I hope everyone ate their Wheaties this morning because it’s time for the Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Challenge Week #2!!!
Mix ‘n’ Match Mini is a writing challenge for anyone who needs a little boost or a little encouragement to get writing. . . or maybe just a little fun during this bizarre stay-at-home spring!
You get to write your own story, enjoy and be entertained by everyone else’s stories, and get yourself in the running for some awesome prizes (please see the end of the blog post for a list of all the prize goodies!)
For a full description of the challenge or to enter your Week #1 entry, please go HERE
Let’s jump into Week #2!
Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Prompt #2 for Week of May 18:
Last week we played with characters, setting, and emotion, or a combination, depending on where your eenie meenie miney moe-ing landed you. 😊 This week we’re going to play with Point of View!
Eenie meenie miney moe, choose a Nursery Rhyme below. . . and rewrite its story (for kids) in 100 words from the point of view of someone or something else mentioned in (or conceivably associated with) the rhyme. For example, if you choose Humpty Dumpty from the list, you can write the story of that famous tumbling egg incident from the point of view of the wall, or one of the king’s horses, or one of the king’s men, or a tree hanging over the wall watching the drama unfold, or the grass underneath that got landed on, or the chicken that laid Humpty Dumpty to begin with, or anything else you dream up! Post your story in the comment section below to get your Week #2 entry in!
- Stories can rhyme or not – totally up to you!
- You can go under or over 100 words if you want to – also totally up to you! – 100 is a guideline
- If you’re deeply inspired by another Nursery Rhyme that is not on the list below you can use that instead – as long as you rewrite a nursery rhyme from a different point of view from the original – the purpose here is inspiration and to get you writing!
- For simplicity’s sake (and to aid skimming readers who might be interested in a particular thing) please say which rhyme and what point of view you’re using at the top of your entry along with your word count.
Choose a rhyme: (rhymes included for your convenience in remembering the words 😊)
Humpty Dumpty
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall,
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men,
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory dickory dock
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck one
The mouse ran down
Hickory dickory dock.
Hickory dickory dock
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck two
The mouse went “boo!”
Hickory dickory dock.
Three… the mouse went weeee
Four…The mouse went “no more!”
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are,
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky, twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Jack And Jill
Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.
Up Jack got, and home did trot,
As fast as he could caper,
He went to bed to mend his head,
With vinegar and brown paper
There Was A Crooked Man
There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile.
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.
He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse,
and they all lived together in a little crooked house.
Here’s a little sample 😊
Week #2: Humpty Dumpty, POV of lawn beneath the wall (199 words)
Rock Til You Drop
Okay, so technically? It might be that Humpty Dumpty didn’t exactly fall off that wall.
It was the night of the Rock ‘Til You Drop Dance Contest, and that egg head was taunting me.
“I’m going to win!” he boasted. “You can’t rock and you can’t roll!”
He showed off his moves, rocking and rolling on his round behind.
I was green with envy. But I wouldn’t let him mow me down.
“I may be lawn,” I shouted back, “but I can sway to the beat better than you!”
I showed off my moves. Swish! Swoosh!
Then I laid it down. “Besides, I’m taller than you. No one will even see you!”
I watched him boil. He knew I was right.
“Unless. . .” I said slyly, “you get up on that wall. . .”
Humpty enlisted one of the king’s horses to help him up. He teetered on top. “Just watch me shake my booty!” he gloated.
The beat boomed.
“Shake-shake-shake!” I dared him.
Humpty shook.
But the wall was narrow.
Too narrow for that big-bottomed-boy!
Rock…
…roll…
BLAM!
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall!
I won!
I had egg on my face, but it was worth it!
So come join the fun! Get some writing done! Encourage your kids (or students) to give it a try! Or just have a good time together reading what other folks have written!
Ready, set, WRITE! 😊
(And remember, for full details on the 7 week challenge you can check HERE)
Check out the Week #2 stories!
The Water’s Tale – Jess Murray (Jack & Jill, water’s POV)
The Moon Above The World So High – Candice Marley Conner (Twinkle Twinkle, moon’s POV)
I Am Not Afraid – Genevieve Petrillo (Itsy Bitsy Spider, Little Miss Muffet’s POV)
Jack And Jill Continued… – Colleen Owen Murphy (Jack & Jill, Jill’s POV)
No Running In My House! – Elizabeth Meyer Zu Heringdorf (Hickory Dickory, clock’s POV)
Twinkle Twinkle Neon Light – Corine Timmer (Twinkle Twinkle, star POV)
Little Miss Muffet – Susan Inez (Little Miss Muffet)
Children, Children – Rose Cappelli (Twinkle Twinkle, star POV)
Star’s Reply – Sue Lancaster (Twinkle Twinkle, star POV)
Not Again! – Dot Anson (Hey Diddle Diddle, moon’s POV)
The Clock Snaps – Sara Ackerman (Hickory Dickory, clock’s POV)
Cutie Lamb – Jamie Bechtelheimer (Mary Had A Little Lamb, lamb’s POV)
A Little Crooked Smile – Brittany Pomales (There Was A Crooked Man, house’s POV)
Twinkle Twinkle, Little Bear – Brenda Whitehead (Twinkle Twinkle, star POV)
Who’s To Blame? – Sue Lancaster (Jack & Jill, multiple POVs)
Teacher Had A Long School Day – Amy Flynn (Mary Had A Little Lamb, teacher’s POV)
The Clock – Linda Schueler (Hickory Dickory, clock’s POV)
There Was A Crooked Man – Barbara Renner (There Was A Crooked Man, cat’s POV)
Baa Baa Black Sheep – Shariffa Keshavjee (Baa Baa Black Sheep)
The Wall And The Fall – Michelle S. Kennedy (Humpty Dumpty, wall’s POV)
Look! A Crook! – Jill Lambert (There Was A Crooked Man, stile’s POV)
Hickory Dickory Dock – Susan Schipper (Hickory Dickory, mouse during quarantine POV)
Jack Sprat – Leslie Denkers (Jack Sprat, dog’s POV)
Humpty Dumpty – Anne Cavanaugh Sawan (Humpty Dumpty, mother’s POV)
Lenny The Lamb – Ashley Congdon (Mary Had A Little Lamb, lamb’s POV)
Hickory Dickory Dock – Kristy Nuttall (Hickory Dickory, clock’s POV)
Jack Is Still At It – Boyll(Jack Be Nimble, narrator’s POV)
Vinegar’s View – Deb Sullivan (Jack And Jill, vinegar’s POV)
Pail’s Tale – Patricia Nozell (Jack And Jill, pail’s POV)
Jack And Jill (And Jen) Go Up The Hill Again – Sarah Meade (Jack And Jill, big sister’s POV)
That Icky Spider – Linda Staszak (Itsy Bitsy Spider, house’s POV)
Do You See Me – Michelle S. Kennedy (Twinkle Twinkle, star’s POV)
Trying Something New – Dawn Young (Itsy Bitsy Spider)
Raindrops – Shariffa Keshavjee (Raindrops)
The Unbreakable – Jarmila (Humpty Dumpty, king’s horse POV)
Old King Cole: A Limerick – Marty (Old King Cole, fiddler’s POV)
Yes, You Can – Rebecca Gardyn Levington (Twinkle Twinkle, star’s POV)
Hickory Dickory Dock – Matthew Lasley (Hickory Dickory, cat’s POV)
Operation: Find Little Bo Peep – Di Litwer (Little Bo Peep, sheep detective’s POV)
Baa Baa Black Sheep – Susan Krevat (Baa Baa Black Sheep, little boy down the lane’s POV)
Hickory Dickory Dock – Everard Anson (Hickory Dickory, clock’s POV)
There Was A Crooked Man – Liz Kehrli (There Was A Crooked Man, crow’s POV)
Hey Diddle Diddle – Beverly Baird (Hey Diddle Diddle, moon’s POV)
Our Friend Humpty – Mia Geiger (Humpty Dumpty)
Miss Mary Mack – Mary Van Beuren (Miss Mary Mack, elephant’s POV)
Spout Off – Deb Buschman (Itsy Bitsy Spider, water spout’s POV)
Twinkle Twinkle Little Bear – Lori Himmel (Twinkle Twinkle, Little Bear (ursa minor)’s POV)
Jack & Jill – Ketan Ram (Jack & Jill, hill’s POV)
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star – Ketan Ram (Twinkle Twinkle, moon’s POV)
Cock-a-doodle Doo, My Dame Has Lost Her Shoe – Ketan & Ravi Ram (Cock-a-doodle Doo, fiddle bow’s POV)
Little Bo Peep – Tracy (Little Bo Peep)
Jack And Jill – Kay DiVerde (Jack & Jill, Jill’s POV)
Twinkle Twinkle Little Firefly – Lily Erlic (Twinkle Twinkle, firefly’s POV)
Sing A Song of Sixpence – Penny Adler (Sing A Song O’ Sixpence, king’s POV)
Untitled – Alicia Meyers Kelly (Hickory Dickory Dock)
Untitled – Katie Schwartz (There Was A Crooked Man, house’s POV)
Untitled – Ugo Anidi (Jack and Jill, hill’s POV)
PRIZES & PRIZES OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES!
