The Koala & Llama
-Koda & Leo-
Story & Illustrations © ‘For our Kids Someday’
It
has been raining cats and dogs,
the
skys’ been nothing but gray,
our
gigantic suns’ been hiding day after day.
Today
is so different, the storm clouds rolled away,
now
it's time for Leo the Llama to get out
and play!
Kid
Bud, Koda Koala, will be waiting outside.
Leo
is frantically fumbling with laces to get his shoes tied.
One
toe out, he gasped at Mama’s posted 'Fridge List'
Sadly grumbling
knowing he must not resist–
having
no choice but to enlist.
Leo,
{no going out} till your 'Chore' day is done.
He
turned into SadSack, so anxious to have fun.
Mama,
he said with his lip in a pout,
Koda
is waiting to run all about,
pllleeeaaassseee,
can I go, it's just so sun-shiny out.
I
know you’ve got ants in your pants to get out to play,
but
rules are rules, then you can be on your way!
Leo
moped in such a quandary,
yet
conceded and started with laundry;
folding
pants, tank tops, undies, and shirts,
matching
socks, folding jammies, jackets, and skirts.
Koda
knocked, asking what he could do–
chores
are more fun when done by two!
Mama
agreed to let Koda help out,
now
Leo and Koda were goofball twirling about~
running
‘round and
sliding on floors
wearing
fluffy dryer socks while stuffing the drawers.
Mama
got a whirl out
of their childish silliness
~still
a sock slider ~ even a grocery cart rider~
Next
on the list was cleaning up toys;
putting
away cars, trucks, and trains that make noise;
Legos
and blocks, bouncing balls and bats,
stuffed
animal giraffes and smiling Cheshire cats.
Toybox
is bursting
seams…
time
to move on to other things.
Zero
o’ dust, although no muss or fuss
mostly
just whiffing & wheezing!
They
shook out rugs while bagging the trash;
with
two, it was E-z/P-z.
Out
to the garden to pull up weeds,
mow
the grass and rake up leaves…
small
break to admire the flowers and bees. {viaKristenQueenBee}
Back
on kitchen tasks ~
snuck
'unnoticed' snax.
Washed
and dried bowls, pans, forks, and knives.
Carefully
wiped the stove so as not to ignite,
then
polished the counters, shiny and bright.
Up
to the bedroom to tuck sheets and fluff beds,
assuring
pillow fights between those two knuckleheads,
with giggles and feathers filling the air
~ no Goofs here ~ MamaLlama,
the white glove inspector will soon be upstairs
Bubble
scrub the tub while de-toothpasting the mirror–
Just
make it clean; you know what I mean!
With
each soapy sponge swipe, their reflections got clearer;
dreams
of escaping drawing nearer and nearer.
Mama
was delighted ~ now that you’re done
just
promise me one thing ~ you’ll have tons o’ fun ~
Now
skip on out, and as always,
don't
let the doorknob hit ya
where
the good Lord split ya!
Tossed
hard balls - parched, sipping water from the hose.
Clipped
playing cards to their bicycle spokes
~clickety-clack~
annoying
neighbors with rambunctious boyish sounds
popping
wheelies single file all over town.
Paid
a visit to the candy shop ~
ate
junk food ‘till their buttons popped!
Stopped
by the river to take a Dip,
back
to race bikes as they “Schvitz”...
Drip,
Drip, Drip.
Off
to the merry-go-round for a spin–
faces
sore from their dizzy grins.
Shoveling
deep in sandbox piles,
polishing
treasures through gritty smiles.
Koda
taught Leo how to climb a tree,
found
shapes in the clouds, floating free.
Told
jokes and laughed till their bellies hurt.
Made
royal castles out of sand and dirt.
Hopscotch,
jump rope, and hula hoop,
tic-tac-toe,
and Rubix cube, too.
Knuckling
down marbles and magic tricks;
collecting
shiny rocks and cool wand-like-Schticks,
{j-amigo-ism}
Showing-off
somersaults and risky backflips.
Ears
perk up at the dinner bell,
noses
sniff skyward toward suppers super smells.
Totally
Buddy-Bummed to part ways,
hungry
rumbles bring an end to their play.
High-fives
~ fist bumps ~ secret handshake
wraps
up another Epic PlayDay.
Co-Creators, Ink - By: Jay Kantor & Kristen Balyeat
- Vocal Village Community -
About the Creator
Kristen Balyeat
Words fly to me on the wind, bump into me as I'm strolling the city, splash me in the face while I rest by the river, and shake me awake in the middle of the night– I’m humbly one of the many vessels they use to come to life.
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Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Comments (30)
Wow Wow WoW love that the style is so different. You're an amazing amazing writer.
Congrats on your TS.
Heheh cute & great work guys! “chores are more fun when done by two!” ☺️👏
Kristen, I responded to Jay's post on this story, but I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it with your input, too. Collaborations are difficult, but you two put your heads together and came up with something beautiful!!! Congrats on TS!
I've been out of touch for a couple of weeks so I had no idea you are Jay's partner with this until he told me. Great, fun story, and congratulations on Top Story.
I’m definitely going to read this to my son 🩵
I loved this beyond loving, laughed beyond laughter, the character's hand drawn added such brilliance. I hope you can submit it elsewhere for a collection of children's stories! Congratulations on Top Story 💐
Congrats on Top Story!
What a great story! Congrats on the Top Story! This would make a great kid's book.
April will be filled with peace
I just read this on Jay's page &, as I told him, not only is this so incredibly good, it not only could but deserves to be published as a children's book.
Omggggg, I had soooo much fun reading this and the artwork as well! You and Jay make an amazing team! Congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Such storytelling and drawings. I feel the same way when it is a sunny day - either get outside or sit and read - no chores, Ma, save them for a rainy day. (But then you don't feel like doing stuff so I guess they need to be done like your poem, first, LOL).
Congratulations 💐💐🎉🎉 for top story Your resilience is an inspiration to all who know you. Keep inspiring others with your strength .
Kj ~ Who me cynical: As you applied the eyelashes onto our MamaLama. You knew exactly who to WinkLash "TAP" to the TOP...such subliminal charm...! Funny: Comment from one of my Newsletter Followers @ Valley Beth Shalom from JoAnne: "Awesome, Great drawings, too. What an exhausting day with Work & Play - It wore me out so I'll be taking a nap today." This story so emulates your 2 young sons; such a Helicopter-Mom in a 'Stop & Huge-Hug' loving way. Thank you for being Us with Us: Our unique communication (you being degreed in communication) and me just streetwise - Your 'Fluff & my Gruff' - I can't imagine a more joyful experience; in a platonic sorta way! We weaved in/out with content and our sketches - with respect for one another's opinion - not a selfish bone in either one of us. I was just so proud having taken so many steps with you to make this presentation happen - 'For our Kids Someday' - Our thoughts on this just boped offa each other; in such an interesting coincidental way. 'Hit me Again ~ One more Time.' btw; Congratulations on TOP story...Hmm! J ~ Amigo
Wow, this was amazing storytelling, and so delightful to read! Congrats on top story, very well deserved on this collab!
This is wonderful, in both visuals and writing!! Would love to see a completed children's book of it someday :) Congrats on the Top Story! :)
Excellent work on both your part and Mr. Kantor's!
Truly epic playday! All the fuzzy feels going on here. Fab collab! 🥰
Oh, what a fun little adventure, and I love the illustrations! Well done, both of you and congratulations!
Well done!
Congratulations on Top Story!
Congrats!!!!
I enjoyed reading this. great job.
What a great collaboration! Adorable for all ages. Congrats on the top story