random etchings

birthday home schooling

“Guess whose birthday it is, Mom,” little Ann said.
“Not mine, yours, Dad's, Emily's, Nathan's or Ted's.”

“I know,” the child laughed, “but on September 8th,
in eleven fifty-seven, he's born on that date,
we read just last night,” “I don't know where to start.”
“But Mama,” said Ann, “It's Richard Lionheart.
Let's throw him a party.” “But what about school?”
“We'd learn about Richard,” Ted said, “That is cool.
And dress up in costumes and learn to how to bake
some food from the past.” Ann said,“We'd need a cake,”
Emily shook her head, “Back in that time, you know,
they didn't have chocolate.” Ann gasped, “Say it's not so!”

“She's right,” Mama said, “But we could find a flavor
to bake with so everyone would truly savor.”

So, all through the day Nathan dressed up as a king
with Crusader tabard and sword and a sling,
'cause Richard was wounded by arrow and died
far away from his throne, for the sake of his pride.
While Emily dressed like she was Robin Hood,
with Ted and Ann joined as her men in Sherwood,
saving the people in Richard's good name
from too many taxes (Prince John was to blame).

And Mama showed how to make bread out of rye
and pottage with onions and little meat pies,
and some custard and pears to round out the fine feast.
“But what about cake? Did they have that at least?”
“I decided we should have a chocolate cake,
to taste it and try it for poor Richard's sake.”

And later that night, as Mom put Ann to bed,
she said, “this was fun, Mama, we should do it instead.
Just think of the people we'd study with joy--
Tomorrow's the birthday of Leo Tolstoy.”

line count: 32
Prompt:A BIRTHDAY OF HISTORICAL PROPORTIONS
(Choose any historical figure and write about a birthday celebration for them)