When it comes time for prizes, names of all those who completed the challenge will be drawn randomly and matched with prizes drawn randomly until we run out! 😊
Please join me in thanking these very generous authors and other writing professionals for contributing their books and writing expertise as prizes by visiting their websites and blogs, considering their books and services for gift purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazone, B&N, or anywhere else if you like them, suggesting them for school visits, and supporting them in any other way you can dream up! 😊
For Spacious Skies by Nancy Churnin, award-winning author of so many fabulous books I don’t have space to list them all! Visit her website or Amazon Page!
Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Kirstine Erekson Call, author of THE RAINDROP WHO COULDN’T FALL (Character Publishing 2013) and the forthcoming MOOTILDA’S BAD MOOD (Little Bee Books, September 2020), COW SAYS MEOW (HMH March 2021), and COLD TURKEY (Little Brown Spring 2021)
Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Ellen Leventhal, author of DON’T EAT THE BLUEBONNETS (Spork 2017), HAYFEST: A Holiday Quest (ABCs Press 2010), and LOLA CAN’T LEAP (Spork 2018)
Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Lindsay Hanson Metcalf, author of BEATRIX POTTER, SCIENTIST (September 2020), FARMERS UNITE!: PLANTING A PROTEST FOR FAIR PRICES (Calkins Creek November 2020), and NO VOICE TOO SMALL: FOURTEEN YOUNG AMERICANS MAKING HISTORY (Charlesbridge September 2020)
Picture Book Manuscript Critique (non rhyming) from Kaye Baillie, author of BOO LOVES BOOKS (New Frontier Publishing October 2020), and MESSAGE IN A SOCK (Midnight Sun Publishing 2018)
Your choice of EITHER a Picture Book Manuscript Critique or a Virtual Visit with Keila Dawson, author of THE KING CAKE BABY (Pelican 2015), and NO VOICE TOO SMALL: FOURTEEN YOUNG AMERICANS MAKING HISTORY (Charlesbridge September 2020)
Winner’s Choice of Webinar from the amazing Alayne Kay Christian, author of picture books Butterfly Kisses, An Old Man And His Penguin, and the forthcoming The Weed That Woke Christmas and the chapter book series of Sienna The Cowgirl Fairy, and editor at Blue Whale Press! Webinar choices include: How A Picture Book Is Made, Perfecting Your Critique, Top Ten Reasons For Rejection, and How To Write Powerful First Pages Like A Pro!
15 Minute Video Chat – ask your questions about writing, research, submissions – whatever’s on your mind! – with Christy Mihaly, author of DIET FOR A CHANGING PLANET: Food for Thought(Twenty-first Century Books/Lerner 2018), HEY, HEY, HAY!
A Tale of Bales and the Machines That Make Them (Holiday House 2018) , and FREE FOR YOU AND ME: What Our First Amendment Means (Albert Whitman March 2020)
Quick Impressions on your Picture Book Manuscript from Rosie Pova, author of IF I WEREN’T WITH YOU (Spork 2017), SARAH’S SONG (Spork 2017), the forthcoming SUNDAY RAIN (Lantana Publishing March 2021) and others.
RONAN THE LIBRARIAN, (Roaring Brook Press April 2020) brand new fromfabulous author Tara Luebbe
Your Choice of EITHER A Picture Book Manuscript Critique (fiction, non-rhyming) or an Ask Anything 15 Minute Video or Phone Chat with Tara Luebbe, author of SHARK NATE-O,(Little Bee Books 2018), I AM FAMOUS ( Albert Whitman 2018), I USED TO BE FAMOUS (Albert Whitman 2019), OPERATION PHOTOBOMB (Albert Whitman 2019), and RONAN THE LIBRARIAN (Roaring Brook Press 2020) (see above)
Sherry Howard, author of Rock And Roll Woods (Spork 2018) and a series of Nonfiction Middle Grade titles for Escape Publishing (2019)
is offering 6 of her nonfiction middle grade titles which will go to 6 lucky winners!
Ann Whitford Paul, author of Writing Picture Books (being donated by Becky Scharnhorst below), the book we ALL use as our picture book bible 😊, and countless wonderful picture books, is offering signed copies of her IF ANIMALS… Series (Farrar Straus Giroux):
If Animals Went To School (2019) If Animals Kissed Good Night (2008)
If Animals Said I Love You (2017) If Animals Celebrated Christmas (2018)
If you would like to benefit from her picture book wisdom, please sign up for her newsletter HERE!
A hand lettered quote of someone’s choice from a picture book, or a quote about reading or writing that could be framed as a gift for a child’s bedroom, a writer you know and love, or an inspiration for writing in your own work space (why shouldn’t you give yourself a present?!) offered by Kristy Roser Nuttall! (Samples below – you can choose your own quote!)
Making Picture Book Magic – Self Study Class any month (x3)
Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul, donated by Becky Scharnhorst whose debut picture book P.S. Camp Wildwood Stinks will be released in Summer 2021 from Philomel!
![Writing Picture Books Revised and Expanded Edition: A Hands-On Guide From Story Creation to Publication by [Ann Whitford Paul]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rbO+CMLNL.jpg)
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert donated by Becky Scharnhorst whose debut picture book P.S. Camp Wildwood Stinks will be released in Summer 2021 from Philomel!
The Nuts & Bolts Guide To Writing Picture Books by Linda Ashman (only available for Kindle) (x2)
![The Nuts and Bolts Guide to Writing Picture Books by [Linda Ashman]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JTh6P3L1L.jpg)
Magnetic Poetry – Little Box of Happiness
The Story Book Knight by Helen Docherty
This Book Is Gray by Lindsay Ward
Writing Journal (x10)
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Susanna Leonard Hill 
The Water’s Tale (Jack & Jill, 48 words)
I flipped – a whale! – into the pail,
looking for adventure.
The seas were rough, I’d had enough
of the boy’s distracted gestures.
Over the lip I saw the tip
of a vast and greeny meadow.
