4 Short Stories
by Amanda Grace Shu
How Spring Got Its Name
Once upon a time, the wise old owl created a wonderful new season and wanted to give it a name. He gathered all the animals and they wondered what name to give the new season. " How about Animala?" suggested the lion. They tried that name. The flowers didn't grow. The bees didn't buzz. The name was too long.
The animals held another town meeting. "Maybe Birdchirp?" suggested the deer. They tried that name. The flowers didn't grow. The bees didn't buzz. The name was too long. The same thing went on and on until they had tried nine names.
Then the mouse squeaked, "I think we should call it Spring."
"Spring?" all the all the animals asked.
"Yes, Spring." The flowers started to grow. The bees started to buzz. All the animals were happy. " This new season will be called Spring," the wise old owl declared. That is how Spring got its name.-- AGS
The Perfect Vacation
"Where would you like to go on vacation?" asked my dad." The perfect vacation would be at Slip 'N Slide, the new water park." I said dreamily. "No, at the beach!" yelled my brother. "How about Grandma's house?" suggested my mom. "Hawaii!" came from my dad. We argued and argued on the perfect vacation. Finally, I had an idea.
I spent the whole afternoon rummaging around in the basement for a tent. I set up the tent in the backyard. Then I took everyone's sleeping bags and put them inside the tent. I led my family outside but told them to keep their eyes closed.
When they were on the back porch, I told them that they could open their eyes. "The Perfect Vacation," I said in an announcer-like voice as my family opened their eyes. For a moment there was silence. Then we all burst into peals of laughter. It truly was the perfect vacation!
-- AGS
In The Cupboard
I was not thrilled when Mom asked me to see what was in the cupboard. I knew what was in there. Nothing. Just empty shelves. I was wrong.
On the top shelf there was a small bottle. The label read: Turn Anyone Into A Frog! I grinned. I couldn't wait to try it on Tim, my older brother!
The next day, Tim was doing his homework when I tried the powder on him. Unfortunately, he held up a mirror. The powder shot back. I dodged it, but Dad didn't!
So now you know why my dad is a frog. I know it sounds silly, but it's true. Mom discarded the rest of the powder. Now we have a new family rule: Don't send Emma looking in any old cupboards!
-- AGS
The Mysterious Bottle
Sarah was rummaging around in her basement, looking for something to use for her magic show. Something shiny caught her eye. It was an old, rusty bottle. "This would be great for a test tube," she thought." I'm going to wash it." When she filled the bottle with water to wash it, she noticed that the water slowly disappeared.
When it was time for the magic show, Sarah took the bottle with her. She called her act "The Mysterious Bottle."
When Sarah got home, she noticed that her shoes were soaked. But no one noticed a small hole in the bottom of the bottle.
-- AGS