Matilda was almost at the top, “You still got me?”
“I’ll never let you go,” her belaying father called from below.
Two others were talking, “He’s crying. What’s his story?”
“Matilda had heart failure and needed a transplant. She was one of the lucky ones. A donor heart became available.”
“She looks so well. His tears are for joy?”
“I asked him. He said joy but also for the parents who lost their child but donated a heart.”
“Organ donation is important.”
Matilda was back on the floor wiping tears from her father’s eyes, “You’re such a baby.”
He smiled.
Ross's Writing Blog 
Jo
July 1, 2012 at 17:23
awe, that was so sweet and sentimental, and we all need to think of organ donation, the world needs more donors.
Ross Mannell
July 7, 2012 at 21:50
Thanks for the comment.
I thought I’d add something important in this story. I signed up as an organ donor as I would like to think I can help when I no longer need.
Viki
July 2, 2012 at 12:25
Wow, such an unexpected direction you took this. It was wonderful.
Ross Mannell
July 7, 2012 at 21:52
Thanks for the comment.
It seems years of teaching young children has been a big influence on my story themes. I often tried to look at things in unusual ways when trying to stimulate the imaginations of children. 🙂
Sue
July 2, 2012 at 13:07
I love this!
=)
Ross Mannell
July 7, 2012 at 21:55
Thanks for the comment.
I wanted to guide this story in a different direction than many might expect.
anita
July 4, 2012 at 15:01
I love that you always take such a soft approach to the prompts! This was another great one!
Ross Mannell
July 7, 2012 at 22:01
Thanks for the comment.
As a retired but still involved teacher, I visit student blogs around the world and write comments. This sometimes brings students to one of my five blogs, website or You Tube channel. I try to keep all of my stories G rated and positive so children might find them entertaining if they chance upon them. 🙂
jennymatlock@cox.net
July 23, 2012 at 10:03
Hi Ross!
What a tenderly sweet use of this prompt!
You always make me feel something.
Thank you for that!
Ross Mannell
July 23, 2012 at 10:21
Thanks for the comment.
Years of working with young children in class seems to guide me in a softer approach to many prompts. I was once told teachers in the grade below mine would sit and talk about which teacher each child should have in the following year. They said I was the TLC (Tender Loving Care) teacher where they could send a child needed nurturing to bring out the best in them. I took that as a compliment. 🙂