The Boy Who Ran Away From Home

Once upon a time there lived a boy named Gilbert. When his parents didn’t give him what he wanted for his birthday he ran away from home. Little did he know, it was the wrong decision.

When Gilbert’s parents Samantha and Brian learned about his disappearance, they called the police. The police asked them if they had done something Gilbert didn't like. They said yes. What thing did you do which he didn’t like? asked the police.  We did not get him what he wanted for his birthday. That is why he ran away, said the police.

By the time the police had finished talking, Samantha and Brian were crying. The police offered them a ride home. When they came home they had lunch, and after lunch they began looking for Gilbert. At that time Gilbert was far away from his house. He was in a forest. Gilbert was crying too. For days and days Gilbert shot and ate wild animals like deer, and other small animals he came across in the forest. He shot them with a bow and arrow he had found, and figured out how to use it. One day when Gilbert was in the forest looking for food to eat, he tripped over something. When he bent down to pick it up, he saw it was a wish! He wished to get back to his house in a second.

After a second, Gilbert was in his house! After Gilbert told his parents the whole story, he said he would never run away from home again no matter what. That was a good lesson for you said his mom. And then they all went to bed.

Did you know that the National Runaway Switchboard, an organization that takes calls and helps children who ran away found that 1 in 7 kids will run away at some point of time before the age of 18? Problems at school or in the house, getting into fights, being ashamed or embarrassed of something, are the main reasons why children run away from home.

Gilbert was lucky he found a wish. That might not happen in real life though. It is important for kids to know that there are things they can do to solve the problem instead of running away. They can talk to their parents, ask for help from teachers, or share with friends. Sometimes kids don't know how to handle their problems, so it is important that parents, teachers, or guardians to proactively and openly discuss possible problems and their solutions with children. 

Gilbert made two good decisions - one, to return home, and second, to never become a runaway kid again. Way to go Gilbert!                                         

-Writing Girl (WG)

Do you read non-fiction? I do!

In second grade, I’ve read a lot of non-fiction books like books about planets, animals and their habitat, earth encyclopedia, biographies of famous people, people in our community, and different countries in the world.

When I am reading these books, my mind is so into it that nobody can take my joy away. After I finish the book, I am so happy! I have been wondering what makes me so happy. After thinking for a while, an idea popped in my head; my mind was learning so many new things that were real, and I was feeling more intelligent and confident with all the information. One day after I finished reading about an Astronaut’s life, I couldn’t wait for my mom to arrive from work to quiz her with my new knowledge. I created multiple choice questions about the non-fiction book and quizzed my babysitter, my brother, and my mom. At the end of it, I felt like a teacher. 

Another day I was reading a book about Mardi Gras, a celebration. As I was reading the book and seeing hundreds of pictures from the celebration, it all started to come alive in my mind as if I was there at Mardi Gras parades. Another time when I was reading biographies, I felt inspired.  I could solve problems in the world if I didn’t give up, like the famous scientists and world leaders.

 All the new knowledge I gain, and the places I visit when facts come alive in my mind, makes non-fiction reading fun for me! - Writing Girl

The Caterpillar's Wish

Once upon a time, a caterpillar named Harry had a wish to turn into a butterfly. He ate and ate, thinking that would turn him into a butterfly. He tried all the ways in his head but none of them worked. Over the days Harry started to get sad, and before he knew it, he was crying!  

One day Harry was trying to roll up on a branch. One minute he was rolling up, the second he could not speak! Harry started to think. After a while, he figured out he had become a cocoon! After about three weeks (which felt like a long time to him), a wing popped up from the cocoon!  

After his whole body was out of the cocoon, he started looking for a family. But his wings were so wet he could not fly! After a couple of hours he felt better and went searching for a family. Near the coast, he found one, and introduced himself to them. The family loved Harry’s introduction, and adopted him. They started looking for a school for Harry so he can learn and become more useful. A popular school for butterflies The Gesturing Deferred had a spot open, so they enrolled Harry.

At first Harry was really shy, and this was a big problem for his family. He could not make any friends. At recess, Harry would sit on the concrete with nothing to play with and nobody to play with. Often Harry would flutter around. The teachers tried to find somebody for Harry to play with. But whoever they asked, Harry would say he did not want to play with them. Summer Vacation rolled in. Harry was still shy. Nobody could do anything about it.

Until, Harry went to a lake. When Harry saw his reflection, he was amazed to see his wish had finally come true - he was a butterfly! He regretted that he was shy because he always thought he looked scary!

Harry isn't shy anymore, he is learning at school really fast, and he has many friends! Way to go Harry!

-Writing Girl (WG)

Caterpillar heading towards subsoil to get time alone because he is shy!

Dancing Daddies!

This past Friday, I was doing my very own things when my mom came and told me that she signed me up for dancing with my daddy.

I looked up at her and said “what?” My mom asked me what was wrong. “You know I hate dancing. Why did you have to sign me up?”

My mom said she thought it was a good time because my dad’s interview had just passed, and it would be a relaxed fun evening for me to get daddy time.

“Well, I don’t think Dad would like it either. He doesn't have any interest in dancing. Who organized it?” My mom said it was organized by the Girl Scout. I love Girl Scout events, but this wasn't my thing.

When mom was getting me ready, I was feeling mad and frustrated. “You know I don’t like fashion, and I am not wearing these shoes with pink lace.” Mom tried to explain that she was only dressing me up for the occasion, just like I wouldn't want to wear my pajamas to my softball practice. That sounded reasonable, but I still didn't want those shoes with pink lace, and mom finally removed that lace.

On our way to the dance, I was still upset that I had to miss my evening bike ride, and my dad was not in a good mood either.

When we got to the dance place, there was a sweet smell of pirate’s booty, cookies, and many other snacks. We ate snacks, had photo shoot with daddy, and then the dance started. I had thought the daddies would have to go up onto a stage and dance with their daughter, one pair at a time. It wasn't like that though, there wasn't even a stage! Everyone danced together with their partner in two large circles! We did the Do-si-do square dance. The DJ explained the steps, and we danced for the next two hours! At the end of it all, daddies hugged their daughters! I got to eat, dance, and play with balloons. It was a blast!!

I will go again! I want to dance on many different songs. If you have a favorite song, post me a comment. 

-Writing Girl