For the Unicorn Challenge…
Sitting on a tree branch, Annie watched the black cars approach the castle. They weren’t anyone special, she knew. They were just staff for the annual event her family’s hosted for as long as she knew. She wasn’t sure why her parents insisted on shuttling the staff in black town-cars. Isn’t that more wasteful than just having them drive up to the castle? Annie wondered.
The guests weren’t here yet. They wouldn’t arrive until the next afternoon. The staff would spend the day before to prepare the dishes or “mise en place” as her mother would say.
“Ah, I see you got banished, too,” her friend, Thomas, from school sauntered over and as if sensing Annie’s about to ask, he continued, “my mom’s one of the sous chef.”
Annie nodded. Thomas told her once that his mother owned her own restaurant but she didn’t know his mother also worked events. With his arms crossed, Thomas leaned against the tree as Annie swung her legs back and forth. After a moment, she sighed with boredom, “I can’t wait to grow up so I don’t get temporarily banished from my home because of a party.”
(195 words)
This is Another Story 
Entertaining and thought provoking story. Well told.
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Thank you.
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A very nice scenario created for this story
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Thank you. I was inspired by the phrase “children should be seen but not heard,” except in this case, it’s both “not seen and not heard.” 😀
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It’s such a barbaric custom.
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I agree.
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👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
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Good telling of the child’s place – or rather, the child’s banishment – in the preparation for grand events, Yinglan.
And, indeed, their lack of place in the grand events themselves.
I wonder if the children will remember this when they grow up and throw their own parties?
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Thank you. I wonder about that, too, and whether they will treat their children the same way.
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