Topic started by Rishei (@ 1cust26.tnt1.glen-innes.au.da.uu.net) on Sun Jan 6 10:42:25 .
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I've only ever written one story for children but I'm interested to hear from others who have written them. Also feel free to share your childrens stories.

Responses:

• From: Rishie (@ 1cust30.tnt1.glen-innes.au.da.uu.net) on: Sun Jan 6 11:16:40
  
  HI!
  
  Here's my story. I hope some poeple will comment.
  
  THE HAVEN
  by
  RISHIE JOHNSTONE
  NOVEMBER 2001
  
  
  The weirdest thing about it was that it felt like a dream, except of course that she could feel herself walking along, through the tunnel and out into the most beautiful place she had ever seen. She could see the children playing, catching sunbeams and throwing them to each other. Even adults were playing too, screaming and laughing just like the kids were.
  
  Suddenly she felt herself enfolded in a pair of soft warm arms.
  
  "Welcome to the haven, I'm so glad you came". The woman holding her was old but so pretty. Regina could almost taste the warm love that came from her.
  
  "What is this place?" Regina asked.
  
  "This is the haven," the old lady explained. "We're here any time you need us. Come, let me show you around, but first, we have to get you changed into something more comfortable. You can't float in those heavy things."
  
  Taking her by the hand, the old lady lead Regina along the soft grass and down the pathways to one of the huts.
  
  "before we go in," said the old lady, come over here."
  
  There was a waterfall that dropped into a rushing river. On the bank of the river there was a line of baskets.
  
  "Here, take one of these and put all your worries into it. Make sure you don't keep any of your worries in your heart, they all go in here when you come to the haven, then you can enjoy your stay,"
  
  Regina had so many worries she thought the basket would not hold them all. She saved the biggest worry for last, that her dad would find she was not there and beat her up when she came home.
  
  "put that in too," the old lady said, "And there's enough room to put in all your sadness as well."
  
  Regina had a lot of sadness, her mum was always sick and her dad was always angry at her, she felt like nobody in the world cared for her.
  
  "Make sure you put in your anger and your hurt and your fear, put it all in the basket".
  
  Regina was discovering an amazing thing. Even though she put all her bad things into the basket it was never full, there was always room for more. Finally, when her heart was completely empty of darkness the basket was full.
  
  "Now drop that into the water," the old lady instructed.
  
  Regina dropped the basket and watched as all her darkness was carried swiftly away from her by the rushing waters.
  
  "Now, come and take off those clothes and I'm sure you'll feel better," the old lady said as she lead Regina into the hut.
  
  The hut was filled with small tables on which were baskets of flowers and bowls of food. also on the tables were scented candles and incense holders with lighted sticks of incense which had the most beautiful smell Regina had ever experienced.
  
  "I've made a bath for you in here," the old lady called.
  
  It was the best bath Regina had had. The water was warm and had a pleasing odour coming from the bubble bath. When at last she cot out of the bath the old lady dried her with a towel made of a soft material.
  
  "Now put this on," the old lady said, holding out a white silk dress with yellow ribbons.
  
  "But if I go out and play I'll get it all dirty," she answered.
  
  "It doesn't get dirty, didn't you see how clean the clothes of the other people were?"
  
  The material was so soft that it fell about her and floated on her body.
  
  "Now I'll show you around the haven. Yes you can take those lollies with you, they won't make you sick," the old lady said as she finished tying Regina's hair with a pretty yellow ribbon.
  
  I must be dreaming, Regina thought as she followed her guide out of the hut and onto the soft grass. It seemed too good to be true.
  
  "This is the swimming pool," said the old lady, "don't mind the fish, they won't bite you but they like to swim with you,".
  
  A tall girl was floating in the water on her back. When she saw them, she jumped out of the water and came over to Regina to hug her. She shook her dress once and all the water fell away,.
  
  "HI, I'm Lucy," she said, "Welcome to the haven, do you want to come in for a swim?"
  
  "What about my dress? I've just had a bath."
  
  "O don't worry about that," Lucy smiled, "This is the haven, you don't have to worry about anything here,"
  
  "May I go for a swim, please?" Regina asked the old lady.
  
  "Of course, someone new is coming in so I will need to get them ready. Lucy will show you around but I"m always here if you need me,"
  
  "O thank you,"
  Regina smiled, nobody had ever been there for her before.
  
  
  The water was golden and it was almost lukewarm. She found that by lying on her back in the water she could float as Lucy had done. It was so soothing to let the water take her wherever it wanted to. She floated in soft sunlight and the water, it was like being in the middle of a soft golden ball. The sunlight caressed her face.
  
  "I wish I could stay here always," Regina said.
  
