(gap: 2s) Once upon a time, in a little red-brick estate in Surrey, there lived many children who played together in the drizzle and the sunshine. The streets were narrow, the houses were close, and laughter often echoed between the walls. The children wore flared trousers and bright jumpers, and their mothers chatted by the washing lines, keeping a watchful eye on their little ones.
(short pause) Among these children was a boy named Tommy, who had a best friend called Sally. Sally was always cheerful, with a wild mop of hair and a twinkle in her eye. Tommy loved to visit Sally, but he always felt a little nervous at her house. There was a special reason for this, and her name was Mrs. O’Malley—Sally’s mother.
Mrs. O’Malley was a strong and serious lady. She wore a neat cardigan and a sensible skirt, and her hair was pulled back so tightly it almost shone. Her glasses made her eyes look very big, and she saw everything that happened in her house. She was always busy—folding laundry, stirring pots, or saying her prayers with her rosary beads. The house always smelled of lavender, starch, and sometimes boiled cabbage.
(pause) Mrs. O’Malley believed that children should behave well. She was very fair, but very strict. If anyone was naughty, she would give them a sharp look, and sometimes, if they were very naughty, she would take off her slipper and give them a good, firm spanking. It did not matter if you were her own child or a guest—everyone had to follow the rules.
Tommy and Sally always tried to be good when they played at her house. But sometimes, even when you try your best, things go wrong. Mrs. O’Malley never spanked children in secret. If someone misbehaved, she would call everyone to watch, so that all the children could learn the lesson together. Sally’s little sisters would sit on the stairs, holding their dolls, and watch with wide eyes.
(pause) One Sunday afternoon, something happened that Tommy would never forget. Sally’s Brownie troupe was meeting in the living room. The girls were giggling and sharing biscuits and orange squash. But then, Tommy and Sally had a silly quarrel. There were shouts and tears, and suddenly, the room grew very quiet.
(dramatic pause) The door opened, and in walked Mrs. O’Malley. Her movements clicked on the floor, and everyone stopped talking at once. She looked at Tommy and Sally with her big, serious eyes. Without saying a word, she took each of them gently but firmly by the arm and led them to the front of the room.
Mrs. O’Malley sat down and pulled Tommy across her lap. Tommy could feel his heart beating very fast. He looked down at the neat skirt and smelled the clean scent of laundry powder. Mrs. O’Malley slipped off her slipper. It was a faded, flowery slipper, but Tommy knew it was not just for show.
The first smack was sharp and stung a great deal. Tommy’s eyes filled with tears, but he tried to be brave. Mrs. O’Malley gave him a few more smacks, each one firm but not cruel. The other children watched in silence, learning that it was important to behave and to be kind to one another. Tommy felt embarrassed, but he knew he had done wrong.
(pause) Then it was Sally’s turn. She was brave too, though her cheeks were red and her fists were clenched. Mrs. O’Malley gave her the same number of smacks, not too many, but enough to teach her a lesson. The room was so quiet that everyone could hear the ticking of the clock on the wall.
When it was over, Mrs. O’Malley stood up and spoke in a calm, steady voice. She told all the children that it was important to be good, to be honest, and to treat each other kindly. She said that sometimes, when we make mistakes, we must accept the consequences and try to do better next time.
(long pause) Tommy and Sally stood together, their faces hot and their eyes shining with tears. But they knew that Mrs. O’Malley was not angry anymore. She gave them each a gentle pat on the shoulder and told them she was proud of them for being brave and learning their lesson.
(pause) After that day, Tommy remembered the sting of the slipper, but he remembered something else too. He remembered that it is important to be kind, to say sorry when you have done wrong, and to forgive your friends. He learned that grown-ups sometimes have to be strict, but they do it because they care.
And so, Tommy and Sally learned a valuable lesson that Sunday. They learned that everyone makes mistakes, but what matters most is how we make things right again. And that, , is how we grow up to be good and caring people.
