Dear George
For Belle's Dear Fictional Hero [an unofficial challenge]
Dear George,
Crooks is helpin' me write this. 'Cause you kno' I ain't good with words. I been thinkin' a lot. I wanna say sorry I make things hard for you. I kno' I ain't too smart. You always gotta look out for me. Sometimes, I think you'd be better off without me causin' trouble.
You been so good to me, George. I love when you always talk 'bout us gettin' tha' land. With the chickens and rabbits. I want tha' real bad. I jus' wan' you to have tha' and to be happy, George. Maybe... maybe one day you won't have worry 'bout me no more.
I love you, George. Like a father or brother, or friend. You're my blood and kin. I hope you live off the fat of the land. If I'm with you—tha' would be real good. But. If not, and you are there. Tha' would be jus' fine.
Le's do it now. Le's get tha' place now.
Your pal,
Lennie
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: This is for Belle's wonderful Dear Fictional Hero [an unofficial challenge], which you can find out more about below. This is a letter from Lennie to George, the main characters in American John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. George is intelligent but uneducated, while Lennie is bulky, strong, and mentally disabled. They are migrant ranch workers, and George looks out for Lennie, through a father-son-kinda relationship. The book was the first really deep and heavy book I read as a boy, and it has always remained with me. I decided to set the letter writing sometime between Lennie's short-lived friendship with another character Crooks, who could read and write it is believed, and the end of the book.
I also love Of Mice and Men because Steinbeck got its title from Rabbie Burns' famous poem "To a Mouse" "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men/ Gang aft agley" (Translated as "the best-laid plans of mice and men/ Often go awry")
Here's a couple of other things:
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
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Comments (22)
🎉🥳🎊 THE RESULTS ARE IN! 🎉🥳🎊 Come and check out the results for the "Dear Fictional Hero" unofficial challenge! https://shopping-feedback.today/writers/results-dear-fictional-hero-an-unofficial-challenge%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cstyle data-emotion-css="w4qknv-Replies">.css-w4qknv-Replies{display:grid;gap:1.5rem;}
I love this!!! What excellent fictional characters to use! I also loved the grammar --> I read this aloud and instantly took on a southern accent! Beautifully written, Paul!
I was wondering what George you were going to use. I read that book (and watched the movie) when I was in High School. Great job.
I have used that quote a lot. Tis so true. Have not seen that challenge/sounds fun.
Look at you dipping a toe in a classic! The language was spot on. I wanted it to keep going and going. Congrats, buddy!
The book that changes every reader. Great piece for Belle's challenge
Love that book!! This was really cool and I liked all the references to the book and the colloquial language throughout the letter! 👍
This was such a wonderful way to highlight this superb Steinbeck book and also such a vivid and creative response to the challenge. So well done! Congratulations on the Top Story, too - it is most deserving!
This is so sweet - it feels really true to the character!
Congratulations on top story! Of Mice and Men is one of my fondest schoolgirl reads. You did a lovely job, Paul!
great and touching
What a heartfelt letter! You've captured Lennie's voice and emotions beautifully, showcasing the deep bond he shares with George. The way you express his longing for a better life and his love for George is truly touching. It resonates with the themes of friendship and dreams in Of Mice and Men, reminding us of the fragility of those dreams and the importance of connection. Your tribute to Steinbeck's work is both poignant and nostalgic. Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece!"
Congratulation on top story, Paul! I enjoyed this very much!
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I know this book really well. Great choice. Poor old George. I felt sorry for Lenny too but it always felt like George was dealt a really bad hand.
a fun entry... as soon you mentioned the chickens and rabbits my brain went to that line "I tend the rabbits" or whatever but very very good job
Wonderful! Congrats on the TS.
This was a fun entry... as soon you mentioned the chickens and rabbits my brain went to that line "I tend the rabbits" or whatever he says... 😅
From the title of the book and the fact that Lennie couldn't write, I thought Lennie was a mouse 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I'm so glad you gave an explanation hehehe. Loved your letter! 🍩😭
Love this letter, Paul. Love Robert Burn's poem as well. In our house we often misquote the poem just like Bertie Wooster did in the old Jeeves and Wooster series on the Telly: Of mice and whatsits!
Loved this letter and I too I am going to read this novel again.
got this sitting on the TBR shelf....maybe i should pick it up.