It's contest time! Valentiny style. (Follow the link for more Valentiny Stories) This year's contest theme is a valentine story where someone who feels curious. The other rules are the story must be 214 words or less.
I am all about curiosity. One of my favorite quotes comes from Albert Einstein says, “I am enough of the artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
That was my inspiration for this story.
As I have been working on my drawing skills, I decided to create a character named Al. I called him Little Al the Curious Boy. My first idea started with Al who's first word was Why?
Somehow it went in a different direction than I expected. But it's fun to follow the story and see where it will take you. My first typed draft was 338 words. In three days I revised the story about 7 times, clarifying and cutting.
Here's the final version:
Al Asks Why
By Sarah Tobias
211 words
In a moment of quiet at
breakfast Al asked, “Why?”
He had no chance to say
anything more.
Though they didn’t know what
Al wanted to know, they explained, and answered and talked. They googled and futzed,
answered questions unasked without stopping to take a breath.
Al wandered outside with a box.
He played house, drove a car, then flew a plane.
When mom noticed Al, she droned
on about how boxes are made. Al listened a bit then snuck away. He hunted for
bugs and cool stuff.
At dinner Al’s parents
explained entomology. Did you know worms have five hearts?
Al ate, washed his dish, and
went to his room. He painted and cut out rainbow hearts.
His parents came in and described
the ins and outs of human hearts.
Al took a bath, got ready for
bed, turned off the light, and slept.
At breakfast, Al’s parents
continued. They described, clarified, and expounded.
Finally stopping for a breath.
“WHY?!” Al interjected.
His parents froze and for once
remained quiet.
“Why do you always talk and explain?
I’d rather play and adventure.” He took their hands and walked out to the
garden.
They climbed into his heart
covered box. This Valentine’s Day they sailed and floated across a rainbow sea.
Love your scientific vocabulary coupled with the pull of imagination. A good reminder to play!
ReplyDeleteHopefully his parents start playing more too!!
ReplyDeleteSo like some parents to overexplain things. Glad that Al got them outside and back to the real world of their imagination! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHappy the parents finally got AI's message :) Well done. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAt times parents with a scientific background do not get it. Happy Al managed to get the message through to them.Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWhat an original, creative entry, Sarah! I love that Al was able to stop him parents from over expounding, explaining and analyzing everything - stealing the magic! - with a simple question and then take them with him on his journey of imagination! Thanks for joining in the Valentiny fun!
ReplyDeleteYou packed a lot of action into this story! Great job!
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