Short Story Vault
Here’s where I lock up all the wild,
whimsical, just-for-fun stories
that escape from my dreams and doodles.
Be warned, this vault doesn’t
always stay shut.
Imagination has a way of cracking it open.
Go ahead. Peek inside.
You never know what kind of story
might sneak out next.
I’m Mad at My Monster
I have a green monster, he’s furry and tall,
With big floppy ears and no manners at all.
His name is McSnuffle, and though he’s my friend,
He gets me in trouble again and again.
When my brother had taken the big piece of pie,
McSnuffle got jealous (but perhaps so did I).
“He doesn’t deserve it!” my monster declared,
Then he pushed my poor brother, which wasn’t quite fair.
Mom missed the whole thing but gave me a frown,
“Why did you push him? You can sit right down!”
“The pieces weren’t even,” I cried with a yelp,
“McSnuffle was only trying to help!”
But Mom just sighed and then shook her head.
“There is no such thing,” was all that she said.
So I sat on the chair, my arms crossed tight,
Mad at McSnuffle for starting the fight.
At school the next day, I was playing with May,
When McSnuffle decided to ruin my day.
“She’s got the best markers!” he said with a roar,
“Why don’t we take one? She’s got plenty more!”
Before I could stop him, he grabbed one, then two,
And poor May ran crying. So what could I do?
“Why did you take that?” the teacher asked me.
“My monster has only crayons! Don’t you see?”
But no one could see all the trouble he makes.
When we don’t have the best, then he takes and he takes.
I scolded McSnuffle as we headed back home,
“You always make messes wherever we roam!”
But McSnuffle just sat with his big monster grin,
“You let me out to express what’s within.
I’m only your shadow, your feelings come true—
If you’re jealous and angry, I’ll act just like you.”
When you can’t see the good things that lay at your feet,
You will find I’m impossible to keep in my seat.
But when you are grateful for what’s in your hand,
I can be quite content as together we stand.
I stared at McSnuffle and suddenly knew
That my monster did only what I wanted to do.
If I wanted to change, to be kind and be fair,
I’d have to control the feelings I share.
The next time, my brother took the big pie instead,
I tasted my own piece and said, “Go ahead!”
When May dropped her markers, I helped without fuss,
And she shared her best stickers and sat next to us.
McSnuffle looked smaller; his grin was still wide,
But now he stood quietly off to the side.
“I’m proud of you, kid,” he said with a shout,
“Looks like you don’t need my help—so I’m out!”
So now when I’m jealous or angry or sad,
I think of McSnuffle before I act bad.
I take a deep breath and try to stay cool,
Because I know monsters will break every rule!
But when I am thankful for just what I’ve got,
I don’t need to grab or take someone’s spot.
When I choose to share and cheer others on,
My monster gets sleepy... and soon he is gone.
July, 2025
Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Reflection Questions for Kids:
Why do you think the monster, McSnuffle, got so upset when the pie was uneven?
Have you ever felt jealous like the child in the story? What did you do?
Do you think McSnuffle was really the problem, or was he showing how the child was feeling inside?
What are some ways we can calm down when we feel angry or jealous?
What does it mean to be grateful for what you have? Can you think of something you’re thankful for right now?
How did the child change by the end of the story?
If you had your own “monster” that acted out your feelings, what would it look like? What might it do?
