It’s time once again for
The Unicorn Challenge.
Our mission: to write
a story in 250 words or less
in response to the photo prompt.
This is my story and I’m sticking to it.
π¦βπβπ¦

When our son was still in elementary school, he demonstrated a great ability and clever imagination for art. He had a penchant for cartoon characters of his own creation which he drew on his book covers and all over his school notebooks.
My husband and I encouraged his artwork and we kept him well-stocked in supplies, including a drafting table, paints and copious amounts of drawing pads. His main character was a T-rex called βMonstroidβ β¦. a Jurassic lawman who was not above getting down and dirty.
When our son was about twelve years old, he asked permission to paint Monstroid on his bedroom wall. I had no problem with that; Iβd rather he paint his own wall than someone elseβs. Thirty-something years ago, graffiti was considered vandalism, not the street art it has become today.
The story of Monstroid grew in my sonβs head, along with other dinosaurs, friend and foe alike. It got to the point where every wall in his room was covered with his creations; dinosaurs grazed on one wall while epic prehistoric battle scenes appeared on another wall. I didnβt mind; the boy was hurting no one and I would never suppress his natural ability for art β¦. just as I would never squash our other sonβs talent for music.
Our son is now a television cameraman β another form of art. However, he never lost his love of painting and Monstroid is alive and well on the bedroom walls of each of his three kids.
NAR Β© 2023
250 Words

This is Bob Brown with “Santa, Bring Me A Dinosaur”
This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantβs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and not for use by anyone, unless with permission. NAR Β© 2017-present.
I remember my nephew being into dinosaurs. He wasn’t as creative as your son but he did have a pet bearded dragon π
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The closest we got to anything prehistoric-looking was a pet iguana appropriately named Iggy Pop! π¦
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This is what parents should do. Kids should have freedom to pursue a career or hobby of their choice. Well done, Nancy π
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We are like minded, KK! Thank you.
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Yeah for creativity!!
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Kids! They keep you hopping, that’s for sure!
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Great story!
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Thanks, Liz! My kid turned into a great guy! He’s a keeper π
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This is a real cute song.
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Haha! I thought so too, Jim. There aren’t too many Christmas songs about dinosaurs, in case you haven’t noticed! LOL!! All my posts and/or videos throughout December have had a Christmas theme and I didn’t want to break that chain. Luckily I found a Christmas dinosaur song that didn’t have Barney in it! What luck! Thanks so much, Jim! π π¦
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Yesterday Clive featured a Christmas song with Chris Thile singing that she wants a Hippo for Christmas, and this song was just as cute.
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I saw that on Clive’s page and, oddly enough, I’m familiar with the hippo song! The one I posted was new to me and I was thrilled to find it.
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Not every parent would give the child carte blanche to let all his creativity bloom! That says a lot about the parent!
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Thanks so much, D! Like I said earlier …. it was only paint. My big mistake was not having him paint over it before he moved out! LOL!! π π€¦πΌββοΈ
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A wonderful story of your son’s fabulous talent and your very sensible attitude towards said talent . I am am so glad that Monstroid lives on πππ¦π¦
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Thanks so much, Willow! I’m pretty proud of my sons and grateful they turned out ok! π
Thanks for your awesome comments today. Happy Christmas Eve Eve! π
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Thank you, and you too. Of course you are so proud of your boys, I am too. Sounds like you have plenty to be proud of πππ
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How many kids have been either forced or coerced into a career they did not like or want!
I collected all kinds of garbage – useless worthless trinkets – as a kid. A missed opportunity of becoming a trash collector and driving that big noisy truck. My mother didn’t understand me. π¦
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Haha!! Or you could have morphed into an infamous jewel thief. Hey, you never know!
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That sounds even better!
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Nice story.
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When in doubt, write about your kids!
Thanks, Sadje.
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Very good strategy
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Beautiful story, Nancy.
I wish all parents were like you.
And it’s obviously carrying on down through the generations – wonderful!
So sensitively written.
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Thanks, Jenne, but all I did was let my kid paint his wall …. something that could easily be painted over when he flew the coop.
In all sincerity, I was blessed with good kids; that alone made my life easier.
I believe parents should be involved in their child’s life, supportive and encouraging – within reason; Parents who allow their kids to do whatever they want aren’t doing them any favors. If a child is allowed to follow his/her dreams (again, within reason), chances are pretty damn good that kid is not going on the internet learning how to make a pipe bomb.
I appreciate your comments, Jenne. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and all good things going into the new year! π
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