Story of the day

Catherine

My name is Catherine. I am a grey desk. Actually, I have had plenty of names inscribed on my tabletop throughout my years of work but I liked Catherine the best. I work in this quaint place filled with bubbly school girls of different shapes and sizes, clad in a pretty sailor-like outfit I think they call their “uniform”.

I believe the place goes by the name of MGS.

Yes, MGS, the place I have worked at since those men with walkie-talkies settled me into a room with a magical white board and other friendly colleagues, the other grey desks. Back then, I was still new and naked, clueless and mystified because boss happened to be put to sleep for being too torn. I was on my own.

I adapted quickly because my job was rather easy. Every day, I watched those girls come and go with bags of books on their backs. I listened to teachers and their funny way of speaking – one easily became my favourite. I must have been a very good alternative for paper because girls just loved to draw on me during lessons.

I became rather popular during these periods of time which never failed to come every term. I believe these go by the term “exams”. Yes, these girls would dress me with more books and worksheets even after six, and they’d save me from savouring the beautiful and lovely sunset alone.

As the days went by and more seniors left me for prettier white college desks, I too, grew older. By now, I had a thousand names, but I stuck with Catherine. My legs rusted to an ugly brown and my screws had loosened miserably. Somehow, I knew I had to say goodbye in 2011 when the walkie-talkie men brought in my new dark blue brothers. 

(Story I wrote for MGS' 125th anniversary, hopefully it gets selected)