Picture for Nathaniel's story...

The Poppyseed Story

by Nathaniel

“Ring-ring, ring-ring,” the telephone jangled. Old Mrs. Poppyseed slowly got out of her chair, put her book down and walked over to the phone.

“Hello?” she answered. “Who is it?”

“Your refrigerator broke down, the pizza burned and the ice-cream melted,” said the voice on the other end. Giggles quickly followed, then the phone went dead.

“Those little scoundrels!” Mrs. Poppyseed said. “I need some poppyseed muffins to revive me.” She took a muffin, sat down and started to read again. 

“Ring-ring, ring-ring,” the phone rang again.

“Oh, it must be Mr. Wiggleswort,” said Mrs. Poppyseed, “I’ve been waiting for his call to tell me if my story has been posted in the Daily Life magazine.” Hopefully she picked up the phone. “Hello?”

A silly voice came over the phone, talking fast. “Is this Hot Dog Time? I would like to order five hot-dogs, each with a speck of ketchup, pickles and mustard. Relish, too. And five large root beer floats with five scoops of ice-cream each. Put sprinkles on that. For free! Bye!” Giggles burst into her ear.

“You little whippersnappers!” Mrs. Poppyseed scolded. “You’re ruining my day!” But the phone was dead. “I need some poppyseed bread to revive me.” She sighed, ate some bread and sat back down in her comfy arm chair.

“Ring-ring, ring-ring.”

“Hello?” said Mrs. Poppyseed, her voice slightly on edge.

“Your house is about to blow up! Bye!” Peals of laughter rang in her ear.

“Aaaaaahhh!” she screamed. “Those little boys are so annoying! They’re ruining my day! I need some poppyseed cake to revive me.” She popped a piece of cake into her mouth and before she even got the chance to sit down, the telephone rang again.

“Ring-ring, ring-ring.”

She picked up the phone and screamed, “You little whippersnappers! You little scoundrels! I’m going to shove poppyseed pie in your mouth until it comes out your ears and...” She stopped to take a breath and heard a deep voice.

“Mrs. Poppyseed?”

“Mr. Wiggleswort?” came the shocked reply.

“I called to tell you that your story has been selected for publication in the Daily Life magazine.” It will be in the October issue. But I’m quite shocked by your screaming. Are you alright?”

“Yes,” came an out-of breath voice from Mrs. Poppyseed. “Good-bye.”

“Good-bye,” came the reply.

Mrs. Poppyseed sighed. “I’m so tired! I need some poppyseed crackers to revive me!” She took some crackers and hastily chewed them.

“Ring-ring, ring-ring.”

“Hello?” Mrs. Poppyseed said.

“A man-eating tiger, no, an OLD LADY-eating tiger escaped from the zoo and is coming to your house. You better run or it won’t be fun!” 

“Little boys,” said Mrs. Poppyseed. “You must come over for poppyseed cookies. My address is 387 Poppyseed Lane, Poppytown, NY. Be here at three o’clock. We’re celebrating because my story The Wonders of the Poppyseed will be published in next month’s issue of Daily Life. It’s all about how useful poppyseeds are and how they can revive you,” she said, popping some seeds into her mouth. “So come on over, don’t be shy. Bring your friends, we’ll have pie.” She hung up and sighed, “I must get ready for the crowd.”