Saturday, October 11, 2014

Why is Being Eleven So Difficult?



Why is Being Eleven So Difficult?
by
Ashley Jones
(age 15)



Sunday  July 16

     I know Sunday is the Lord's Day and is considered a day of rest, But sometimes I wish I could just go jump in the creek behind our barn and forget everything about being a lady. Instead, we spend the entire day in church and afterward visiting the parishioners in our community. Since Papa is the pastor he expects my brothers and I to behave especially well. I wouldn't exactly call sitting in a stuffy cabin, listening to the ongoing talk of adults "rest." Nevertheless, it is what Papa calls "God's will" for our lives. So for Papa's sake, I try my best to behave. Try. I can't help it that Horris Cooper is so bothersome. I am eleven and he is twelve. Apparently that single year makes one know so much more of the world's most important issues, such as whose horse is better, who has the nicest toys and so on. So, every Sunday Horris insists on "enlightening" me. He just makes me so angry. I guess that is just one of the burdens that I must bear. Fighting with boys, or anyone for that matter, is wrong. Papa made that very clear today after Horris tried to tell me how much better his Mama is. Why is being eleven so difficult?          
Yours Truly,
Mary Louise Williams



Tuesday July 18

     Chores, chores, chores! It seems like that is all I ever I do! At least the boys get to help Papa in the barn. I have to stay in the hot kitchen and help Mama with cooking and cleaning. Mama keeps telling me that that is what a lady is meant to do. If that is true, I think I'd rather be a boy. Sometimes Papa lets me milk Betsy. She is my favorite animal on our farm. It is so relaxing to be around her, I think she is one of my best friends. Mama and I are going to make a big batch of biscuits to go with our stew for tonight. Maybe she will let me make some funny shaped ones!
Yours Truly,
Mary Louise Williams



Friday July 21

     It has been too hot lately. My dress sticks to my legs even though it is the lightest one I have. I finished with my chores, but it is too hot for Blind man's bluff or even climbing trees with my brothers. I hope God sends us a breeze because our cabin is much too stuffy for anything especially sleeping! The boys get to go with Papa into town tomorrow to pick up some haying supplies. I really want to go, but there will not be enough room for me. Papa tried to make me feel better. He said Mama needs my help with the garden. Working in the garden is okay, but I would much rather go into town with Papa.
Yours Truly,
Mary Louise Williams



Tuesday July 25

     Papa and the boys started gathering all of the hay in the big field yesterday. They got really sweaty and the hay stuck all over them. Mama and I brought them a bucket of water for them to drink, and we ate sandwiches right in the middle of the field! When the work was all finished, Papa took the boys to the creek, and Mama let me go with them. We were swimming and splashing for a whole hour. I guess being a girl can be all right sometimes!
Yours Truly,
Mary Louise Williams



If you are between the ages of 13-18,
(or know someone who likes to write stories)
I would like to post your story here.

 Send me an email. I'd love to read your story!

1 comment:

Laury said...

Good job. This reminded me of a Little House on the Prairie type writing. Keep up the great work!

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