Another story for the Series.
Another story for the series Spiritual Heritage for Children has been written. It is a Board Picture book for children aged three to five years, called Josie Goes Home.
Josie Goes Home
This story was written in response to the reaction of a little boy when his Grandpa’s old dog died. The grandparents and his dad didn’t know how to explain the dogs death to the little boy.
Finally, his mum explained the dog was very old and had died. A few days later the little boy came to his mother, very concerned. He said to her, “Mummy you’ve got lines. Are you old? Are you going to die? I don’t want you to die!”
Josie Goes Home tells the story of Riley, a five year old boy and his grandmother who find Josie, the old pet dog had died during her sleep.
Grandmother explained the death of Josie in a gentle loving way. I have used this story with reference to Spirit Home as the spiritual place of life after death, with the help of Riley’s imaginary playmate, Seth as his spirit guide.
It became a big adventure for Riley, as he, Grandmother and Seth visit Josie in Spirit Home. The story portrays Spirit Home as a beautiful happy place where their beloved pet is happy, fit and healthy. She is surrounded by all the friends she knew during her life who had gone home. Children are left with an untroubled perception of death.
I have entered the story in a world wide competition
A few weeks ago I received notice through SCBWI of their annual competition, the ‘works-in-progress’ awards for a number of categories. There was also the Cushman Award for’late bloomers’ (over fifties) for a manuscript entered in the ‘works-in-progress’ competition. I entered Josie Goes Home in both competitions, not expecting to win as there will be thousands of entries in every category, however it is all part of trying new experiences.
The only article I entered in a competition was a very long time ago. I had forgotten about it until, I was looking at my mothers ‘treasures’ after she had passed. There was a small cutting from the Australian Women’s Mirror; a ladies weekly magazine. It was the story I wrote when I was eight years old. The magazine, which no longer exists,
Lace Monitor
had a page for children to write stories for publishing. The lucky author of a published story received a few shillings, along with a certificate of merit. I wrote the story after being part of the actual event a few days earlier.
Here is my first published story!
My brother, Jack and I were mustering cattle for my dad as it was time to spray the cattle for ticks. We were riding horses with Erbie, our cattle dog trotting beside us. I think the dog’s name was really Herbie, but our dad always called him Erbie.
My brother loved to tease and annoy everyone and everything. Riding around a bend in the bush track , we came upon a sand goanna. It was huge and a dark brown colour all over; it was much bigger than a lace monitor and looked really ferocious. We could have passed it without any trouble, if my brother not been looking for a bit of fun. Jack sooled the dog onto the reptile. It tried climbing a large gum tree and Erbie dragged it back by it’s tail.
Chaos!
It took off, running around and around in circles before finding the very long tail of Jacks horse. Erbie knew not to get too close to the horses heels and stood back. The goanna managed to get away from the dog and maybe thought it was safe. The tables were turned on my brother.
I moved my horse well away from them and could not stop laughing. My brother’s mare was turning in circles trying to dislodge the goanna before it reached her rump. It would not have been far from there for the big lizard to reach my brother’s back. I was doubled up with laughter as I imagined my brother with the goanna sitting on top of his head! The spinning of the horse sent it flying a few feet away, where it took off as fast as it could go.
I was not in Jack’s good books for the rest of the day. The muster was finished by a cranky brother and a very happy me. For the first time in my life, I had seen my brother getting a taste of his own medicine!
It is really surprising how a memory from the past can be related to what’s happening in your life at the present moment. I have never considered myself a story teller. I do not think anyone is more surprised than I am, that I have moved down this pathway in life. It sure makes for a roller coaster ride!
