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The Eclectic Pen - Mortimer and the Goat

By: Jane G.  
Date Submitted: 5/9/2008
Genre: Children's Books » Ages 4-8
Words: 494
Rating:

Mortimer was not very bright, he was not handsome, had no special qualities, and he had no friends. The only two things he was proud of were his mother and his goat. Mortimer did not have a father because when he got the goat no one knew that his father was very allergic to goats. His father became extremely ill and soon passed away. The goat’s name was Goat because Mortimer was too stupid to think of a name. His mother worked in a circus so Mortimer was moving constantly because the circus traveled a lot. Mortimer’s mother needed money to live after her husband died. In their trailer, Mortimer made his mother do flips over and over again, for like many other children, he was fond of gymnastics. Goat would enjoy it too. He would watch in from the window and stand up on his hind legs. Goat was Mortimer’s best and only friend. Even though Goat wasn’t a person Mortimer would look forward to see him at the end of the long day. One day Mortimer peeked in the window of his mother’s office. There his mother Delia was talking to her boss. She seemed sad. Mortimer was smart enough to know that something was wrong. She came out of their trailer, shook her head , and said to Mortimer, “I just got fired.” The next day Delia said to Mortimer, “I’m sorry but we have to sell Goat.” “No! Why?” he screamed. Delia pointed to a girl in the distance. There stood a dorky creature with a book, a flower, a purse and a now sad looking goat. The girl said goodbye and walked away with Goat. Mortimer was very sad the next few months. He was homeless, his mother was never with him, and his best friend was gone. Mortimer wanted to get a job that included flying in the circus, so without waiting to apply for the job, he jumped off a boulder and fell with a thud. Besides, there was nothing better to do. He looked down at his bare feet. He couldn’t stand not having Goat. He missed him so much! At that moment, he knew what he had to do. He needed to get his Goat back. He went to the address on the card the creature (girl) gave them and when he got there she refused to give him back. “Petunia is MY GOAT NOW, and I feel free to make her useful for work!” the girl said. Mortimer was speechless. But he did say this, “Goat’s are my destiny, herding is my profession, and both are my pleasure. Unless I’m with them, I am no good for anything.” This time the girl was speechless. She handed Mortimer the goat and walked back inside of her house. Mortimer taught Goat how to do tricks and they were able to earn money again. Goat won the title of “Best Trained Goat”. And of course, they all lived happily ever after. ☺

The Eclectic Pen » All Stories by Jane G.

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