Briana Richardson

Professor Nyland

ENG 224 Sec. 04

September 30, 2015

Based on “This Moment” by Eavan Boland

A home.

At Thanksgiving.

Aromas are beginning

to happen

in the air.

Family and friends.

And pets sitting on the floor.

In due time.

One dish is sweet.

One plate is as shiny as crystal.

A man stands up to cut the turkey

that has been prepared to eat

this moment .

Hearts smile.

Forks clatter.

Laughter fills the whole place. 

Briana Richardson

Professor Nyland

ENG 224 Sec. 04

September 21, 2015

“The Flying Thief”

            At the age of five, I lost my first tooth. I was so excited and could not wait to get to school and tell my teacher and friends. “Look!” I said, as I showed my new smile. “I lost my first tooth.” Some of my classmates were in awe, while others were not interested because they had already lost theirs. I went to my teacher and said, “Good morning Miss Jones. Guess what?” Miss Jones smiled and softly said, “Good morning, Briana. What?” “I lost my first tooth,” I said, as I grinned. “Oh my! That’s wonderful!” Miss Jones replied. “Before you go to bed, make sure to put your tooth under your pillow so the Tooth Fairy can bring you something.”

            I went home and remembered what Miss Jones said. I could not wait until the next day, so I could see how much money the Tooth Fairy would bring me. I went upstairs and placed my tooth under my pillow.  I took a bath, brushed my teeth, said my prayers, and hopped into bed. I quickly fell asleep and dreamt of the Tooth Fairy’s gift for me.

            I woke up in the middle of night, and saw a small light that appeared to be fluttering around my room. “It’s the Tooth Fairy!” I thought to myself, as I hid under my covers. I peeked my head from under my covers, and watched the fluttering light closely. She landed on my small, orange safe that was on my dresser. The safe stored my birthday money and my favorite Disney princess bracelet, given to me by my mom. The Tooth Fairy slid in the small opening on the safe. I became very anxious, and wondered what my gift would be.

            I soon fell asleep and did not see the Tooth Fairy leave my safe. When I woke up the next morning, I could barely contain myself. I jumped out of bed and dragged my small stepping stool to my dresser. I went to punch in my secret code and proceeded to open the safe. When I opened the safe, I was stunned. My Disney princess bracelet was gone! I looked through the safe and on the floor, but I could not find the bracelet. I was hysterical! I called my parents into my room, as I cried uncontrollably. I could not understand what happened to my bracelet.

            Suddenly, I remembered what happened the night before. “The Tooth Fairy stole my bracelet!” I yelled. “I thought she was supposed to give me a gift, not take one!” I could not believe that someone who was supposed to be so kind, could be so cruel. From then on, I never placed my lost teeth under my pillow and I found a new place for my safe. 

The Magical Mistake

Briana Richardson

Professor Nyland
ENG 224 Sec. 04

September 9, 2015

The Magical Mistake 

     "Screech!" went the car, as its owner tried to avoid an accident. “Boom!” "Oh dear!" Grandma said, after her new car had been hit. She pulled over to the side of the road. With wide eyes, she looked at the car behind her through her rear view mirror. Her mind was filled with questions, as she waited for the owner to step out of the car. "When are they getting out of the car?" she asked herself. "Who is driving that car?" The vehicle looked very unique. Its bug-like shape and red, black, and yellow exterior made Grandma a bit anxious.

            The owner of the car waited a few minutes before exiting the car. Grandma watched closely. Suddenly, the door flung open and a foot stepped out of the unusual vehicle. Grandma’s heart began to beat a little faster. “Oh geez!” she thought to herself. She stopped looking through the rear view mirror and kept her head straight. She was startled when a strange figure appeared at her front window. “Knock, knock, knock,” the owner of the unique vehicle was tapping on Grandma’s window. Grandma nervously rolled down her window and was in awe of who she saw. It was Mickey Mouse! Grandma was shocked, yet giggled to herself as she looked at the owner of the unique vehicle. “Well hello, there!” said Mickey. “My name is Mickey Mouse.”

            Grandma smiled and softly said, “Hi Mickey Mouse. How are you?” Mickey looked at her and simply said, “I was great, until a few minutes ago.” He then said, “I was on my way to my clubhouse to see all of my friends, then I hit your car.” Grandma felt sympathy for Mickey Mouse. He looked sad and very disappointed in himself. He could not believe that he had hit someone’s car. “I am very sorry for hitting your car. This has never happened to me before.” Grandma looked at Mickey and calmly said, “Mistakes happen.” Mickey still felt a sense of guilt and shame for his potentially costly mistake.

            Grandma pondered on what she should do. “Should I really get the police involved?” she thought to herself. She did not want to deal with the process of exchanging information with Mickey and filling out a tremendous amount of paper work. She stepped out of her car and examined the back of it to see the amount of damage. Grandma was relieved when she realized that there was only a small ding in the trunk of her car. She turned to Mickey and said, “Since there is very little damage to my car, I am not going to call the police.” Mickey beamed with excitement. “Well, alright!” he said. “Thank you very much!” Grandma smiled and said, “You’re welcome. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

            Grandma and Mickey Mouse were headed back to their vehicles when Mickey stopped to talk to Grandma one last time. “Since you have been such a nice lady, I am going to give you ten tickets to visit my childhood home, Disney World,” he said. “There are very few people like you in this world and I think you should be rewarded for your kindness.” Grandma smiled and said, “Thank you, Mickey!” “I really appreciate this gift and my grandchildren will appreciate it as well.” Mickey chuckled. “I am glad I could help! Have a great day!”