-Apr-2023

Thank you for the review and comments. I had someone tell me Baptists allow dancing now but they didn't back then. It is good exercize. Maybe the dirty dancing is still frowned on. We weren't allowed to have proms in high school because most of the town were Baptists.
Beth

Comment from Ric Myworld

Excellent

I think most of us all have a Christmas story to tell, but it isn't likely that most of us could ever tell one better than you. Thanks for sharing another find story. :-)

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 24-Apr-2023

Thank you Ric, I want to hear one of yours. I appreciate you reviewing and commenting on mine.
Beth

Comment from Tom Horonzy

Exceptional

A true life story put to print. Ideal. I believe we could be related for of all the people knowing me I would not be called even as part of a quire, like Barney Fife. Also, playing music for me means a turntable or a radio. Now, for orating, I have that knack like you but not for plays, instead for sermonizing or narrating scenes, I'm told.

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 23-Apr-2023

Well, aren't your the one always saying great minds think alike. We'll have to check our DNA. Thanks so much for the reveiew and six stars.
Beth

Comment from Rosemary Everson1

Excellent

Beth, you were quite the star. It is wild how we remember our younger days and having, participating in school programs for the holidays. Your story is wonderfully written,

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 24-Apr-2023

Thank you Rosemary. I was an unwilling star but I was proud of my myself for a few minutes until I learned I would be doing it again.
Beth