The Fun They Had

The Fun They Had: Short story by Isaac AsimovThis story by Isaac Asimov is set in the year 2155. A boy shows a friend something strange he found hidden away in his family attic. Neither of them has seen one before… it is a book! First, they discuss how wasteful paper books were compared to electronic books of their day. The book is about school, and they go on to compare home schooling of the future with “going to school” in the past. Themes include technological progress, human connection (computer-driven vs. classroom learning), paper-based vs. electronic reading, memories, longing for aspects of the past.

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Grandad’s Gifts

Grandad's Gifts: Short story by Paul JenningsThis story from Paul Jennings disproves the English proverb Curiosity killed the cat. When protagonist Shane’s family move into his deceased grandfather’s house, his father points to a cupboard in his bedroom and says: We can’t open that. I promised my father. Grandad locked it up many years ago and it’s never been opened. I lived in this bedroom for nineteen years and kept my promise. As might be expected, Shane develops a burning desire to discover the cupboard’s secret. Rather than killing a cat, his curiosity gives a different animal a new life. Themes: curiosity, disobedience, kindness, the supernatural.

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Stray

Stray: Children's story by Cyntia RylantHeavy snow can cause many problems, closing roads and stopping people from going to work or school. Today’s story from Cynthia Rylant is about Doris, an only child from a poor family. A cold, shivering puppy comes into her yard as she is clearing snow from around the front door. It has been abandoned. She takes the animal inside and cares for it, knowing that her parents will say they don’t have the money to keep a dog and take it away when the snow clears. The story’s themes are loneliness, compassion, responsibility, understanding, cruelty to animals, kindness and love.

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Bigfoot Cinderrrrella

Bigfoot Cinderrrrella: Short story by Tony JohnstonIn a twist on the famous fairytale, this story from Tony Johnson is about big, hairy and very smelly Bigfoot girl. The Bigfoot prince is holding a fun-fest. A magic grizzly bear helps the girl get ready. He makes her fur especially dirty and smelly, and gives her special wooden shoes to wear. She wins the prince’s heart but (of course!) loses a shoe when she runs off early to be home in time. Fortunately, the story has a happy ending. She is the only girl in the forest with feet big enough to fit the shoe.

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The Magic Sweet Shop

The Magic Sweet Shop: Children's story by Enid BlytonIn this story by Enid Blyton, two children out playing in the woods follow a path they had not seen before. It leads to a small village in which there is a strange candy shop. They each buy five different colored sweets with unusual names: a Giant-sweet, Dwarf-sweet, Invisible-sweet, Spiky-sweet and Home-again-sweet. They then have some exciting adventures in which the candy they bought saves the day. As might be expected, the Home-again-sweet leads them home. When they take their mother to the path that led them to the village, they find that it is no longer there.

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Do What You Can

Do What You Can: Short story by Carolyn Sherwin BaileySometimes a short, simple children’s story can carry a powerful message for people of all ages. Adapted from an old fable by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey, this story is about a raindrop that sees a farmer in distress. His carefully tended crop of corn is beginning to wither and droop and, although the raindrop knows it cannot save the crop alone, it decides to bring the farmer a moment of happiness. Contrary to the raindrop’s expectation, this makes a big difference. The story shows how a single act of kindness can often motivate others to also do good.

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The Tale of the Two Oxen / Do Bailon Ki Katha

The Tale of the Two Oxen / Do Bailon Ki Katha: Short story by PremchandThis story by Premchand has three important themes: kindness to animals, friendship, and faith. A series of adventures begin for two oxen (Hira and Moti) when Jhuri, their much-loved owner, lends them to his wife’s brother who lives far away. The brother-in-law mistreats the poor animals and, with the help of a kind girl, they run away. Their friendship gives them the strength to endure an attack by a raging bull, beatings, and starvation before being sold to a butcher. As they almost lose hope and begin to question their faith in God, a ‘miracle’ helps them return home.

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Licked

Licked: Short story by Paul JenningsThe major themes of this very funny story by Paul Jennings are practical jokes and consequences. Young Andrew learns that his father’s boss is coming to dinner. When he overhears his parents making a pact not to criticize his table manners during the meal, he decides to put them to the test. And just in case it looks like they will be able to keep their promise, he hides a ‘secret weapon’ under the table that is sure to make them angry. The secret weapon works, but Andrew hadn’t thought about what problems this might cause for his father’s job.

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