DWS third grader recently wrote his own story by hand during his free time. The Waldorf Language Arts curriculum cultivates a love of reading and a strong imagination through storytelling. Henry's favorite book is "The Hobbit" and he also enjoys illustrating his stories as well. Please enjoy his story, "The Mouse and the Apple Fairy."

There was once an old mouse who lived in an old oak tree. Every year or so, he would take a stroll into the big wood. As he walked, he thought about where he should go. As he strolled thinking, he hummed a little tune:

"Oh fairy of the apple tree, Why don’t you come to me?"

"Fairy of the apple tree, I’d sure like to meet thee!"

Then, all of a sudden, he ran into a big tree! It was an apple tree! The mouse looked up at the giant apple tree and its ripe, ripe-looking apples. “Wow,” said the mouse. “If only I could eat that apple.”

“If you want that tender apple, you must do all I ask – and I ask you to do a tricky task!” said a voice.

“Who’s there?” asked the mouse.

“The fairy of the apple tree! Don’t you remember calling me?” said a little girl no bigger than the mouse.

“If you’re a fairy,” said the mouse, “then I wish I had that apple.”

“I cannot do what you ask until you finish my tricky task,” said the fairy.

“What’s this task of yours?” asked the mouse.

“Find a king dodo bird. When you do, get his herd.” The fairy disappeared.

“Find a king dodo bird?” said the mouse. “How will I find a king dodo bird?” He walked on. He soon came to a valley and in that valley, he saw (not believing his eyes) a herd of dodo birds! In the middle of the flock stood the king dodo bird. “Holy hopper!” cried the mouse. “I can’t believe my luck!”

He hopped across the valley until he reached the crowd. He ran under the birds until he reached the heart of the flock. “King Dodo Bird,” squeaked the mouse. “I’m here to round up your herd!”

“Vhat!?” cried the king dodo bird. “You daaarrre!?” screamed the king dodo bird. “SIEZE HIM!” cried the king. But the mouse was too fast and he ran out of the valley and into the woods.

“Man,” said the mouse. “That was such a good, warm welcome!”

He turned back and went to the flock again, this time with a plan. He took a berry and stuck it to a leaf, stuck the berry to his back and ran to the group of dodo birds.

“Ve showed that mouuuuse!” said the king. “He von’t come baaack forrrr a looong time.”

Then a leaf ran to the flock with a vine trailing behind it. “Vhat the –“ cried the king. The leaf ran around the birds’ legs. “Oh nooooo!” said the king. All around, birds were falling down. They were all rounded up.

“The task is done. I can go to the apple fairy and get an apple!” The mouse dragged the long vine behind him. When he got to the tree, he called out, “Hey, apple fairy! I did your task!”

A girl came running. “How goody-good-good! You did my task and now I’ll give you what you ask.”

And so the fairy got her task done, the dodos got their freedom, and the mouse got his apple.

THE END

Waldorf Language Arts Curriculum Builds Love of Reading and Writing