Jimmy the Fries

By Morteza Motlagh and Christopher Martin

This fun and uniquely illustrated children's chapter book is all about the adventures of an Idaho potato who lives on Farmer Fred's farm. Like Fred's son Ed, Jimmy has big ambitions. Jimmy's goal is to become the most delicious fries on the planet and to be served to a famous person in the world's fanciest restaurant. Jimmy wants to be a celebri

• Language: English
• Publisher: Espilaliquid Publishing
• Release date: Jan 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781638378983

Morteza Motlagh

Morteza Motlagh was born in Tehran, Iran, then moved to the United States. He began writing poetry at the age of nine and has continued writing to this day. His works include poetry, children's books, motivational speeches, lyrics, and an autobiography. Morteza lives in Sacramento with his wife and a little rabbit named Albertus McCreery Cotton Candy Cinnabunbun. His writing, inspired by his observations of life and his undying hope that things can always be better, is his number one hobby followed by golf, swimming, and Persian cooking.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

FATHER AND SON DREAMS

H

i. I am a small potato and I had a big dream. This is the story of my life journey from beginning to end and everything in between. You will get to know me later, but for now, buckle up and enjoy the ride. The story begins on a potato farm in Idaho, owned by Farmer Fred and his wife Emily. They lived on the farm with their son Ed and dog Max. Let me tell you something funny. Farmer Fred worked on the farm so long, he began to look like a potato himself!

I remember it clearly. It was a very crisp Monday morning before the sun had begun to rise on this side of the world. As Farmer Fred stepped out his front door, Max ran around his legs and out into the farm. As Farmer Fred chewed on a piece of toast, he turned back toward the front porch and shouted loudly to Ed, Let's go, son! We have work to do; let's go!

Farmer Fred winced as he set his right hand firmly on his lower back, applying pressure to soothe the pain he had been experiencing for the past few weeks. He walked slowly toward his old harvest machine just as he had done hundreds of times over the years. I could see the anguish in Ed's face as he stepped out of the house and shut the front door behind him. Ed was trying to keep his eyes open and stay awake.

He yawned while whining to his dad, Can I please go back to sleep? It's too early, Dad!

His father replied, "No. Let's get the job done, son. Someone has to do it. Before you blink, the job will be finished, and please stop complaining."

Ed wanted to be there to help his parents since they were growing old and could not handle the job without him. Farmer Fred could not afford to hire outside help during the harvest season and, after all, this had been a family farm and business for quite a few generations.

You see, farming was not Ed's dream. In fact, I often heard Ed telling his friends that he wanted to get out of the farming business and pursue his own dream of becoming an astronaut.

Ed fully understood his family situation. He knew that paying for a college education would be impossible for his parents. Ed knew his family still needed him close by to help with the family farm. It would be very difficult for his parents to run the farm without him; Ed knew that his parents were truly counting on his help. The age of his parents was a big factor in any decision Ed would make; still, he had other plans in mind.

He was hoping to apply for a college scholarship, and being the straight A student that he was, the likelihood of obtaining money to pay for college was high. Ed's passion was looking at the stars for hours every night. I observed him many nights as he stood outside on the front porch, his mind traveling to different stars in the galaxy, then back to the reality of the farm. Ed's mother and father knew about Ed's dreams and not once discouraged him from dreaming and making plans for his future.

I liked Ed. He was just like me…a big dreamer.

CHAPTER 2

FARMER FRED'S SON, ED

E

d was the only child that Farmer Fred and his wife had. I was once told by a rotten potato that Fred and Emily could not have a child of their own. Ed had been adopted from an orphanage when he was only a few days young. The old potato told me that Ed did not know he was adopted and