I met a family with five daughters. Each day, mother arrived followed, in line, by the eldest to youngest daughter. I smiled as I thought of images from the “Madeline” books and the little girls who walked in straight lines
One day, the daughter in my class shared the news she was going to have a baby brother.
“I love children,” mother explained, “but I didn’t have a son.”
I smiled, “You have a beautiful family.”
She laughed, “My husband asked if I was happy now… but it would be nice if he had a little brother to play with. Would seven prove to be too much?”
Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.
Ross Mannell
August 8, 2012 at 08:00
PLEASE NOTE
A little explanation… This came to mind from real events. A mother had five daughters but wanted a son. Her sixth child was a son. Her husband, who loved her and their daughters, had asked if she was happy now. She had told me her reply. The only real addition was the prompt. The five daughters and son were real as was the reaction of the husband.
I transferred to another school so I never learned whether there was another son to come but it made me wonder, if there was another and it was a girl, would she try again?
Ross 🙂
The Writers Village
August 8, 2012 at 10:02
as enjoy your stories… Thanks, Randy
The Writers Village
August 8, 2012 at 10:04
meant to write always, not as – missed the “lway” for some reason
Ross Mannell
August 11, 2012 at 21:27
Thanks for the comment.
Considering the common fantasy themes I often choose, I thought a story based on the real world would be a change. 🙂
newpillowbook
August 9, 2012 at 00:39
Oh my – surely by this time she’s noticed that you don’t necessarily get what you ordered, when it comes to babies? Eight, nine…
Ross Mannell
August 11, 2012 at 21:28
Thanks for the comment.
Life can be a chance event. Boy/girl results are approximately 50/50. I really did wonder if she had more. 🙂
Susan Mann
August 11, 2012 at 01:38
What a lovely story x
Ross Mannell
August 11, 2012 at 21:29
Thanks for the comment.
A loving family always makes for a good story. 🙂
Gilly Gee
August 11, 2012 at 07:38
She could go for a football team!
Ross Mannell
August 11, 2012 at 21:31
Thanks for the comment.
I had an aunty and uncle like the couple in the story. They ended up with eleven children. Now there’s a team. 🙂
beebeesworld
August 11, 2012 at 12:29
I had 4 sons, 2 daughters, wish I had more-I lost a son when he was 15.My husbands grandfather had children from 2 marriages, the seven sons lived, the 2 youngest-girls-were still born. I had always heard an old tale that the seventh of seven sons was “lucky”-It wasn’t true for my husbands uncle.I enjoyed your 100WCGU prompt, hope you will read mine called “Honeycomb”. I will follow your blog and hope you will follow mine as well. Best wishes, beebeesworld
Ross Mannell
August 11, 2012 at 21:34
Thanks for the comment.
It is sad when we lose children. In the reply to the previous comment, I mentioned an aunty an uncle who had 11 children. Not all survived. One was still born and another was a Downes child much loved by all but passing at the age of only ten.
beebeesworld
August 12, 2012 at 21:55
thanks for reading, for your comment and thoughtful words. best wishes,beebeesworl