Is there a Dragon in your house?

So I've been on a temporary hiatus from blogging, writing, using my brain, due to the fact that we've had a new edition into the household. My little boy really is the most beautiful little boy, so laid back and relaxed...although he does have a slight aversion to sleep, hence why my brain power hasn't been completely up to scratch over the last few months. 

I have accomplished a few things though, I have completed a Proofreading and Copy Editing Diploma, I have written a few more bits and pieces, small bits and pieces admittedly, but still, bits and pieces! I finally managed to sit down and read a novel last night, which really is an accomplishment with a three year old and 5 month old in the house; and finally, I have the start of what I feel could be a really original and innovative idea for a book. 

I'm obviously not going to let you in on my idea, you'll just have to wait for that, but in the meantime, I'll keep you going with this little ditty...I hope you enjoy, I won't leave it so long next time! I wrote this after my three year old told me there were dragons hiding in her room. She's had a torrent of nightmares recently, so I thought this might put her at ease. 

Is there a Dragon in your house? 

If there's a shimmer in the air,
but when you look, there's nothing there;
Or if your shoulders feel a breeze
that makes you shake with a little unease;
Or a tingle runs from your head to your feet,
and everyone is sound asleep;
As sure as cheese is loved by a mouse,
Well...then there's a dragon in your house.

Dragons are not shy, you know,
but they are quick, and we are slow;
And their idea of a joke
might be to give you quite a poke;
Then while you spin and squeal and scowl,
two giggling dragons snort and howl.

The younger dragons come in pairs:
they'll play, they'll joke, they'll race the stairs;
They love to crawl up walls and glow
until you look from down below;
Then back and forth you'll look and peer
for dragons you cannot see nor hear.

An older dragon's more dignified,
but still, they love to take and hide;
Those shiny, pretty things you prize,
from underneath your very eyes.
So if your treasures and possessions
have disappeared, then here's the question:
Your treasures are certainly not loved by a mouse
so could there be a dragon in your house?

If there ARE dragons in your home
you'd best move over and make some room;
Because dragons love their lairs, and stay
long after people move away.
But if a dragon shares your nest
well, then you are very blessed,
As dragon laughter, wild and warm
with joy protects you from all harm.

Who is stealing Mr Frogs flies?

Eva and I are renowned for our complete and utter lack of imagination when it comes to naming her cuddly toys. Her favourite bear, for example, is called Teddy; her little chick is called Chicky; her leopard is called Leopard (originally Leonard...we pushed the boat out here!). You get the picture. 

This little story I made up off the cuff for her one night and wrote it down when I came downstairs. It's just a bit of fun, but it makes me smile. 

PS. The highlight of our naming abilities has got to be Sir Barnabus the Squidge, Eva's fish. Barnaby for short, obviously.


Who is stealing Mr Frogs flies? 

Mr. Frog sat happily on a rock, waiting for a fly to buzz by. As he waited, he croaked a little song to himself. It went something like this:

My name is Mr Frog

A great flycatcher am I

I sit and I wait

For a fly to come by

As it buzzes about

My tongue zips out

Goodbye Mr. Fly!

He sang and he sang while his tummy grumbled loudly. Finally, a big fat fly buzzed close to Mr. Frog's head. 

“Bzzzzzz, Bzzzzz”

He was just about to snatch it when he glanced into the water and saw ANOTHER frog about to eat HIS fly. He glared into the pond.

"Are you trying to steal my fly? I have been waiting all day for a nice juicy fly to come by," he shouted, angrily. The other frog did not answer, it just stared at Mr Frog and opened and shut its mouth. Flip Flap. Flip Flap. Mr. Frog was sure it was making fun of him. He hopped up and down angrily. Hop, hop, hop.

But the other frog hopped up and down too! This only made Mr. Frog more angry. He hopped into the water, he would show that frog!

Suddenly the other frog was gone!

Mr. Frog was very confused. He looked in front of him. He looked behind him. He looked to the right. He looked to the left. He could not see the other frog.

"Where has that Frog gone?" he wondered.

He decided to ask Mr. Fish. "Mr. Fish, have you seen a frog around here?"

"Why yes," he answered. "YOU!"

"No, I mean ANOTHER frog."

"There isn't another frog here; I'm sure of it," said Mr. Fish.

"Then where IS that frog who tried to eat my dinner!" Mr. Frog looked around. Not only was the other frog gone, but his nice juicy fly had buzzed away! Mr. Frog sadly hopped back onto his rock.

He sighed and settled down to wait for another fly to come by. He looked into the water, still wondering.

"There! There he is again!" The other frog was back! Suddenly Mr. Frog heard laughter.

"Oh, Mr. Frog," chuckled Mr. Fish, "the frog you’ve been chasing is only your reflection in the water! You have been chasing yourself this whole time!”

Mr Frog looked down at the familiar face staring back at him and started to laugh, “How silly I am!”

At that moment, Mr Frog heard a noise…

”Bzzzzz! Bzzzzz!”

My name is Mr Frog

A great flycatcher am I

I sit and I wait

For a fly to come by

As it buzzes about

My tongue zips out

Goodbye Mr. Fly!

 

Your Faceless Names

In my spare time, I have been writing short stories for quite a while now. Some aimed at teenagers, some aimed at adults, but mostly aimed at children. I have a daughter of three and I love to share my imagination with her, making up bed time stories and acting out imaginative play like I'm a three year old too. Fortunately, this has proven to feed her imagination and not just think she has a crazy Mummy...most of the time!

Our conversations quite often spark ideas in my head, causing me to reach for my notebook and scribble away. This blog is where I'd like to document those scribbles, and any other scribbles I may come across along the way, and hear your opinions on them. Good or bad, feedback can only improve my work. 

I look forward to seeing the thoughts of all those faceless names out there.