Photo Credit – Erin Leary
“I get in trouble for everything. I’ll just run away!” six year old Toby thought as he stomped up the stairs.
He placed some clothing into his backpack, along with his baseball card collection. “I’ll leave in the morning before everyone wakes up.”
Morning came. Toby crept down the stairs and out the door. He stepped over a broken tree branch and through a field of thick grass. When he reached the fence, he felt a rumbling in his stomach.
“I’m hungry. Mommy will be cooking breakfast soon.” He turned back toward his house.
“Maybe I’ll run away tomorrow instead.”
This was written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. A story written using 100 words or less.
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This made me chuckle. I did exactly that at about the same age. I got halfway across the field behind our house and realized I would miss lunch. And cookie. That drew me home. Fun story!
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That’s so funny that you did this same thing. When we’re little it often sounds like a good idea. Then we get hungry and it changes everything.
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haha, love the little guy’s spunk and how well you capture both his character and his shortcomings. I don’t think you need “angrily” as well as “stomped”.
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Thank you! Nice catch. Thank you for that also.
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Hahaha! YES! So sweet. Thanks for taking us through something positive and funny. You just upped the “aww” factor into the clouds.
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Thank you!. Kids can be so funny at times. It was a fun write.
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Good thinking Toby, at least on that second decision. 😉
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Toby must be a smart boy, at least half way. 🙂
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Very cute! I thought for sure he was going to hear a crack! which would make him run back home! LOL!
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That would have been perfect! Toby and the girl in your story heard each other make a cracking sound, and both of them got scared. Good stuff!
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My first born ran away from home once. I helped her pack and then walked her to the corner. After watching which direction she was headed in, I ran inside and called a friend up the road who just happened to have some gardening to do 😉
All’s well that ends well sometimes.
If you want a giggle, here’s a british comedy clip that might make you laugh
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This clip is hilarious!!!!!! Loved it!! 🙂
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🙂
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Sue, that was great thinking! I love that all along she probably believed that she was the one in control, when in fact you were. That’s great! Also, the video was very funny. I would totally do that if that were my child. Same as they and you did. Hopefully mine wouldn’t have a passport though. That would probably make a bit more nervous. 🙂
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True.
It helped knowing that I had a friend up around the corner. Otherwise I would have had to run back to my car and follow along behind.
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I don’t think I ever actually tried the running away thing. I just fantasized about it. Not sure my parents would have even noticed. Mom always said she never worried about us, because she knew we’d come home when we got hungry enough 8^). Anyway, you captured a six year old well.
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Your mother sounds like a smart woman. As children, all it takes is a hungry stomach to make us appreciate our moms. I fantasized about it too, but always knew that I’d be too scared at night by myself. That was enough to talk myself out of it.
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I have a very similar memory of my little brother: he didnt wait until morning though, he pulled the door open anouncing he was leaving, saw how dark it was and said “when it’s light, anyway!”
Lovely writing and a fun trip down memory lane for me. Thank you 🙂
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That is so funny! I imagine that he still gets teased about that to this day. He sounds like he was a smart kid though, or afraid. Either way, he made a good choice. Thank you very much. 🙂
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Tomorrow’s good.
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Maybe he’ll remember to take breakfast with him.
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Lovely one.. Yes my sister did the same, escaping with her teddybear – didn’t get too far before she headed back though.
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Just her and her teddy bear. What else could a little girl need? I’m glad she came back.
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Great story! Happy! I have brothers and this all sounds familiar.
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Thank you! I bet it does! Many children think about running away, but I’d say little boys are more likely to actually try it. I hope if yours did, that they all came back home soon.
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They never went too far and usually were just hiding somewhere.
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That’s good to hear. Boys can be so silly.
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Not even planning his new life past leaving his mom’s home. This shows the mindset of a six-year old well. Great story and keep writing.
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Thank you! Kids are great at doing things on a whim. For them, there is no planning or thinking ahead required.
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This brought back some memories… 🙂 I didn’t get far either. Lovely.
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It’s interesting to hear from so many people that they had a similar experience. I’m glad you didn’t get far.
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Dear Me,
What child hasn’t thought about running away? Very sweet story.
And while I’m at it…welcome to Friday Fictioneers. It’s only fair to warn you that it’s a highly addictive activity, one that roped me in two years ago and has held me captive ever since. I look forward to reading more from you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you! I’m looking forward to becoming addicted. That’s a statement people probably don’t hear often. I love the idea of writing more fiction, as I’ve found it to be very enjoyable.
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Hilarious. Hunger is a very powerful thing.
🙂
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It sure is! 🙂
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I ran away like this DOZENS of times as a child. Thanks for the fun reminder.
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That a lot I hope you came back every time. Was hunger your nemesis too?
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Cute story and funny. Our son talked about running away and our daughter said that she thought he was “dumb.” She was sensible, knew she had a good deal, and stayed put. Well done. 🙂 —Susan
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Thank you, Patricia. the different between your kids is comical. Your daughter had it right. A kid can’t beat free food, housing and a nice bed to sleep in.
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