Splish-splash I dove, from cold to cold
and found myself…a school of minnows!
(Fun prompt & loved all the wordplay in your example, thanks, Susanna!)
Fabulous retelling! I’d never have thought to tell this tale from the water’s point of view!
Thank you!
Absolutely love this!! How clever to have the well water as the POV–I can imagine how differently the story could go with a whale’s tale in a water pail! PLEASE expand that first stanza into a picture book manuscript!
Thank you!
A whale of a tale!!!!
🙂
So imaginative and fun, Jess! Love hearing J&J from the water’s POV! Glad you enjoyed the prompt and my ridiculous and WAY longer sample 🙂
haha, thanks, Susanna!
What a fun perspective…ya packed a lot of punch in few words. Nicely done!
How creative! Fun POV.
Thank you!
Really creative and fun!
Does this mean you were able to comment from the right account???!!! Dare we celebrate? 🙂
You really nailed the rhythm in this piece – it was fun to say it out loud!
Love your creativity, Susanna! Here’s my take on Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star in the POV of a slightly jealous moon, 100 words
The Moon Above the World So High
Hey, Kid. Yeah, you hanging out your window.
I see you there, wishing and wondering on stars when you’re supposed to be asleep.
.
Well, guess what. I’m up above the world so high but I look out for you more that those gassy hotheads do.
Whose light shines bright enough to chase away the monsters in your closet? Me, that’s who.
You think they’re diamonds? What about me? Am I just the graphite in a chewed-up pencil?
Oh.
You think I’m a pearl? Okay, I’m cool with that.
Sleep tight, little one. I’m coming in super moon style next month.
Gassy hotheads! LOL! So much fun!
I also loved gassy hotheads! Plus “super moon style” could be rendered so fabulously…
Ahhh! A jealous moon. Very inaginative.
great, love “graphite in a chewed up pencil”!
This is wonderful, Candice! I love the “slightly jealous” moon – who can blame him? (or her 🙂 ) “gassy hotheads” is great! And the moon is right about being light enough to chase away monsters – let’s just give credit where credit is due! 🙂
I love moon’s voice, the image of a pearl, and the promise of another “super moon style” next month.
I’m glad the moon is standing up for herself. I would choose a super moon over a gassy hothead any day!
Wow! That’s fun!
Moon has a fun voice! “Gassy hotheads” made me smile.
Gassy hotheads – love it!
Itsy Bitsy Spider from Little Miss Muffet’s POV – 100 words
I Am Not Afraid
I love sitting on my tuffet and snacking. Some snacks are better than others. Curds and whey are disgusting, but Mama says they’re good for me. I wish I had some berries or marshmallows or something to make them taste better.
Here on my comfy tuffet, I am watching an itsy bitsy spider struggling up the water spout. Clouds are gathering, so I am not hopeful he will make it to the top.
Uh-oh. Here comes the rain…
…Aaand here comes the spider!
Whoops! That downpour really launched the little guy – right into my bowl. Oh well. *slurp*
Mmmmm. Delicious!
I laughed out loud at the ending, great twist!
I love your take on this. A fun ending!
I enjoyed this story! Love the ending, it’s fast and fun.
Ending was great!!
Love hearing from Muffet, Genevieve – very fun! I’m with her – a few berries and marshmallows would be a big improvement on the old curds and whey 🙂 Love her voice as she observes the luckless spider… and the fact that somehow spiders are more delicious than the curds!
Really cute. Yummy spider – could be another fairy tale.
Oh my goodness! What a great ending!
Love this nursery rhyme mashup! Fun twist ending.
Such a fun and surprising twist! Slurp!
Aauuugg! She ate the spider??!! Kids will love it!
EJESSMURRAY we were similarly inspired!
JACK AND JILL CONTINUED…
“Jack,” said Jill, “you caused the spill
by running even faster;
you caught your boot upon a root,
thus causing our disaster.”
“Although it’s lame, I got the blame.
If only you had told her.
Oh deep despair, it isn’t fair,
and all because I’m older.”
This is so fun. You get to see some of their personalities coming through. Great job!
Thanks Ashley!
Nice job! I love Jack’s personality.
haha, terrific! “If only you had told her” so true, the lot of older siblings everywhere…
Thanks! I loved your take on it as well.
Love that we get Jill’s side!
It is something I have been thinking about for another story, so it was good to get it out of my head!! Thank you.
Great job, Colleen! And in so few words! You and Jess really must have been on similar wavelengths… although your retellings are very different! Poor Jill! So true. The oldest sibling always gets the blame – the baby can do no wrong 🙂
Right? As I said to Rose I have been thinking about that relationship, so thank you for giving me a way to play with it! This is a fun challenge, although my misplaced knight truly struggled to finish his story – which he never did!
Thanks again!
Lots of personality in so few words. Wonderful!
Thank you Corine!
Fun! This is delightful to read aloud.
I love this extension of the story – what a great take on it!
Great story.
No Running in My House!
There I stood against the wall,
Proud and still and straight and tall,
Until an escaping mouse
Rushed up through my ticking house!
A cat stood at my feet and hissed,
Angry that the mouse he missed.
Mousie ran around my face,
Tickling my inner space.
I chimed once and down he ran
Into kitty’s frying pan.
Kitty grabbed him by the tail,
But it was to no avail,
Mousie got away in time,
just as I had stopped my chime.
This time Mousie had a date
With my swinging counterweight.
This, I felt, was all too much,
Droppings in my house and such,
So I began to chime twice more
Hoping this would set the score.
Mousie ran down and met the cat,
And I thought that that was that.
But after cycle number three,
Mousie had the sense to flee.
Very cute. Glad that pesky mouse got out of your clock!
Thank you! 🙂
You made me laugh. This is action-packed and fun! Great visuals.
Love this energetic story from the clock’s POV, Elizabeth! Great job! You make it easy to imagine the chaos suffered by the poor clock 🙂
So fun! Mousies can be pretty stubborn. Thank goodness this one FINALLY got the message he was not welcome.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Ha ha! So THAT is what happened!
Glad the mouse got away, and stopped leaving droppings in clock’s house! Great fun!
Fun action and POV! I liked “my ticking house” and “tickling my inner space.”
I liked envisioning all this action taking place inside an austere, non-nonsense clock, fun juxtaposition!
Cute!
Susanna, I enjoyed your story. “I was green with envy,” and “I watched him boil.” Too funny!
Week #2: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, POV of a star (118 words)
Twinkle, Twinkle, Neon Light
Twinkle, twinkle, neon light,
I do wonder how you ignite.
All along the streets you glow,
Putting on quite a show.
When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
Then you flash your crimson light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
I don’t think we’ll ever meet,
So from the black sky I post a tweet:
Thanks a bunch for your bright spark,
My alter-ego in the dark!
It’s your perky, luminous light,
That ignites my heart during the night.
Though I know not who you are,
Know that I love you from afar!
Soon the sun will rise again,
Hiding you from view,
And I’ll count every second until
I can twinkle again with you.
So creative, Corine! I would never have thought of a star having a little crush on a neon light! But I can see why the star would be drawn to it! One light appreciates another 🙂
Thanks, Susanna. I enjoyed learning more about neon. For example: https://www.livescience.com/28811-neon.html
Twinkle, Twinkle, Neon Light (edited)
118 words
Twinkle, twinkle, neon light,
I do wonder why you ignite.
All along the streets you glow,
Putting on quite a show.
When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
Then you flash your crimson light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
I don’t think we’ll ever meet,
So from the black sky I post a tweet:
Thanks a bunch for your bright spark,
My alter-ego in the dark!
