THE RITTMAN ANTHOLOGY OF MJ’S LITERAY WORKS
Volume I by Mark Rittman, Jr.
Copyright Š 2012 Mark Rittman, Jr.
SHORT STORIES
Conversation with a Green Bean…..1
POETRY
That Crazy Pet…..2 Stay Together…..3 Heaven…..4
Haiku Poems Rain…..5 A Tree…..6
Tanka Poems Ride the Wave…..7
Autobiographical Poems Me…..8
FOLKTALES
Fables Easy Prey…..9
Fairy Tales Robbers in the Wild…..10
Conversation with a Green Bean One breezy fall day, I was playing a Wii game in the comforts of my room. I won the game. “Woot! Woot! I won! Nothing could ruin this moment,” I cheered. “Pooooh! Dinner’s ready! I’ll be watching TV,” yelled Mom as she went to her room. “Mmm, great! I’m starved!” I said as I sauntered to the table. Suddenly, I heard a whimper from the plate, “No! No! Please don’t eat me,” my green beans wailed. Peering into my food I asked, “Is this a joke?” “Oh no, it’s not a joke,” replied the green bean. “Oh man, you… you talk?” I stammered. “Of course I do. I’m alive aren’t I?” he asked. Feeling confused and hungry, I wondered if I should ignore his protest and eat him anyway. “Well, my belly is meager on food-so-”I faltered. The food evidently read my pause aright and retorted, “I still don’t want to be eaten.” I wanted a peaceful solution to my food problem, so I asked the green bean if he knew why people eat vegetables. He answered, “No.” “Well people need to eat to stay healthy, and you are a food that is rich in vitamins,” I explained. “I really am!” responded the food. “You are a good source of iron. You give people lots of energy. You’re a superhero!” I continued. “Gosh! I did not know I was superhero!” he exclaimed excitedly. “I guess this is my duty. Let’s go!” Of course, I ate him quickly before he could change his mind. “So, how were your green beans?” someone inquired. At first I thought it was my mom asking the question until - “Down here,” signaled the pork chop. “Not again!” I cried out.
1
That Crazy Pet I feel this dog is naughty and dirty Big and scratching many fleas Always chasing my neighbor’s cat He constantly drags His butt across the carpet That crazy dog of mine
2
Stay Together
I had a lesson learned Obey it and a gift earned Always stay together And never break apart Or it will also break your heart When you are standing lonely You are just a porcupine Without its pricks Left without protection Wishing it was safe
3
Heaven This is heaven I see angels dancing in constant peace I smell the fragrance of healing Makes me feel like dancing When I ate I never again was hungry The music was so pleasantly playing All the glory in heaven above
4
Rain Wild raindrops fall Making muddy, brown puddles Drying very fast
5
A Tree A tree a nice sight A star in the night so bright That beautiful tree
6
Ride the Wave A wave in the water Such a thing makes me happy Men on boats surfing They would be really scared then Oh so blue and thick wet wave
7
Me I like to play my Wii And ride my red scooter But when it rains Oh what a day I have to get back home
8
Easy Prey Once upon a time a group of six deer worked together and protected each other from predators. One breezy, spring day a young member of the group wondered whether he could take care of himself without the group. He decided to leave the group and test his skills. While he was taking a drink at a lake, a wolf came behind him to attack. The deer leaped into the lake and swam to the other side. Because the young deer successfully escaped the wolf’s attack, he became prideful and boastful. The wolf went back to his hunting party and told them about the sole deer. Meanwhile, the young deer came to take another drink at the lake. The wolf pack returned to the lake and the found the deer there. Seeing the number of wolves, the deer stomped his hooves and snorted to call his group for help. As he fled, one the wolves bit his leg. The other deer ran to surround and protect him from the wolves. The wolves gave up and left. Then the deer explained everything and apologized for leaving the group. He realized that it is better to stay with the group and work together.
9
Robbers in the Wild A very long time ago, lived a man named Hugo. He owned 3 gems that could unleash a person’s true nature. One cool, fall’s day, while Hugo was fishing, his gems were stolen by a group of robbers: Kai, Loc, and their boss, Big Cole. Kai was a very sly robber. He was Big Cole’s favorite. Loc was swift and cunning. Big Cole was very stubborn and serious about everything. After they stole the gems, Loc said that, with the value of all the gems, they would be filthy rich and live like kings. As they turned to leave Hugo’s house, Loc suddenly turned into a raccoon. Kai saw this, went to pick up Loc’s gem, but turned into a python in the process. Before he could gasp in shock, Big Cole morphed into a goat. “So how do we turn back to our original form Boss?” asked Loc. Each one appearing to have the same idea returned the gems to their original location. “Awh man, we didn’t turn back to normal,” said Kai. “You are not sorry for what you have done,” a voice called out from the door way. It was Hugo. “You’re wrong,” Big Cole responded. “Then so be it,” said Hugo. The three thieves went into the wild and lived there for one month. Eventually, they felt sorry and turned back to normal. They vowed to never steal again.
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