Junior the Whistler

This is Junior. 

He's a grumpy little boy who tries to be cool, but never succeeds. Junior loves to sing. But his voice is not so good. His friends shush him whenever he begins singing. So instead, he just hums and croons. Although he only hums, his friends do not like it. They said he sounded like a parakeet. So instead of humming, he begins to whistle. To his surprise, his friends like his whistling and ask him to whistle again and again. Junior has now found his muse. 

Because Junior found out that his whistling sound very cool, he becomes confident with his skill. He hums 30 times a day. Do you know what he always whistles? He whistles Twinkle Twinkle Li'l Star. It's his favorite. He whistles Twinkle Twinkle 30 times a day! He never stops whistling, until one day, one of his friends told him to stop. "Can't you see your lips? Look!" He handed Junior a mirror! Junior felt humiliated. Because it's the way his lips are. Not because he whistles too much. 30 times a day! Remember?

"Stop it, Junior! Your lips are swollen! You look like an octopus!" His friend laughed at him. But Junior never gives up. "Leave me alone!" cried Junior. He was always grumpy, ever since he found his unique ability--whistling, he becomes less grumpy. "Whistling makes me happy." said Junior one day. "Better than wrestling." His friend added, smiling. "You're the best whistler, Junior." 

Once there was a whistling competition. Junior was very keen to join. But you know what? He's got canker sore on his upper lip! So every time Junior tried to whistle, he felt pain on his upper lip. And his whistling didn't sound that good anymore. Junior was very sad. "This is why I told you to eat fruits and vegetables, Junior." Mom advised Junior. Junior nodded. "The competition is in a week. Can I get my normal lips back?" asked Junior to his mom. "Of course, Boy." said Mom giving Junior Vitamin C.

So Junior took the Vitamin C. He ate fruits and his vegetables, while he kept whistling for the competition. 

Istana Mika Rusak!

Mika, Miko, dan mama pergi ke pantai. Mika senang sekali. 

Di pantai, Mika bisa membangun istana dari pasir. 

Miko bisa bermain bola, dan mama bisa berjemur.

Mika mengeluarkan ember dan sekop untuk membuat istana pasir. 

Miko berlarian sambil menendang-nendang bola. 

Mama bersantai di atas tikar. 

Istana Mika hampir selesai dibangun. 

Tiba-tiba, Miko yang sedang asyik mengejar bola tersandung dan terjatuh. 

Miko terjatuh di atas istana pasir! Istana Mika rusak. 

Lutut Miko luka, lecet karena terhantam kulit kerang.

Mika menangis kencang-kencang, lalu berlari dan mengadu ke mama. 

Miko menangis juga, kencang-kencang. 

Duduk di samping istana pasir yang rusak. 

Lututnya berdarah.

"Mama, istana Mika dirusak Miko!" jerit Mika sambil menangis. 

Lalu mama menjelaskan, "Mika, Miko tak sengaja. Ia terjatuh. Lihat, lututnya berdarah."

Miko masih terisak. Mama membersihkan luka Miko. 

Istana pasir Mika rusak, tapi Mika sayang Miko. 

Jadi, Mika mengusap air mata Miko. "Miko, tak apa-apa?" kata Mika menenangkan adiknya. 

"Anak laki-laki harus kuat!" kata mama mengobati lutut Miko.

Miko, minta maaf sama Mika. Karena ia tak hati-hati bermain, istana Mika rusak.

Mika, minta maaf juga sama Miko. Karena Mika sudah marah sama Miko.

Mama bilang, "Istana pasir akan cepat rusak dan hilang terbawa ombak. Tapi Miko tidak. Miko akan selalu ada di hati Mika dan mama. Jadi, kita harus saling memaafkan."

Sasha Suka Ngemil!

Sasha sangat suka ngemil. Makanan kesukaannya adalah es krim stroberi, coklat kacang, dan biskuit. Lihat kulkas Sasha, hampir semua isinya adalah makanan manis punya Sasha. 

