Just a short one shot that I decited to write today.
I don't own Mary Poppins.
Education
Ever since Mary learned how to read she had been reading non-stop. Her father had to pry her away from her books when it was time for bed. But Mary did not want to stop reading. In her books, all her troubles went away. Now she was in a different land. Full of dragons and fairies. Not in just some old apartment sitting on her bed.
Even when she went to visit Bert, Mary read. Bert grew tired of waiting for Mary to get her nose out of the book. He finally had to rip it from her hands. Mary yelled at him. But it was the only way he could get his friend's attention. Bert held it over his friend's head.
"Bert! Give that back!" Mary exclaimed, trying to reach for the book.
"What even is this? What does 't mean?" asked Bert as he flipped through the pages.
He turned the book upside down, making Mary laugh. But her friend really did seem confused. Did he really not know what a book was? The marvelous creation had blessed many loves, like her own but apparently not Bert's. Now that Mary thought about it, she had only seen a few a few books int the Alfred's household. Besides Bert never seemed too interested when Mary told him about school.
"This is a book, Bert. It takes you to wonderful places." Mary let out a happy sigh.
"How do you use it?" Bert questioned.
"By reading. Do you know how to read?"
"Nope." Bert hung his head in embarrassment.
Mary turned his head, so he was looking at her. "Then I'll teach you!"
They got started by saying the alphabet. Bert seemed to get the hang of it easily. Soon Mary tried to get Bert to read some of the easier books. For a moment he seemed to be getting it. But after not being able to pronounce "Streetlight" he threw the book across the room. Mary just stared at the fallen object. This wasn't like the Bert that she knew.
"I hate this! It's worthless!" Bert yelled.
"It's alright Bert. That word is hard for me to pronounce sometimes, too." Mary tried to comfort him.
"No, it's not that. It's 'cause you getta go t' school! I don't! We can't afford that!" Bert started crying.
Mary slowly made her way to her friend and patted his back. "Even if you don't get to go to school, I can teach you. I can give you and education."
Bert looked up at her through his hands. "Will ya' do tha', Miss Mary?"
"Of course, Bert. You're my best friend."
Thanks for reading! Please give me a review!