| General Fiction posted November 23, 2023 |
  |
Sorry folks I know it's a bit early
A New Friend
by Claire Tennant
Once upon a time, there was a little girl called Emma. She really wanted a dog. They had one but poor old Sadie had died. Mummy said it was too early to get another dog. Maybe one day...
Emma had to be content with the cat. She decided she was a dog person, and since it was Christmas time, that's what she wanted. You could not play with a cat; you could not get any comfort from a cat ...at least not this cat. Emma wanted a dog, ideally for Christmas, but she knew she might have to wait: even until she was grown up like Mummy.
Ah well, Daddy had promised that she could help him decorate the old Norfolk pine in the garden. They would be having the family around Christmas Day. Emma loved barbeques. She loved Grandpa and Nanna too. They did not have a dog.
"Here I am", said Daddy carrying the box of decorations. "Emma, you choose what you want. I will put them up for you"
"Are you going to climb the tree?" asked Emma.
"Not on your life!" said Daddy. "I'm using the step ladder. Let's get started."
She found tinsel, baubles, stars and a little hut thing that rocked in the box. When Daddy came back, she could not contain her curiosity.
"What's this, Daddy?" she asked
"That's a manger." said Daddy smiling
"So, what do we do with that?" asked Emma in surprise.
"Many years ago, people put hay in the manger to feed the farm animals," said Daddy, "but one day, a lady called Mary put her new baby in the manger"
"Oh yes," said Emma "I remember. Mummy told me about Jesus."
"Yes," said Daddy. "That's why we have Christmas."
"Oh," said Emma. "and presents?"
"And presents," said Daddy. "Now, are you going to hand me these decorations, before Christmas is all over?"
Emma smiled, and both she and Daddy worked hard until they were tired. They spent ages getting the tree just right, and Mummy was so pleased she did a little dance and suggested pizza for dinner.
The next morning Emma, awoke, her eyes opened wide. She got up and looked out the window. She started to cry.
Daddy ran into her room.
"What is it, honey?" he asked
"Look at the tree," she sobbed
Daddy noticed that all their work was a little messed up; he'd have to tidy it, he supposed.
"Never mind Emma," said Daddy "it was probably the cat. "Don't cry, honey. I will fix it"
When they went out, Emma was still upset, but her heart skipped a beat when she saw ...at least she thought she saw!
"Daddy, Mummy?"
Mummy laughed, giving Emma a little push. "You did give plenty of hints."
"What do I call him?" asked Emma as the dog ran up to greet her.
"Why not Chris...short for Christmas?" suggested Daddy
And that's just what they did.
Merry Christmas, everybody.
Emma had to be content with the cat. She decided she was a dog person, and since it was Christmas time, that's what she wanted. You could not play with a cat; you could not get any comfort from a cat ...at least not this cat. Emma wanted a dog, ideally for Christmas, but she knew she might have to wait: even until she was grown up like Mummy.
Ah well, Daddy had promised that she could help him decorate the old Norfolk pine in the garden. They would be having the family around Christmas Day. Emma loved barbeques. She loved Grandpa and Nanna too. They did not have a dog.
"Here I am", said Daddy carrying the box of decorations. "Emma, you choose what you want. I will put them up for you"
"Are you going to climb the tree?" asked Emma.
"Not on your life!" said Daddy. "I'm using the step ladder. Let's get started."
She found tinsel, baubles, stars and a little hut thing that rocked in the box. When Daddy came back, she could not contain her curiosity.
"What's this, Daddy?" she asked
"That's a manger." said Daddy smiling
"So, what do we do with that?" asked Emma in surprise.
"Many years ago, people put hay in the manger to feed the farm animals," said Daddy, "but one day, a lady called Mary put her new baby in the manger"
"Oh yes," said Emma "I remember. Mummy told me about Jesus."
"Yes," said Daddy. "That's why we have Christmas."
"Oh," said Emma. "and presents?"
"And presents," said Daddy. "Now, are you going to hand me these decorations, before Christmas is all over?"
Emma smiled, and both she and Daddy worked hard until they were tired. They spent ages getting the tree just right, and Mummy was so pleased she did a little dance and suggested pizza for dinner.
The next morning Emma, awoke, her eyes opened wide. She got up and looked out the window. She started to cry.
Daddy ran into her room.
"What is it, honey?" he asked
"Look at the tree," she sobbed
Daddy noticed that all their work was a little messed up; he'd have to tidy it, he supposed.
"Never mind Emma," said Daddy "it was probably the cat. "Don't cry, honey. I will fix it"
When they went out, Emma was still upset, but her heart skipped a beat when she saw ...at least she thought she saw!
"Daddy, Mummy?"
Mummy laughed, giving Emma a little push. "You did give plenty of hints."
"What do I call him?" asked Emma as the dog ran up to greet her.
"Why not Chris...short for Christmas?" suggested Daddy
And that's just what they did.
Merry Christmas, everybody.
Through the eyes of a child writing prompt entry
|
Writing Prompt Write a short story (100-500 words). The story must include a child's perspective of an object or situation. The story may be told from the viewpoint of the child, or an adult. |
Artwork by Brendaartwork18 at FanArtReview.com
You need to login or register to write reviews. It's quick! We only ask four questions to new members.
© Copyright 2025. Claire Tennant All rights reserved.
Claire Tennant has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
