Stories that have the first sentence start with "A" and the second with "B" and so until the 26th sentence (and last sentence) starts with "Z" are called Abecedarian Stories. Below are two examples. A great activity is make up your own stories.
Anguish, pure anguish filled Jason as he hurried home. Bursting across his mind were visions of the body. Candidly he acknowledged his guilt – he was a murderer. Daring not to dwell on his dastardly deed, he had to focus on getting rid of the body.
Easy now, the body is by the window. Finally, after an eternity of staring at this victim, he reached for it. Gently he lifted the limp form.
Holding the lifeless body brought back memories of the death. Inching his way to the back door, barely breathing, the guilty murderer carried his victim. Just as he got to the back door, he heard a sound.
"Kitty, you scared me! Leave me alone!”
Making his way to the back yard, he picked the perfect spot. Nobody would guess there was a body buried there. Only the birds witnessed the burial. Pushing the dirt over the grave took forever. Quickly he replanted the tulips over the grave and made a mark over the spot in the soil.
Rest after the arduous task was broken by the garage door opening. Suddenly there were animated voices as his family entered the house. Turning, Jason saw them in the kitchen. Usually he was glad to see Mom and Dad, but not today. Very quietly he went inside.
“Where is your new goldfish – the one you call Zeke?” asked his mom.
“X marks the spot,” softly replied Jason.
“You don’t make sense, Jason.”
“Zeke is dead because I forgot to feed him,” said the sobbing six year old “and he’s buried under the X in the back yard.”
by Karen Pettingell
Beginning of Body in the House
Applying make-up each day is a treasured ritual. By allowing an hour for my make-up, I know I’ll look my best! Can you imagine women taking less time? Duty-bound by the responsibility to look my astounding best, I stand before the mirror. Each day is a new opportunity to immerse myself in looking fantastic.
Frantically I grab my purse. Groping inside it, I search for my cosmetic case. Happily I find it. I empty its contents onto my dresser.
Jail-house orange touch-up hair color is first applied. Khaki colored eye liner is my favorite and a must for me to look my best. Layers of lipstick now color my lips. Mud packs fill my wrinkles. Nerd-pink eye shadow adds a distinctive hue to my face. Otter oil smooths my ear lobes.
Pliers are used next since eyebrow tweezers don’t work on my wire-like brows. Quick drying nail polish is a life saver and is slathered over my finger and toe nails.
Rouge brightens my cheeks and nostrils. Smiley faces, which are carefully painted on my neck, always bring smiles to strangers’ faces. Turtle car wax adds a brilliant shine to my face. Under my chin, I apply white powder for a youthful glow.
Versatile mirrors help me see my aesthetically pleasing face from many angles.
Wine flasks are filled for the nightly ritual of taking off my make-up.
X-Pert booklets guide me in my quest to look like a beautiful model. You’ll never know how fabulous it feels to look so great.
Zounds, I’m good!
by Karen Pettingell
Frankie Dove Publishing