The Smallest One

Intended for children ages 5 to 7 years old.


Mrs Crookback’s class was staring at the big pile of colourful boxes in the middle of the room when she croaked in her old lady’s voice. "Today, children, is a very special day."

Jimmy Little and his classmates looked at each other wondering what was going to happen.

"We have had a delivery of new toys for the school, and you are the lucky children who get to play with them first." Raising her voice above the noise of the excited children, "Each of you, please come choose one box to open."

Tom Towers jumped to his feet straight away, "I’m the biggest so I should have the biggest box," he rushed over and started ripping off the paper. "Wow! A shiny yellow go-kart, fantastic!"

The other children then started to choose boxes excitedly.

Jimmy noticed that Molly Meek was standing shyly at the back. Pushing Molly forward Jimmy said, "You should pick one now, before they all go."

Jimmy Little, the smallest kid in class, got the last box, the smallest one.

"What did you get?" Jimmy asked Molly.

Holding up her hands Molly showed him a pair of padded gloves.

Sally Sweet waved a set of stumps in the air and said, "I’ve got these stick things."

"I have a bat," smiled James Jolly.

"All we need now is a ball and we can play a game of cricket," said Fran Freckles from under a large umpire’s hat.

Jimmy opened his box and pulled out a bright red ball.

Tom Towers sat by himself in the go-kart. "Nobody will push me," he said to Jimmy.

"Why don’t you come and join us?" said Jimmy throwing him the ball.

"Well," said Mrs Crookback to herself. "I guess it really is true that good things come in small packages."

(300 words)

© Mark Ashton 2004