A story Maddie wrote

A Flat Quarterback

By: Madelyn Pugmire

One day Harold was on his way to San Francisco.  It took hours to get there.  Harold’s mom Casity said, “Harold, Honey, we’re almost there.”  “Yes!” Harold said.  Harold lives in Australia so he had practically nothing to do for a long time. “How much longer till we get there, mom?” Harold asked.  “15 minutes” Mom said. Soon they got there and the plane landed.  Harold and Casity got their suitcases.

            “We’re here!” mom said cheerfully.  “Finally!” Harold said with relief.  “Let’s go to our seats” mom said.  When Harold and Casity got to their seats Harold sat down but his mom didn’t.  Instead she said, “I’ll be right back, I almost forgot the popcorn.”  For one thing Harold knew his mom better hurry.  The game was going to start in five minutes.

            A few minutes later Casity came back with the popcorn.  Harold sighed in relief and said, “Mom thank goodness you’re here the game starts in three minutes!”

            “It’s a touchdown for Jakson Millers!” boomed the announcer.  “Yes!” Harold shouted, “I love the San Francisco Wolves!  I also love the mascot, except the team they are going against, I don’t like.  They have a terrible team name, I mean like they’re the New York Monkeys.  Why monkeys? `’  “Honey, that’s just how it is and don’t insult people.” Mom said.

            The score was: San Francisco Wolves-102, New York Monkeys-89.  “The wolves are so good!” yelled Harold.  “They are going to win this thing.  They have the right name because all the team members are fierce and strong, especially the quarter back, Henry Scotts.”

            Across the speakers the announcer said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now half time.  Go use the rest room, get a snack, or just stay here and chat because we have 15 minutes till the game starts again.”  “Mom,” Harold said stretching.  “Yes” mom said.  “Why do they have half time?”  “Well sweetie,” mom said “After a while the players get tired and need a nice long break.”  “Oh,” Harold said.  “Oh and mom”  “Ya?” mom said.  “I want to be a football player…NOW!”  “Honey, you’re only eight.  It’s not safe.”  “Why mom, Why” Harold said.  “Honey, you might butt heads or fall.”  “I won’t, I know I won’t!”  Harold wailed.  “Let’s go back to our seats and talk about this later” Mom said.  “Ok” said Harold.

            The announcer came back on, “And we’re back to the San Francisco Wolves vs. the New York Monkeys.  Let the second half begin!”  “Mom” Harold started to say, but his voice trailed off as he noticed something about the tallest person on the New York Monkey’s team, “Yes, Honey?” said mom.  “Is that my cousin Jacob?”  He asked.  Casity looked close and gasped, “what!?” Harold asked looking all worried.  “It is him?” She exclaimed.  “I didn’t know he lives in New York.”  Harold said.

            Awhile later there were only 30 seconds left in the game when a hot air balloon hovered over the field and the players stopped, the audience looked up and a door on the bottom opened an out dropped an elephant.  It landed right on the New York Monkey’s quarter back.  “OUCH!” the players heard him say.  Harold cracked up with laughter and yelled, “It’s a flat quarterback!”  “Harold!” his mother hissed at him, “sit down!”  The elephant got up and the quarter back stood up and stumbled, “la, la, la ooooffff” He said as he fell on the ground.  “Referee please take him off the field and Jay Robertson will take his place.”

            When the game was over the score was: San Francisco Wolves-200, New York Monkeys-150.  “Good game wasn’t it mom?”  Harold said stretching.  “Yes, it was a good game.”  “Let’s go see if that player really is my cousin Jacob” said Harold.  “Ok, then we’ll go home,” said mom.  “Ok,” Harold said cheerfully, “Let’s go.”

            When they got to the field, there was standing cousin Jacob.  “Jacob!”  Harold shouted, “It is you!  It is you!”  Jacob turned around, “Casity, Harold.  Hi!  I didn’t see you.”  “Well we were there” mom said, “Harold was the one who notice you”  “Is that so,” Jacob said chuckling.  “Jacob” Harold said, “Who named your team?”  “Why my coach did.”  “Oh, well that’s all the questions we have for you.” Said Harold.  “Come on Harold, let’s go back to Australia.” mom urged, “Bye Jacob.”

            As Jacob hollered goodbye they turned to walk away but Harold stepped on something strange. He looked down.  “Hi Henry Scotts.” Harold said trying not to laugh. “You did a great except not moving when you saw the elephant.”  “Mom” Harold whispered “we could use him as a new family room rug.”  They both laughed and walked away.

The End