AR Short Stories

Chapter 9
The Magic Lollipop

Chapter Description: A sweet treat makes a man have a fun day in the park.

Kev was relaxing on a bench on his neighborhood’s playground. He loved this place, brought so many good memories from his childhood, times of fun, laughter and freedom. He always noted how much people looked awkwardly at him, but he understood the why, nothin good ever came from a main watching kids in a playground.

One day, after arriving at the playground, he heard something. “Hey Kev, come here.” He turned around and saw a white van, like one of those PDAs about child safety. He tried to not look at it, but the voice kept repeating. "Come on, Kevin, I know what will make you happy." Kevin tried to keep 'Stranger danger' in mind, but his curiosity caught the best of him. He approached the van. "What do you want to show me?"

From the van, a hand holding a red lollipop. "This will grant you your biggest wish, one you may not even know you have." The cryptic voice said. Kevin raised his eyebrow. "How can I be sure you won't poison me? Or you'll charge me 10 bucks for a lollipop?" Kevin said, but the voice replied. "Because I know your curiosity is killing you.

Kevin swallowed but took the candy. "How much is it?" "It's free, like you'll be when you taste it." Kevin shrugged. "Thank you!" He sat on the bench and tried to lick it. But after a bit he noticed he wasn't feeling the ground anymore. When he focused in his feet, he saw that his black converses were small and had Velcro straps over shoelaces. Until he saw his hands were chubby. He panicked and even heard a small crinkle. He ran to a puddle of water near the bird fountain and saw his reflection. He was a toddler again! And it finally clicked: his biggest wish was to be a child again. Maybe not that young, but that'd let him spend more time as a kid.

A big grin came across his face and he ran to start playing. After sometime he heard a voice. "Kev, buddy, let's go home!" He looked at the direction and say a man near a white car. He felt warm sensation looking at him, and it clicked why. "I'm coming dada!" He ran to the man that picked him up. "You can have more lollipops at home." The man said and Kevin gave a warm smile.