Walking with Grandma
written by: Tina Cathleen MacNaughton
‘We’re walking? We never walk – Mum always drives me!’
‘Well, I never learnt to drive and since your Gramps died, it’s either the bus or my own two legs, and there’s no bus route to your school, so walking it is. Anyway, walking’s good for us; bit of exercise, you see things, chat with people, notice the world around you.’
After a few more moans, Tom and Grandma set off and enjoyed a pleasant walk to school in the early morning sunshine.
Once her grandson was safely dropped off, Susan sat in a small parklet set up by local volunteers. What a lovely town this was, she thought. Lots of green spaces and flowery areas dotted around for insects and small creatures to make a home, and quiet, shaded places to sit, think, and meet others. She nodded at the elderly gent opposite, having a cuppa and reading his newspaper in the open air and with some company.
‘So, who has good news to share today?’ asked Mrs Birdy after registration.
Tom’s hand shot up.
‘My Grandma has come to stay because she’s on her own now. She doesn’t have a car, and I had to walk to school today, and at first I didn’t want to, but I did, and it was brilliant! We talked to our neighbour and met his dog, Joey, and I was allowed to stroke him. He felt really soft and warm, and my neighbour said I can walk him when I am older, if my mum says that is ok. Gran said walking is good for you because it stretches your legs and makes them strong, so they will probably get really strong and muscley if I walk in each day. Plus, you learn stuff too. Grandma told me the names of different birds – we saw a robin, a wood pigeon, and a thrush. We saw bees taking nectar from bushes to make honey and butterflies, and a beetle. Gran said if we all walked more, the air would be cleaner and our lungs would be healthier. Gran knows everything and chats to everyone! I met the postman, other children I don’t normally talk to, and she talked to the lollypop lady, who said my Gran was setting an example.
I said I always thought walking was boring, but Gran said sitting in slow traffic is very boring and that if we all walked more, then we are helping with the environment. Gran said getting to know the people around you also helps make your town a better place to live. She said we can help each other and talk to each other, and then people don’t feel so lonely. She said all of this helps to make the world a better place, and that is very important. My Grandma is old now and never learnt to drive, but she seems to know everything!’
- Walking with Grandma - September 8, 2025
- This Country - October 12, 2024
- Greener - July 21, 2024
