Picture Prompt

Picture Prompt

Picture 1

 

            When children are little they want to grow up to become someone. Sometimes it will be that they want to be a fire fighter or a star. Other children have bigger dreams. Some want to grow up to defend their country as a soldier, just like the boy in the picture. There was a little boy just like any other child; there was only one thing different about him. When other boys his age went to dress up as police officers and firefighters, or their favorite movie character, he would dress up as soldiers. Just like his father.

            “Mom when I grow up I want to be like dad,” I said to her, when she asked me what I wanted to be. I did not really know what he did but it seemed like a good thing to do. My father was my hero and the person I looked up to the most. My mother then asked me if I knew actually what he did. I replied, “Something important,” not wanting my mother to know that I did not know what he did. I was four, how was I supposed to know what my father did. It had to be something good though, something only a real hero could do, and something I would do.

            “He defends our country, he protects us, it is important what he does he keeps us safe from bad people. He is a soldier,” my mother said.

            “I know,” I replied. I had to seem smart if I wanted to protect the entire country when I grew up. The only thing was, every job has a uniform, if I was going to be a soldier I would need to wear what a soldier wore.

            “Since I am going to be a soldier I need to dress like one,” I told my mother very firmly almost as if it was a command.

            The next day we went to the store, and bought a soldier uniform. It fit as if it were made for me. It had a hat, and a jacket with buttons on the front and on the sleeves. I looked just like my father.

            “Since your father is away doing his job right now why don’t we send him a picture of you and a letter,” my mother asked.

            I thought this was the best idea. I can show my dad that I am going to be just like him when I grow up. I told my mom what the letter had to say, it said, “ Dear Dad, I know that you are probably very busy right now, doing your job, defending our country but I have some big news to tell you. When I become older I am going to be a soldier just like you. I even already have the right uniform, see the picture we sent you that’s me. From your son, the next you.”

            Some kids will grow up to be a police officer, firefighter or what ever else the dreamed of being. Some will not. Not every little girl is going to grow up to be a star. Probably one in every million of girls who say that will actually become a star. Others will be able to be what they will choose differently.