How to Write a Short Story Example (Children’s Story)
Below is an example of a creative writing prompt I used for the example story below:
A girl’s backpack has a mind of its own and packs itself with strange items.
The Enchanted School Day
1) Exposition: Set the scene.
Marcie slung her backpack over her shoulder and dashed out the front door of her house. The big yellow bus was waiting, and she could hear the engine rumbling. She felt something strange as she hurried across the yard—her backpack was heavier than usual. Marcie paused for a second, tempted to check what was inside. But before she could open it, the bus driver gave a loud honk, and Marcie bolted towards the bus, her curiosity growing with every step!
2) Rising Action: The beginning of the problem.
Marcie slid into the seat next to her best friend, Laura, her backpack heavy on her lap.
“I swear, there’s something weird in here,” Marcie said, her eyes wide.
“Oh yeah? Like what?” Laura asked, raising an eyebrow.
Marcie reached into her backpack and pulled out an old book; its cover faded and the edges frayed.
“I’ve never seen this before,” Marcie said, turning the book over. “I think this is what made my bag so heavy.” She flipped it open and frowned. “It’s completely blank.” She passed it to Laura.
“Maybe someone put it in your stuff by mistake,” Laura said, flipping through the empty pages.
Digging deeper into her backpack, Marcie’s fingers brushed something else. She pulled out a purple case. When she opened it, she found an ordinary-looking pair of glasses.
“These seem … familiar,” Marcie muttered, turning the glasses over in her hands. She shrugged and put them on, but as soon as she did, her eyes widened. “Oh my gosh!” she gasped.
“What? What is it?” Laura asked, leaning in.
“Fairies! I can see them!” Marcie shouted, a little too loud.
The bus went silent. Everyone turned to stare at her.
“Yeah, right,” Tommy called from a few seats back. “She’s making it up.”
“Totally a prank,” Bill added, laughing.
“Let me try!” Laura snatched the glasses from Marcie and put them on. She looked around the bus, squinting. “Uh, I don’t see them,” she said, handing them back.
“Really?” Marcie asked, confused. She slipped the glasses on again, and … there they were! But one tiny fairy, wings glittering, looked right at her and pressed a finger to her lips.
“Shhh … they can’t know we’re here,” the fairy whispered.
Marcie’s heart skipped a beat, and she slowly nodded. “You’re right. It was just a prank,” she said, her voice shaking a little.
“Why would you prank me?” Laura asked, her face turning red. “I thought we were friends.”
“I didn’t mean to, I just…” Marcie trailed off, unsure of what to say.
Laura crossed her arms and stared out the window, ignoring her.
Marcie sat there, feeling awful, when suddenly she felt a strange pull coming from the book. It was like it was calling her. Her hands moved on their own as she opened it. Her eyes went wide.
“I’m not falling for another one of your tricks,” Laura muttered without turning around.
Marcie glanced at her friend and then back at the book. Inside, glowing words appeared on the page:
Do not tell others about us.
You must wear the glasses to see us and read what’s in this book.
I’m Paula, a fairy trapped in this book.
3) Climax: The biggest problem.
A few hours later, just five minutes before lunch, Marcie slumped in her seat. Her day was a disaster—Laura and their friends weren’t talking to her at all! And every time she tried to read or write in the magical book, nothing happened.
She sighed, trying to focus on Ms. Waters, who was droning on about math facts. But Marcie’s mind kept wandering back to the glasses and that mysterious book. Suddenly, she felt the book calling to her again, like a tiny voice tugging at her thoughts. Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, she slipped it out of her backpack and put the glasses on.
This time, when she opened the book, a new message appeared:
Please help me. I’m trapped inside this book. To free me, put the book next to the stone on Ms. Waters’ desk.
Marcie’s eyes darted to Ms. Waters’ desk. There, next to some papers, was a weird paperweight streaked with gold, orange, and green. It looked like … a dragon’s eye! No, that was too crazy. Right?
She scribbled quickly in the book:
How do I get the book next to the stone?
She glanced around again, hoping no one noticed her sneaky writing.
