Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roald_Dahl)

On September 13, 1916 in Llandaff, Wales UK, Roald Dahl was born. He lived with his mother (Sofie), father (Harald), four sisters, half brother, and half sister but both his sister (Astri) and father (Harlald) died when he was young. As a child he had a good sense of humor and was quite brave for his age. He demonstrated this when he played a prank on an old lady by putting a rat in a candy jar, and he showed his bravery when he remained calm when his nose had almost been cut off in a car crash. While a child he attended Llandaff Cathedral. After that he was sent to an English boarding school called St. Peters. Next he attended Repton and shell where from there he started work at Shell Gas Company.

Roald (http://www.nndb.com/people/163/000026085/)

While he was working at Shell the Second World War started, so he joined the RAF or the Royal Air Force. After the war he married Patricia Neal. Patricia had six children but one (Olivia) died of measles. Next, Roald Dahl had his first story published. It was called Shot Down Over Libya. It was a story about being in the war which was published in the Saturday Evening Post. Writing this story inspired him to start a career as a writer. He started by writing his first children’s book called The Gremlins, and continued by writing many stories now considered classics like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, and The BFG.

Roald Dahl (http://www.ovationtv.com/people/266)

Roald Dahl was an interesting person, but he also had many struggles. While he was young his father died of pneumonia and sister died of appendicitis, which caused him much grief. After this during his times as a schoolboy, he had many mean matrons, masters, and headmasters and all had the authority to have him beaten. Another struggle for him was when he was at St. Peters as a small boy he had homesickness. As you can tell his life was exciting, thrilling, and funny; but there were many struggles too. When his daughter, Olivia, was seven years old she died of measles. Another struggle for him was fighting in the Second World War. Finally the last major struggle of his life was when his mother died in 1957. Although he had his struggles, he also had many accomplishments such as being captain of the fives team and squash-racquets teams at Repton and Shell. He also won many prizes for photography, got a job at Shell, and joined the RAF.

Boy by Roald Dahl (http://www.amazon.com/Boy-Tales-Childhood-Roald-Dahl/dp/0141303050)

I admire Roald Dahl for many reasons but mainly for three things. One, he was funny, second, he showed bravery as I have explained before. As you know he played a prank on an old lady named Mrs. Pratchett. This is why I admire him because of his sense of humor. The prank took place when Roald was attending Llandaff Cathedral. Mrs. Pratchett (the owner of a small candy shop that Roald and his friends loved) had always thought Roald and his friends were rotten, snobby boys so she did not show them any kindness at all. So, because of the way she treated them Roald and his friends decided to try to get back at her, so they made a nasty plan to put a rat in a candy jar in Mrs. Pratchett’s shop. The reason I think he is brave was back when he had come home from St. Peter’s boarding school for a holiday break. His half sister had recently purchased a brand new motorcar, which at the time was a big event. So, having had two half hour lessons on how to drive the family packed into the car with Roald’s half sister behind the wheel. When they came to a curve in the road Roald’s nose had been cut off except for one small amount of skin holding it on his face. He then had to have it sewn back on his face, and during this whole procedure he remained calm. Lastly, I admire the fact that he joined the RAF, which showed courage and helped defend the entire world from domination.

Roald (http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/audiointerviews/profilepages/dahlr1.shtml)

Roald Dahl sadly died on November 23, in 1996 Oxford, England due to a disease known as Myelodysplastic Syndrome. He had become a very successful children’s author writing loads of stories and inspiring new minds. He taught everyone an important lesson and for me he taught me to dream.