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CREATIVE WRITING
SEEDS OF By Robin Wheeler
GROWTH
Once upon a time there was a mouse whose name panicked. Then Empress White quietly scooped him
was Timorous. He had all the characteristics of up and said “Hi, what is your name?”
his name. He was shy, timid, and had no courage.
Timorous’ name and ways really made his days feel Trembling from head to tail Timorous quietly said
cloudy. For Timorous had a big dream he “Timorous.”
thought was impossible. He wanted to be
able to stand and speak without being shy Empress White said, “Welcome to Bloom-
or timid. Alas Timorous had no courage to ing Toastmasters Timorous.”
change his circumstances.
Timorous said “Thank you. I am sorry
One Spring sunny day Timorous decided to I wandered into your meeting, please
cheer his mousy self up and go for a walk. forgive me.”
He left his home in the wooden tree and
started down the tree lined pathway. He Empress White said, “Forgive you? Timo-
came to an open meadow filled with beau- rous we say welcome! Would you like to
tiful flowers. The flowers were all talking to learn to be comfortable at speaking?”
one another. Timorous hid himself in the
tall grass to watch the beautiful creations Timorous said, “Well it’s been a dream of
enjoying themselves. mine, but I can’t do it because I am shy,
timid and have no courage”
Then Purple Flower rose up and started
speaking in front of the other flowers. Ahh, “We all have had the same problems Tim-
thought Timorous. Purple Flower spoke orous. That is why we are here to over-
beautifully. She was smiling and her come fear, shyness, and lack of courage.
gestures seemed to be connected to her We all have the same dream Timorous.
words. All the other blooms clapped their We want to be competent speakers.
tops after Purple Flower stopped speaking. Purple Flower lost all her petals when
she first stood to speak many moons ago
Timorous knew right away he did not but look at her now! She is full of petals
belong. He longed to be able to speak like and beaming. You can be beaming too
Purple Flower and enjoy the laughter and support Timorous. Join us.”
from the other blooms. But he thought, I am just
not good enough to be a part of them. I better qui- Timorous said, “I will think about it. Can I stay and
etly sneak away and go back to my tree where I can watch a while?”
be safe. Suddenly the bloom, Empress White, put
her cup down on top of the little mouse. Timorous To be continued in next issue….
12 ONE COMMUNITY