Short Tales 10

By Storm Cloud Publishing

Short stories for kids from writers all over the world. Whether you meet the world head on or can’t find your place in it, if you’re lost in imagination and adventure, or simply want to see the best in others and help make our world the best place it can be, there's sure to be something for you in here. With stories from some of our favourite authors – and some new ones to add to your favourites.
With stories from:
Artelle Lenthall
Kane Johnson
Cheryl Polonski
Elizabeth Klein
Lucy Marbelone
Pat Simmons
Debra Williams
GJ Grimes
Chris Smart

• Language: English
• Publisher: Storm Cloud Publishing
• Release date: May 10, 2024
• ISBN: 9781925285666

Book preview

Short Tales 10

A collection of short stories for kids 8 – 12 years

Short Tales 10

Copyright remains with the individual authors

Published by Storm Cloud Publishing (2024)

ISBN: 978-1-925285-66-6 Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please go to Smashwords.com or any online bookstore and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the authors.

Junior Fiction: A collection of short stories from writers all around the world.

Fun and imagination, Fantasy and adventure, Friendships, Self Esteem, Environmental Issues, Animals, Family and Relationships

Ages 8 – 12 years

Contents

No Planted Bee

Artelle Lenthall

Twinerrific

Kane Johnson

The Best Holiday Ever

Cheryl Polonski

Zac and the Skull of Doom

Elizabeth Klein

National Scrabble Day

Lucy Marbelone

Sarah’s Gift

Pat Simmons

The Boy, the Bird and the Backpack

Debra Williams

The Robotic Soccer Affair

GJ Grimes

The Top Shelf

Chris Smart

About the Authors

Storm Cloud ebooks

No Planted Bee

Artelle Lenthall

"But, sir, I’ve got heaps of better ideas. Live Clean, Inside and Out," Prenisha said hopping from foot to foot in urgency.

Speaking of urgent, it looked like Mr Tinkle needed the bathroom. If she kept him here long enough…

"Your No Planted Bee poster won the Design an Environmental Poster Competition, Prenisha. Now, if you’ll excuse me."

It doesn’t make sense, Prenisha jumped around Mr Tinkle forcing him to turn around on the spot.

A little longer, thought Prenisha, he looks very uncomfortable.

"Half the flush, half the problems."

No Planted Bee.

"How do you plant a bee anyway? Sweep, Sweep to Save Sweet Water, Prenisha said, stretching each s" for effect.

No Planted Bee. Now, I really must go.

"Go Slow, Stem the Oil Flow, or Gas Flow or –"

Prenisha! No Planted – Mr Tinkle galloped away, hands deep in his pockets, no doubt stemming the flow himself.

Prenisha grinned, then grimaced as some passing kids threw a packet of chips at her saying, Live Clean, Inside and Out. Ha! Like to see you try.

But I do, Prenisha shouted after the laughing teens. Seeing no bins nearby, she pocketed the chips to throw away later.

After a delicious dinner of skinned and herbed grilled chicken, lightly steamed vegetables and brown rice, Prenisha settled down to write her speech for Monday. Maybe if she hadn’t got distracted and stuck to the No Planet B she’d meant to write, she wouldn’t be in this mess. Heaps of other kids had done that. Her teacher had called it a happy mistake.

A few hours later she still had nothing on her page.

"Be true to yourself," her parents always said.

‘That’s it,’ thought Prenisha, ‘I’ll write Live Clean, Inside and Out and just explain that it had all been a mistake.’

Saturday.

Stupid No Planted Bee; Mr Tinkle had been clear.

Prenisha loved the speech she’d written, but knew she’d need to at least draft the other.

An hour later, Prenisha, still with nothing on her page, decided to take the dirty washing out to her mum. Emptying the pockets of her uniform, she found the chip packet and, before she knew it, she had devoured the salty treat. Horrified, she shoved the offending packet into her sports shorts.

Monday morning descended like a blanket of soot. Packing her sports bag, Prenisha sighed.

At Assembly, Mr Tinkle passed Prenisha the microphone he normally used, opting to test out the new personal mic himself. When he introduced her, Prenisha stood up to deliver her Live Clean speech but she’d barely begun when kids started chanting, No Planted Bee.

Prenisha tried to bulldoze through her speech.

The kids ploughed over her:

"We can’t plant bees, so let’s look after the ones we have."

"No plants, no bees. No bees, no us!"

On and on it went. Brilliant No Planted Bee ideas.

Prenisha finally saw why it had won the competition.

"I didn’t deserve to win. I couldn’t see another way, just like the people I’m fighting against. I’m sorry. I tried, I