Illustration by Camilla Franklin
The Story Pirates have a garage sale and something very important gets sold by mistake. Featuring two new stories: “Jumping Bean Jack and Bouncing Bailey,” a song about the joys and perils of portable trampolines, written by Bridget, a 9 year old from New York, and “Betsy’s Grand Slam,” the story of a star baseball player who needs to learn one final rule, by an 8 year old from Texas named Paul.
After you read the original stories, check out our Creator Club page for our new daily radio show and learning tools for families stuck at home!
Jumping Bean Jack and Bouncing Bailey
by Bridget, age 9, New York
Once upon a time, there were twins - a brother and sister, named Jack and Bailey. They had much in common, that's for sure, such as their black, black hair, and their love for Nellie, their dog. But there's one thing Jack and Bailey cannot live without. (Not Nellie, but nice try.)
It was their portable trampoline! Those two brought it everywhere. Literally, EVERYWHERE. The airport, the grocery store, the doctor's office, everywhere. Including, unfortunately, school.
Almost every day, a note came home saying: "Jack and Bailey jumping during class... AGAIN. Please make them keep the trampoline home. Signed, Mrs. Jennafer." But they didn't listen. They kept on bringing the thing. Until...
One day, a new kid came to school. His name was Dylan. He was small, had red hair, and freckles that covered his face. He had kind of a funny way of talking, but he was nice enough.
At recess, Jack and Bailey set up their trampoline and started to bounce. Higher and higher they rose, until they felt they could almost touch the sun!
Suddenly, Dylan accidentally walked into the trampoline! The trampoline jolted and shook, and Jack fell hard on his bum. "Oof!" He said. Birds flew around his head. "Sowwy..." Dylan said, helping Jack up. "But you shouldn't bwing twampolines to school. People can get hurt." Dylan pulled up his pant leg. There the twins saw the nastiest scar they'd ever seen. "I got this when my older sis moved my twampoline while I was nibbwing on a star, and when I fell, I got that on my knee. So.. yeah." Dylan covered up his scar and dashed away.
From that day on, "Jumping bean Jack" and "Bouncing Bailey" Never used their trampoline while others were around. Especially when it rained, afraid that what happened to Dylan would happen to them.
THE END
Our adaptation of “Jumping Bean Jack and Bouncing Bailey” was written by JJ Warshaw and produced by Brendan O’Grady with vocal direction by Jack Mitchell
Betsy’s Grand Slam
by Paul, age 8, Texas
Once upon a time, there was a girl. Her name was Betsy. Betsy was seven years old, and she loved to play ball. Betsy's favorite series in books was the Ballpark Mysteries. Betsy could never, ever hit a homer at the right time of a game. But that was her dream. So, after a night game, she said, "I wish I could dream up how to hit a grand slam." So that night, she did not. It was the same the next night.
But the next night, she did. "So, hit a homer when the bases are loaded. That is how to hit a grand slam," said her father in the dream.
The next game, she hit a grand slam. The End.
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