It’s your perky, luminous light,
That excites my heart during the night.
Though I know not who you are,
Know that I love you from afar!
Soon the sun will rise again,
Hiding you from view,
And I’ll count every second until
I can twinkle again with you.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Neon Light (song)
Twinkle, twinkle, neon light,
I do wonder how you ignite.
All along the streets you glow,
Putting on quite a show.
Twinkle, twinkle, neon light,
Do you know how you excite?
When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
You display your crimson light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
Twinkle, twinkle, little neon,
I’ll love you longer than an eon.
Ah, so cute! I also loved “Thanks a bunch for your bright spark / my alter-ego in the dark.”
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Creative POV! I like “my alter-ego in the dark.”
Thanks 🙏
What a great take on this old rhyme!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Week #2 Little Miss Muffet
WC: 100
“It’s not my fault!” Muffet shouted.
The Principal frowned at Muffet. “If that milk isn’t cleaned up right now, you’ll get a detention.”
Muffet was miffed. “How could you?!”
“Whoa,” Spidey said, “YOU’RE the one that threw the milk. You were aiming for my head!”
“I can’t be in trouble, I’m MISS MUFFET!”
“You constantly pick on me and get away with it. You’re a bully in a sweet little girl outfit. Well, not today! You finally got caught.” Spidey smiled.
“If I’m getting detention, it’s going to be for something better than spilling my milk.”
STOMP!
She smiled. “Oops.”
Very entertaining, Susan! Points for the ending – you made me laugh out loud! Poor Spider learned a hard lesson – don’t mess with Muffet! 🙂
Thanks Susanna! I was afraid it was too much. He just was injured, a few casts on those spider legs… 🙂
😊🕸🕷
Great job Susan! This was hysterical!!!
I always knew she was trouble! Love the voice and the ending…poor spider! Terrific, Susan!
“Muffet was miffed” made me smile. And that twist ending!
haha! I love that it went a little dark at the end – though I see by your note no spiders were permanently harmed during this telling:)
Oooo…kids will love that she squashed him.
Ha, ha, love it! Great ending, and voice, you gave Miss Muffet quite the personality!
Loved your entry, Susanna! Very punny! Mine is a little more serious. It can be sung to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and is from the viewpoint of the star.
Children, Children (73 Words)
Children, children down below
How I wonder if you know
In a world so big and bright
You’re the ones to make things right.
You see a diamond in the sky,
I see the earth to beautify.
Work to keep the oceans clean
So beaches will remain pristine.
You need trees and air that’s clear,
So help the world that you hold dear.
Children, children down below
How I wonder if you know.
Wise words from the star! I enjoyed your story.
Thanks!
So lovely, Rose, and such a wonderful and important message to take care of our earth! Very creative spin on Twinkle Twinkle!
I love the message. ❤
This is fabulous, Rose! I love the environmental message!
So true..and timely. Well done!
Sweet!
This is beautiful, Rose!
Really like this!
Star’s Reply
(87 words)
Little child, on Earth so round;
Sapphire sea and emerald ground,
Asks: “I wonder what you are?”
I’m a guide called the North Star,
Shepherds, kings and those who roam,
Use my light to show them home.
I’m the North Star, shining bright,
Biggest star you’ll see all night.
Up above your world so high,
I’m a compass in the sky.
When you’re lost, or feeling low,
Just look up and find my glow.
Little child, on Earth so round;
Sapphire sea and emerald ground.
I love that you chose the North Star to reply. It’s a reliable star and relatively easy to see. That’s a comforting thought. A sweet way to incorporate facts into the story.
Love this. It’s so comforting. Favorite line: sapphire sea and emerald ground.
Nice!
Beautiful, Sue! Love “sapphire sea and emerald ground” – just how earth would look to a star. And love “compass in the sky” – what a perfect description for the North Star – the guiding light. Such a comfort to anyone feeling lost and low!
Well done Sue, so lovely!
Love this!
Beautiful!
Very sweet!
Wow!
Hey Diddle Diddle. from the point of view of the Moon. ( 102 words) by Dot Anson
Not again!
Every night that cat practices playing. Only problem is he never gets better and to make matters worse, it upsets Daisy so much she tries to fly away.
“Watch out Daisy, you nearly took my eye out with your hoof.”
That little dog wouldn’t be laughing so much if Daisy was jumping him.
Here comes Spoon. I really dig her, but she’s always with that drippy dish. I don’t know what she sees in him. He’s not as bright as me, or able to change shape like I can.
“Maybe tomorrow things will be different. What do you think Twinkle?”
So creative and fun, Dot! Nicely done! Favorite line – “That little dog wouldn’t be laughing so much if Daisy was jumping him” – hahaha I bet not! 🙂 As for things being different tomorrow… I guess there’s always hope… 🙂
Thanks Susanna, these are fun.
Fun! “That drippy dish” made me smile.
Thank you.
The drippy dish! Love that whole spot about the spoon…
Ha Ha Ha. I couldn’t have the dish outshine the moon!
The Clock Snaps
I want to tick. I want to tock.
I want to be a normal clock.
But nooooo! Just look at this disgrace!
You treat me like a 5K race!
I’ve been patient. I’ve been nice.
But no clock wants to house three mice.
Your squeaks! Your germs! And—BLECH—your poop!
For what? To jog an endless loop?
The thing is that I really feel
you’d much prefer a hamster wheel.
Because next time you run, I’ll snap.
I mean it, mice. I’ve set a trap.
Sara, this is fabulous!
Very cute! 🙂
Haha, so clever, I love it!
Ha ha! Great job.
What fun, Sara! And I’m glad that clock won in the end!
A firm yet friendly clock with a sense of humor. Great job!
How fun -love this Sara!
Amazing, Sara! Fantastic job! Great rhythm to your rhyme, great job showing the clock’s personality and irritation, fun ending! 🙂
I love this Sara! You had me at the title of your story!!!
I really enjoyed this one. It’s delightful to read aloud with a fun voice and POV.
Thanks, everyone 🙂 This was a fun prompt!
HA!! Love this Sara! Great job!
(Rebecca Gardyn Levington)
😂😂😂😂😂 Love it!
Wow! So sharp and fun!
🙂
Cutie Lamb
(Mary Had A Little Lamb from Lamb’s POV, 108 words)
I am Mary’s little lamb, pretty lamb, cutie lamb.
I am Mary’s little lamb and Mary loves me so!
She’s taking me to school today, school today, school – Hooray!
She’s taking me to school today to show me off, I think!
All her friends think I’m so sweet, I’m so cute, I’m so fun.
All her friends are jealous now of Mary and of me!
BAA! Her teacher’s chasing me, shooing me, nagging me!
BAA! Her teacher’s chasing me all around the schoolhouse!
But that teacher can’t stop me, can’t catch me, can’t shoo me!
That old teacher can’t stop me from playing with my new fans!
😊
So clever! And fun!
Love it, Jamie! So cute! I think that’s exactly how the lamb would feel, getting to go to school with Mary, and I’m pretty sure he would be hard to catch! 🙂
This is cute, Jamie! I can picture the action. The BAA! lines are my favorite.
Cute!
Cutie Lamb is so cute! Lots of great visuals here!
A Little Crooked Smile 69 words (There Was A Crooked Man, House POV)
The crooked house was too compact to house the crooked trio.
So they packed their crooked bags and wandered the crooked mile
leaving the crooked house empty and alone.
But their new house was much too straight for the crooked trio.
So they sold the straight house and wandered back the crooked mile
where I welcomed them back with a little crooked smile.