  "then it wouldn't be so special. We all need a special place where we can come to feel loved for a while."
  
  "Yes, I suppose you're right," Regina answered her.
  
  After a while the 2 girls got out of the water.
  
  "Do you like animals, Regina?" Lucy asked.
  
  "Yes I do but I don't' think they like me very much, the old dog at home always keeps away from me,"
  
  "When they know you love them they will give you their love," Lucy explained. "Come, I'll show you the animal park. There are animals all around here of course but the animal park is a special place for new people to come and experience the love of animals."
  
  The animal park was just as wonderful as Lucy said it would be. They walked through an open gate and a small dog came running up to Lucy.
  
  "{Hello Lulu," the girl said to the little dog ad she picked it up.
  
  "There's a dog here with the name of every person who comes to the haven. That dog is your dog and you can take it with you everywhere you want to go. It can even sleep beside you a and it will always be waiting here for you when you come."
  
  Regina reached out a hesitant hand to touch the little animal. The dog, who was a Chihuahua, licked her hand and rested her little head on Regina's palm.
  
  "She likes you," Lucy said.
  "I wish I had one too" Regina said wistfully.
  
  'O but there is one for you, there always is. Why don't you call it."
  Regina looked doubtful but she called out in a soft voice, "Regina, Regina come," A beautiful golden retriever dog came bounding up to her and started jumping up at her. She was only a puppy. Regina picked the dog up and held her in her arms as the little thing began to lick her on the hands and on her face.
  
  " Now she's yours. You can call her anything you like, she will always come to you," Lucy said.
  
  "I will call her Lily," Regina decided after a few minutes.
  "Can I really take her everywhere I go?" she asked.
  "Yes of course, I usually take lulu when I go anywhere in the haven. come on, let's meet some of the other animals. I love the lambs best,"
  
  The lambs were beautiful. As soon as they saw the 2 girls coming they ran up to them.
  
  "Maybe they're thirsty, would you like to feed one?"
  
  
  
  "O yes please," Regina answered. Lucy went into a building and came out a few minutes later carrying 2 bottles with her.
  
  "you feed that one and I'll feed this one," she said.
  
  They sat on a bench and held the back end of the lamb between their knees and, being always careful to hold the bottle up, they gave the lambs their milk. When they had finished feeding the lambs they went to see some of the other animals. Even the lions and tigers were friendly. Lucy helped Regina to climb onto a horse's back and soon she was galloping along the path, the wind blowing through her hair. There were cats and tiny kittens that fitted into her palms. Lily her dog had a good time playing with the cats. A bird flew down and landed on the cat's back and the cat didn't try to kill it.
  
  "Here," Lucy said. She whistled softly and the bright yellow bird flew onto her hand. "Have you held a bird before, Regina?"
  
  The little bird flew onto Regina's outstretched hand. It was a beautiful feeling to hold such a tiny creature.
  
  Regina and Lucy had a wonderful time at the animal park, they saw so many beautiful creatures and Regina felt closer to animals than she had ever felt before.
  "What would you like to do now?"
  "Well," Regina answer hesitantly, "I saw those people playing with the sunbeams as I came through the tunnel, I would like to try that."
  
  "Yes," Lucy answered, "I think we have time for that before the sunset. After it's dark the fun here really begins. Come on," They ran out of the animal park, the 2 dogs running behind them barking and wagging their tails.
  
  On their way they passed the flower beds. every kind of flower was represented there. To the left of their path and down through a long long paddock the flowers stretched in splashes of brilliant colour.
  
  "Here," said Lucy, "Pick some of them. You can put them in your hair." The 2 girls picked the flowers that smelled so sweet. They tied them in their hair and tied them to the front of their dresses with the ribbons.
  
  Then they followed the path and went to the place where the people could still be seen playing with the sunbeams.
  
  It was so much fun. Regina picked up the light that came from the sunbeam that surrounded her. The light was harmless. It was soft and kept slipping through her hands. She threw it to Lucy who threw one back to her. Soon the sky was filled with colours and the sun started to go down. It was the most glorious sunset Regina had ever seen. The brilliant colours each had their own tastes that came down from the sky and into her mouth, through her whole being.
  
  "Over here, girls," a man called. "Dinner is ready."
  
  bright coloured cloths were laid out on the grass and covered with paper plates full of food. There was meat and vegetables and rice and chips and eggs and salads. Everyone was eating and talking happily. Regina sat with some lovely people. Beside her sat an old old man with silver hair and bright blue eyes that sparkled with happiness. Beside him was a young woman with long red hair who sat next to a tall boy with curly black hair. Beside him Lucy sat.
  