Di kulkas atas ada es krim stroberi, vanila, dan coklat. Di kulkas bawah, ada biskuit stroberi, wafer pisang, dan susu coklat. Kamu tahu? Sasha bisa menghabiskan semuanya sendirian!

"Sasha, kalau makan terlalu banyak, nanti kamu jadi sakit perut. Dan, jangan bawa makananmu ke dalam kamar. Nanti banyak semut." kata Mama menasehati Sasha. Tapi bukannya mendengarkan Mama, Sasha malah membawa makanan itu ke kamarnya diam-diam. Ia menaruh biskuit stoberi, wafer pisang, coklat, dan susu di bawah ranjangnya. Karena takut ketahuan Ibu, Sasha menutupinya dengan handuk kecil.

Di malam hari, Sasha makan biskuit-biskuit itu di atas ranjang. Sasha juga diam-diam mengambil eskrim stroberi dari kulkas atas. Karena ia kurang tinggi, Sasha memanjat kursi dan menyimpan es krim stroberi di kantong baju tidurnya.

"Hm, enaknya makan di atas ranjang!" kata Sasha menjilati es krim stroberinya. Es krimnya menetes-netes ke baju dan ke atas ranjang, tapi Sasha tidak tahu. Sasha pun tertidur dengan ranjang penuh remah-remah biskuit.

Paginya, Sasha sangat kaget. "Mamaaa... Badanku merah-merah semua!" Sasha menjerit. Ia menggaruk lengannya yang bentol-bentol. 

"Kenapa badanmu merah-merah begitu, Sha? Jangan digaruk-garuk." kata Mama mengolesi lengan Sasha dengan minyak kayu putih. Mama melihat baju Sasha yang penuh coklat dan bekas es krim. "Sasha, bilang sama Mama. Kamu habis ngapain?"

Sasha takut bilang. Ia tak mau Mama tahu tentang cemilan di bawah ranjang. Jadi, Sasha cuma diam. Tapi mama langsung menengok ke kamar Sasha. Dan mama terkejut sekali. Ada barisan semut merah sedang bergerak menuju kolong ranjang Sasha. Bukan cuma itu, semut-semut lain juga sudah mengerumuni remahan biskuit di atas ranjang tempat Sasha tidur! Mama menemukan bungkus biskuit, kotak susu coklat, dan bungkus es krim yang disembunyikan Sasha di kolong ranjang.

"Oh, jadi ini yang bikin Sasha bentol-bentol." kata Mama menggeleng-gelengkan kepala. Sasha tertunduk. "Iya, Ma, semut-semut itu nakal. Mereka gigit aku." sahut Sasha menyalahkan semut-semut.

"Sasha, kamu tahu? Semut suka makanan manis. Dan kamu yang membuat semut-semut itu datang. Bukan semutnya yang nakal. Sekarang, lihat kan? Badanmu jadi bentol-bentol dan kamarmu jadi sarang semut. Kalau kamu nggak bersihkan sekarang, nanti malam kamu akan tidur bareng semut-semut itu lagi. Kamu mau?"

Sasha menggeleng. Mama membantu Sasha membereskan semut-semut merah di kolong ranjang. Sasha juga membersihkan ranjangnya. Sasha tak mau lagi digigit semut. Makanya, Sasha harus dengar kata Mama. Jangan membawa makanan ke dalam kamar. Apalagi makan di atas ranjang. Kalau tidak, Sasha bisa bentol-bentol setiap hari. 

"Maaf, yah, Ma... Sasha nggak akan bawa cemilan lagi ke kamar." kata Sasha. Mama tersenyum dan berkata, "Kecuali kalau kamu mau satu ranjang dengan semut!"

Frankie the Dancing Frog

“You are special.”

Once upon a time...

There was a thin frog who lives under an apple tree. His name is Frankie. Frankie loves to sing. He sings in the morning, and sings before he sleeps at night. But everybody knows that frogs do not sing. So they don't have good voice like the birds.

