Contributed Short Stories for Children Published by the Junior Inquirer

The Peace Star Lantern was first short story for children that was published by the Junior Inquirer last December 20, 2015 in their Christmas Issue.

THE PEACE STAR LANTERN

By Meanne M. Mijares, Contributor

There was a vendor who sold his bright and colorful Christmas star lanterns, big and small. His name was Mang Pio. He was tall and had salt and pepper hair. His lanterns had names and you could tell by their colors. Joy was yellow, Hope was blue, Love was red, Prosperity was green, and Peace was white. 

“Come one! Come all!” he cheerfully called out. “See these beautiful star lanterns adorn your homes!” People flocked to him and bought his star lanterns. They were all happy to display the lanterns in their homes. But the Afable family bought the Peace star lantern and they were not satisfied at all. “How come there is no light inside?” asked Mrs. Afable when they got home. “It’s quite impossible for a star lantern not to have one!” said her seven-year old daughter Abby. “What a plain looking white lantern!” said Mr. Afable.

The next day, they tried to return the star lantern to Mang Pio. “Oh! This is the most special lantern of all, so unlike the others,” he said. “Why return it?” “Look! Our Peace star lantern is not working. How could this be?” asked Mr. Afable.

“When we set it up, it looked dull and boring. Can we exchange it for another star lantern?” said Mrs. Afable. “Have you read the note that came with it?” asked Mang Pio. They all said no.

“Papa! Mama! Mang Pio is right!” said Abby. “There is a note behind the star lantern. It says:

Watch it light up when you do the following:

P-ast is past. Don’t think about the could’ve, would’ve and should’ve beens anymore.

E-ntrust your future, loved ones and the people who have hurt you to God.

A-pologize to those you have hurt. Avoid hurting people from now on.

C-ome back home to God’s heart.

E-nd all conflict and strife.”

“That is all you have to do and see that what I told you is very true,” said Mang Pio.

And so the Afable family did what the note said. Lo and behold! It started shining so bright that its sparkling gold and silver trimmings were seen at last.

The Afable family told everyone they met about it and more people bought many more white Peace star lanterns from Mang Pio.

They also followed what the lantern note said. The experienced the magic and happiness it brought. It filled their hearts and brightened up their homes. They soon realized that peace should begin with themselves and then hope, joy, love and prosperity will follow.

The family went back to Mang Pio’s stall to thank him for the happiness they felt. But to their surprise, he was no longer there. His spot was bare, no more lanterns, big or small, up for sale.

Then Abby saw a long, shiny, white feather that fell from the sky. It shone brightly when it landed on the floor. She picked it up, looked at the sky and exclaimed, “He was no ordinary vendor!”

The next short story for children I wrote and was published by the Junior Inquirer on Deember 25, 2018. 

THE AMBITIOUS SOLOIST

By Meanne M. Mijares

One of the highlights of the Christmas festivities in Barangay Pagkakaisa is the remarkable performance of the Belcanto Children’s Choir. They perforn during the noon time mass on Christmas day at the Santo Nino de Jesus Parish Church. They are known for their melodious singing and have always been invited to perform in shopping malls, television and radio programs.

Amabella is one of the most beautiful soprano voices of Belcanto. But she was not being chosen as a soloist by their choirmaster Miss Suarez. Her choir mates Sachi, Oliver and Tristan always bypass her although they are not quite as good as she thinks she is since they started to join the Belcanto choir group.

“How come Sachi, Oliver and Tristan are often being given the opportunity to go solo? I can carry a tune better than they do! Sachi gets too sharp, Oliver gets too flat and Tristan often jumbles up the song lyrics. When oh when do I get to become a soloist?” she said to herself.

Suddenly, a tiny, impish naughty spirit appeared to her.

“Hello there, Amabella! I’m Kielou. How painful it must be for you to be in the sidelines while they go out there strut their stuff and shine with their voices!  Kielou asked slyly. Do you want to get even with them or even out do them? I can help you. What do you want done?”

“Oh, how I wish Miss Suarez would get to choose me to sing all the songs for the Christmas Mass and for my choirmates’ voices to be stolen by evil creatures or be distorted until they can sing no more!” Amabella angrily said in between tears.

“Your wish is my command!” said the naughty Kielou and vanished.

And so Amabella practiced with all her might. Miss Suarez approached her and was very impressed.

“Sachi, Oliver and Tristan have lost their voices because of the changing weather, too much ice cream and lack of sleep. You’re the only one I can depend on. The rest of your choir mates are indisposed as well. They’re suffering from food poisoning You’re the only one I can depend on,” Miss Suarez sadly said. Amabella was grinning from ear to ear but hid her gloating from Miss Suarez. Her efforts paid off and thanked Kielou.  

The next morning, while Amabella was vocalizing her voice was becoming hoarse until no sound came out. She panicked. Then Kielou appeared. “Amabella, I’m not what you think I am.” She transformed into a beautiful angel! Amabella fell into her knees and trembled with fear.

“It’s wrong for you to wish ill unto others in order to benefit from their misfortune. Our Lord would be pleased to hear beautiful voices singing that come with pure hearts! Use your gifts and talents to inspire and encourage others, not to put them down. He will be more pleased with you if you sing with your choir mates and not upstage them. Your time to shine will come if you keep on doing good at all times.” The angel disappeared.

As Amabella started praying for forgiveness, her voice returned, beautiful as ever. She also prayed that Sachi, Oliver, Tristan and the rest of their choir mates to recover.

And so on Christmas Day, the Santo Nino de Jesus Parish Church was full of people looking forward to the Belcanto Children’s Choir’s performance. As always in full force, they did not disappoint.

After the Mass Mister. Romero, the owner and producer of Icon Records approached Miss Suarez. “Please call the children. I have something to tell them.” Miss Suarez gathered them all.

“You have a bright future in the music business. What do you say I sign you up in a record album project series?” They all beamed with delight!

Amabella felt grateful and could not ask for more. The ambitious soloist is now no more.