Party foods

1. Chicken drumsticks.
2. Baked potatoes.
3. Cake.
4. Popcorn.
5. Ice cream.
6. Chips.
7. Soda.
8. Cookies.
9. Watermelon.
10. Candy.

Red Wax, Yellow Beauty

Leaning. Forever leaning and twisting with the air's movement. Red wax puddles beneath, weakened by the heat of the flame's desire. Higher, ever higher it reaches, straining against the wick that is both a source of life and a reminder of its imprisonment. All around, reflections of a vibrant, yellow beauty flicker on the circular glass. The wax spreads ever further, releasing a scent of cinnamon that mocks the flame's efforts as it drifts upwards to freedom. If the fire were to burn long enough, then the wax would vanish, the wick be consumed, and the glass crack under the its might. But it will not be long before I replace the lid, and that wondrous little flame will dim, turn smaller and smaller, then let out one last puff of smoke as it dies.

To double check your work

1. So you can catch any mistakes.
2. Because you might have forgotten to add something.
3. Because otherwise you might accidentally turn in the wrong assignment.
4. So that you'll more easily remember it.
5. Because if you don't check it, who will?
6. So you don't get embarrassed by giving it to the wrong person.
7. Because it gives you a chance to make changes.
8. Because it can be fun.
9. It can help you to relax if you're worried about it being incorrect.
10. It means you have one last chance to make it better than it was before.

The Butcher's Cat

There once were three blind mice, who were not very nice.
They played mean jokes on the butcher's cat, who was never allowed to get them back.
For these three mice belonged to the butcher's wife, who could not stand the sight of strife.
So these three mice had lots of fun, and the butcher's cat was blamed for all the troubles they'd done.
But there came a day late in May, when the butcher's cat figured out how to make things go her way.
She gathered up thistles, and porcupine bristles.
The butcher's cat set up a trap, and waited patiently for it to snap.
Those three blind mice strolled past it twice.
Then thrice.
The trap sprang, the neighbor's dog howled in pain.
The neighbor's dog was in such a state, that no one noticed what it ate.
And the butcher's wife was the one who paid the price.
For no matter how hard she searched, she was unable to find her three blind mice.

What to avoid when sick

1. Camping. Being out in the wilderness when sick isn't very smart. If you push yourself too hard, it could be hard to find help.
2. Milk. When you are congested, milk just makes it worse.
3. Being out in the rain. Even if you love to dance about in puddles, getting soaked won't help you to get feeling better.
4. Spicy foods. Sometimes when you are sick, spicy or well seasoned foods can sit wrong on your stomach.
5. Others who could catch your cold. When you are sick, there is a chance you could get others sick. So when possible, avoid people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and the very young.
6. Stressful situations, Stress does not help you to get better quicker. Avoid things that cause you stress, and you might get better faster.
7. Staying up too late. A body that is fighting an illness needs enough energy to fight, and so you need to be sure to get enough rest.
8. Not eating. Sure, food might be the most disgusting thought to have when sick, but if you don't at least try to eat something, then your body won't have any fuel to fight the sickness.
9. Running out of medicine. Medicine is a wonderful thing, and it can help you to overcome illnesses faster. It you take it, that is.
10. Things that require a lot of concentration. It can be hard to think properly when sick. So whenever possible, try to avoid situations that could make your head hurt worse.

A little filly

There once was a little filly, with little brown spots.
She would spend each day prancing in the field, only pausing when she reached the high fence at its southern end. She would stop before that fence, and stare up to its very top.
One day, she would jump over that fence, and prance through the strange forest beyond.
And so the days went by.
The filly would prance, and stare at the fence.
The other horses laughed at the silly filly, but she didn't give up her dream.
Instead, she grew and grew.
One day, she heard the young man who fed the herd say that the filly was going to be sold and taken to another farm.
So the filly pranced, and when she neared that fence, she quickened her pace to a gallop and leapt.
She cleared the fence.
Pausing for a moment, she looked back at the fence and the field beyond.
Then she turned, and entered the forest.

For camping

1. Because it gives you a chance to get outside.
2. Stargazing is more fun away from city lights.
3. Hiking can be a wonderful chance to view the beauty of nature.
4. Because you might be able to build a campfire, depending on the location.
5. It gives you a chance to get away from distractions.
6. Because going a week with watching tv can be good for you.
7. You'll be able to practice survival skills.
8. Because a little bit of dirt doesn't hurt.
9. Because sleeping in a tent helps you better appreciate the comforts you enjoy back home.
10. Because camping can be fun.

A Piece of Rock

Once there was a piece of rock. It wasn't large, nor was it tiny. It was a simple rock, that blended well with all of the other rocks on the path.
There came a day when the rock decided that it didn't want to stay on the path any longer. So it summoned all of its strength, and rocked back and forth.
Back and forth.
Never stopping, even though it was hard to get any momentum among all of the other rocks.
But this rock didn't give up, and soon it felt itself shift.
It rocked forward, and began to roll.
The rock gleefully rolled down the path, eager to see new places. It ignored the other rocks it rolled over, continuing faster and faster down the path.
Suddenly, the path twisted left.
But the rock couldn't turn.
It didn't know how to turn.
Or how to stop.
And so the little rock flew off of the path, and landed with a plop into the lake.
The rock sank down, down into the murky water, and settled deep among the muck.
There the little rock has remained, unable to get any momentum while stuck, and unable to get unstuck by itself.

To love reading

1. Reading can take you on an adventure. Almost any book can carry you off to join an adventure. All you need to do is pick which one you'll read first.
2. You can learn a lot from reading. Science, history, myths, and even cooking await discovery behind the pages of a book. So go, and let them teach you something new.
3. Reading can be a great laugh. Seriously, you can be reading along, and then something will leap off the page and tickle your funny bone.
4. You'll be entertained. One of the best things about reading is that there are so many different writing styles out there. There has to be at least one that will catch your interest, if you'll only give it a try.
5. The words can paint pictures in your mind. While your reading, chances are high that some sentance will strike a cord, and you'll be able to see exactly what the writer was imagining when they wrote it.
6. Because being able to read unlocks endless wonder. It is impossible to read everything that has ever been written. You'll never run out of new stories, new discoveries, new words.
7. Everything you read will affect you. Your life will be altered by every word you let in. Some will make you stronger, while ithers will threaten to drag you down into a pit of despair. What you decide to read is entirely up to you.
8. Because reading gives you something to think about. One of the great things about reading is that it makes you think. Oh, you don't always catch yourself thinking about what you've read, but the thoughts are there, tickling that itchy spot in the back of your mind.
9. Reading can help you to make friends. Sharing the books you love with others is a great way to make a friend. Plus, you might learn about a fantastic new book in the process.
10. Because reading can help you to better understand others. What people love to read can tell you a lot about them, and about yourself. What makes you laugh? What makes you cry? What stories have stuck with you, and what stories are the first you think to share when asked what book you'd recommend?