A children's story

Hi All,

Thank you for all the great replies and comments. Some were sent by email and I think I should ask the authors' permission to place them on the blog. Linda, I heard similar comments about the Andy Carcia movie and I believe there is no reason to NOT see a movie because the plot is predictabble. After all, plot is but one aspect of a great story. Shakespeare is rather predictable, but we still watch his plays, sometimes more than one version. (By the way, I have an English colleague by the name of Breakspeare. Make your own inferences!) Ilse, our time seems to be running out in Cyprus, so, make a plan... Gertina, Great to hear from you! And, do write a blog. Its fun and it keeps people connected.

I had a Pakistani Yank colleague, who is an author. He writes very good short stories for adults and admires Hemingway. He lived here with his Kryzykstani companion, Anoor, more than half his age. He has now returned to California and she has gone back to her country. Before they left they wrote a little story for Isabella that I put in here. This is for your use only, because I don't know how copyright and things like that work. Enjoy!

Peter Pigeon’s Great Adventure




“Wheeee!” Peter Pigeon cried, as he flew fast around the Almond tree in front of his house.

“Be careful, Peter” said Polly Pigeon, his mother.

“Watch out!” shouted Paul Pigeon, his father.

But Peter did not listen to his mother and father.

He flew as fast as he could to the top of a tall Cyprus tree.

Peter was happy and excited.

The Mr. Carrier, the Mail-pigeon, had brought a letter from his uncle who lived in a big city called Kyrenia.

Uncle Walter had invited them to Kyrenia.

Peter had never seen a big city. He lived in a small village called Karmi. It was a quiet, sleepy old village. It sat on top of a high, green mountain. Peter’s house was tiny, white house. It was surrounded by trees and flowers and sweet-smelling bushes.
Peter spent all day chasing bees and butterflies.

But Peter wanted to see the big city. He wanted to play with his city cousins.

Peter liked to show-off. He thought he was the fastest pigeon in the world. He wanted to show his cousins how he could twist and turn in the air.

So, on Saturday morning, Peter, his mother and his father, all flew down the mountain to Kyrenia.

Uncle Walter was happy to see them. Peter’s Auntie, Peggy and cousins, Jenny and Billy were also happy to see Peter.

“Wheeeeeee!” screamed Peter excitedly, as he flew fast between the cars and busses. “Looooook! Look at me! I am a jet plane!” Peter called out to his cousins.

“Hey, slow down,” said Uncle Walter. “You could get hurt.”
But Peter did not listen to his uncle.


“Look at me, look at me!” Peter shouted to Jenny. He flew fast between two cars. He was showing off in front of Jenny.

His cousin Bill said: “Peter, be careful. You are not in a small village. This is a city. The traffic is very dangerous here.”

Peter did not listen to his cousin Bill. Instead, he jumped on top of a moving bus.

“Look at me Jenny, he shouted. I am a bus driver.”

“Be careful” Jenny shouted. “You will get hurt.”

But Peter did not listen to her. He jumped off the bus and jumped on the electric wires.

The wires started to swing and sway.

“Wheee, whee” Peter cried. “Look at me. Look at me.”

Uncle Walter shook his head and said: “Peter will get himself into big trouble if he keeps on behaving this way.”

But Peter was very excited by everything in the city.

He did not understand that the city traffic can be dangerous.

Suddenly, he saw some pop-corn on the road.

“I want to eat pop-corn,” Peter said. “I am so hungry now.”

He flew down and started eating the pop-corn greedily. He did not hear or see the cars passing close to him. Then suddenly a car hit him and knocked him onto the sidewalk.

“Oh! Oh! Oh!” Peter moaned in pain.

His head hurt. His legs hurt.

His mother screamed: “Peter! Look what you have done. You mustn’t show off like that. Now, look at you. You could have been killed!”

“Mamma,” Peter said. “I’m sorry. My leg hurts but I think I can fly. I want to go home now.”

“Okay,” Mr. Paul Pigeon said: “Let us all go home now. The city is a very dangerous place. We are better off in our quiet, little village.”

“Good-bye, Walter,” Paul Pigeon said to his brother.

“Good-bye,” Paula,” Aunt Peggy said to Peter’s mother.

“Bye-Bye,” Peter said to his cousins, Jenny and Billy.


Then they all said good-bye and flew home to their quiet, little village.