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Monday, April 25, 2011

Bob the Donut

Whenever I have the kids in class do a writing warm-up, I do it with them.  We right side-by-side, elbow to elbow, trying to wrangle our thoughts down into words on paper.  Usually, I just write whatever comes to mind, but before we began today, a student asked me, "Mrs. Thomas, what are you going to write about?"

I replied (quite truthfully, I might add,) "I really have no idea yet.  I hope I get one before I start."

"Here is an idea," said the student. "You can write about a donut named Bob."

The music started.  I was NOT going to waste my precious writing time writing about a donut named Bob.  I just wasn't.

But then....I did.

Bob the Donut 

Bob was a donut.  An ordinary donut.  He did not possess super powers like the ability to fly or to shoot firebolts from his eyes.  He could not lift two elephants at a time or anything like that.  Nor could he become invisible...unless someone ate him.  Then he couldn't be visible at all. That's because he would no longer exist.

But Bob still wanted to exist.

So, what does a donut with no super powers do if he doesn't want to be eaten,( especially one as tasty looking as chocolate glazed, rainbow-sprinkled Bob?)

He escapes.

And that is just what Bob the Donut planned to do.

Okay, it's official.  My brain has been invaded by fifth grade boys.



This post really doesn't have much point except to say that when you can't seem to jumps start your own writing, there is usually a fifth grade boy somewhere with a strange little idea.

hrh

Is it crazy that I am picturing Bob using  part of an old buttermilk twist to create a lasso?  Or that I can hear the theme song from Rawhide in my brain as I picture Bob rolling off in the sunset?  "Rolling, rolling, rolling...keep those donuts rolling....."

Mondays=Brutal

12 comments:

Jess said...

Ha-ha! I can totally see a picture book called Bob the Donut! If you don't want to write it, call Mo Willems :)

This was hilarious to read~ thanks for sharing!

Jessie Oliveros said...

That's funny. I swear I read a book once where a donut tried not to be eaten. Those fifth grade boys know what they are talking about.

Myrna Foster said...

LOL! Your beginning reminds me of Mo Willems' "Leonardo the Terrible Monster." And (reading the comments now) it looks like Jess made the same connection.

Matthew MacNish said...

I love this story. Adorable!

Kelly Polark said...

I think you should bring the class donuts tomorrow and have the kids use the donuts to act out a story. :)
Cute!

Anonymous said...

LOL. Bob the Donut. I like it. My son has given me some off the wall ideas in the past. Maybe I should give them another looksie.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

I think I have a new hero...Bob the Donut. What fun!

storyqueen said...

Jess-And there were so many better ways to have spent what little writing time I have...and there I was, imagining a donut named Bob. Heaven help me.

Jessie-There probably IS one out there...I'm always late to the party.

Myrna-I've not read that Mo Willem's book (surprising because I've read most of them.) Going to have to check it out since Leonard is a way better name than Bob. (No offense to Bobs out there.)

Matthew-That is because you are a fifth grade boy at heart...admit it. (It's okay. I am, too.)

Kelly-Only healthy snacks at our school, of course. And it might be too traumatic if one kind of looks like Bob, you know?

Susanne-Feel free to write about Bob. I can't see really taking the idea anywhere myself. (Except I can't stop thinking about him.)

Sharon-Yeah! And he has to re-unite with his missing middle! I can hear it now as he stumbles upon the little donut hole, "You complete me."

Sorry.

Maria Cisneros Toth Blog said...

Hmmm... suddenly, I am craving a chocolate donut w/sprinkles!

Here's one 5th grader's tip about writing a scary story. I keep it posted on my computer.

"Think of an ordinary object. Give it supernatural qualities. Add strange plot points."

I love the way kids think! And Bob the Donut is a crack up!

Jackee said...

LOL! You are so highly entertaining. Those 5th grade boys are lucky.

Your story reminds me of Lemony Snicket's Lump of Coal. I hope things work out as well for Bob as they did the Lump of Coal.

Happy Wednesday! XO

Lydia Kang said...

Can you please write this PB? Pleeease?

Stina said...

LOL I loved this. I want more of Bob the Donut. Yep, listen to the fifth grade boys. They are wise indeed.