I teach on the language learning platform, "Italki." Here is the link to my profile.

Another Weekend of Hunting
360 Words 16 April 2024
The complete story 2, 300 words will be in my coming book, “Expect the Unexpected.”

Nothing between us ever changed after my father shot me one sunny October morning back in ‘72. 

My father never came to a public day event when I was in elementary school, and we never played any sports together. There was a later time when I enjoyed squash very much. He didn’t. I liked to watch the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks play hockey. He didn’t. I cheered too loudly.  He, not at all. 

It’s not as though we didn’t do anything together. He encouraged my enjoyment of suspense movies by Humphrey Bogart and Alfred Hitchcock, and British comedians Benny Hill and the Monty Python Troupe.  And summer road trips.  Some weekends, we’d go fishing together. In the autumn, we’d go on hunting trips for rabbit, or grouse. 

Two things he taught were to “question everything” and to be curious. It was important to him not to distrust what anybody, pedestrian, workmate or government official, said but to question it.  “Try to learn their reasoning.  And, not just judge it.” He said.  

He taught me a curiosity about and a keen desire for new food and places. His family was German, and he cooked from his mother’s repertoire. Not often. But I loved it.   He even made sauerkraut and dill pickles.  Trying any new food at least once was important to him. Kitimat, my hometown, had a small Chinese restaurant at which we ate often. It was on the summer road trips that I learned of Greek Moussaka and Ukrainian cabbage rolls and perogies.  Mind you, he never ate sushi. I still don’t.  The only good salmon is a freshly grilled one with butter, garlic, salt-n-pepper, and lemon. If I avoided any restaurant, café or diner ‘Special of the Day’ and ordered a hamburger, he shook his head showing his dismay. 

Even on hunting trips.

On one trip, I was twelve. My dad shot me. He must have heard the “KAPOW.” 

I didn’t. I just felt it.

Not one to beat his chest in distress, or wave his arms about in panic, he did swear in measured doses, and this was one of those. “Ralph?” he yelled. “What the fuck have I done?”  

 

Comprehension Questions

  1. What event occurred between the narrator and his father on a sunny October morning in '72?
  2. Describe the activities the narrator and his father enjoyed together, particularly during weekends and summer road trips.
  3. What were two important principles or lessons the narrator's father imparted to him?
  4. What type of food did the narrator's father enjoy cooking, and where did their curiosity for new food lead them?
  5. How did the narrator's father react immediately after the incident where he accidentally shot his child?

Message me your answers, and I’ll let you know if you’re correct or not.

My Tweets

Ralph David Kraft tweeted
I just posted my first story. Let me know if you enjoyed it or not.
Apr 17
Ralph David Kraft tweeted
I'm hoping to post the book for sale on Amazon in Oct / Nov. 2024. Please feel free to comment on my work here.
Apr 4
Ralph David Kraft tweeted
These stories are true and capture my adventures in the different countries I've lived in. I will post previews with reading questions.
Apr 4
Ralph David Kraft tweeted
I am working on a collection of short stories with comprehension questions for adult English students. If you enjoy reading, follow me.
Apr 4
Ralph David Kraft tweeted
Hi I will be hosting a free 30 minute conversation class on Sunday the 26 at 8.00am (UTC-4)Message me if you want the link to join to join.
Jan 23, 2020
Ralph David Kraft tweeted
One thing to schedule is time for reading. 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week is a good start. Try this...https://breakingnewsenglish.com
Dec 31, 2019
Ralph David Kraft tweeted
Achieve your language dreams. Make them goals by scheduling them on a calendar. One thing you should schedule is time for reading.
Dec 31, 2019
Ralph David Kraft tweeted
It's New Year Resolution time again. We all start off with wonderful notions about what changes we want to make this year. And, then ...
Dec 31, 2019
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Comments

  • Hi I will be hosting a free 30 minute conversation class on Sunday the 26 at 8.00am (UTC-4) Message me if you want to join and I will share the link. You can join any time and stay for as long as you wish. Cheers

  • Hi Ralph David,
    Good to see you here. I'm currently looking for an English speaking partner. I would like to ask you if we can schedule a meeting on Skype. I really want to experience talking with a native speaker. You can contact me with the following ID:
    live:.cid.2c7496b6f4864c3f
    Phone number: +989301355848 (WhatsApp)
    mohammad.mohajeri68@gmail.com

    Thank you in advance for your consideration

  • Thank you!

  • Here is an interesting article on keeping up with tech trends and learning.

    https://www.td.org/insights/seeking-signals-learning-pros-need-to-s...

    Seeking Signals: Learning Pros Need to Stay on Top of Tech Trends
    TD pros have some work to do if they want to come to the table with a good understanding of the value new technologies can bring to their businesses.
  • Hola teacher Ralph. Welcome to My E C. I hope to be one of your friends. Thanks.
This reply was deleted.

About Me

Gender

Male


Location

Vancouver,BC


Birthday:

May 15


Status

Teacher of English, Native English Speaker


English level

Fluent


Other languages spoken

Spanish


Skype user?

Yes


Favourite book, movie, song/band etc [in English!]

Tom Sawyer


My Favourite Saying(s) [in English!]

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.


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My Latest Activities

Ralph David Kraft and dilpreet are now friends
Apr 4
Ralph David Kraft and SengDang Lee are now friends
Mar 22, 2020
Ralph David Kraft replied to Ralph David Kraft's discussion Free Group Conversation Class 2 Feb 2020
":0)  Thanks"
Feb 3, 2020
Ralph David Kraft replied to Ralph David Kraft's discussion Free Group Conversation Class 2 Feb 2020
"Sorry.  Due to work issues.  I won't be able to attend.
I try this again next weekend.
cheers"
Feb 2, 2020
Ralph David Kraft replied to Ralph David Kraft's discussion Free Group Conversation Class 2 Feb 2020
"Hi  I don't have a group. But feel free to join the conversation on Sunday.
 
Cheers"
Feb 1, 2020
Ralph David Kraft posted a discussion
HiI am Ralph, a professional teacher with over 25 years of teaching experience in a variety of…
Jan 31, 2020
Ralph David Kraft left a comment for Ralph David Kraft
"Hi I will be hosting a free 30 minute conversation class on Sunday the 26 at 8.00am (UTC-4) Message…"
Jan 23, 2020
Ralph David Kraft and Mohammad Mohajeri are now friends
Dec 31, 2019
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