Susanna Leonard Hill’s Birthday Contest: write a children’s story about a very creative and/or unique birthday celebration in 300 words or less. Poetry or prose, your choice.
Here’s my entry: A Birthday Present From Me to You
Your birthday is tomorrow. I want to give you a present, but I don’t know what.
Mom tried to help. “Think of things Riley likes to do.”
You like to ride your bicycle. You have a helmet and a bell.
You like to read. You have 2 big bookshelves and a library card.
You like taking naps. You have gazillions of stuffed animals and a moon pillow.
“ I don’t know what else Riley likes to do.”
“Does Riley draw? How about some crayons or paint?”
“Riley already has every art thing, and a humungous collection of coloring books.”
“Cards?”
“At least 7 different decks, and every board game I can think of.”
“You know what Mom? I don’t think there’s anything Riley doesn’t have.”
“Then let’s put our brains together for more idea power!”
Mom called it brainstorming. We said anything that came in to our heads. But nothing came into my head. No storm, not even a breeze.
Mom said, “This calls for something drastic, like a special weapon!”
“A WEAPON? You know Riley can’t have weapons either Mom!”
“I’m sorry,” she said, “That’s not quite what I meant! What we need to do now, is turn the problem on its head.”
“Like upside-down?
“We have to see it in another way,” Mom said. “Instead of thinking what Riley would like to get, try to think of something you would like to give.”
“Aww, Mom. That’s the same thing.” Mom sent me outside to think about it.
I want to give you something special. Something you don’t have. Something you’ll like. Something no one else can give you.
That’s it! Something only I can give you! I went straight to work. It took all day.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RILEY!
Haha. Cute. Yay, for entering.
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Thanks Rena, but wordpress didn’t actually register the post until after your comment!
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Fabulous!
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Thanks GF!
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Adorable! Good luck with the contest!
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Did you enter one?
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No. 😦 I almost did
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Great birthday gift! Why, oh why isn’t there a robot store for those last minute gifts? But a homemade one is FAR better!
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I couldn’t think of what the present would be but between Kirsten Larson’s home-made costumes and all the robot books it came easy this morning!
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I love this, Julie! Original, entertaining, child-like – very excellent 🙂 The competition is heating up!
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Ooo, I’m glad! I had another I thought was better, but I would have had to cut so much (too lazy!). So I thank you for the 300 word limit – tightening gave this story a decent kick!
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Love the line: “No storm. Not even a breeze.” when referring to brainstorming. Great imagery! And very original.
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Thanks Laura, I often feel stumped when thinking about certain gifts, but it’s the home-made ones that are special.
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Really enjoyed your entry– mom’s suggestion sounded very British (looking at it from another perspective)! Very creative!
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Are you a Brit Patricia?
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Awww. I love your illustration, too.
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Thanks!
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I loved how mom made her daughter come up with gift idea and the picture shows how much the sister loves her brother.
Great job.
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Thanks Tracy. I tried hard to leave the gender of the children open to interpretation, so I am glad this is what you ‘read’!
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It’s wonderful when you can get your point across to your reader.
Have a happy day!
Tracy
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Really well written…kept me guessing! Good luck on the contest!
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Thanks Jackie. The real prize for me is comments – all sorts welcome!
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Great story, Julie! And I’m with Laura in loving the brainstorming…no storm, not even a breeze…so evocative of how one feels when the ideas are just not coming. 🙂
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Thanks Vivian, guess it is a universal thing!
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“with remote mind control” ha! Great story, Julie, I love the image of the non-brainstorming session.
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Thanks Heather – my husband raised an eyebrow, but I liked it!
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Like your “idea power!” And mind weather! Cute story!
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Thanks Tina – I may need to make myself an idea-power t-shirt!
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I like your idea! Your robot is cool, too! 🙂 I like how Riley has about everything possible!
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Thanks Erik. Might be fun to finish the illustrations for the whole story!
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More robots! Yay. I feel like Erik and I must have helped with your inspiration. 🙂
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I mentioned your influence up there in one of the earlier comments Kirsten! I hope the illo even looks a little like your creations!
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🙂
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Really cute story, Julie. And the robot….perfect! Every kid would want one 🙂
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Thanks for reading Penny. Did you submit?
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Really cute story, Julie!
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My husband, er, I mean my son would like a gift like Riley’s. Cute story.
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When you ‘guys’ build one take a pic for me
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