DannyHesterly

Fun Investigator

Part of my responsibilities at church is to hang out with kids, students, well....everyone I guess. But especially kids and students (now that I think about it I do have a pretty sweet job). Today was Friend Day at City Church and I'm making my rounds checking on things. For some reason I'm needing to ask my sister, Nani, a question and I eventually find her talking to this little Hispanic boy down the Elementary hallway. 

For whatever reason, you could tell he didn't want to go in the classroom. Nani looked at me and then went on to do something else. Thinking back to the scientific method, I finally gathered that the "look" meant that I needed to help out here. So I bent down, asked him his name, and asked why he didn't want to go in. Come to find out it was his first day and he was scared. I'm thinking....thinking...what to say to get this reluctant kid into the classroom. I asked him if he has ever heard of a "Fun Investigator?" He shook his head "No." A Fun Investigator goes around and tests things to see if they are fun or not and if they aren't he/she makes a note of it and tells someone. I asked him to be my Fun Investigator for the day and anything he sees that isn't fun he was to let me know. I also told him there might be a good chance some fun could sneak in and to be on the look out if it does. After all that, he walked right on in the classroom. 

I saw him after church and yelled across the parking lot..."You have fun today?" With a big smile he said, " YES!" 

Popcorn Breath chapter 1

Chapter 1

For a 6th grader, trying to make it to Mr. Leon's English class from the gymnasium before the 2nd bell rang was near impossible. But Sammy Hendricks was determined he would not be late again. He raced down the 6th grade hallway bumping into students, lockers, knocking lunch menus off bulletin boards and slammed his elbow on Mr. Leon's classroom door. As the 2nd bell rang a very proud and sore Sammy Hendricks took his seat making sure the others around knew he made it on time. He especially made sure Mr. Leon would notice by being the last one in class to sit down. 

As Mr. Leon asked the class to turn to page 37 in their text book a flash of fear came over Sammy Hendricks. He had been in such a hurry to make it to class on time that he had left his English book in the boy's locker room. Now, the thought of a 6th grader going into the boy's locker room when the 8th grade boys were getting ready was classified as crazy, insane and detrimental to a 6th grader's health. Still rubbing his sore elbow, Sammy Hendricks raised his hand and Mr. Leon called on him asking what he needed. Sammy Hendricks explained the problem and the entire class gasped for they knew the chances of poor Sammy Hendricks being seen again after visiting the locker room full of 8th grade boys was pretty slim. Mr. Leon shook his head and pointed to the clock and told him he had five minutes to get back to class with his English book or he would be spending his lunch time learning about prepositional phrases. With this, Sammy Hendricks bursted out of the classroom and into the hallway where he stopped and stared up at the ceiling. He had to quickly think of a way to get his English book without being seen by the merciless 8th graders.

Of all the 8th grade boys, one in particular made it his life's mission to see that Sammy Hendricks' 6th grade year would be a complete disaster. His name... Angler Maddox. No one knew what his real first name was. Even the teachers didn't know. It was a nickname given to him because he was as mean and tough as the angler fish. 

As Sammy stood in the hallway trying to figure out what to do he reached into his front left pocket and pulled out a few kernels of popcorn. This always seemed to help him relax and think a little straighter. He didn't have much time to think so he did what he does best in any situation. Sammy Hendricks was just going to wing it. He stood outside of the locker room doors trying to muster up the courage to quietly go in and get his English book and quickly leave before anyone would notice. As Sammy was about to go in he heard Angler's say, "Well well well. I guess Popcorn Breath forgot his English book. It looks a little dry. I think it needs a drink. What do you say we throw it in the toilet?" Anyone who values their life knows to never disagree with Angler. So, with a S-P-A-L-O-O-S-H Sammy's English book became the property of Angler Maddox. Sammy thought to himself, "What am I going to do now? I can't go back to class without my English book and I can't go in there because Angler will pound my face in. Besides, it's still a bit tender from the egg roll he threw at my nose last week in the cafeteria. What am I going to do?"

Something New

So...for those who know me know that I love to write children's stories. And have been trying to get a children's book published for some time now. All I can say is that the journey has not been easy, but I have learned quite a bit along the way. I had this thought the other day in the shower and thought, "Hmmm, not a bad idea Danny." What I would like to do for the next few weeks, months, how ever long it takes is write a story right here on my blog. This will serve 2 purposes....1) keep me writing so I don't get rusty and 2) to give you a very personal look into how I process my world of imagination. Don't expect a perfectly written story. I'm sure you'll find errors along the way and spots where things are missing, but I do hope you enjoy reading the story and learning a little something new about me. So let's begin with the first few lines of the story "Popcorn Breath"

Chapter 1

For a 6th grader, trying to make it to Mr. Leon's English class from the gymnasium before the 2nd bell rang was near impossible. But Sammy Hendricks was determined he would not be late again. He raced down the 6th grade hallway bumping into other students, lockers, knocking lunch menus off bulletin boards and even banged his elbow on the water fountain. As the 2nd bell rang a very proud Sammy Hendricks slowly took his sit making sure the others around knew he made it on time... especially Mr. Leon....