Esther Moonstomp Books

Here’s a new story that will be added to the stories page:

Just Like Grandpa!

Tom loved spending Saturdays with his Grandpa Joe. Grandpa always taught him something new. This Saturday Grandpa was helping Tom to learn to ride his brand new, shiny blue bicycle. It was a lot bigger than his last one.

“Do you think I’ll go even faster on this bicycle, Grandpa?” Tom asked excitedly.

“By the end of the day you’ll be zooming along the lane, just you wait and see,” Grandpa said smiling.

“Come on, Grandpa. On your marks, get set…Go!”

Grandpa held Tom carefully as Tom’s legs peddled faster and faster. Grandpa slowly let go.

“No, Grandpa. I’m going to fall!” Tom cried.

“It’s okay, I’ve got you,” Grandpa said as Tom stopped suddenly.

Tom looked up into his Grandpa’s kind, brown eyes. Tom’s lip quivered and he started to cry.  

“I’m no good, Grandpa. I can’t do it.”

Tom tried to smile as Grandpa wiped his tears away.

“Yes, you can. Go a little slower this time, Tom. It’ll come. That was only your first go. Let’s try again.”

Once more, Grandpa held Tom as the little legs pumped round and round, very slowly at first and then a little faster.

“Don’t let go, Grandpa. I’m not ready. Not just yet,” Tom said.

“Don’t worry. I’m here. Do you remember when I taught you how to whistle?” Grandpa said and broke into a merry tune.

Tom joined in and they both laughed when their whistling came to an end.

“It took you a little while to get the hang of it, didn’t it?” Grandpa said.

Tom giggled. “I kept making funny ‘thussshhh’ sounds, didn’t I?”

 “You did,” Grandpa said, giggling too. “I was just the same. My grandpa didn’t think I would ever learn to whistle. But I did. Just like you did, Tom.”

“Did he teach you to hoot like an owl too, Grandpa?”

“Twit twoo!” Grandpa called out. “He did. I sounded like a very poorly owl to begin with but I got the hang of it in the end.”

Tom chortled, “Just like me. Twit twoo!”

“My Grandpa used to take me fishing, too. I wasn’t very good at that at first. I think all I caught was an old boot. We could go fishing one Saturday, Tom. Would you like that?”

“Yes, please! I think I’ll catch an old boot, just like you.”

 “We’re very alike, Tom, aren’t we?” Grandpa asked.

“Does that mean it took you a long time to learn to ride your bicycle, too?”

“No, Tom. That was one thing it didn’t take me long to learn at all.”

“So I’m not like you, then?” Tom asked sadly, his shoulders sagging.

Grandpa shouted after him, “Oh, but you are, Tom. You’re riding your bike now, all on your own. I let go a little while ago.”

For a moment, Tom wobbled from side to side. His lip started to tremble. Then his face broke into a big grin.

“I can ride my bike! I can do it. Just like my grandpa!”