Thursday, May 2, 2013

Honorable

Read stories to your kids when they are young and when you grow old your grandchildren will thank you for it.
 
The following is a story I wrote for my daughter, Sianna, when she was about seven years old, based on a character named Ninja Girl.
                                                           

                                                                
HONORABLE

It happened one night after bath time. 

Out of nowhere, she appeared in her unsuspecting brother’s bedroom.  “I am NINJA GIRL, she exclaimed, with her bathrobe flowing in the breeze and holding her sidekick, a teddy bear named Soft.  Her brother nearly jumped out of his skin as she struck a pose, like any good self-respecting ninja would do. Then he smiled, laughed, and finally hugged her. Ninja girl scowled.  “Ninja girls should bring terror, not happiness to their victims.” So, off she ran down the hall to pursue her next unsuspecting victim.

Then, it happened again.

Coming down the hallway she came upon Rex, the family dog.  "I am NINJA GIRL!" she exclaimed at the top of her lungs, as her bathrobe twirled in the breeze. Then Rex panted, barked, and licked her on the face; the dog version of laughing, smiling, and hugging. “Ninja girls should bring sheer terror to unsuspecting victims, not joy,” she said disgustedly. So, off she ran down the hall stomping her feet, while clutching Soft, in search of another victim. 

A few minutes later, it happened again.

She snuck into the living room where mom was snuggled up in her warm, fuzzy blanket checking her e-mail. Seizing the moment, she sprang into action as struck a pose and said, “I am NINJA GIRL!”  This time her bathrobe twirled a little less, while still clutching her sidekick, causing mom to turn with a start.  Mom smiled, then laughed and hugged her little girl. "You’re too cute," Mom replied.  “Ninja girls are not meant to be cute, they’re supposed to strike fear into your heart.” So, she ran out of the living room with her head down, with one last hope.

In the end, she discovered what she had been looking for all along.

Her last opportunity was in the kitchen. She held her breath and moved quiet as a mouse. That is where her dad was scooping ice cream into a cup making a homemade chocolate shake. Then she snuck up behind him, while holding her teddy bear, Soft, struck a pose and announced at the top of her lungs, “I am NINJA GIRL!”  Dad was so startled by all the noise that in mid-scoop, he flung some chocolate ice cream on the floor, and knocked Soft out of Ninja girl’s grasp. With one hand over his heart and a paper towel in the other, he took a deep breath. Then he smiled, then laughed and then he hugged his little girl. “Daddy, I am so mad, I want to be scary, not cute,” sobbed the disappointed little girl.
 
Pulling up a chair, dad motioned for his little Ninja girl to sit down. “Sweetie, let me tell you a not so ancient Chinese secret.” Pausing for a moment, he picked up her sidekick, Soft.“ If Soft could talk, he would tell you this: it is most honorable to leave a trail of happiness behind you not fear, laughter not tears, smiles not frowns, and hugs rather that emptiness.” Then Ninja girl smiled, then laughed and she bent over and picked up Soft and gave him a big hug. “Daddy, if Soft could talk I think he would ask you to make me a Ninja-sized chocolate shake.” With that, dad smiled and began to stir the ice cream. 

Now, go out and be honorable or Ninja girl will give you a karate chop!   Hi-Ya!!!!!

Swavel



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