I just posted one of my Children's stories to our critique site just a few minutes ago so I'll add it here to share with all of you.
MONSTERS
By Pat Severin
If you’re scared of monsters like I used to be
I’ve something to tell you, just listen, you’ll
see.
I had that scared feeling, I used to, before.
I used to be frightened but NOT anymore.
Monsters aren’t real, they DO NOT exist.
I KNOW that they don’t, in fact, I INSIST!
But it’s so much fun pretending they do,
I made up this story especially for you.
My story starts out with me snuggling in bed.
I pull up the covers right over my head,
I say to my Mom, “Do you hear it, that noise?”
I point to my closet, “It’s beneath all my toys!”
I say, “Mom, it’s scary, like nothing I’ve
heard.
Just listen, Mom, listen…and don’t say a word.
I say, “It’s a Monster, and boy, he sounds mad.”
I whisper, “Pretend with me, Mom. Go get Dad.”
They wink, play along and say, “We hear it, too!
That noise is so scary, oh what should we do?”
I tell Mom, “He’s hungry, I’m worried he might
Start eating my toys and not just a bite!”
“In that case,” my Dad says, “It’s all up to
you,”
Your bedroom, your closet, your toys and your
rules!”
I say, “Pretend monster, you get out of there!
Come out of my closet, come out! I’m not scared!”
But Mom says, “It’s bedtime, now get into bed.”
So she tucks me in with a kiss on the head.
For a while, when she’s gone, I
pretend I’m asleep
Then tiptoe my way to my closet and
peek,
And whisper, “Now, monster, I will let your stay
But not in my closet, off limits, no
way!”
(I always talk quiet when I make
believe.
It sounds more convincing, now don’t
you agree?)
I say to
my Monster, “Now, here
is the deal.
The toys
in my closet should NOT be a meal.”
“Go sleep
in the corner, not under my bed!
Now, listen
up, Monster! D’you hear what I said?”
Then cover
him up and prop open the door
In case he
gets thirsty and might want a drink,
Then he
can get up and go right to the sink.
And maybe
tomorrow we’ll play hide and seek.
If he’s
having fun, he might stay for a week.
We’ll play
lots of games, my Monster and I.
I bet that
he’s real good at playing “I Spy!”
So my pretend monster
and I became friends
And that’s just exactly
how my story ends.
The
story’s pretend and my monster is too.
Since
monsters aren’t real, they can’t frighten you.
Tonight when your Mom comes to tuck you in bed,
Look right in your closet, remember I said,
“Monsters aren’t real, they’re not anywhere,
Not under your bed, in your closet, by your
chair.
You’ll probably find shoes and a whole lot of
toys,
But nothing’s in there that can make a strange
noise.
You’ll see for yourself, NO MONSTERS IN THERE!
Monsters aren’t real, they aren’t ANYWHERE.
That fear that you're feeling, just let it go.
Monsters aren’t real, now do you see?
They do not exist, just take it from me!