Here’s a short little mystery story about helping. I wrote it for 2 reasons.
1) for my 4th of July lesson for my Jr. Church class (it’s based on actual events that took place at our Memorial Day carnival…with a little artistic license!)
2) My friend Susanna Hill is hosting a writing contest.
I added a few quick sketches to go along (they are not part of the contest). The story could only be 400 words, had to be a mystery of sorts, and had to be about the 4th of July. To read all the other stories by my very talented writer friends, and for rules and prizes click here.
The Missing Prize Bag
Everyone was busy at the church getting ready for the 4th of July parade and carnival. The men were setting up the bounce house while the ladies set up the welcome table. The Sunday School classes were tying streamers to the back of the parade float. Teens were blowing up balloons and the senior ladies were putting up military posters of men in uniform around their booth.
“Mama, what can I do to help?” asked little Jilly. She wanted to help with something important, but everyone kept telling her she was too little.
“Just sit right there and be good while I set up the bake table,” said Mama.
Jilly frowned. That’s not really helping she thought, but she obeyed. Then suddenly they heard a shriek and a loud “OH, NO!”
It was Mrs.DeMoss one of the senior ladies. She was nearly crying, “The bag of prizes is gone! I’ve searched everywhere. The whole bag of red, white, and blue necklaces and pins is missing. They are thank you gifts for people who donate for the military Care Packages. It’s the special part of our 4th of July carnival!”
People were gathering around asking questions, ‘”Where did you last have the bag? What color is the bag? Pastor came over and said in his big voice, “Let’s stay calm. Mrs. D last had the bag when she was helping paint carnival signs in the gym. God will help us. Let’s spread out and look.”
Jilly asked her mom, “Can I help? I’m a good looker even if I’m little.” Her mother smiled, “Yes, you can help.”
It was getting close to parade time and the prizes had not been found. Jilly asked, “Mama, why doesn’t God just make the bag appear?”
“Sometimes God needs us to help,” Mama said as they went in the supply room. Mama looked around, and sighed, “Not in here, I guess.”
But Jilly noticed a tiny piece of blue plastic sticking out from a bottom shelf between bottles of red and blue paint. “Mama, look!” she said as she
pointed.
They moved bottles of paint and brushes aside. There, stuck to the shelf was the bag of prizes! They grabbed it and went running to Mrs. DeMoss. She hugged Jilly and said, “The littlest one found the prize bag!”
Jilly smiled and said, “No God did, I just helped!”
# # # the end
My class which ranges in age from 4 yr to 6th grade did not know much about our forefathers who wrote the Declaration of Independence. So I gave them a little history and explained that one person could not have accomplished what they did together.
Together they shared the burden. Galatians 6:2 says “Bear ye one another’s burdens.” We all become stronger working together.
FUN story and PERFECT illustrations for it ~ colorful characters. Well done.
Thank you! The illos were fun to do….based on a couple of real people from our church. 😉
Laura…this is a lovely story…and so perfect for the contest, as well as for your church class. It’s great that Jilly was the one to help find the bag of prizes…beautiful lesson.:)
Thanks, Vivian. Finally have time to read everyone else’s stories today. Am looking forward to it.
Jilly saves the day! I love your illustrations the have great child appeal. Good luck with the competition.
Thank you, Grannymar! I don’t believe we have met yet, I like your screen name! Thanks for stopping by.
I love this story! And I love Jilly’s little outfit. So cute! Good luck in the contest.
Thanks, Cupcake! I based the outfit on one I bought for my granddaughter…it doesn’t fit her anymore, they grow so fast!
I love the idea of everyone working together. . .both to find the missing prizes and creating the Declaration of Independence document. Good to be reminded that God wants us to be involved,too, when it comes to answering our prayers. Hope you enjoyed your 4th, Laura!
Thanks, Jarm! My hubby was at our County Fair with our church’s booth. My back is out of whack – so I’m taking it easy…but still able to do some fun work in my office. That’s what’s nice about kid lit…you can work sitting down with your feet up!
What a sweet story! And I love the drawings!
Thanks so much! Harold would have fit right in our parade!
Such a sweet story about how even the littlest ones can be a big help! 🙂 What a nice touch to have your illustrations to go with it!
Thank you, Teresa. Sometimes the littlest ones are the biggest help!
Cute illustrations! I particularly love the one with Mrs. DeMoss. And Jilly is such a cute name! I’ve never heard it before. Well done.
Thanks, Heather. Gee- did I invent a new name? It just popped in my head and seemed to fit. 🙂
What a wonderful story. I enjoyed the mystery and the fact that being little played a part in her finding the missing bag of prizes. And I love the spiritual aspect brought into the story. Well done!
Thanks, Cheryl. My Jr. Church kids were intrigued because we had really lost the bag of prizes at our Memorial Day Carnival. They were found in our supply room where about 5 people had already searched.
haha! Yay for Jilly! Fun story and pictures!
Thanks, Rhythm! Did you write a story – I thought I read them all…certainly don’t want to miss any.
No I didn’t – I like reading everybody else’s!
Sweet story — so glad it was the littlest that found the missing prize bag!
Thanks for stopping by, Beth! Little is much when God is in it!
What a lovely story, Laura! I love how you managed to tell a 4th of July mystery and put a whole new spin on it by making it spiritual – very creative and original! I’m so glad Jilly found the prize – it’s so true that even the littlest can help! Thanks so much for joining in the contest fun! 🙂
Oh! And I forgot to say I loved the illustrations! 🙂
Thank you Susanna and thank YOU for allowing us such Fun and camaraderie by hosting this! I want a ride on Yankee Doodle pony by the way! …but if I rode him he’d be Yankee Doodle pooped!
Love that little Jilly found the prize bag, and I love the illustrations!
Thank you for the compliment!
Nice job! I love that little Jilly solved the mystery and saved the day!
Thanks Penny!
Littlest one can do mighty things–with God’s help! Nice job!
Thank you for stopping to read Cathy 🙂
Love your illos and how you incorporated the color scheme! Fun!
Thanks, Julie. I wondered if I was pushing the red and blue clues too much. Glad you liked them.
I love your pictures of Jilly, and how God gets the glory. Nice mystery!
Thank you Joannes for stopping by!
It always helps to ask God to help us find missing items! Great story!
Thanks Tina. I especially liked Yours.
I’m glad Jilly helped God find the bags. I know sometimes I’m guilty of sitting my kids on the sidelines when they wanted to help (at the moment, I saw their help as more work.) This story proves that the little ones can be a big help.
I like the illustrations, too!
I.’m guilty of that too. And thank you for the compliment.