Today’s short story is by 5-year-old Addie Kwan. She’s been telling stories since she first started talking, so I figured I’d try to write at least one of them down. What follows is my best attempt at a transcript of one of her most recent tales. This is, of course, a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

May I present “Emma and Emily.”

Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Emma. She was nice and she wanted to hand out Band-Aids. Her mom wanted to hand out because Jones, a little girl, is mean and just slapping all people on the face.

So then, there’s a little girl named Emily. And she wanted a Band-Aid because she was on the swings. And she wanted Band-Aids, so she rushed to Emma. But Emma was very nice. She said, “Here you go. Here’s a Band-Aid for you.” Emma was about to say something, but then Emily said, “Thank you. Maybe one day we can go to the bus together and be friends.”

And Emma said, “That would be wonderful.” So, she said goodbye to her new friend. And she waved goodbye to her new friend.

Emma and Emily on the bus

Soon, it was time to go home from the first day of school. They rushed to the bus. It was almost going to run out of space. The sun was going down and they rushed. Soon, it was time to go home.

And Emma noticed her mom planted a strawberry bush. Look at that, look at that little bush. See it? She was home and she was excited to tell her mom the good news. At home, it would be fun if she had lots of friends. But her mom said, “Yeah, you already have friends, you know? We can have more friends than ever, you know?”

Emma and her mom

Then, she went to her room to rest. And her mom tried to tuck her in bed, but she just ran away. And then she caught her. And she brushed her teeth, changed into her pajamas, and went to bed. And her mom tried to push the light off, but it was stuck so she kept it alight.

Then, in the morning, it was the second day of school. And Emma was very tired. She wanted to get up, but she was too tired for the next day of school.

The end.

If you missed the previous short story, “198 Days Later” reveals an unexpected connection. Or, you may also enjoy “Maybe Later” about balancing priorities. Thanks for reading.