CINNAMON SPUNK

This is a short children's story about a little girl who cherishes memories with her aunt and grows up to do something amazing!

"Sprinkle just a smidge," she instructed patiently. "There you go. Just like that. You got it."

The girl, steadying herself on the flowery kitchen stool, flashed an almost toothless grin at her Aunt Molly.

"Are these cookies named after me?" she asked innocently.

Molly laughed. "No, dear. But the name Cinnamon sure does fit you. You've got lots of spunk," she said as she tossled her honey-colored hair.

Dark freckles danced across the bridge of Cinnamon's nose. "That's what my Mama says too." She wiped her chubby cinnamon-dusted fingertips on her pint-sized calico apron.

"Cook 'em fast, Aunt Mol. Pleeeeeease, I gotta taste 'em," she pleaded with a scrunched up face.

Cinnamon waited for what seemed to be a million, jillion hundred minutes and finally popped a warm, delicious cookie into her watering mouth.

She thought it was absolutely the most wonderful thing she had ever tasted! Several others quickly followed the path of the first.

Each summer for years to come, Cinnamon would invade Aunt Molly's country-decorated kitchen with her spunk. The aroma of the spice wafted through the air. Aunt Molly was not one to share secrets; especially that of her secret cookie recipe -- except with Cinnamon.

Today, that grown-up, spunky, freckle-faced darling owns, "Cinnamon Spunk", a chain of bakeries specializing in the unforgettable, tantalizing treat, in loving memory of her Aunt Molly.

Author's Note

Please give an overall review for this short children's story. Thank you!

Reviews

[Taylor]

I had not realized that this was a children's story until I read the author's note. As such, it is a sweet little slice out of life. I have not written many children's stories, but I wonder whether the vocabulary you use is entirely suited for children -- or what age children. Words such as "wafted". "She wiped her chubby cinnamon-dusted fingertips on her pint-sized calico apron"-- I don't think "fingertips" are chubby, fingers are but not "fingertips." I understand that with a children's story, you want to keep it short. However, I felt the ending was a bit abrupt and I also don't know about the idea of talking about 'loving memory" with children -- thus introducing the concept of death. I would you develop the story using all five senses.

[MelissaAndres]

Thank you, Taylor. I appreciate your honesty. The age group is probably meant for first and second graders. I have five grandchildren (the oldest is in second grade) and also teach a first and second grade Sunday School class and they seemed to enjoy it. This is actually one of my earlier works and I do feel that I have improved quite a bit. I just joined Writer's Cafe yesterday and I am trying to post things I have saved from way back up until present time. I completely understand what you mean about the five senses. I may re-work this at some point. Thanks so much for reading!

[Robert Parlange]

Another good story. It's interesting how aromas and tastes can bring up memories. Cinnamon for some, for me its the smell of a “roux,” that Creole concoction of flour and oil. Memories of Mom in the kitchen cooking fresh butter beans.

[MelissaAndres]

Robert, you are making me hungry!! Haha! For me, I guess it would be fresh peaches - my grandmother used to make the most delicious fried pies! YUM!