Everyone in the courtyard of the fivestorey block on Willow Lane, a quiet suburb of Manchester, knew GranEthel Parker. Small and wiry, with silver hair pulled tight into a bun, she moved around with a cane, but she was so spry that the teenagers could never catch up with her.
GranEthel had lived in that building since it was first erected, remembered every tenant, and they respected hernot just because she was old, but because of her sharp tongue and unbending will. When a neighbour fell on hard times, GranEthelknown simply as Gran to the kidswas the first to lend a hand; when someone broke the peace, she was the first to set them straight.
One summer a new family moved in: a young couple with a teenage son named Tommy. Tommy quickly fell in with a gang of mischiefmakers, and the courtyard soon turned into a playground of troubleshattered light bulbs in the stairwell, crude graffiti on the walls, and even a broken basement window where the resident catlover, MrsWhiskers, fed her rescued kittens.
Tommy wasnt just a petty troublemaker; his imagination was twisted. He stretched fishing line between the trees to trip cyclists, and he tossed surprises from neighbour dogs into the sandbox. His parents sighed, Its just a phase, but GranEthel didnt buy it.
Hey, Tommy! she called one morning as he tried to tie a firecracker to a bench. Come over here, lad.
What do you want? the teen growled, but he shuffled over.
Are you a clever boy?
You? Tommy scowled.
I can see youre up to silly tricks. A clever lad wouldnt act like that.
Leave me alone!
I wont. If not me, who will tell you the truth?
Tommy grimaced, but he put the firecracker away.
The next day GranEthel caught him in the act againspraying a vulgar word on the garage wall with a aerosol can.
Oh, dear, she said, feigning disappointment. An artist, are we?
What? It looks cool, Tommy sneered.
Its neat, Gran agreed, except the garage owner, Uncle Colin, is due home from work any minute. If he catches you
Do I care?
Fine then. Know this: if Uncle Colin doesnt punish you, I will.
Tommy huffed and tossed the can aside.
That evening, a flushed Uncle Colin thundered around the courtyard, belt in hand.
Who did this?
Tommy ducked behind a pillar, but GranEthel stood beside him.
So, artist, you gonna run or own up?
Hell kill me!
Did you think a little scribble came without consequences?
In the end Tommy spent the evening scrubbing the garage under Uncle Colins watchful eyeand Grans stern supervision.
See? she said when the job was done. The garage is clean and youre still breathing. It could have been worse.
Whatever, Tommy muttered, his bravado gone.
Time passed. Tommy still caused mischief, but not with the same reckless zest. One afternoon GranEthel spotted him chasing the younger kids in the yard.
Doing it again? she asked sharply.
Theyre the ones starting it!
Youre older now. You should act wiser.
What am I supposed to do with them?
Dont chase themteach them something.
What?
Gran thought for a moment. You could show them how to play football, or teach them a game of Cops and Robbers.
Theyre little!
Give it a go.
Reluctantly, Tommy fetched a ball from his house. Within half an hour, laughter filled the courtyard as he coached the youngsters on taking penalty kicks.
From then on Tommy changed. He wasnt a saint, but he wasnt the little devil everyone dreaded. When GranEthel broke her arm, it was Tommy who carried her grocery bags from the shop.
Whats the matter, Tommy? Got soft? she teased.
Just so you dont have to shout at me, he mumbled.
Everyone in the block knew that GranEthel could be strict, but she was fair, and thats why people listened to her. After all, if not her, who would keep the neighbourhood on the right track?
Summer faded. Tommy stopped chasing the kids; now they followed him around, calling him big brother. He showed them how to hammer nails, fix bicycles, and even set up a secret club with a password and the motto: Real men dont bullythey protect the weak.
One day, while sitting on the bench, GranEthel watched Tommy break up a fight between two boys.
Tommy, youre a coward! shouted one.
No fighting, Tommy said firmly, placing himself between them. Well sort this out fairly.
Gran smiled.
So, Tommy, she called after the dust settled. Are you a hero now?
Come on, Gran, he blushed. Theyre just kids being foolish.
Youre grown up now.
Tommy paused.
Gran, why did you bother with me? I was such a troublemaker.
Because I saw the man you could become, she replied.
Did others not see it?
Its easier to write someone off, she said, winking. I was the same oncemuch worse. I even spent a night in the police station.
And then?
An old man whispered to me, Girl, youre smart. Why waste it on nonsense? That stuck with me.
Tommy laughed.
So now I have to think too?
You already are, Gran said, nodding. If you slip up again, what will you do?
I wont slip, he said, looking down.
If you do, fix it.
From that day Tommy became the blocks goto person. He helped the elderly, repaired the swings, and convinced his friends not to litter. When GranEthel fell ill again, he visited daily, bringing her medicines and the latest news.
Youve spoiled me, Tommy, she grumbled, though her eyes twinkled.
Im just returning the favour, he replied.
Soon a new boy, as rowdy as Tommy had been, moved in.
Hey, lad! Tommy called out. Come over here
GranEthel, seated on her bench, smiled softly.
And so it was that the courtyard learned a simple truth: a firm hand guided by kindness can turn even the most wayward spirit into a source of strength for the whole community.
