Introducing Dili.....................................

I created Dili to help me tell stories.

Dili is short for diligent which is defined in the dictionary as:

"Characterized by steady, ernest, and energetic application and effort."

I figured if the stars could get away with some of the names they dream up, why can't I? Remember................. Constructive criticism will only make me a better writer, so please feel free to give me some feedback regarding this piece.

Keep reading to meet Dili................ Enjoy!



THE STUDENT


Dili entered the classroom and proceeded to her usual spot, last table on the left. She had discovered that this was the best place to block out the chaos that had become the norm during class time. Settling her books onto the table she made sure her tape recorder was set to hit record, then dug through her backpack for her stack of note cards. It had become Dili’s habit to study during class; and then weed through the hour and half tape at a later time to get the twenty-five minutes of information the instructor would somehow manage to impart between the giggles and stupid comments of the silly school kids.

None of the others seemed to take school seriously, but then most of them were in their twenties (if that) and didn’t have as much riding on their success as she did. Dili had tried to fit in and make friends, until the day that two of the other students had very blatantly set out to guarantee her failure on a timed exam, by hiding the various bones of the lower leg from her view so she could not identify them. The instructor had watched with blind eyes, and from that moment on Dili kept to herself; her only focus to get through the program, and get on with her life.

Dili had barely finished looking at the first note card when the instructor arrived and class got underway. Today’s topic was about old people. The medical term for that age group was geriatrics. Suppressing a smile Dili thought to herself, “That’s probably what all these young kids think I am, a geriatric.” Some days, she did indeed feel old, but that was usually only when the pressures of life increased to the boiling point. Most of the time she had tons of energy. Dili was sure she could work circles around these kids, confident that they would burn out quickly if they lived her life of eighteen hour days six to seven days a week.

Bringing her attention back to the present, Dili noted that the classroom had become strangely quiet. The instructor was sharing something about her grandfather, and seemed to be having trouble speaking. As the other students looked on, tears began to form in the instructors eyes, and she turned away to face the chalkboard. With no conscious thought, as though she was having an out of body experience, Dili rose from the last table on the left and walked to the front of the room. She gently gathered the instructor into her arms and offered her silent comfort. After about thirty seconds the instructor whispered her thanks and went to the bathroom to compose herself.

Heading back to gather her things, Dili couldn’t help but be proud that she was who she was; someone strong enough to offer support without worrying about how it might be received, or what others may think. Someone who had seen enough personal tragedy to be able to reach out and comfort another. Someone that cared.

As the other students began snickering and making snide comments, Dili could only feel compassion for them; they still had such a long road ahead of them, and so much more to learn. She finished gathering up her things and quietly exited the classroom the same way she had came in, with dignity and grace.