THE RITTMAN
ANTHOLOGY
OF
MJ’S LITERAY WORKS
Volume I
by Mark Rittman, Jr.
Copyright © 2012 Mark Rittman, Jr.
SHORT STORIES
Conversation with a Green Bean…..1
POETRY
That Crazy Pet…..2
Stay Together…..3
Heaven…..4
Haiku Poems Rain…..5
A Tree…..6
Tanka Poems Ride the Wave…..7
Autobiographical Poems Me…..8
FOLKTALES
Fables Easy Prey…..9
Fairy Tales Robbers in the Wild…..10
Conversation with a Green Bean
One breezy fall day, I was playing a Wii game in the comforts of my room. I won
the game. “Woot! Woot! I won! Nothing could ruin this moment,” I cheered. “Pooooh!
Dinner’s ready! I’ll be watching TV,” yelled Mom as she went to her room. “Mmm,
great! I’m starved!” I said as I sauntered to the table.
Suddenly, I heard a whimper from the plate, “No! No! Please don’t eat me,” my
green beans wailed. Peering into my food I asked, “Is this a joke?” “Oh no, it’s not a
joke,” replied the green bean. “Oh man, you… you talk?” I stammered. “Of course I do.
I’m alive aren’t I?” he asked.
Feeling confused and hungry, I wondered if I should ignore his protest and eat him
anyway. “Well, my belly is meager on food-so-”I faltered. The food evidently read my
pause aright and retorted, “I still don’t want to be eaten.” I wanted a peaceful solution to
my food problem, so I asked the green bean if he knew why people eat vegetables.
He answered, “No.” “Well people need to eat to stay healthy, and you are a food
that is rich in vitamins,” I explained. “I really am!” responded the food. “You are a good
source of iron. You give people lots of energy. You’re a superhero!” I continued. “Gosh! I
did not know I was superhero!” he exclaimed excitedly. “I guess this is my duty. Let’s
go!”
Of course, I ate him quickly before he could change his mind. “So, how were your
green beans?” someone inquired. At first I thought it was my mom asking the question
until - “Down here,” signaled the pork chop. “Not again!” I cried out.
1
That Crazy Pet
I feel this dog is naughty and dirty
Big and scratching many fleas
Always chasing my neighbor’s cat
He constantly drags
His butt across the carpet
That crazy dog of mine
2
Stay Together
I had a lesson learned
Obey it and a gift earned
Always stay together
And never break apart
Or it will also break your heart
When you are standing lonely
You are just a porcupine
Without its pricks
Left without protection
Wishing it was safe
3
Heaven
This is heaven
I see angels dancing in constant peace
I smell the fragrance of healing
Makes me feel like dancing
When I ate I never again was hungry
The music was so pleasantly playing
All the glory in heaven above
4
Rain
Wild raindrops fall
Making muddy, brown puddles
Drying very fast
5
A Tree
A tree a nice sight
A star in the night so bright
That beautiful tree
6
Ride the Wave
A wave in the water
Such a thing makes me happy
Men on boats surfing
They would be really scared then
Oh so blue and thick wet wave
7
Me
I like to play my Wii
And ride my red scooter
But when it rains
Oh what a day
I have to get back home
8
Easy Prey
Once upon a time a group of six deer worked together and protected each
other from predators. One breezy, spring day a young member of the group wondered
whether he could take care of himself without the group. He decided to leave the
group and test his skills.
While he was taking a drink at a lake, a wolf came behind him to attack. The
deer leaped into the lake and swam to the other side. Because the young deer
successfully escaped the wolf’s attack, he became prideful and boastful.
The wolf went back to his hunting party and told them about the sole deer.
Meanwhile, the young deer came to take another drink at the lake. The wolf pack
returned to the lake and the found the deer there. Seeing the number of wolves, the
deer stomped his hooves and snorted to call his group for help.
As he fled, one the wolves bit his leg. The other deer ran to surround and
protect him from the wolves. The wolves gave up and left. Then the deer explained
everything and apologized for leaving the group. He realized that it is better to stay
with the group and work together.
9
Robbers in the Wild
A very long time ago, lived a man named Hugo. He owned 3 gems that could
unleash a person’s true nature. One cool, fall’s day, while Hugo was fishing, his gems
were stolen by a group of robbers: Kai, Loc, and their boss, Big Cole.
Kai was a very sly robber. He was Big Cole’s favorite. Loc was swift and
cunning. Big Cole was very stubborn and serious about everything. After they stole
the gems, Loc said that, with the value of all the gems, they would be filthy rich and
live like kings.
As they turned to leave Hugo’s house, Loc suddenly turned into a raccoon.
Kai saw this, went to pick up Loc’s gem, but turned into a python in the process.
Before he could gasp in shock, Big Cole morphed into a goat.
“So how do we turn back to our original form Boss?” asked Loc. Each one
appearing to have the same idea returned the gems to their original location. “Awh
man, we didn’t turn back to normal,” said Kai. “You are not sorry for what you have
done,” a voice called out from the door way. It was Hugo.
“You’re wrong,” Big Cole responded. “Then so be it,” said Hugo. The three
thieves went into the wild and lived there for one month. Eventually, they felt sorry
and turned back to normal. They vowed to never steal again.
10