the gong Ellie Wellington ‘21

THE GONG Ellie Wellington

When my parents got married, they received a golden gong as a gift I have no idea who gave it to them; I think it was one of my dad’s friends He keeps it displayed on our bookshelf My mother hates it.

I think it’s funny because it’s so ugly, it’s a big golden cymbal on a wooden stand, it has goblins on the side and it’s such a strange gift; who gives a gong to someone who didn’t ask for a gong, especially for their wedding?

My dad likes to ring it when something good happens, or to mess with us. My mother always rolls her eyes, because she hates the gong and the gong is ugly and we really should just throw it away But it’s still on the shelf, Next to my baby pictures and worn-down books.

Sometimes, when she’s alone, and she looks at that gong, that bizarre little statue, I catch her smiling because she doesn’t see the gong, she sees my dad.