Aw! Nothing like home sweet home, Brittany! I’m glad they wandered their way back to the crooked house which was really just right for them! 🙂
Cute! Love the ending line.
Thanks, Sarah!
Great story!
Thanks!
Fun! I love that crooked smile!
Haha, I wrote this before realizing there was a Twinkle Twinkle saturation. Oh well!
TWINKLE TWINKLE, LITTLE BEAR (96 words, Star POV)
Twinkle, twinkle, little bear,
Every night I see you stare.
I hear you whispering your song,
But do you know I sing along?
Twinkle, twinkle, little bear,
Tonight I have a song to share.
Settle, settle, little bear,
Running free without a care,
Your twinkle song will help you rest,
And I will shine my very best,
Twinkle, settle, perfect pair,
Run free always, little bear.
Snuggle, Snuggle, little bear,
Curled up in mama’s lair,
I will twinkle through the night,
So you can sleep without a fright.
Twinkle, snuggle, perfect pair,
Wonder always, little bear.
What a sweet star, looking out for little bear.
Aww so cute! 🙂
Aw! How sweet and comforting to know that Little Star is watching over Little Bear! What a nice new version of the original! And there’s no such thing as Twinkle Twinkle saturation, Brenda – you write what you’re inspired to write! 🙂
Well done! Great rhyme. 🙂
This is so sweet and fun to read/sing aloud.
Wow! Love it!
Love the rhyme and the POV…. I can “see” this! Awesome.
This is adorable, and the star and baby bear are a perfect combo!
This is very sweet.
Thanks so much everyone for the kind comments! Now if only I could get a star to lull my littles to sleep! 😉
I couldn’t resist another one – thanks Susanna for giving me the inspiration to write something for the first time in weeks!
Who’s to Blame?
(162 words)
“I am the lace, tied up with haste, that caused poor Jack to tumble.
So, I’ll take the blame, my bow was so lame, no wonder it caused a stumble…”
“I am Jack’s Mum, and I am the one, who tied up the lace so poor.
So, I’ll take the flack, for being too slack, all ‘cause of a knock at the door…”
“I am the fella, who rang the bell, a parcel addressed to young Jill.
So, I’ll take the rap, but it wasn’t a trap, just a present from old Uncle Bill…”
“I am young Jill, who asked Uncle Bill, to send me a dolly called Belle.
So, I am the reason, that Jack banged his knees on the ground, and his head on the well…”
“I am called Jack, I fell with a smack, just why it will never be known.
So, NO ONE’s to blame, and though it’s a shame, it gave me a rhyme of my own!”
This is great, Sue! I love the chain of blame! Very clever – and in great rhyme! 🙂 I’m glad you’re feeling inspired!!!
This has you reading to the end. Great story structure.
LOVE this. Great job!
Teacher Had A Long School Day (Mary Had A Little Lamb from the teacher’s POV – 115 words)
By Amy Flynn
Teacher had a long school day,
Long school day, long school day.
Teacher had a long school day,
The oddest one she’d lived.
Her student brought a lamb to school,
Lamb to school, lamb to school.
Her student brought a lamb to school,
And not to eat for lunch.
Teacher tried to kick it out,
Kick it out, kick it out.
Teacher tried to kick it out,
To make the students learn.
But when she saw the students’ joy,
Students’ joy, students’ joy.
When she saw the students’ joy,
She smiled and let them play.
Now Lamby is their classroom pet,
Classroom pet, classroom pet.
Lamby is their classroom pet,
Until he poops the floor.
Yeah, Amy, it’s all fun and games until the poop comes down! Your ending made me laugh with surprise – I wasn’t expecting that! Great job!
Teachers have a lot of responsibility, even in nursery rhymes. The poor teacher. Great ending! 😂
Love the “surprise” ending!
So clever Amy! I love the new class pet and the stinky surprise at the end is hilarious!
So cute! This one made me smile.
Great job Amy! I love the clever ending .Too funny!
😂😂😂😂
haha! So many cute scenarios to envision here, I love the generous (to a very reasonable point!) teacher…
Hickory Dickory Dock, POV of clock (179 words)
I admit I went over, but I had fun playing with words. I could cut it down though.
The Clock
Hickory Dickory Dock
I am the clock.
This clock is in shock.
All day long a mouse uses me like a boardwalk.
This clock would like its mouse to take a walk.
I know what’s to be done!
Bong!
Look at the mouse come undone and run.
No more fun.
It’s done.
What’s this? Now what are you up to?
I think I’m going cuckoo.
Whew! I’ll make that mouse blue.
I’ll give that mouse a different view.
Bong! Bong!
“Boo,” said the mouse, laughing.
Oh, you think you’re tough, do you?
I’ll find the key to make you flee.
Bong! Bong! Bong!
“Wee,” said the mouse, giggling.
I think that we can agree that you’ve got me angry.
Do let me be free!
Getting rid of this mouse has become a chore.
This mouse is a bit of a bore.
Bong! Bong! Bong! Bong!
“No more,” said the mouse, scurrying away.
Good! The mouse is on the floor.
That’s the end to the uproar.
Hickory Dickory Dock
I am the clock.
This clock deplores a mouse that mocks.
No worries about the word count, Linda – it’s a suggestion so no one feels obligated to write moe than they want. I went over more than you did! Love your rendition of Hickory Dickory from the clock’s POV. I’m sure it would be very annoying to have a mouse running all over you all the time. Loved the line where the clock was going cuckoo!
That’s my favourite line too.
Great perspective and voice of your clock character. This was fun to read!
Thank you.
Cute! Love all the BONGs.
Thanks!
Great problem solving by the clock.
Thanks for challenging us with such fun writing exercises.
THERE WAS A CROOKED MAN, POV Cat (126 words)
by Barbara Renner
The man didn’t buy me, he hid me in a bag and walked right out of the pet store. He was a crook. He weaved and wobbled all the way to his shack in the woods. I scampered out to the barn and made friends with the mice that were hiding in the hay. We huddled together to plan our escape when something shiny caught our eyes. It was a silver coin. Thinking we could buy our freedom, we snatched the sixpence and marched into the shack. As we walked through the warped door, the strangest thing happened. Our tails cracked and crinkled. We stared at our twisted backsides and accepted our fate. We were all crooks living a corrupt life in a crooked little house.
Very original, Barbara! Love that they ALL turned out to be crooks! Nice spin on the original! 🙂
Fun surprise ending! Love “cracked and crinkled.”
POSTED FOR SHARIFFA
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Shariffa Keshavjee
Nairobi Kenya
Baa baa black sheep
Have you any masks
Yes, Yes I do yes I do
Thought you’d never ask
One for your mother
One for your father
One for your brother
What about you?
It’s been quite a task
Cater for this mask
I am in this total bliss
I have so much fleece
Being safe is very good
Puts me in a better mood
Knowing all is well at last
This will all be in our past
A cloud has been cast
But the sun is very vast
It shines through strife
Vicissitudes of our life
When it’s cold I have wool
To share and fill the spool
So my dear keep your cool
I chew grass make wool
Interesting story.
POSTED FOR MICHELLE
Week #2: Humpty Dumpty, POV of the wall (100 words)
By Michelle S. Kennedy
The Wall and the Fall (REVISE)
I am the wall that saw to the fall
of an egg called Humpty Dumpty.
He sat on my ledge, too close to the edge
and his butt was big and rumpty.
As he wiped off his frow, the sweat from his brow
poured off from his face and I wrenched.
It seeped through his slacks, and into my cracks.
His moisture had me entrenched!
So, with a small rumble I shook him to tumble,
not meaning to cause demise.
I meant him to fall and get off my wall,
but his death was a shock and surprise!
