Tristan is physically challenged and has difficulty in using his arms and legs. He is wheel-chair bound. James, on the other hand is a normal child and it is his labour of love to push his brother around in his wheelchair as well as up and down ramps. Tristan needs help in many things such as in dressing up and in getting into and out of his wheel-chair. He is dependent on James in school from going to the toilet to doing physical exercises.
Tristan has little choice but to use the computer for his schoolwork as he cannot write with a pen or other writing instruments. As such, he becomes good with things that are computer related. He is good in math,has a great memory and doing homework was easy for him. As he cannot express himself physically such as James who plays football and is good in sports, Tristan found his element in acting in dramas and stage plays.
Behaviourally and character wise, Tristan is positive minded and confident of himself. His mother describes him as a bewildered child and a live wire. On the other hand James was more inward looking;shy,nervous and lack confidence. He is not self-assured and exhibit many fears in life. He is even afraid to ask strangers for directions. He dislikes acting in dramas as he cannot remember his lines as well as Tristan.As such he hates dramas.
Tristan and James do provide comfort and support to each other. They have a symbiotic relationship. Both of them feel they need each other.
With such behavioural traits,close relationship and inter-dependence, issues surely will creep up when they had to separate to go to different secondary schools after leaving Peter Hill Primary. When school reopens,James will go to a day school called Highfields while Tristan will attend a special school called Chesterlea Grange, a residential school and can only be back for the weekends.
In my next posting, I will dwell of the issues and concerns both boys felt for each other and the climax of the short story.
Stay tuned............
1 comment:
i love this : )
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