SHORT STORY

The short story is written in the form of diary enteries by twin brothers, James and Tristan and
their mother. Although they are twins, they have different character traits. Tristan is wheelchair-
bound but he is a positive and confident boy. On the other hand, James is an intelligent but quite
shy. Both of them attend Peter Hill Primary but will study at different schools later on. Tristan
will be attending Chesterlea Grange, a special residential school for the disable while his brother
will study at Highfields, a normal secondary school. The temporary separation taught them to be
independent and respect other people's wishes and dreams.

TRISTAN AND JAMES CHARACTERASTIC

‡TRISTAN

-Confident
-Caring
-Smart
-Talented
-Sentimental
-Very close to brother
-Optimistic
-Appreciateve
-Dependent on his brother

JAMES

-Not confident
-Highly dependent on his brother
-Caring
-Shy
-Helpful
-Good at sport
-Very close to his brother
-Pessimistic
 A short story is written in prose form. It has a plot which is a sequence of events. The
plot has to deal with a central conflict faced by the protagonist. The events also carry a
message about life and human nature.

Let us analyse the title. ” Flipping Fantastic”. We know what fantastic means. It refers to
something  extraordinary, out of the usual or norm. So when some one says something or
an act  is ‘fantastic’, it means it is extraordinary or superb.’Flipping’ in the context of this
short story means ‘to react strongly and especially enthusiastically’. So the title,”Flipping
Fantastic” could mean ‘extraordinarily superb’.

Set out in the form of diary entries by twin brothers and their mother, the story starts with
the last day of primary school at Peter Hill where the  twin brothers both acted parts in a
school play. Then out of the diary pages, is reflected the thoughts of both the twin
brothers, Tristan and James on the new schools they will be attending shortly. The diary
pages of the mother will reflect her thoughts on the behavioral aspects of her twin sons.

Tristan is no ordinary boy. He is physically challenged and is wheel-chair bound. He has 

always been pushed around by James or his mother. Interestingly, Tristan has developed
a ‘can do’ spirit and he is most confident for a person who needs help to get around.
James, on the other hand, is shy. He is the exact opposite of Tristan, needing words of
encouragement to spur him on.

In fact, James feels that having Tristan go to a special school called Chesterlea Grange,
where Tristan will be home only during week-ends, is somewhat disadvantageous to him
as he needs Tristan’s help in Highfields, the new school he will be attending which is a
day school for ordinary students. Moreover, he is shy and believes there is  no one there
whom he will be able to depend upon.