Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: The Manuscript (04/29/10)
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TITLE: Maggie's Surprise | Previous Challenge Entry
By Fern Brown
05/06/10 -
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Seven year old Nikki had a plan which had nothing to do with crafts, scrap booking or playing Grandma’s harp or piano. Could she persuade Grandma to help with her project? “Of course she will help me!” she smiled with assurance.
“What are you smiling about?” Mother asked.
“Oh, just a plan I have with Grandma for tonight.” Are we almost there? I know I have to ‘hold my taters” like you always tell me when I’m in a hurry. But can you just drop me off at the door? I am in a huge hurry tonight.”
Waving and shutting Grandma’s door, Nikki hurried her mother away.
“Why are you rushing your mother?” Granny asked.
“Because this is my time with you and I don’t want to waste a minute. We need to get busy.”
“What is your big idea tonight?”
“Grandma, I believe Jesus wants me to be a writer. I want to write my own book. Will you type it for me?”
“Sure, Honey. Write down what you want to say and I’ll type it up for you?”
“Grandma, we don’t have time for me to write all the words out. Please let me just tell you and you type what I say.”
“I’m afraid I can’t keep up with you, Nikki. You talk a mile a minute.”
“Will you pleeeeeaaaase try. We can start right now.”
Nikki’s intensity surprised Grandma. Grabbing Grandma’s hand, Nikki dragged her into the office. She punched the on button on the computer and plopped a handful of paper into the printer.
“Hit it Granny.” she laughed teasingly.
“Can you give me a hint about this story or should I just start typing?”
Like a dog ready to pounce on a T-bone Nikki jumped into her plot. “The Title is Maggie’s Surprise. She is broke. She needs money for an important project. She gets a raise. Then she runs into an old friend she hasn’t seen for years.”
“Can we please get going, Granny? I’m about to explode!”
Grandma’s fingers flew across the keyboard barely keeping up with the words spilling from Nikki’s mouth. Now and then Grandma paused for a chuckle or an outright laugh. Nikki paid no heed to the interruptions except to remind Grandma they still had a lot of work to do.
“The End. Will you print a copy for me?”
Grandma complied. “One copy ‘hot off the press’ for a beautiful young lady. And just in time, too. Grandpa will be hungry when he walks in the door from work, so I’d better ‘get cookin’. Would you like to help?”
“I still have to work on my book, Grandma. I’ll set the table. Will you get the some cardstock paper for me? And I need the stapler, too.”
Nikki designed and colored the cardstock before stapling her book altogether. Her lips curved into a smile as she presented her artwork to Grandma, anticipating her reaction.
“What a fantastic idea. God has blessed you with your talents, Nikki. You must always remember to use them for Him and His glory. Will you remember to do that when you write or play the piano or sing? Everything we do should be done to the glory of God.”
“I will Grandma. But look at the back cover, too.” Bold, hand-printed letters stated, ‘Copywritten by Grandmother.”
Grandma chose not to correct ‘copywritten’ with ‘typed’. Nikki wanted to credit her with helping and she would not dishearten her for the world.
After school the next day, Grandma’s phone jingled. A sweet little voice spoke importantly. “Will you please print four more copies of my book?”
“I’d be delighted to do that. But tell me, Darling, why do you need four more copies?”
“Miss Richey let me read my story to the class today. I told them if they want to buy a copy I will make more. Four of my friends ordered a book.”
“And how much did you charge for your book, my dear? And what will you do with the earnings?”
“I charged seventy-five cents each. I was broke. Our Sunday School teacher suggested that we earn money to give to our missionaries. Writing and selling a book was the idea God gave me - and it worked.”
“I’ll say it did! You have blessed my heart, Granddaughter.”
I Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. KJV
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