The poor grossed-out wall, Michelle! Who can blame it? My favorite word is rumpty! Hilarious! Another great story!
I love it. His butt was big and rumpty; hilarious. A wonderful twist on a familiar story. Kudos!
Love it!
😂😂😂 Love it!
Thank you!
Great personality for a wall! Fun to read, great job!
Look! A Crook! (130 words-There Was a Crooked Man from the stile’s POV)
By Jill Lambert
I am but a crooked stile
who’s tired of being used.
The story of the crooked man
has all of you confused.
He’s not crooked in appearance,
if you want to know the facts.
He’s just a common criminal—
witness how he acts.
He sneaks around from field to field
so no one else can see.
He swiped a crooked sixpence
that a hiker left for me.
He knew his obligation was
to pay the stile a toll.
Instead he stole my livelihood
to fund his own payroll!
He conned a common calico
to turn its life to crime,
then caught a mouse to join the crooks
and worked them overtime.
They live inside that crooked house,
counting stolen loot.
But that’s okay…I made a call.
Police are in pursuit.
This is fabulous Jill!!! I LOVE this POV!!! Well done.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Jill, I am in…awe! This is a fantastic twist of There Was a Crooked Man. The crooked stile has a great voice.
Thanks so much, Brittany!
This is great, Jill!
Thank you, Corine!
Fun! I love “He conned a common calico.”
Thanks, Sarah!
Outstanding!
Thanks so much!
So cute Jill. Great turn-around, with crooked meaning ‘crooked’! And great rhymes too! Cute ending!
I love this. A great perspective and a wonderful twist ending. I think you could continue this! 🙂
Thank you for the encouraging words, Susan!
Week 2
Hickory, Dickory Dock
POV – mouse during quarantine 86 words
Mouse said to himself , Where can I run
Where can I have fun?
This quarantining is hard for everyone!
I can’t go out
And run about
Everything changed and he started to pout!
He did his school work.
Played with some toys
Ate some cheese, even that didn’t please!
Suddenly he heard a chime
It was the clock right on time!
I know he said and raced ahead
Hickory dickory dock
The mouse ran up the clock!
Cute! I like “even that didn’t please.”
Thanks, Sarah!! 🙂
POSTED FOR LESLIE
Jack Sprat by Leslie Denkers
(POV The Dog; 197 Words)
Jack Sprat could eat no fat,
His wife could eat no lean . . .
Now there’s a lie if I heard one. How do I know? I was there. I saw it all. And I know food.
I sat at attention as Lisa, (yes, she has a name) pounded, diced, simmered, boiled, and flipped each delicious food to perfection, then called for Jack.
I held my breath as he examined the mouth-watering delectables. One, two, three—he tried each thing—and was off again.
I exhaled. Now it was my turn. Be still. Be patient. Wag the tail . . . slightly. Sniff twice. Use the eyes. A quick glance at Lisa, then back at Jack’s plate. No whining. Glance and stay. Glance and stay.
And then the smile. The pat on the head. And the plate. I could count on Lisa. She couldn’t resist. We finished the meal. Every last crumb. Me, Lisa, the cat, even the mice. (Okay, forget the mice. And the cat.)
Here’s the real truth:
Jack Sprat could eat no food,
That’s why he was so lean,
And so behind his back you see,
I licked the platters clean.
Arrooooh! It’s a dog’s life.
Cute! I like the fun voice of the dog and the great ending line.
Great twist having the dog tell the story.
so funny!!! 🙂
Humpty Dumpty (Mother’s POV)
They called up the doctor, who came very fast,
using tape and glue, she made Humpty a cast.
“Now, don’t go back up there and fall off again,”
warned the doctor, his mother, and all the Kings men.
Humpty promised and vowed but his mother knew her son well,
and she worried all day about his bruised and cracked shell.
So while everyone slept the Hen worked through the night,
not falling asleep until the sun’s early light.
Then seeing his chance, Humpty rolled quickly away,
but this time when he fell, he landed on a soft bed of hay.
Love this! Great ending.
Cute.
LENNY THE LAMB (POV of the little lamb from Mary Had a Little Lamb)
WC: 136
I’m Lenny, a.k.a. Mary’s little lamb.
That story is not quite what you think. Except for my fleece being white as snow. That’s the truth. I shampoo and brush it every day.
Anyway, Ms. Mary passed my pasture with chocolate in her back pocket. My favorite! I followed her everywhere she went, to try and get it.
When I followed her to school, I didn’t know it was against the rules for a lamb to be at school.
The children loved me for some reason. They laughed and played. I was just jumping and snapping at Mary’s back pocket to get that chocolate!
Mary thought I really liked her. So, she gave me some chocolate. She asked me if I wanted to be her pet. I thought, why not, she’ll probably have more chocolate. 👧🏼🍫🐑
Love Lenny! What a fun image of the sweet little lamb jumping and snapping to get that chocolate.
Thanks for the support Sarah. 😊
Lenny’s quite likable…..so innocent (and who can resist a lamb who loves chocolate!)
Thanks for reading Deborah! My love of chocolate may have found it’s way into this story.
Hickory Dickory Dock (Clock POV)
Hickory Dickory Mock
I am a little clock
The mice climb
All over me
Then they just
Laugh and flee
Giggling at my
My tick tock
my time telling
they mock
Leaving crumbs
Uncarefully
Why can’t
You people see?
These mice need
To have their
Heads bopped.
Fun! The ending especially. It makes me think of Little Bunny Foo Foo.
Jack Is Still At It!
(Narrator POV)
Jack Be Nimble,
Jack Be Quick
Played with matches,
I hate to admit.
He toppled his candle
And started a fire.
His leaping created
A forest pyre.
Over a volcano Jack did hop.
Once he started, he just couldn’t stop.
The volcano launched him far into space
He floated around, enjoying the place.
Then he spotted a ball, all blazing and bright.
It scorched his derriere, but that’s all right.
He spied a galaxy and made a giant lunge.
Smack into a worm hole Jack did plunge.
Now he’s still jumping all over the place,
But it’s another dimension that sees his face.
Great imagery and out-of-this-world action!
Thank you. This weekly exercise is good for a safer at home routine.
This is very fun! I love the title and the escalation of Jack’s jumping shenanigans.
Thank you! Shenanigans are troubling, but fun!
Week #2: Jack and Jill, POV of Vinegar (82 words)
Vinegar’s View
Ouch!
Did you see that?
Who didn’t?
Jack, apparently.
I’m not sure how he missed it.
That rock was smack in the middle of the hill!
The poor kid went flying.
(Jill’s plunge wasn’t nearly as bad).
Well, there go my evening plans.
Cleaning the coffee pot.
Erupting with baking soda.
Drizzling with Olive over lettuce.
That will all have to wait.
Brown paper and I must tend to a head wound.
Maybe next time Jack be nimble should get the water…
Love the ending & so clever to adopt the vinegar’s POV!
Many thanks for your kind words!
This POV made me smile– and that clever ending line!
I’m so glad…truly appreciate your comments!
Very creative! I love the POV. Definitely orignal!
Thanks for reading it, Michelle!
What an unique perspective and a hilarious ending.
Thanks Ashley!
I wouldn’t have thought to tell the story from the POV of vinegar! Clever!
I really appreciate your reading the story- thanks for your comment!
Jack & Jill, POV of the Pail (99 words), inspired by my view of a park closed due to Covid
Pail’s Tale
Pail, feeling parched, slumped by the dusty fountain. No one climbed up their hill. No one slid down it. Birdsong had replaced batting practice. Discarded forks social distanced from spoons, littering the overgrown hillside.
