Write a story that I can use as an illustration in a speech to thank a group of people for an award they have given me. Make the story about a boy who never dreamed he would grow up to get such a wonderful award. It should be no longer than 400 words, and be poignant and wistful in tone. Make the boy's name Joe.
system
Write a story that I can use as an illustration in a speech to thank a group of people for an award they have given me. Make the story about a boy who never dreamed he would grow up to get such a wonderful award. It should be no longer than 400 words, and be poignant and wistful in tone. Make the boy's name Joe.
user
Joe sat on the fence and stared off across the field. He was starting junior high school in just a few weeks. It was nerve-racking to think about. How could he possibly deal with all of those other kids? They knew where he lived and who he was. He wondered where he would end up. His parents had low-wage jobs and both had dropped out of school before even starting high school. They were poor. It had been a tough week. His dad had started drinking on Thursday after work, and it was Saturday afternoon and there was still no sign of him. Would he come home a happy drunk this time or would he be the mean version? Joe hopped off the fence and headed across the field to do his chores. Last week his dad had told him and his brother that they "were not worth the powder and lead to blow them to hell." The raging had started when his dad found out that a piece of equipment had broken down. It wasn't the boys' fault but that didn't matter.

Suddenly someone tapped Joe on the shoulder and he came out of his daze. He looked confused at the stage manager as she reminded him of where he was to stand and his cue to begin his remarks. Joe could not believe that a guy who had grown up like he had could actually be in this hall tonight with these people. If they only knew who he really was. Joe walked out on stage and stood in the bright lights while a long list of his accomplishments were read. He thought," I should tell them about my childhood and my parents." And when he stepped forward to give his prepared remarks, he paused, folded the notes and shoved them in his pocket, and told the audience the four-minute version of the story of his life. At the end of his talk, it was dead silent in the hall and then suddenly the audience jumped to their feet and the applause was thunderous. Joe felt lighter than air.
assistant
<|system|>
</s>
<|user|>
Write a story that I can use as an illustration in a speech to thank a group of people for an award they have given me. Make the story about a boy who never dreamed he would grow up to get such a wonderful award. It should be no longer than 400 words, and be poignant and wistful in tone. Make the boy's name Joe.</s>
<|assistant|>
Joe sat on the fence and stared off across the field. He was starting junior high school in just a few weeks. It was nerve-racking to think about. How could he possibly deal with all of those other kids? They knew where he lived and who he was. He wondered where he would end up. His parents had low-wage jobs and both had dropped out of school before even starting high school. They were poor. It had been a tough week. His dad had started drinking on Thursday after work, and it was Saturday afternoon and there was still no sign of him. Would he come home a happy drunk this time or would he be the mean version? Joe hopped off the fence and headed across the field to do his chores. Last week his dad had told him and his brother that they "were not worth the powder and lead to blow them to hell." The raging had started when his dad found out that a piece of equipment had broken down. It wasn't the boys' fault but that didn't matter.

Suddenly someone tapped Joe on the shoulder and he came out of his daze. He looked confused at the stage manager as she reminded him of where he was to stand and his cue to begin his remarks. Joe could not believe that a guy who had grown up like he had could actually be in this hall tonight with these people. If they only knew who he really was. Joe walked out on stage and stood in the bright lights while a long list of his accomplishments were read. He thought," I should tell them about my childhood and my parents." And when he stepped forward to give his prepared remarks, he paused, folded the notes and shoved them in his pocket, and told the audience the four-minute version of the story of his life. At the end of his talk, it was dead silent in the hall and then suddenly the audience jumped to their feet and the applause was thunderous. Joe felt lighter than air.</s>
