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.
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By Canuck Scriber Lisa Lachapelle5 days ago in Fiction
The Unthinkable
I don't do dark skinned sistah's. They just don't appeal to me. I like them light-skinned and thin with long, black, hair. Well, at least, that's what I thought, until she came around. I was drinking a latte when she entered the coffee shop. She walked past me towards the counter. Her skin was the color of mahogany, a color brown that I wasn't accustomed to noticing, that is, until now. She was wearing a magenta business jacket and skirt with an off-white blouse. Her shoes were black with straps that crossed each other and wrapped around her ankles. I tried to ignore her, and tried to place my attention elsewhere, but she just stood out. I found myself staring at her, eyeing her from head to toe. Every time I fought to look away, I found myself eyeing her again. I looked down at my cell phone, scrolled through articles on my favorite news app, and took slow sips from my latte, trying hard to make sure that my eyes stayed focused on one of the articles. I even thought about Sheila, the lovely sistah' in the complex next to mine. She was tall and thin like a model, had a head full of long, lovely, black hair that flowed down past her shoulders. Her skin was high yellow, and her eyes were the most beautiful green that I've ever seen. I was sitting thinking about Sheila and how I would approach her but, suddenly, I looked up and saw her. She was standing in front of me sipping from her cup. My eyes locked in, and she looked back at me, smiled and approached me. "How are you?" she asked. "Name's Seyrann Oku." "Hello," I replied. "Didn't get the name," she continued. "Maxson," I replied. Maxson Welch." "Oh, like the Jam?" she asked, laughing. "I bet you go well with peanut butter." Her laugh was infectious, all I could do was stare. If I opened my mouth and replied to that peanut butter comment, nothing but foolishness would come out, so I just kept quiet. "Oh, the strong silent type," she said, still smiling. "I like that." "I...I...I wanted to put her down, wanted to tell her that I wasn't into dark-skinned sistah's, wanted to tell her to get lost, that she didn't have a chance in hell, but I had a problem. I just couldn't get my mouth to move. "Look, why don't you come over, and I'll make you a nice supper." she said, still smiling. "I bet you haven't had a home cooked meal in ages." She was right. I haven't had any home cooking since I left home fourteen years ago. Long time to go without home cooking. All I've done is fancy restaurants and delivery, especially when I was trying to bag women like Sheila. "Here's my address," she said, still smiling. "It's easy to find. It's across the street from the Neon Palace." "The Neon Palace?" I said, trying hard to fight my cornballism, "Isn't that the Chinese fusion restaurant that everyone raves about?" "Don't even think about it," she said. staring directly at me. "A home cooked meal is what you need. See you at eight." I wanted to tell her not to waste her time, but it just wouldn't come out. All I could do was sit there and stare. When I got home, I seriously thought about standing her up, leaving her straight hanging, but I didn't, I showered up, got dressed, and I went right to that woman's house. I found my way there just like she said I would. I got to her apartment and knocked on the door. I pushed the door gently, and it opened. As I walked in, I was greeted with a wonderful aroma. I was expecting her to still be preparing food, but I saw everything there on the table. "Hello?" I said, looking around. "Your door was open." I was about to say something else, and then she entered the room. She was dressed in this wonderful outfit. The top half looked like a nightie, and the bottom half looked like a scarf just tied around her waist. "You're right on time," she said, smiling. "Come. Sit. Let us eat." Seyrann prepared my plate first and then prepared her own. We ate. It was quiet until she asked me to tell her about myself. I told her my story, told her where I came from, where my people were from, and how I got here. I talked about my job and some of my ambitions, and then, I asked her to tell me some things about herself. "I work in the city," she said. "I'm into advertising." "A lot of accounts?" I asked. "Several," she replied. "Any I might be familiar with?" I continued. "And why would you want to know that? she asked. "So we can make conversation and not end up boring one another." "Talking about what we both do for a living is boring." she said, staring at me. "So, what do we talk about? I asked. "Rituals," she replied. "Rituals?" I said, staring back at her. "Yes," she replied. "Between man and woman." I was about to say something, but she cut me off. "Say this mantra with me," she said. I was against it, and I was ready to leave until she held both my hands and spoke to me. "It's alright," she said. "You'll find peace with me." We began to read the mantra, and I suddenly found myself kissing her hands. As we both continued reading, I found myself pulling her close to me. Our words were in sync as we held each other, and we embraced for what seemed like hours. I found myself walking her to her bedroom within that embrace. As we completed the mantra, I bowed before her and gently kissed her feet. I found myself on my knees before her complementing her beauty. "Stand up," she said. "You were not meant to kneel." "You put a spell on me," I said, not knowing what else to say. "This is your truth," she said, "If it were not so, neither of us would be here." The night with Seyrann was like no other, never had I felt this way with any woman that I had pursued. It was as if we had known each other for seven eternities. With each touch, with each embrace, we'd go to levels where our minds would touch, where we knew each other's thoughts and dreams. Our spirits embraced and we tasted each other in ways that could never ever be explained in the physical realm. I tried hard to fight what I was feeling. It just didn't feel right to let go with a person who was not outwardly suitable to that fake world that had I created around me. I didn't want to go where my own truth was taking me. But wherever I went within the embrace, and within our coupling, she was there with me. Seyrann and I would go down this road many times. We'd read that mantra and go places that the world said was just a figment of our imagination. I know realize that my truth is with this woman. For years I denied women like her for the simple fact that I knew deep down that somewhere, down the road, I would find her and be complete.
By John Scipio2 days ago in Fiction
March 15, 2026
Merriam Webster - Word of the day: Tranche refers to a division or portion of a whole. World Contact Day is commemorated every year on March 15. It is a unique observance held globally to focus on communicating with extraterrestrial life and exploring the possibility that intelligent beings may exist beyond Earth. World Contact Day inspires people to invoke their curiosity and spend time thinking about the universe and the mysteries surrounding it. What is the “Ides of March”? According to the Roman calendar, the Ides are a monthly occurrence. In March and other months with 31 days, the Ides always falls on the 15th; it falls on the 13th in months with 30 days. The Ides traditionally marked the arrival of the new Moon and was cause for celebration. The word “Ides” is derived from Latin, meaning “to divide.” Mothering Sunday in 2026 falls on Sunday, March 15. Mothering Sunday, celebrated in the United Kingdom and Ireland, occurs on the fourth Sunday of Lent, which is exactly three weeks before Easter. Unlike the fixed-date Mother's Day in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, Mothering Sunday’s date changes each year according to the Christian liturgical calendar. On March 15, 2026, several notable observances and events are celebrated: Dumbstruck Day: A day to express frustration. Everything You Think is Wrong Day: A day to challenge and celebrate wrong beliefs. International Day Against Police Brutality: A day to raise awareness and advocate against police violence. My look at today, March 15, 2026 below:
By Denise E Lindquist5 days ago in Writers
Comments (22)
🎉🥳🎊 THE RESULTS ARE IN! 🎉🥳🎊 Come and check out the results for the "Dear Fictional Hero" unofficial challenge! https://smartdealfinder.top/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.