Children’s stories aren’t usually my thing, but that’s the prompt for Gooseberry Garden’s Poetry Picnic Week #21, so I thought I’d give it a whirl. This is one I penned quite clumsily a while back, and I did an extensive re-write on this morning. I hope you enjoy it!
Billy Bully Bull
They called him Billy Bully Bull
Because of meanness he was quite full
He wouldn’t even let his brother
Nurse with him beneath their mother
His mom would say, Billy please be fair
It’s so much better when you share
Billy would stomp and let out a loud snort
He was so very mean, just a terrible sort
He’d glare at his mother and then he’d holler
It’s not my problem he’s so much smaller
Why, I’ll be the biggest bull in this herd
He pawed and bucked then chased a small bird
Mama cow shook her head and softly she sighed
Turned her head away and big tears she cried
It made her so sad, I’m sure you must know
When her Billy would always such meanness show
Then one morning as Billy greedily ate
A small baby deer wandered through the south gate
Billy chased it far off to a big shady oak tree
And what Billy saw there made him sad as could be
The little deer’s legs shook and it cried
For alas the poor baby deer’s mother had died
Then a strange new feeling filled Billy’s heart
As he felt within him a kind new life start
And as the sun rose the very next day
Billy thought it was shining a much shinier way
His mom was so happy she didn’t know what to do
She raised her head high and said the happiest moo
Looking ‘round at her Billy, she was bursting with pride
As he nursed on her gently, the baby deer by his side
Billy Bull looked up and winked at his mother
Then looked underneath her and winked, too, at his brother
Copyright © 2012 C. Mashburn
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
Kellie Elmore said
this made me smile, something i needed badly today. thank you.
http://magicinthebackyard.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/letters-dear-death/
charlesmashburn said
I’m sorry you “needed” a smile, Kellie, but I’m glad I could deliver one!
Hope things are improving! Thanks for the visit and comment!
kez said
what a fab Kids story …one if I had grandkids I would love to read to them …thank you so much for sharing x
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much! I appreciate the wonderful comment!
Taylor said
Billy Bully Bull,
your words start way too cool,
fresh poem posted and popping in front of us like bamboo,
it feels like a dream come true,
giggles, thanks for the fun.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Taylor! I’m glad you enjoyed my little story!
zongrik said
what a sad but touching tale
bumble bee
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the visit and comment, Zongrik!
Grace said
Very nice story…I like the day becoming shinier and brighter towards the end ~
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the nice comment, Grace!
LifeInVerse said
Absolutely Adorable!
Great moral is shown here!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Aynsley! I appreciate the visit and comment!
Sherry Mashburn said
great moral here for the little ones (and some adults, too!)
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, m’dear!
~L said
Your site always brings smiles within for me! This was great!!!!!
~L
charlesmashburn said
That makes me happy! I love to make folks smile!
Thank you for the great comment!
goldenhairbear10 said
This is definitely a moral poem for all. Excellent writing. My poem: http://verseinanutshell.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/count-on/
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much!
Your visit and comment is much appreciated!
terri0729 said
Well, I must say for not “usually being your thing” at writing children’s stories, you did a fine job of this one 🙂 Blessings, Terri
charlesmashburn said
Aw, shucks, ma’am.
Thanks, Terri!
Madeleine Begun Kane said
Good job. I definitely can’t do this sort of thing. 🙂
charlesmashburn said
But, you do what you do do well!
Thanks for the visit and nice comment, Madeleine!
The Happy Amateur said
Enjoyed this! So glad everyone finds happiness and harmony! 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Sasha. Happiness and harmony is a good thing!
I appreciate the visit and comment!
danroberson said
Learning to share is difficult to learn. Your poem teaches that lesson. Well done!
charlesmashburn said
Yes it is a difficult lesson for some reason. Humans tend to be inherently selfish, it seems.
Thanks for the visit and nice comment!
becca givens said
This is WONDERFUL … I can see it as a published children’s story … important message delivered … for both children and adults alike.
Bravo, Sir Charles !! \\(^o^)//
charlesmashburn said
Yes! I can imagine the pictures that would accompany it, too!
Thank you for the visit and wonderful comment, Becca!
elainedanforth said
Nice, Charles, especially if you don’t consider it your thing. I think it has a similar flavor to a lot of your other work, which you perhaps do not consider for kids. But, your sense of wonder and your faith underlie what you write, which are wonderful qualities for children’s writing.
I must add that “happiest moo” was a delightful phrase. 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Yes’m, I suppose my “voice” will come through on most anything I write.
Thanks very much for the visit and wonderful comment!
(I like the “happiest moo” too!)
Life: Between the lines said
o man! I could picture it so vividly, the pushing, the meanness, the lessons 🙂 well done as usual, happy goosebery day!
http://lynnaima.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/nakedness/
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the wonderful visit and awesome comment!
Dawn said
Loved the child in the entire poem 🙂 …keep rocking
Cheers 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Dawn! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I appreciate the visit and comment!
Summer Rain said
lesson learned, fun is earned,
beautiful story.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Summer Rain! I appreciate your visit and comment!
Kay Salady said
Just wonderful, Charles! You did great with this one. xoXox
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Kay! I appreciate the visit and kind comments!
angie said
thanks for your visit to my blog I enjoyed my visit here as well and reading your post
charlesmashburn said
You are very welcome, and thank you!
ManicDdaily said
Deer Billy! k.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the visit and comment!
Reggie said
A very nice rhythmic story . It’s good to know that hearts can really turn.
Thank you for the visit and comment.
charlesmashburn said
You are very welcome for the visit and comment.
And, thank you for dropping by my site and leaving the nice comment!
robin said
how sweet… thank you
charlesmashburn said
Thank You for the comment!
PremI said
Interesting story line..beautiful rhyme…
And a wonderful message…
A perfect poem to be here for the kids….
charlesmashburn said
I’m glad you like it!
Thank you for the wonderful comment!
mairmusic said
Fun– a modern parable, my friend!
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Mair. I appreciate the kind words.
jeannette said
awwwww…..such a nice story with a happy ending! a great read of kids!
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the nice comment, Jeannette!
carolina said
Billy needed an attitude adjustment, thank you this was a fun read.
charlesmashburn said
As do we all from time to time!
Thanks for the nice comment!