The response came quickly:
Be careful. No one must see you place the book next to the dragon’s eye. Non-fairies can’t know about us.
Marcie grinned, her heart racing as she scribbled back:
How do you know it’s a dragon’s eye?
But the book went silent. There was no reply.
Just then, she noticed the rest of the class getting up. Lunch! She grabbed the old book, hiding it beneath one of her textbooks. Most kids headed for the door, but Marcie moved towards the teacher’s desk, clutching the books tightly.
Ms. Waters was still standing there, explaining something about their assignment.
“Yes, Marcie?” Ms. Waters asked, noticing her approach. “Do you have a question?”
Marcie’s mind raced. She needed a quick excuse!
“Uh, could you explain long division again?” Marcie asked, her hands shaking a little as she carefully placed the book next to the dragon’s eye paperweight on the desk.
Ms. Waters smiled. “Why don’t we go over that after lunch?” she said. “I’ll need more time to explain.”
But Marcie wasn’t paying attention. Her eyes were glued to the old book. Suddenly, it began to quiver, and with a puff of sparkling fairy dust, the air filled with glittering sparkles. A tiny, red-haired fairy in a green dress popped out of the book, her wings shimmering as she smiled brightly.
“Thank you so much!” The fairy squealed.
Before Marcie could react, more fairies appeared fluttering around and giggling as they hugged each other and danced in the air. Marcie couldn’t help but giggle too, watching the magical scene unfold.
“Are you listening, Marcie?” Ms. Waters asked, looking suspiciously in the direction of the dragon stone. Marcie’s heart nearly stopped.
She quickly yanked off the glasses, turning back to her teacher. “Uh, yeah! After lunch is fine!” she said, snatching up both books in a hurry. “Thanks!”
And with that, she hurried out the door, her mind buzzing with excitement!
4) Falling Action: The problem is being resolved.
Marcie hurried off to lunch, clutching the books tightly. She grabbed a couple of slices of pizza and sat in the far corner of the lunchroom, away from Laura and the rest of her friends.
Slipping on the glasses she opened the book, eager for more messages. Nothing new appeared.
Just then Paula the fairy floated towards her, wings shimmering. She motioned for Marcie to follow. Heart pounding, Marcie glanced around the cafeteria, making sure no teachers were watching, then snuck out through a side door.
“Thank you again for rescuing me,” Paula said, her tiny voice filled with gratitude.
“It’s no big deal,” Marcie replied with a grin. “I had a lot of fun.”
Paula’s smile softened. “Yes, but you also lost a friend,” she said gently. “I can help fix that. But first, I need you to give me the glasses and the book. This magic isn’t meant for humans.”
Marcie’s face fell. “Will I ever see you again? Or any of the other fairies?”
Paula shook her head sadly. “I’m afraid not. If I hadn’t been trapped in the book, we never would’ve met. But now it’s time for the magic to return where it belongs. Please, hand them back.”
Marcie hesitated, staring at the glasses and book. After a long pause, she sighed and handed them over.
But as she did, she noticed something surprising. “Wait! I can still see you!” she gasped, eyes wide.
5) Resolution: The problem is solved.
“You’re going to get in trouble for sneaking out of the lunchroom,” Laura said, popping up behind Marcie.
Marcie just smiled and turned back to Paula.
Laura’s eyes widened. “A fairy?! You mean it wasn’t a prank?” She looked from Marcie to Paula, her mouth hanging open. “What … what’s happening?”
Paula fluttered her wings, her smile bright. “I have to go now, but I trust you two won’t tell anyone about us. Our secret’s safe, right?”
Both girls nodded eagerly, their eyes shining with excitement. And with a final shimmer of fairy dust, Paula disappeared.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you,” Laura said, her face softening. “Have you been talking to fairies all day?”
Marcie giggled. “Oh, you won’t believe half of it!” she said, and the two friends laughed as Marcie filled her in on the whole magical adventure.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this tiny lesson. I did my best to explain the parts of a story as simply as possible. If you have any questions, please leave your comments below.
Happy Reading, Katherine