One sunny day, Frankie is singing loudly. His voice is harsh. Three yellow birds on the apple tree interrupt, "Hey, please stop your singing, Frankie. It's our part to sing in the morning." So the yellow birds do what they like to do every morning. They sing, and their voices are so clear and beautiful. Frankie feels so sad. "I wish I had voice like the birds." Frankie wishes in his heart.

At noon, after his lunch time, Frankie plays in the pond near the apple tree. In the pond, he sees a beautiful swan. She is passing by and dancing beautifully. She spreads her white feathered wings. The sun is shining over her gracious dancing. Frankie looks at her in awe and says, "I wish I could dance so beautifully, like the swan."

So Frankie tries his move, he spreads his tiny long arms, he twirls around with his long legs, and he trips his own pace. Oh! He cannot dance like the swan. Frankie feels so embarrassed, and so sad.

"Why can't I be like the birds who sing so beautifully? Why can't I be like the swan who dance so graciously?"

Frankie asks himself as he watches his reflection on the water. He begins to cry.

"Why am I a frog?" Frankie sobs. He was sulked in tears.

"Don't cry, Frankie. Maybe you should practice more." says Bubu the Butterfly.
"Or maybe you can ask the birds and the swan to teach you." says Bobby the Bee.
"I'll try." Frankie smiles.

The next morning, Frankie asks the yellow birds on the apple tree. "Please teach me to sing, little birdie." 

"Okay. We can teach you." the oldest yellow bird says.

"Oh happy daaayy... Oh happy daaayyy..." sing the birds.

"Ooooh happy daaayy... Oh haaaapyy dayyy..." imitates Frankie, trying to sound like the birds. But the birds laugh at his voice, because his singing sound like somebody has caught flu.

So, the birds say, "You cannot sing like us, Frankie. You're a frog. A frog doesn't sing."

Frankie feels sad again. He gives up singing. But he still can do dance like the swan. So he comes to the pond and asks for the swan to teach him how to move like her.

"Please, teach me how to dance like you do." Frankie asks the swan, as she passes by.

"Well, it's easy, you just have to spread your wings like this," the swan shows her move, "...and twirl your body slowly."

Frankie tries the move. He spreads his thin arms, and twirls around slowly. But again, he loses his balance and trips himself. Frankie falls into the water, and hears the swan laugh at him.

"I am a swan, I am created to dance like this. But you are a frog, Frankie. You aren't supposed to do my moves." says the swan, chuckling.

Frankie feels so sad. He begins to think he cannot do anything. He cannot sing, nor dance. He is a frog, not a bird or a swan! Frankie sobs, and decides to return home.

Now in the small living room under the apple tree, Frankie sits on a stool. He asks himself, "What can I do?"

"Why are you so sad?" A voice so calm comes from near where Frankie sits. 
Frankie replies, "Who are you? Where are you?"

"I'm here." comes the sound from the fallen leaves near Frankie. "I'm Willie the Silk Worm."

"Oh, hello, Willie. I'm Frankie. Nice to meet you." Frankie tries to see Willie. Willie is small and green. Yet, his face looks smart. He is a silk worm. A silk worm can make very soft clothes.

"Why are you sad, Frankie?" asks Willie the Silk Worm.

"Because I cannot sing like the birds, I cannot dance like the beautiful swan." replies Frankie, sobbing. "I think I can't do anything."

"Look at me. I'm small, and I cannot move like the swan moves. But I am not sad. Because I can do something good. I produce good clothing. Listen, Frankie. Every creature is unique. You are a frog, and you are unique because you do what frogs do. Do what you can do, Frankie."

"What I can do? Hmmm..." Frankie thinks hard. He walks around his chair.

"Ouch!" Frankie suddenly stomps on a piece of wood and stumbles. "Whoaa..." Frankie shrieks, keeping his balance. 

THUMP. THUD. THUD. 

"Hey, this wood sounds!" Frankie shouts excitedly.

THUMP. THUD. THUD.

