Okay, this is going to be a weird post I guess. Our laptop was recently ressurected from the computer graveyard, and when it was I found this story/poem I had forgotten about. I also forgot I wrote it with two endings. The thought at the time was that I would choose which one I like, illustrate it, and give it to Grayson as a gift. Unfortunately I am chronically indecisive. So I am going to post both versions here, and I would love for you to leave me a comment voting for your favorite. Help a poor girl make up her mind! Here goes...
#1
Once upon a time there was a little boy named Grayson. He loved to play pirates and did it quite well using his imagination. He could dream daring swordfights and treasure galore; swashbuckling his way to his hideout on shore.
One day as he played a big ship pulled portside and the captain said “Aaargh!” as he rocked with the tide. “Join us me hearty. Great things you will see if you’ll lay down your toys and go sailing with me.”
Well, who could say no? Who wouldn’t go? Grayson threw down his sword with a big “Yo-ho-ho!” He climbed aboard ship and joined with the crew swabbing the decks like all good pirates do.
Two or three days into sailing the sea they came up on an island with one lonely tree. One lonely tree with a sand hill below which was marked with an X painted red and yellow.
“Land ahoy, Cap’n. And treasure to boot! X marks the spot where we’ll find our loot.” A real buried treasure was his to take home. Was it rubies or diamonds or silver or gold?
Those pirates and Grayson, they dug and they shoveled. They sweated and toiled and they strained and they struggled. Then with a clank they hit something solid… then they shoveled some more and that’s when they saw it…
A rounded brown chest with two thick rope handles, a solid brass lock from which two keys dangled. They got the thing open, and to their surprise, nothing inside was a valuable prize.
There was a picture of Grayson with his mom and his dad, and one tiny pocketknife passed down from Grandad. There was an autographed picture from his favorite sports team and the teddy he sleeps with when he has a bad dream.
All of these things made him think of his home with his mom waiting for him with the front porch light on. “I’m through here,” said Grayson. “I want to go back.” He laid down his sword and took off his hat.
He wiped off his mustache and rolled down his pants and he climbed from the ship and never looked back. He walked right off that island and what do you think? He did not swim, nor did he sink.
He just walked right straight home to his momma and dad and told them of all the adventures he had. They did not seem surprised; they did not seem afraid. They acted like it was a normal old day.
#2
Once upon a time there was a little boy named Grayson. He loved to play pirates and did it quite well using his imagination. He could dream daring swordfights and treasure galore, swashbuckling his way to his hideout on shore.
One day as he played a big ship pulled portside, and the captain said "Aargh!" as he rocked with the tide. "Join us me hearty! Great things you will see if you pick up your sword and go sailing with me."
Well, who could say no? Who wouldn't go? Grayson grabbed up his sword with a big "Yo-ho-ho." He climbed aboard ship and joined with the crew, swabbing the deck like all good pirates do.
Over all seven seas their pirate ship rolled, 'til they spotted an island and called out "Land Ho!" Now, on this island was rumored to be a most marvelous treasure, the biggest you've seen!
Into the lifeboats the pirate crew tumbled carrying a map quite faded and rumpled. "To the shore!" cried the captain and peered through his glass. "We will find it, me hearties, our treasure at last."
They rowed up on shore and they trudged across sand, over dunes and through valleys then over again. They were hot. They were tired. They needed a rest, but they kept on going. They gave it their best.
"Look there!" cried Grayson, "this is the place! The X is as plain as the nose on your face!" They whooped, and they hollered and danced a new jig; then got down to business and started to dig.
"We've got it!" gasped Grayson, and have it they did. They heaved up the trunk and opened the lid. At the sight of such riches their eyes all grew round, and some of them fainted and fell to the ground.
There were diamonds and rubies and jewels of all sizes, but what should they do with their sparkly prizes? They could buy heaps of candy or give to the poor. They could own every toy and every toy store.
They huddled together and talked it all out, and came up with a plan they were happy about. They closed up the treasure and filled the hole in, so tomorrow they could have this adventure again!
They sailed back over oceans to Grayson's home port, and he waved to them all as he closed his back door. He put down his sword and his black pirate hat, then he got settled in for his afternoon nap.