Pail’s rim rusted. Her shiny finish faded, paling under the sun’s harsh rays. Distant dreams of future adventures filled Pail’s bucket list, as hope evaporated.
Then one day, Jill’s laughter echoed into Pail’s empty interior. Jack grasped Pail’s handle. Jack and Jill filled Pail to her brim with cool water.
Jack slid down the hill. Jill tumbled after. Pail rolled alongside, splashing with delight. “WHEE!”
I enjoyed this timely story and happy ending!
Thanks!
Terrific title…and sooooo relatable! And who doesn’t love a happy ending 🙂
Thanks!
Love this! My favorite line- “Discarded forks social distanced from spoons, littering the overgrown hillside.”
Thanks. I think I was channeling a bit of Hey Diddle, Diddle. Nothing like a bit of a mash up!
I loved the language throughout this story! So well done!
Cute!
Thanks, Susanna, for another fun challenge!
My POV is Jack and Jill’s older sister.
Jack and Jill (and Jen) Go Up the Hill Again
Word Count: 161
The twins are always asking me for things.
Yesterday it was, “Will you help us make lemonade?”
Of course, I said yes.
That’s what big sisters do.
But that doesn’t mean I do everything for Jack and Jill.
I’m trying to teach them independence.
“Yes, go gather the ingredients.”
Jack found lemons. Jill found sugar.
“Go fetch the water,” I said.
I ran inside to whip up some sweet treats.
No sooner had I slid the cookies into the oven when I heard a shriek.
“I fell down,” Jack whimpered.
“I came tumbling after,” Jill bawled. “Ow!”
“My crown,” Jack sniffled.
I hugged them. “Let’s try this again.”
We headed up the hill hand in hand.
Jack carried the empty pail.
Jill filled it.
I lugged it home.
I cut the lemons. Jack squeezed the juice. Jill added the sugar. I poured the water. We all stirred.
“Delicious!” said Jack.
“Thank you, Jen!” said Jill.
“That’s what big sisters are for.”
Jack and Jill have a big sister. I love the title! Great job.
Thanks, Ashley! I’m glad you like the title. I used your J name suggestion. 🙂
I’m glad my suggestion helped sparked the idea. 😊
Awesome POV! We could all use a “Jen” in our world…nicely done!
Thanks for reading and for your kind words, Deborah!
Very sweet! What a good big sister!
Thanks, Michelle!
Love all of the cooperation and the addition of a big sister to this story.
Thank you!
What an original take on Jack & Jill! Love it!
Thanks, Jill! I appreciate that.
FUN!
THAT ICKY SPIDER
Linda Staszak
73 words, Itsy Bitsy Spider from the house’s POV
If that icky, creepy spider
Dares to set foot in my spout,
I’m going to plug the ends so
Tight he never will get out.
He’ll reach and squirm and wiggle,
And he’ll try to find a crack,
But he knows that if he ventures out
I’ll squash him with a whack.
But–spiders are resilient.
Someday, I don’t know when,
I’m sure he’ll sneak inside my spout
To try that climb again.
Great POV! And nice rhyming!
Great rhyming & imagery!
Great POV! I like your word choices, especially “squirm and wiggle.”
👍👍
POSTED FOR MICHELLE
Week #2: Twinkle. Twinkle Little Star, POV of the star (95 words)
By Michelle S. Kennedy
Do You See Me?
Twinkle, twinkle, from afar
I’m the one you call, “a star”.
Up above, I’m shining bright,
so you’ll wish upon my light.
Twinkle, twinkle, from up here,
way above your hemisphere.
Can you see me down below?
I just want to say hello!
Twinkle, twinkle, see me gleam?
Make a wish so you can dream.
Look past the moon, above the tree.
I’m sorta small, and hard to see.
Twinkle, twinkle, look my way.
Clouds are gone. I’m here to stay!
Oh, what’s that? You see me now?
Excuse me, while I take a bow.
I really like the personification of the star and the cute, snarky ending! Well done!
Excellent!
Very sweet! Great rhymes and meter, it sparkles!
Aw! Thanks Katie!
There was a Crooked Man – POV of the house – 225 words
They built me on a budget, instead of 2 X 4’s,
they used 3 X 7’s. And then put in 40 doors!
So they call me crooked?
Well now just let me say,
the crooked man, without a plan,
he couldn’t run, no steps, not one,
instead he did ballet!
And all his moves were crooked!
He murdered his plies
His pirouettes, 2 or 3 sets,
were looney-tune displays!
The sixpence was so crooked
He curved this way and that . . .
You could mend him, try to spend him
might get a 10 ounce hat!
But first you’d have to scale
The creaky crooked stile
It went so high, into the sky
You’d have to climb a mile!
The cat was not so crooked.
It was just her ears you see
One pointed north, one pointed south,
mew mew mew mew came from her mouth
Her name was Miss Sweet Pea.
When crooked mouse came running
Sweet Peas’ ears stretched straight!
He looked like food, her attitude
“Please pass my dinner plate!”
So I really hardly saw
Field Mouse, he ran so fast!
Crooked or straight, it was his fate
To breathe his very last.
So take it from the house!
My story’s straight and true
The writer’s who we need to ask,
take that scribe of old to task
And thrash her through and through!
I love it! “They built me on a budget”. Your first stanza really sets the scene here. So fun!
POSTED FOR DAWN
Week 2 TRYING SOMETHING NEW (100 words)
Dawn Young
The Itsy Bitsy Spider is sick of climbing the water spout.
I need to find a friend. The girl with the blond curls looks like someone who will be
nice to spiders. I watch her through the window sitting on her tuffet eating her curds
and whey. She always has a smile on her face.
The next morning, I squeeze under the kitchen door and wait patiently.
Little Miss Muffet waltzes into the kitchen, sits on her tuffet, and screams bloody murder!
I guess it’s back to the water spout for me!
The spout certainly does seem safer! I love the juxtaposition of proper Miss Muffet and the bloody-murder scream!
It just goes to show appearances can be deceiving! My favorite line is Little Miss Muffet waltzes into the kitchen…so visual! Terrific, Dawn!
POSTED FOR SHARIFFA
(Just for fun because I was inspired, even though this isn’t a nursery rhyme 🙂 )
Rain Drops
Shariffa Keshavjee
Nairobi
Kenya
So she said
If all of the rain drops
were bubble gums do gum brood
I d go aaaaaaaaaaaa
So I walked in the rain
I opened up my mouth
And went
Aaaa aaaaa aaa
I chewed up all
The bubble gum
And grew and grew
And boom
All the bubbles flew
Up in the air
As they rose
They transformed
Some turned to cats
Some turned to dogs
Have you not noticed?
How much it rains?
It’s raining cats and dogs
As they reach the bogs
They turn back to drops
Bounce back up no props
Nice!
POSTED FOR JARMILA
The Unbreakable
Jarmila
I saw him first.
“Humpty Dumpty shall not be sitting on that wall,” I said to my rider, but king’s men never listen.
My old buddy trotted by my side. “It’s just an egg,” he neighed.
“No, no, no, my friend! Humpty Dumpty is not an ordinary egg. He’s a cannon of an egg!”
“What are you whining about? An egg is an egg.”
“But Humpty Dumpty…!”
CRACK! CRASH! RUMBLE…
I stopped.
“Oh, my oats! Did you see that wall falling?” I asked my rider. Huh? Where did my rider go? Uh-oh…
Then something moved within the rubble.
“Humpty Dumpty?” I snorted.
“What—? Did you expect me to break?” Humpty Dumpty swiped the dust off his face and jumped onto my saddle.