  "Is there some more room here?" it was the old lady who she had met when she first arrived. Lucy had told Regina that everyone called the old lady Mama.
  
  "Yeah Mama of course!" Lucy answered. "Will you be sitting here with us?"
  
  "I will, and noriko too."
  
  Noriko was a Japanese girl who Regina had seen at school but she had never spoken to her because Noriko didn't speak much English.
  
  "Noriko can sit here next to me," Regina said, making room.
  
  "O thanks," Noriko said as she sat on the grass. "I've seen you at school haven't I?"
  
  "Yes I"m in Mrs Warren's class."
  
  "Before we start eating we must thank God for giving it to us," Mama said.
  
  "You can," said the woman with the red hair. "I don't believe. God is dead"
  
  "O no he's not," Regina answered, "I can feel him here everywhere. He gave us this place so we could come here and feel safe,"
  
  "That's right, Regina." Mama said.
  
  The sun had set for the night. The night started to fall as Mama prayed. Then everyone ate, enjoying the most beautiful food Regina had ever known. The stars came out and as they ate their dessert of fruit and ice cream and chocolate cake and lots of new things that Regina hadn't tasted before, Mama explained that these foods came from other countries so that those who ate this food could taste life from other countries.
  
  "Here's the moon," Lucy cried as the great light appeared out of a veil of clouds, "Now the fun begins!"
  
  "What fun?" Noriko asked.
  
  "We climb on the moonbeams till we reach the stars. We lie on the clouds or walk along the stars. Sometimes, when the moon is really bright like tonight, it sends out light that lifts us and carries us up to the moon. But we must always slide down a moonbeam before the start of the morning."
  
  It was the most unimaginable experience to be climbing up a moonbeam. Regina found herself wrapped in the light that lifted her and carried her far far above the land. She wasn't frightened, even though a fall from that height would be fatal. She cried out with joy as she was lifted by the moonbeam. There was a cloud. She had always wondered what it would feel like to lie on a cloud. As if sensing her desire, the light deposited her in the middle of the cloud where she lay, completely relaxed.
  
  For a few moments she drifted off to sleep but she didn't' want to miss out on any experience this night would bring her. . There was another moonbeam. She walked off the cloud and into it's soft embrace as she was carried higher and higher.
  
  "Come up here!" Lucy called. "Up to this star. It's great fun up here."
  
  The star's surface was smooth as marble beneath her feet. They stood and looked down on the world below them.
  
  
  "How beautiful it would be to be up here every night watching over the world." Regina sighed.
  
  "O but there's more yet to see. Here's another moonbeam, we're going up to the moon itself."
  Regina Lucy and Noriko fell into the soft warmth of the light that carried them still higher and higher till they reached the moon.
  
  The man in the moon met them. He was an old man with a great long beard and a wide smile.
  
  "Welcome to the moon." he said, embracing each of them in turn. "I haven't seen you two here before,"
  
  "They're new to the haven," Lucy said. "This is Regina and that is Noriko."
  
  "Are you enjoying yourselves at the haven?" the man in the moon asked.
  
  "O yes, I've never had so much fun."
  
  "Well enjoy yourselves here at the moon. I'll tell you when it's time to go."
  Walking on the moon was like walking on a jumping castle. The girls had a great time running jumping tumbling and playing as the light swirled around them. Then they joined some other people who were dancing in a big circle. They spun and danced and twisted in the light.
  
  "Sorry to spoil your fun, folks," the man in the moon said as he came up to them, "but it's time to go."
  
  The people slid down moonbeams to get back to the land before the moon was to set. For Regina it was the greatest fun of all. The light carried her swiftly down, it felt like she was flying. She felt totally safe wrapped in the warmth of the moonbeam. At last her feet touched the ground and she was standing in the exact spot from where she had begun her journey to the sky.
  
  It had been a long day and a long night full of new adventures and sights. Regina felt tired.
  
  "Come and have some breakfast then you can sleep for a while," Mama said. The bright cloths were laid again on the ground and piled as before with lots of good things to eat. Regina and Lucy sat with a large group of children around a bright yellow cloth. They ate cereal or porridge, toast with thick butter, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, fried potatoes and, best of all, slices of cake. People in some countries often have cake for breakfast.
  
  Regina felt more tired after she had eaten and she was happy enough to be lead by Mama to a spot under the shade of some big old trees where hammocks were strung. Mama held each girl in her arms in turn and sang them a gentle lullaby. The last thing Regina remembered was Mama tying a silver thread round her neck and telling her:
  
  "Never lose this thread. It will bring you to us whenever you need to come. Tell nobody of this place. Sleep well and remember you can always come to us when you need us."
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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