THUNK. THUMP. THUD.

"Hey, this is fun!" Frankie stomps his feet on the wood, again and again.

THUMP. THUD. THUD.

THUNK. THUMP. THUD.

*tapping dance music*

"Look, this thing sounds very cool!" Frankie shouts, moving his legs and body so happily. Sweat is all over his body. He enjoys his new activity so much.

"Ah, you're doing tap dancing! Now you know what you can do, Frankie!" Willie says, clapping his hands!

"Ha! This is fun! Now I know what I can do!" Frankie is so much thrilled. He wants to show his moves to his friends; the swan, three yellow birds, Bubu the butterfly, and Bubba the bee.

So he steps out of his living room, with a long black hat on his head, and shiny black shoes on his legs, Frankie brings the piece of wood to the lakeside, and begins to perform.

"Ladies and gentlemen, here comes, Frankie the Dancing Frog!" Willie announces merrily.

THUMP. THUD. THUMP. THUD.

THUD. THUMP. THUMP. THUD.

The swan, Bubba the Bee, and Bubu the butterfly joins the show, they're dancing with Frankie. While three yellow birds do the singing. What an exciting performance! Frankie's friends are enjoying it!

"I don't have to be a bird or a swan to make people smile. I can do my dance! Tap dancing!"

THUMP. THUD. THUMP. THUD.

Clapping hands are heard everywhere. Now the animals in the forest are gathering around Frankie and everybody loves Frankie's dance! Then, Frankie ends his dance with a bow. He takes his hat off, and bend his back.

Now Frankie understands, he doesn't need to be a bird or a swan, because he is special in his way.

THE END.

***

Carrie the Curious Monkey

His name is Carrie. Carrie the Curious Monkey. He has big big big glasses. Do you know where he got his glasses? Sit tight and open your ears, let me tell you the story.

One day, Carrie is in front of a house. He doesn't know whose house it is. He is curious to see what's inside. So, he looks at the window.

He sees a fat fat old man. He's got a fat tummy. His tummy almost pops out his shirt button. His white long beard touches the floor. The fat fat old man is sitting on a small couch. Not enough space for his butt. Look, he is reading a newspaper. But the newspaper he's reading is upside down!

Why is it upside down?

Oh, I can hear you from back there saying, "Because he doesn't know how to read!"

No, the fat fat old man can read.

"Maybe he likes to read it that way."

I heard you said that, kiddo. But no, he doesn't usually read that way. Of course because it's hard to read upside down. Can you read upside down? Well, you can try. But, it's hard!

Hm, why then?

"Because... he can't see well?"

Ah, you're right! Because the old man cannot see well. He needs glasses. So, there Carrie, with his curiosity creeps into the door. "Maybe I can do a little favor for the old man." Carrie whispers. He knocks the door.

Knock. Knock.

"Who is it?" the old fat man tries to get up from his chair and reach for the door.

No answer. Just a little chuckle heard from the outside.

"Who is it?" still trying to get up from his chair.

Carrie waits but no one seems to open the door for him.

He looks down and... BINGO!!! He sees this little square opening with a flap where a dog can go in an out. Smiling from ear to ear, Carrie takes a peek from that whole and finally squeeze himself in.

The old man, finally up from his couch, turns around and sees no one.

"Who is it?" he mumbles, looking around the room, brushing his long beard.

Carrie, walks slowly, approaching the old man. He walks on his toes, and ducks behind the small couch. The old man is now standing next to the couch. He wants to find out who knocks on his door.

Carrie is afraid. But he is curious, so nothing can stop him. He steps out of his hiding and begin to open his mouth.

"He...hello..." says Carrie, sheepishly, looking up to the fat old man.

No answer. Maybe he can't hear Carrie.

Carrie waits for a moment.

Finding nothing, the old man then sits on the couch again. He takes the newspaper, upside down, and begins to read it. His eyes are narrowing.

Carrie tries to be brave. He slowly moves his legs and stops just before the old man's feet.

