Daddy’s Near So I Won’t Fear
By S. J. Little
Written for: lydialukidis.wordpress.com/fall-writing-frenzy-contest-2020/
Word count = 198 (max. word count allowed = 200)
Image 10: unsplash.com/photos/5hvn-2WW6rY
Behind the story:
The fog hiding the distant road in this picture made me think of how sometimes, especially right now with this pandemic, we can only see a short distance ahead of ourselves on the journey called life. Taking that thought down to a child’s level, where do they find comfort when the journey holds scary things? In having their Daddy nearby.
This story is written to be a picture book for young preschoolers.
When Daddy buckled me in, I asked. “Where’re we going?”
“To Grandma’s house.”
“I love Grandma!”
Daddy started the car and away we went.
I watched the golden hayfields roll past.
Suddenly I saw a scary shape. It was tall with arms, and it was looking at me!
“What’s that!?”
Daddy glanced at the field. “That’s a scarecrow. It keeps the birds away. It won’t hurt you.”
I studied Daddy’s calm face.
Daddy’s near, so I won’t fear,
Whatever the journey brings.
The car tilted up. We were driving into the sky. I smiled, until I looked out the window and saw a steep cliff.
“We’re going to fall!” I cried.
Daddy wasn’t worried. “I’ll drive carefully. We’ll be safe.”
Daddy’s near, so I won’t fear,
Whatever the journey brings.
Further along, I watched beautiful leaves falling. Then the sun went down. Everything looked black.
I sucked my thumb. “It’s too dark!”
“It’s okay,” Daddy reassured. “The headlights will show us where to go.”
Daddy’s near, so I won’t fear,
Whatever the journey brings.
We turned a corner and there it was: Grandma’s house!
Warm light shone from the windows.
Grandma waved. “Come on in and Happy Thanksgiving!”
https://twitter.com/@maryanncortez16 says:
Very sweet. I love the refrain. Daddy’s near so I won’t fear. Perfect for little kids to remember. Great job, good luck!
S. J. Little says:
Thank you, Mary Ann. Good luck to you as well!