Stories by Morris Hirsch

Here are some stories I have made up to tell my children. The hardest part is remembering them the next morning, and writing them down.

Once upon a time there was a boy, and a monster. When they first met they were enemies, but then they became friends. This is their story.

The boy and his family lived a long time ago, and they lived up in a tree, as everyone did, because there were no houses then.

Every day, when the boy walked across the field, a monster would chase him, and try to eat him, and every day the boy would run really fast and get away.

Once upon a time there was a boy, and a monster. When they first met they were enemies, but then they became friends, and had many adventures. This is one of them.

The monster had told the boy about how he always got tricked out of the treasures he found, and the boy thought that was not fair.

"We could go on adventures together," he said. "They wouldn't be able to trick both of us."

One day, the monster came to see the boy, and he was carrying a map.

One day, one very pretty summer day, one day that was perfect for an adventure, the Boy decided to explore the Big Woods beyond his backyard. He told his Mother, and she helped him to pack his supplies.

Bailey the Wise

Bailey was a cat that looked a lot like an owl. Because she looked like an owl, all the other animals thought she was very wise.

The Brave Frog

Once there was a frog who got turned into a person by the frog witch. Of course he wished he was still a frog, but if he had to be a person, he was going to make the best of it.

Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,
sleeps little Lord Jesus, with cats on His head.

Once upon a time, there was a young Princess called "Princess Hmph" who was very beautiful, but only on the outside.

Once upon a time, in a kingdom by the sea, there lived a foolish King.

Are You Qualified to be a Professional?

The following quiz consists of four questions that establish whether or not you are qualified to be a professional. The questions are not that difficult. You just need to think like a professional.

Frederick was a leprechaun that never listened in school.

His mother said it was a fine name.
His father said it was a fine name.
But Least Weasel did not like his name.

Thought a frog "The world's alright,
a cool lily pad in the warm sunlight."

'Til a Princess gave him a terrible fright,
by kissing every frog in sight.

Throwing each back saying "You're not right,
I'll find him if it takes all night."

Some years ago, during my Yuppy period, I ordered a kerosene lamp from the Bean's catalog. This wasn't just any kerosene lamp; it was an Aladdin, a patented design that produced a very bright light. Before electricity reached the countryside, every self-respecting parlor had either an Aladdin or a Coleman.

Sarah was lucky. Her family lived so close to the park with the merry-go-round that they could walk to it. When she was little, her mother and father would take her, but now that she was big she could even go by herself.

Crows are all pretty clever, and Albert was one of the cleverest crows. The others all said so. But Albert was not happy. He did not want to be a crow.

Rowena was a fierce and frightful witch, who loved to fly though the night sky on her broom, and swoop down and frighten people half out of their wits.

The trouble was, she didn't.

Claudia always knows when Christmas is coming. First it gets cold, then they bring a tree into the house, and finally, lots of people come and there are good things to eat.

Once there was a Teacher Doll, who showed children how to get dressed.

Write to me at morris_hirsch@brown.edu Morris G. Hirsch.