We’d been watching the 6 o’clock news and suddenly there she was, on the screen… Grandma… chained to a table!

“Did anyone know she’d joined Extinction Rebellion?” Mum had exclaimed.

Dad had shaken his head and looked at me.

“She never said a word,” I’d assured them.

Ten minutes later we were heading to Covent Garden.

We’d arrived to find the tourist hotspot cordoned off and the table surrounded by police.  Mum had been terrified that Grandma might be arrested so Dad had asked a policeman if we could bring her out.  After some reluctance he’d agreed, on the condition that only one of us be allowed in.

“It has to be you Toby, you’re the only one she’ll listen to,” they’d both decided.

And that’s how I’d found myself under a bright pink table, at least 4 metres in size with the words ‘change is now’ painted on the side.  I’d located Grandma right at the centre.  She’d greeted me with a welcoming smile, as if I’d arrived for Sunday lunch and, despite my best efforts, had adamantly refused to leave.

I wasn’t surprised. If Grandma wasn’t marching, she was rallying.  But Extinction Rebellion weren’t popular.  The public resented the disruption they created and I’d voiced my concerns.

“I understand the public’s perception Toby,” Grandma had admitted, “but sometimes words aren’t enough to bring about change.”

She’d gone on to explain the reason she was there: to demand the Government end their investment in fossil fuels.  She’d explained that when fossil fuels were burned, they released large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the air.  And how these greenhouse gases trapped heat in our atmosphere, causing global warming.

The consequences she described were scary – an increased risk of fires, drought and floods and the impact it would have on my and future generations.

I’d never taken global warming that seriously but her words really hit home.

When the table was eventually dismantled and we were told to leave, I’d left with a different perspective and view of XR.  The planet was more important than a little inconvenience.

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Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
1 year ago

Hello, Linda. I am with grandma. Sometimes we need to take any action to bring about change because words are not enough for the life of the future generation. I admire grandma’s courage to take the step. In addition, the sentence ” The planet was more important than a little inconvenience” resonated with me so much.  Nicely done. Good job.

Last edited 1 year ago by Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
Reply to  Linda Rock
1 year ago

You’re welcome, Linda.

Fuji
Fuji(@fuji)
1 year ago

A great story, Linda! I’ve heard about Extinction Rebellion, but don’t know much about it. Is it a big thing in your part of the country? I read something recently about their protest in London where they “painted the town red”. How are people in general reacting? Is their work helping? Hurting?

Good for grandma! I love that it was the grandma in your story that joined up, not the young whippersnappers!

Juma
Juma(@juma)
1 year ago

This was fun to read, Linda, but also serious, reminding us of all that is at stake. Great job!

Melissa Taggart
Melissa Taggart(@melissa-taggart)
1 year ago

Quiet rarely brings about change. So, a racket sometimes has to be made. Grandma is brave and I really appreciate that you made the ‘hero’ of the story a woman ? . Great work, Linda!

Dipayan Chakrabarti
Dipayan Chakrabarti(@dipayan-chakrabarti)
1 year ago

I like ‘Grandma’s Rebellion,’ Linda. Though it is on the serious subject of climate change, it is leavened with a little humour.

Dipayan Chakrabarti
Dipayan Chakrabarti(@dipayan-chakrabarti)
Reply to  Linda Rock
1 year ago

You’re welcome.

Carrie OLeary
Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
1 year ago

Brilliant story Linda. Very well written, and loved that it was Grandma who chose to make a stand. The embarrassment at Grandma making a scene made me smile. Very well done; loved it!

Thompson Emate
Thompson Emate(@thompson-emate)
1 year ago

A nice story, Linda. But if I may ask, what is the meaning of XR?

Chris
Chris(@chris)
Reply to  Thompson Emate
1 year ago

Hi Thompson – I was also curious about XR, so I searched and found this info on Wikipedia: “Extinction Rebellion (abbreviated as XR) is a global environmental movement with the stated aim of using nonviolent civil disobedience to compel government action to avoid tipping points in the climate system, biodiversity loss, and the risk of social and ecological collapse.” The full wiki entry is here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extinction_Rebellion Also, I am really enjoying this… Read more »

Thompson Emate
Thompson Emate(@thompson-emate)
Reply to  Chris
1 year ago

Thank you, Chris, for the further clarification.

Greene M Wills
Greene M Wills(@greene-m-wills)
1 year ago

I loved the eco-warrior grandma! She became a great example for her family, especially her grandchildren, she woke them up, made them think. She is the past who offers a future and a hope…

Christer Norrlof
Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
1 year ago

What a shock to the family to discover grandma on the 6 o’clock news, chained to a table! At the same time as it is funny to have somebody from the older generation rebelling, it is a very serious thing. It shows that anybody can take responsibility and make a difference. A language question, Linda, just out of curiosity. You chose to tell the whole story in past perfect. I was waiting… Read more »

Christer Norrlof
Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
Reply to  Linda Rock
1 year ago

After having read your comment, I went online to check the news. I am now updated about what’s going on in the UK, with roadblocks on M25 for the 5th time in a week. I wish a happy outcome for everybody. Thanks for the update, Linda!

Sandra James
Sandra James(@sandra-james)
1 year ago

I love the progression of Toby learning from Grandma through the story. I was lucky my Nan set some wonderful examples for me, recycling and composting. Now I’m a Grandma, I hope I’m setting good examples for my grandchildren. I read an article just yesterday about including a little humour in stories to help get even serious points across. I think the family’s embarrassment seeing Grandma on TV provided that perfectly 🙂

Marianna Pieterse
Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
1 year ago

Linda, when I read the title it already made me smile. Throughout the story I had the idea that they will not change Grandma’s mind. I’m glad they didn’t. When they sent Toby in I was hoping Grandma would convert him too! Great story, fun to read, although it was a very serious subject.

Genya Johnson
Genya Johnson(@genya-johnson)
1 year ago

I’ve never heard about Extinction Rebellion so I’ve learned something new today. I loved the story. I would have got under the table with grandma.

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
2 months ago

Hello, Linda. Congratulations that your “Grandma’s Rebellion” was featured on the new contest. Re-reading it after a year brings more realization and inspiration to me. I wish that this story had reached and inspired more readers like me.

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
Reply to  Linda Rock
2 months ago

You’re always welcome. How are you, Linda?

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
Reply to  Linda Rock
1 month ago

Yes. I am well but our place is not safe right now, due to war between AFP and the rebel (NPA).

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