children

Children: Our most valuable natural resource.

Grandad
It never got easier. In fact, every visit got worse than the last. That was the disease. It respected nothing, and it took everything that made a person who they had been. Every time Joseph pulled out of that parking lot to head home; he knew that it meant one day closer to the end.
By Jeffrey Paul Snedden6 years ago in Families
The Magical Bird: a Contemporary Fairy Tale
Once upon a not-too-distant time, there was a young eight-year-old girl who sought refuge inside the graceful, downward-sweeping branches of an old weeping willow. The massive trunk had weathered sun, wind, and rain like a stalwart sentinel, standing guard equally against anger, pain, and meanness. The bark had become compressed at the willow's base by the weight of centuries, as if the lofty crown had tried to push its way back into the ground. The long branches split the sunlight entering the circled space into wavering lines. But the magic of early Spring brought out blooming catkins, creating polka-dot shadows on the emerging soft grass.
By Cynthia L Fortner6 years ago in Families
The black notebooks
The black notebooks I inserted the key and turned; nothing happened! I was looking at the knob and then tried again to turn the key and pushed. SQUEEEQ…. I jumped backward in fright while watching the door fly and crash against the wall with a loud thud and high cloud of dust. Coughing and wiping the tears from my eyes I wondered if I should even enter the house, I promised to prepare for grandfather’s return.
By Sam Mj6 years ago in Families
Diary of a Dancer
Elise is hanging out in Washington Square Park after ballet class at Tisch and is supposed to be on the way to her “Music for Dance” class with Ms. Vanaver. On the way back to her dorm on Sullivan St, she stops to pick up food and a coffee at her deli (she loves this one because Dad came here for the cups they use that were always on that tv show Law & Order). She walks past The Back Fence bar where she sees an old man putting out the signs (the story is that this guy is a cousin of Rocky Graziano). She also wanders past the old chess club and wonders what it must have been like when Bobby Fisher was there every day, wiping the floor with “geniuses”.
By Joel Hanna6 years ago in Families
AUTISM FIGHTS BACK!
A tale about a real man's struggle with blatant disregard for his special needs child from the North Carolina school system. A parent nor their child should ever have to go through what these two merely overcame.
By Kelly Scott6 years ago in Families
The Year of the Dragon
“Yeah, I want to know what he looks like” my nephew is excited to tell me about his new imaginary friend. “Well, he is really small and has spikes on his tail to poke out eyes” Geez this went dark fast.
By Bretagne Pullens6 years ago in Families
Good Deeds
GOOD DEEDS “Manny...” his mom’s voice called from the kitchen, “I left eggs for you, milk is in the fridge and lunch is on the counter.”
By DeeZ 6 years ago in Families
The Kingston Treasure
It was a not so ordinary day for a boy who lived a very ordinary life. Little boy Liam was a normal boy who lived a very normal life. He had a mom and a dad, as well as a annoying older sister and two dogs who seemed to be in more mischief then Liam could ever fathom. Liam was a creature of habit to say the least. He was a practical boy of 10 years old. Liam spent his school days studying and making sure he excelled in every subject. But today was the very first day of summer 2025 and Liam decided he was going to spend his summer becoming a super amazing treasure hunter. Liam spent all of his yearly allowance ($42.64) on all the supplies he would need to be the best treasure hunter in the world. Liam lives in a blue house that sits on 5 huge acres. The house had been passed down from generation to generation and Liam knew one day he would be able to call it his very own. His great grandpa (Papa David) told Liam stories of treasure that is buried on their very own land and every summer for the past 5 years Liam searched but could unfortunately never find the Kingston treasure. Liam knew this summer it would all change but I don't think he quite knew what was in store for him. After twelve days of digging from morning to night Liam decided he needed to try a different approach. He decided to call it a night and get plenty of rest- for the next day -he was in for the adventure of his life! Liam decided to start his search on this overly foggy morning deep into the Kingston woods. Liam never really went into the woods due to his fear of the unknown but today was different. Today Liam was no longer scared. Liam knew in order to be a fearless treasure hunter he would need to become fearless. So Liam braved the woods. He was equipped with his shovel, flashlight, book bag and a half a grilled cheese and a bottle of water. He started with a whole grilled cheese but he got hungry on the way. And a boy has to eat when a boy wants to eat. After about two hours of digging Liam decided it was time to finish the rest of his grilled cheese and drink his water. As soon as he reached for his bag he saw in the corner of his eye a shiny object under a few rocks in the creek. He decided it was best if he investigated. Liam reached into the water and pulled out a slimy small sealed bag. This bag was so sealed there was not even a bit of moisture inside. Liam immediately opened the bag and to his surprise inside the bag was a little black book. On the first page of the book were the words brave explorers only. And boy was Liam a brave explorer. Liam immediately flipped to the next page. On page two it was a treasure map. Not the one you typically see on the tv or with the pirates but a simple, easy to follow treasure map. The first step on the map said take ten giant steps to the left and admire the rocks that are shaped like turtles. Liam took the steps and to his surprise there lay rocks that were shaped just like his favorite animal- the turtle. What now you ask? The map then said dig and dig and you will find what now is yours but once was mine. Was this the treasure that Papa David spoke of? So Liam began to dig. He dug until he began to feel like there was no treasure but all of a sudden he heard a thump. His shovel had hit something. Liam used his shovel to to keep digging and was able to pull out what resembled a very very old briefcase. Liam took his supplies and the briefcase and ran home immediately. Once Liam got home he opened the box and to his surprise it was 20 thousand dollars. Liam was rich! Papa David was right about everything! Liam found the Kingston Treasure and he could have never done it had he not been such a brave explorer.
By Brittany 6 years ago in Families
Light Reign
Part 1 | Stormy Tears “Reign. . .” softly whispered a voice. The sound of the voice echoed through the breeze caressing Reign’s face as she sat on the shore of her home island. Reign tossed her head back and gazed at the stars above in awe, while a single tear slipped down her cheek. She felt a slight chill graze her shoulder --startled, she jumped at the scare. Her big brown eyes peeped through the coils of her curly hair, and over her left shoulder to check for anything unusual. Nothing new, besides the view of the town a short walk away. She heaved a sigh of relief and turned her attention back to the stars and the freshness of the outdoor air. The sound of the crashing waves soothed her aching heart. Her grandmother had just passed away, and Reign ran to the beach after school to escape her parents. They were not dealing with the loss well.
By Tiye Samone6 years ago in Families
The Little Black Book
My name is Penelope Holmes and I live with my Mother and Father in Upper North West, Washington, DC. We live in a nice big house with a backyard for me to play in. This quirky story takes place when I was 10 years old just about to enter Middle School. I know, I know, focus people, I was a teeny tiny bit advanced for my age. What I didn't know is this would be the start of all my middle school-aged problems. My Mother worked at the school that Diddy went to and supports every chance he gets and my father worked at a Restaurant in DC as a Head Chef.
By Millie Holmes6 years ago in Families
Grandpas Diary
( girls voice ) 1, 2, 3, 4... Damian runs down the hallway and into a room towards the end closing the door behind him. Damian looks around the room seeing a vintage desk then moving further around seeing an old chair next to a tall lamp then moving a bit further around to see a free standing old tall cupboard.
By Joshua Schroeder6 years ago in Families
Tips and Treasure
Tips and Treasure "... I would pay off my student loans and," looking grimly into her coffee mug, "stop drinking this cheap coffee." Ms. Laire, the 9th grade English teacher, had shown the class a news article of someone who had recently won $20,000, and had explained what she would do had she won.
By Tyler D'Antonio6 years ago in Families