“There are walls to be conquered!” he shouted.
I galloped faster than the wind.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Just for fun:
According to a number of military historians, Humpty Dumpty was the name of a cannon used by the Royalists during the English Civil War.
The conflict raged from 1642 to 1649, and in June of 1648, Humpty Dumpty was stationed on the walls of Colchester. It was one of several cannons erected to try and keep Parliament’s army from taking the city. The next month, however, the Parliamentary forces heavily damaged the walls beneath Humpty Dumpty with their own artillery. You can guess where this is going: Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, and broke into pieces.
I love the interesting tid-bit at the end! That’s really neat. Now we know where the poem came from!
Great new POV, twist, and fact-finding on this nursery rhyme.
Love it. Great to see Humpty actually survived and conquered!!!
Thanks 🙂
OLD KING COLE ( from the fiddler’s POV )
A Limerick
Every day old king Cole has us fiddle.
What he’d do if we stop is a riddle.
But we can’t go much longer,
Till our bow arms get stronger.
We need backup. Calling Hey Diddle Diddle!
😂😂😂 That’s great!
Thanks 🙂
(Twinkle, Twinkle from the Star’s POV)
YES, YOU CAN
By Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Fearful, tearful little man,
never wonder if you can.
Up above your world so high,
I’ve been watching from the sky.
You are clever, kind, and smart,
with a gentle, gracious heart.
If you’re brave, persistent, true,
there is nothing you can’t do.
Fearful, tearful little man,
Never wonder.
Yes, you can!
Hickory Dickory Dock: POV of the Cat.
Do you know how hard it is to be a cat? I need at least 22 hours of rest to look this good!
All I wanted to do was sleep, and its not like the clock was bad enough, but then that mouse had to start playing. At the top of every hour he taunted me. “Boo!” “Whee!” It was all too much to bear. I’d just had enough when the clock struck seven, so I sent that mouse on to heaven.
Operation: Find Little Bo Peep (293 words — POV)
by D. Litwer
“I’m Moe Hair. I’m a private detective. I run the Woolly Sheep Detective Agency.”
Yesterday, a woman called and asked me to find her missing daughter – little Bo Peep.
“When did you last see your daughter?” I asked.
“Last night around six o’clock. I refused to let her go out with her friends. We argued. She stomped off to her room and slammed the door. When I went to wake her up this morning, she was gone,”
I rounded up my detectives, Curly Sheep and Larry Lamb.
We questioned little Bo Peep’s neighbors.
We questioned little Bo Peep’s friends.
We questioned everyone in the town.
No one had seen little Bo Peep.
We searched farms.
We searched fields.
No little Bo Peep.
“Maybe she wandered into the forest,” said Detective Curly Sheep.
“The forest is a dangerous place,” said Detective Larry Lamb.
I called the Border Collie Search and Rescue Team for help.
We hurried through the forest searching high and low. It was beginning to get dark.
Then I heard a shout from the Border Collie Search and Rescue Team, “Here she is!”
And there she was. Little Bo Peep. Stuck fast to the candy fence surrounding an abandoned gingerbread house.
The Border Collie Search and Rescue Team carefully pried Bo Peep free from the sticky candy.
“Thank you for your help,” I said. “Call us anytime,” they said.
My detectives and I drove little Bo Peep home.
Mrs. Peep hugged and kissed sticky little Bo Peep.
Then she hugged and kissed us.
“I can never thank you enough, detectives,” she said.
“We’re happy we could help ma’am,” I said as we got back into my car.
The story you have just read may be true. It’s up to you to decide.
Great!
Thank you.
Clever and fun! Enjoyed reading it.
OOhh….intriguing ending. Nice!
Baa, baa black sheep ~ POV the little boy down the lane
I’m the little boy who lives down the lane.
I was promised one bag full of fine wool from a lamb.
She was beautiful and far from plain,
And thought her mate was one handsome ram .
When I got my wool, my eyes opened wide
Because the wool was truly black and quite fine!
The black sheep herself told me to the side,
“Being a black sheep is quite divine.”
“How do you grow such wool?” I inquired.
“It really defines who you are.”
The black sheep, who was certainly quite admired
Thought about my query and found it bizarre.
She explained, “As you get older, you might also get wiser,
But my wool coat will never make me an eyesore.
An old sheep is never ready to be put out to pasture.”
That young at heart sheep knew how to answer.
But, here’s my next question,
“Does she or doesn’t she?”
The tag line is great!
Love the tag line!!!
Hickory Dickory Dock….. from the POV of the clock (100 words)
By Everard Anson.
My name is Chime. I’m a grandfather clock.
I stand still and tall in my owners hall. My big hands and my voice telling all the time.
I’m admired by everyone who stand and check their watches against mine.
But my best time is every hour as my little furry buddy Hickory come scurrying across the floor. He skids and slides then runs up my side, flips and twirls on my head and down the other side. With a flick of his tail and wink of his eye, off he goes for another hour. That’s my mate Hickory Dickory Dock.
POSTED FOR LIZ
(There was a Crooked Man- new character Crow added)
by Liz Kehrli
There was a crooked crow, and he flew a crooked mile.
He caught a crooked butterfly upon a flowered pile.
They chased away the kitty, and then partied with the mouse,
and they all celebrated in the old man’s crooked house.
Bitter kitty made a trap, and used a crooked pail.
But instead of catching crooked crow, she almost lost her tail.
The others rushed to save her, so that no one was alone,
and they all lived together in their little crooked home.
Finally finished! Here’s my version of “Hey Diddle Diddle, from the moon’s POV:
Hey Diddle Diddle
“What is that thing? Another rocket? Another asteroid?”
“It’s heading straight for me! Stop! Turn around! Don’t get any closer!”
“Those hooves look dangerous. No closer! STOPPPPP!”
“OW! Now you’ve done it. You caused a crater in my nose! “
“Good riddance. Go away and stay away. What a ridiculous creature that was. Who ever heard of a cow in space?”
POSTED FOR MIA
Week #2
Our Friend Humpty
By Mia Geiger
69 words
(Nursery Rhyme used: Humpty Dumpty)
Wake up, wake up!
Listen here.
Someone’s missing;
disappeared!
Humpty’s gone —
his spot is bare.
Haven’t seen him
anywhere.
He must have snuck out
late last night,
roaming walls
by candlelight.
Oh, there’s a tweet,
with all the facts.
The headline says,
Egg Got Cracked.
Poor ole Humpty,
tough and brave.
Now we’re shell-shocked;
the news is grave.
We’ll remember
our good friend.
Especially in
an omelette blend.
Hello!
Week #2
Nursery Rhyme: Miss Mary Mack
By Mary van Beuren
72 Words (my addition, not including the original version)
POV: The Elephants
Thanks for reading!
Here is the original:
Miss Mary Mack Mack Mack
All dressed in black, black, black
With silver buttons, buttons, buttons
All down her back, back, back.
She asked her mother, mother, mother
For 50 cents, cents, cents
To see the elephants, elephants, elephants
Jump over the fence, fence, fence.
They jumped so high, high, high
They reached the sky, sky, sky
And they didn’t come back, back, back
‘Til the 4th of July, ly, ly!
Here is my take on it:
We jumped the fence, fence, fence,
Away we went, went, went,
We needed more, more, more,
Than 50 cents, cents, cents
Our elephant ears, ears, ears,
Lifted us high, high, high,
Helped ease our fears, fears, fears,
When we touched the sky, sky, sky,
We did not cry, cry, cry,
When our money ran dry, dry, dry
And we had to come back, back, back
On the 4th of July, ly, ly.