When I was about three or four I used to be extremely influenced by what went on in the world around me. It’s not surprising really that my old bed time story – The Lord of the Rings - influenced so much in these early years. I remember that summer when I had managed to completely convince myself that I was in fact Legolas’ brother Legoman. Everywhere I went I would forage ahead to map out our tracks under the watchful smile of my father. You can imagine my delight then the day we went out to Townley Hall, a local nature walk.1
Early that morning I had awoken fresh faced and ready to depart on my greatest adventure ever! The people of the kingdom of the elves (in truth three stuffed turtle toys; I’d accidentally torn off Leonardo’s arms and had to throw him out) bid me farewell before I foraged the kitchen for supplies for my great quest.2
Deep in the back of the vegetable basket I found my perfect weapon, something that made me cringe at the mere sight of it – a carrot. Clasping my carrot-sword tightly I continued my search to find the perfect shield. Winding in and out of table legs I finally found what I was looking for, a nice big box of Kleenex. Unfortunately my mother, who just didn’t seem to understand the importance of my quest, thought that I was just looking for something to blow my nose and so I was left with only a single tissue. Who was I to complain though? My heroes had held off a huge force at Helm’s Deep when they were outnumbered, surely I’d be able to look after myself and my parents armed with my carrot-sword and tissue-shield (something I’d decided had to be a good thing, after all, all of the elves weapons looked delicate but where in fact really strong.) 3
Thirty minutes later I stepped out of the car, decked out in my best camouflage gear – an Irish rugby jersey and the most hideous pair of brown pants that could ever be inflicted on a child my age. Quickly I charged up the forest track, smiting any snails that were two slow to clear my path. Within minutes my carrot sword was dripping with the slime of my enemies and heroically I charged on, deeper into the trees. I could hear my parents calling out for me to slow down so I stopped to listen out for danger around me. Somewhere to my left I heard something rustling in the trees. Turning around I came face-to-face with the most beautiful fox ever – but that was a ploy by my enemies to stop me from continuing my journey. Taking that universal child stance of preparation that could easily be mistaken for and attempt to soil myself I stood my ground. Upon seeing my carrot-sword the fox sprinted off into the underbrush, too afraid to face my might.4
On we continued, many more dared face me but ran at the sight of my carrot-sword and tissue shield. Only one dared to come close, right at the end of my journey. Coming through a break in the forest we were able to see into a big field filled with horses of every size. One of the smaller foals came over to challenge me but I was prepared. Diving forward with my carrot-sword I aimed an attack at his head. However, nobody had told me that horses were impervious to carrots and he grabbed hold of the other end in his powerful jaws and ripped it from my hand. Then in a blatant act of taunting he ate my carrot-sword. 5
Armed now with only my tissue shield I bid a hasty retreat to my parents’ side and we continued on together. We left Townley Hall shortly after but I was already planning revenge on my four-legged foe – I knew there was this great apple at home that would be the perfect weapon against him.
Author notes
Well, this idea just popped into my head straight away when I read option 2. Probably not what you were looking for but I write way too much fantasy so it was great to step aside from that.
For those interested - Townley Hall is a nature walk close to where I live here in Ireland that I used to go to with my parents.
In a list
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
-
Good
I enjoyed reading this childhood tale, but would have rather it had been written more in the style of a child rather than an adult. I think that this would have been far more effective.
However that said, I love the use of vegetables, paper tissues and broken toys in a way that only a child would have thought of.
A gently amusing tale that was an enjoyable read - thank you for sharing. :-)beginning: 4, language: 3, plot: 4, ending: 3, dialog: 4, characters: 4.
-
this is cute little story, I liked it. you had a very vivid imagination.Your descriptions are very good and clear. keep up the good writings.
-
Paragraph 2 Line 2 "I'd accidentally torn "or" Leonardo's..." Did you intend a different word here?
Love the arming of the elves from the vegetable basket and Kleenex box!
P 4 L 5 "I stopped to listen out for danger" I don't think you need the "out". And what a beautiful encounter with a fox!
P 5 Delightful encounter with the foal.
P 6 Charming strategy for follow-up encounter, very nice conclusion.
The age of 3 or 4 that some have objected to, could be explained (if you chose to) by your being included with older siblings in a group bed-time story time. I agree that it is unlikely that a parent would be reading LOTR aloud with a 3-year old as sole audience.
Enjoyable tale.
-
So cute and you just want to hug the main character!
-
Awesome.
I think this is probably the cutest story I have ever read on this site. I admit that not many children this age would have LOTR as a bedtime story, but I have no room to talk. I was only 5 when I started watching The X-Files on a regular basis.
-
Wonderful. Funny, adorable.
This is hilarious. I was smiling the entire time I was reading, it is very well written and very cute. I have little cousins this is definitely a realistic portrayal of childlike behaviour. I love the part about the sword being a carrot and the horse eating it and then at the end how the child plans to use an apple. I also really liked "universal child stance of preparation that could easily be mistaken for and attempt to soil myself I stood my ground. " It was funny and cute and overall brilliant.
beginning: 3, language: 3, plot: 4, ending: 5.
-
The descriptions on finding the weapons are humorous and fun. "hideous pair of...inflicted" I love the use of inflicted. "Universtal child stance..." that was so funny, I have a two year old and that is so dead on!
This story was just so fun, thank you so much for the laugh. (I actually laughed out loud)
-
Nice story
Your descriptions were good and your story delightful. My friend has a six year old son who is into Harry Potter big time. Your story reminded me of him. Nice writing.
-
I agree with the previous comment. Would have to be a very bright child to have LOTR as a bedtime story. But I think you did a great job of capturing the imagination of a child!
-
Light, humorous, entertainment
Nicely written, although I think this still qualifies as fantasy…
I think a three to four year-old would be rather young to be hearing Lord of the Rings as a bed time story. Other than that, I think it’s beautifully toned and engaging in a light-entertainment fashion. It made me smile, except for the plight of the snails. I think this could be continued, especially if years later, this fantasy continues to influence the behaviour of the grown man. It really does feel like the recollections of childhood experience.beginning: 3, language: 4, plot: 2, ending: 3, characters: 3.
-
lol This was really good, the first story I've read on here thats actually made me laugh out loud. And it was absolutely adorable. I loved it.
-
well, you have certainly made the contest hosts day by choosing this option! What a great story! Its cute and funny and adorable! 
Well done! -
Lmao. I'm still laughing from reading this. You get brownie points for choosing this option, I really really wanted someone to choose it! This is awesome. Thanks for entering
Adding your comment:
1 - 13 of 13
