Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Write something suitable for CHILDREN (05/31/07)
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TITLE: The Jumping Zoo | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sheri Gordon
06/05/07 -
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“I guess you’re right, Allie. Adam, it’s time for the birthday party. Let’s go.”
Allie and Adam ran out to the car, each with a present in their hand. They had been watching the clock all morning, waiting for the big hand to be on the nine and the little hand to be on the one. Now they were buckled in their car seats and driving to their cousin Stevie’s birthday party.
Allie helped her little brother count the three stop lights and two stop signs on the way to Stevie’s house.
“That was the last stop sign, Mommy. We’re almost there.” Adam was very excited to be going to the birthday party. Stevie was having a zoo birthday party, and Adam liked zoos very much. Sometimes, he and Stevie pretended to be monkeys in the zoo, doing funny tricks for the people.
When they got to Stevie’s house, a big surprise was in the front yard. A giant zoo cage, with monkeys and tigers and giraffes and many other animals painted on it. And there were lots of kids inside.
“Look, Mommy. A jumping house.” Allie was untying her shoes before her mother could get her unbuckled from the car seat.
“Don’t forget to take your present for Stevie.”
Allie took the present from her mother, and ran to the party. She handed the present to Stevie’s mom, and scrambled into the zoo bounce house with the other kids.
“Adam, aren’t you excited about the party?” Adam’s mother unbuckled his car seat, but Adam didn’t want to get out of the car.
“I don’t want to go in that jumpy thing.”
“Why not, honey? It looks fun. All the kids are in there. See? Stevie’s calling you.”
Adam stayed close to his mother as they walked up to the party.
“Adam! Adam! Come in here.” Jumping up-and-down, Stevie hollered to Adam from inside the bounce house.
Adam shook his head no, and hid behind his mother.
“That’s okay, Adam. Do you want some punch?” Aunt Becky, Stevie’s mommy, took Adam to the punch table.
“Sometimes it’s a little scary with so many kids, isn’t it?”
Adam nodded his head and took the punch cup from Aunt Becky. “Thank you.”
“Maybe we could sit here together and watch for a while.”
Aunt Becky and Adam sat on the steps near the zoo bounce house.
“Does it look like fun?”
Adam shrugged his shoulders at Aunt Becky’s question.
“You know, Adam. Sometimes, when I’m afraid to try something new, I have a very special friend who always goes with me. And He helps me do things I don’t think I can do.”
“You’re afraid to do things?” Adam asked Aunt Becky.
“Oh, yes. And I’ve been thinking, maybe I’d like to try that bounce house. But it looks a little scary.”
“You would?” Adam was surprised to hear that Aunt Becky was afraid to jump, too.
“My special friend said He would go with me, and you can come, too.”
“Where’s your special friend?” Adam looked around, but didn’t see anyone.
“He’s right here, Adam.” Aunt Becky pointed to her heart, and then she pointed to Adam’s heart, “and right in there, too.”
“But, Jesus is in my heart.” Adam learned in Sunday school that Jesus lived in his heart.
“That’s right. He lives in your heart, and in my heart. Jesus is my special friend.”
“And Jesus will go with us into the jumpy thing?” Adam stood up to take Aunt Becky’s hand.
“Sure. Jesus said He would always be with us. You and I and Jesus will go in together. Ready?”
Adam followed Aunt Becky into the zoo bounce house.
“Mommy, look at me. I’m a monkey in the zoo. And so are Aunt Becky and Jesus.”
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“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b NIV
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