Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of “All that Glitters is Not Gold” (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (01/24/08)
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TITLE: Candy Land | Previous Challenge Entry
By Beth Muehlhausen
01/28/08 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
I held a quarter in my hand -
‘Twas lots of money for a lad!
Poised right before the candy case,
I stared with lust, forecasting taste.
One cent apiece, the price was right;
My eyes could hardly hold the sight!
What did this “candy land” afford?
Yum-yummy things, so much adored!
Ten bins o’erflowed with treats galore,
Teasing my hopes to rise and soar.
Each one held different sweets – oh my!
So much to choose, so much to buy!
I’d saved for months for this big spree,
And now could not contain my glee.
My feet, they danced with little hops,
While I considered lemon drops.
Balls of taffy glared like eyes,
With stares so bold, without disguise!
Caramel rolls, they looked so good …
Might I have some? Oh sure I could!
Which should I buy? ALL ten delights?
A few of each? Twenty-five bites?
Saliva pooled; my cold hands sweat.
I gulped, not knowing what to get!
Then suddenly, the clerk stood there;
Looked down at me with a sharp stare.
“So sonny boy, something to go?”
I stammered, tongue-tied: “I don’t know!”
“C’mon now son, I’m busy here.
Pick out your goods, and be quite clear!”
My feet stopped moving and stood firm –
They could no longer jump or squirm.
Instead, I pointed through the glass.
“Two each, please, sir” was what I gasped.
The total sum? T'would be t-w-e-n-t-y!
That seemed like lots – beyond plenty!
But then, a nickel would come back …
“Plus chocolate bar, in the same sack.”
I handed him my coin, all wet.
He chuckled to himself, “You bet!”
Relieved, my nerves I tried to calm –
Licked off my lips and wiped my palm.
He handed me those treasures dear –
I reached out fast and grabbed them near.
“Here ‘tis your loot – it weighs a ton!
Now make it last! Here you go, son!”
I smiled my thanks, clutching the sack -
Ran through the door and headed back.
Our house was not too far from there;
I’d soon be home, ready to share.
The sack, it swung from side to side;
My feet, they pounded out each stride.
But being one to seize the day,
Temptation struck without delay!
My chocolate bar – best of the best!
It surely put me to the test.
I looked inside and grabbed that treat,
Before it melted in the heat.
The paper wrapping came off fast,
Three bites, then gulp – it did not last!
Once started I could not ignore
My tastebuds’ scream for “More, more, more!”
Again I peeked at all my loot.
A sweet-tooth binge? Oh what a hoot!
Bon-bons were next – just two or three -
Then I sat down beneath a tree.
I stayed there long enough (and more),
Bolting the candy from the store.
Into my bag each wrapper fell,
As evidence - the truth to tell.
At last when all my goods were gone,
I got up and approached our lawn.
The house seemed not the place to go.
I felt quite sick - and mom would know!
The truth my stomachache would tell:
I ate too much! (Surely she’d yell.)
The barn seemed safe – a place to hide,
Where animals might take my side.
I rolled the door, stalked like a thief;
Inside the darkness spelled relief.
Holding my bag of wrappers tight,
I climbed way up and out of sight.
Atop the hay I lay down flat,
And said my prayers – feeling quite fat.
“I’m sorry, Lord, what did I do?
I’m bad and wrong - repentant, too.”
Error confessed - innards at war -
I lay real still with stomach sore.
“Keep me away from candy bins –
Oh please! This is the worst of sins!”
It seemed He knew – He heard my plea –
And set about to rescue me.
“Here is the way, if Me you trust -
Don’t LOOK, and then you cannot lust.”
I pledged never again to buy
Too many sweets - lured by my eye.
That day I hoped my Father’s hand
Would keep me out of “candy land.”
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