FAMILY MOMENTS

Talk in groups and answer these questions.
• What is the ideal day with your family like? Where are you? What are you doing?
• What family moments will you remember in, say, 50 years' time?
• What will your parents or caregiver remember about your childhood and teen years?
Read the poem by Robert Louis Stevenson. Why does he want his mother to read his poems? What will she remember when she reads them?

To My Mother
by Robert Louis Stevenson

You too, my mother, read my rhymes
For love of unforgotten times,
And you may chance to hear once more
The little feet along the floor.

Write your version of the poem. Change the last verse (or the whole rhyme if you like). You can be sentimental or funny, it's up to you.

Think of a past event or habit related to your family that is a beautiful memory. What was it? Where did it happen? Who was present? Why is it a pleasant memory?
Share your memory with a partner. Ask each other questions, express opinions, and make comments.

You probably know Ivan Cankar’s short story A Cup of Coffee. Read an extract from it in English below.

A CUP OF COFFEE

One day, I wanted some black coffee. I don’t know how it crossed my mind; I simply wanted some. Perhaps only because I knew there was not even bread in the house, let alone coffee. Man is mean and merciless in his absentmindedness. Mother gave me a big, shy look and said nothing. Dull and moody, without a word of greeting I returned to the attic to write about how Milan and Breda loved each other and how noble, happy, and merry they were.

"Hand in hand, both young, covered in the morning sun, bathed in the dew . . ."
I heard light steps on the stairs. It was mother: her steps were slow and careful with a cup of coffee in her hands. Now, I remember that she had never before looked more beautiful than at that moment. Through the door shone an oblique ray of midday sun directly into her eyes. They were bigger and clearer, reflecting all light of the heaven, all heavenly kindness and love. Her lips were smiling as those of a child bringing a happy gift.

But I turned around and said with a mean voice:
"Leave me alone! ... I don't want it now!"
She had not yet reached the top of the stairs; I saw her only from the waist up. When she heard my words, she stood motionlessly, only the hand holding the cup was shaking. She was looking at me in terror, the light in her eyes was dying.
Blood rushed to my cheeks in shame, and I hastily stepped toward her.
"Give it to me, mother!"
It was too late; no light shone into her face, the smile on her lips had vanished.
I drank the coffee and comforted myself:
"Tonight, I shall say that word, that kind word she had been waiting for in vain . . . ."
I did not say it in the evening nor the next day nor the day she passed away . . . .

* * *
Three or four years later a strange woman brought some coffee to my room. It then struck me, in my heart, I felt pain so strong I could cry out in agony. For the heart is a just judge and does not care for things of little value. . . .

There may be a few words and phrases you don’t understand. Google for Ivan Cankar, Skodelica kave, Wikivir and read the Slovenian text.

The story ends with the narrator being very sorry and unhappy about his reaction. If he could rewind the time and go back to the moment when his mother had brought him coffee, what should he have said?
Have a go and write your ending of the short story. Continue form:

I heard light steps on the stairs...

Have you ever offended one of your family members? When was it? What happened?
Tell your partner. You can start with:

I remember. . .
I will never forget. . .
I recall. . .

Discuss in pairs what you should do or say in these situations.
• You forgot your freind's birthday.
• You broke your mother's favourite vase.
• You were late for school.
• You were 30 minutes late for the family Sunday dinner.
• You lost your friend's concert tickets.

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