Made in S.A.: Flat Stanley visits England

My darling little cousin sent me a letter in the post; well I say “little” but at 10 years old she is slightly taller than me, and is endlessly thrilled at the fact that my size 4 shoes fit her perfectly. With straight blonde hair, glasses and a lisp she looks like an adorable character in a children’s book. She has expressed her desire to become an author actually and has even started writing a book; but I wouldn’t be surprised if she becomes a scientist, the little genius that she is. But I, quite obviously, digress……

She was being taught at school about writing letters. The project was to send a letter to someone you knew along with Flat Stanley and have them take pictures of him in interesting locations; and then to send him back. My mother told me that I would be receiving Flat Stanley; and, bless her, she doesn’t explain things very well. I had visions of assembling a giant cardboard man and carting him around the streets of London; posing for the most embarrassing photos of my life! I was also worried about not being home to receive the giant package as it would obviously not fit through the mail slot. I was relieved to find a small white envelope waiting for me at home; with a hand written letter from my cousin and a small paper man folded up inside (Thank God, I thought to myself). She had coloured him in and Emily was written neatly on his leg. Written on his other leg was flatstanley.com. Only after my own Stanley adventure did I bother looking at the site. I am ashamed to say that my pictures are not as impressive as some others. People have actual celebrities posing with the paper cut out! I only had a tour guide dressed up in Edwardian style clothes (though I am still proud of that…). Some people have Mohammed Ali, Doctor Phil and Clint Eastwood holding Flat Stanley. I do think though that a kid asking you to hold a paper man and pose for a picture in the name of education is far more charming than a 28 year old woman.

I embarrass easily and people seeing me in front of tourist attractions with Stanley made me a little uneasy. My husband and I got quite good at taking the picture without anyone actually seeing. I would stand in front of our chosen location and hold him wrapped up in my hand. My husband would line up the photo, make sure I was positioned correctly, and shout “Now!” I would unwrap him swiftly, smile, the camera would click; and I would fold him up and walk away, no one having seen a thing. I would sound very secret agent as I asked my husband each time, “Did you get it?”

We did have fun trying to position him in the photos on his own; although this was done with care as we nearly tragically lost him to a strong gust of wind.

I really got into the project though and wrote a report for her and everything! I collected pamphlets of all the places we visited for her poster that she will present to the class. I felt like I was in school again. I just hope we get a good mark!