Carrie wants to capture his attention. So Carrie nudges the old man's big foot.

Nudge. Nudge.

The old man jump out of the couch, surprised as something wet that touch his foot.

"What in world is that???" he shouts.

Carrie jumps backward, he is shocked.

"Eeeek!" Carrie shrieks in shock.

The old man was as shocked as Carrie! The newspaper falls on the floor. Carrie steps back and presses his body on the wall.

The old man, narrowing his eyes, looks at Carrie in wonder.

"What are you doing, little cat?"

Little cat?

"I'm not a cat." answers Carrie. "I'm Carrie."

"Carrie, what are you then? I see you have a long tail, just like a cat. And, what are you doing here?" The old man asks, eyes narrowing.

"I, uh, I see you from the window." Carrie answers, unsure, but he continues, "You were reading the newspaper upside down."

The old man takes some steps closer to Carrie. He lowers his body and looks at Carrie in the eyes.

"Ah, yes, little cat. My eyes are old, they can't see very well, so I can't read the newspaper." says the old man in a harsh voice.

"I can help you." says Carrie, now he is a brave little monkey. "Maybe you need glasses, Sir."

"I have glasses," says the old man, "but I lost it, it is somewhere in the house, and I can't find it."

"I can help you find it!" Carrie answers, his eyes widen. Carrie really loves to help people.

The old man turns around, and looks around his living room.

"Can you look behind the TV? Maybe my glasses are there." The old man asks Carrie.

"Sure!" Carrie springs behind the TV. He checks under the TV, no glasses. On the top of the TV, no glasses. On the left, no glasses. On the right, still there's no glasses. "There is no glasses behind the TV, sir."

The old man looks sad. He sighs and sits on his small couch again. "Can you look under the table?"

"Of course!" Carrie quickly looks under the table, he sees an ant, he is carrying his food. But, still, no glasses. "There is no glasses here." Carrie says, sadly.

"Can you look near the window?"

Then Carrie runs to the window and checks it there. On the window, he sees a spider and her web. But no glasses. "I don't see any glasses here."

Carry comes closer to the old man with a sad face. He still wants to find the glasses, so the old man can see. He walks around the room, he checks every corner, he checks the under the chairs, beside the table, he even checks the ceiling, but he cannot find it.

Suddenly, as he looks around, Carrie sees something. His curiosity leads his way. He looks at the corner of the couch. Ah, it looks like glasses. It's brown glasses. So, he points to the corner and shouts, "The glasses! It's there! Behind your back, sir!"

The old man turns around slowly, and with narrowed eyes he tries to look at the direction Carrie is pointing. His hand reaches the brown glasses and puts it on his face.

He smiles. He looks around, and says, "Aaah, now I can see clearly!" His smile widens. And his eyes turn to Carrie.

"Hey, you're a monkey!" the old man says, surprised. "Come, come here, little monkey. You have helped me find my glasses. Now I can see well, and I can read again! Thank you, Carrie. You're a very good boy."

Carrie is so pleased to have helped the old man. He returns his thanks with a very very wideeee smile. He is very happy, but he still has one more thing. He wants to wear glasses too. So, he asks the old man, "Sir, can... can I try?"

"Huh?" the old man turns his eyes, from his newspaper to Carrie.

"Can I try? The glasses?" Carrie asks politely.

"Hahaha..." the old man laughs. But he puts off the glasses and puts it on Carries little face. "Ooops!"

The glasses drops to Carries mouth. "It's too big, for you, little monkey."

"Hee-hee." Carrie chuckles, the big glasses drops even further, it's now on his neck, so he returns the glasses to the old man.

"Thank you, Carrie. You are my good friend." says the old man, putting on his glasses again.

Good friend? Carrie doesn't have good friend before. But now he does! And he is sooo happy to have a friend.

"I will help more people, then. I love to have friends!" says Carrie, once more, he gives the old man a very very wide smile. Because they're now friends. And forever they are friends. :))

THE END. 

***