Today I’m teaching one of my favorite texts and lessons. Every writing teacher has a few assignments & concepts they can teach with their eyes closed. It’s not from lack of passion or interest (most of the time). It’s rather the rote memory of having offered a specific text with commentary for what feels like the thousandth time. Call it faith or confidence. I know this lesson plan “works.” Not for nothing, this lesson is the one I’ve probably taught the most over ten plus years in colleges and private workshops. It all centers on a short story (or poem) by Lydia Davis called “Mildred and the Oboe.” It goes like this: