Ricky's Magic Shoes

by Amber Entzminger
(California)

“Time to get up, Ricky! Today is your party.”

“Ok, Mom,” Ricky ran over to his dresser and threw on his shirt with his jean shorts. He then ran into the kitchen.

“Mom, I’m dressed and ready for my party!”

“Hold on dear, your party isn’t for three hours. Why don’t you clean your room before your guests arrive?”

“Ahhh, do I have to?”

“Yes, you do.” She glared over her shoulder.

“Remember to pick up your toys. It’s not play time!” Ricky marched to his bedroom arms crossed.
Opening the door to his bedroom a mess appeared. There were clothes hanging from the fan, baseballs under his pillow and cars stacked up ten feet high. It looked as if he lived in a junkyard.

"Oh this is too messy!  I'm going to play with my Volkswagon bug." Ricky found the pile of cars. 

"There he is!" Ricky scooped up his special car and raced him round the room...just as his mom walked in..

“I see we’re cleaning,” Mom said tapping her foot.

“I was, but the red bug wanted to race.”

“I see that, but I’ve got an idea. If you clean your room, you can open this present!”

Ricky quickly put his cars, trucks and baseballs into his toy box. He then folded his clothes, placing them into the dresser. Before long, Ricky’s room was clean. He then sat next to his Mom.

“I can REALLY open it?” Yes, she nodded.

He ripped opened the paper to find a brown box. Fumbling with the flap, it popped open. Inside was a pair of blue and white shoes.

“Wow, Can I wear them now?”

“Yes Honey, Happy birthday.” She hugged him as she left.

Ricky placed the shoes on his feet and instantly he felt an electric shock. It was as if the shoes were magic. Standing up, he whooshed down the hallway, into the living room and out the front door. He didn’t stop there. He zipped passed the mailbox, the neighbor’s house and the yard with the noisy dog. Ricky realized he was running as fast as a rocket as he dashed around the block FIVE more times, until the guests arrived.
Ricky pointed at his new shoes as he opened the door for each guest.

“Look Auntie Lisa.”

“Wow, can I try them on?” Asked cousin Zoey.

“Those must make you run fast,” said Grandma Jan.

Ricky smiled as he zipped around the house until it was time for cake and presents. His cake with strawberry filling was wonderful. Ricky’s radio control truck was great, but nothing compared to his new shoes.

After the last guest left, Ricky went upstairs. Taking off his shoes, he laid them next to his bed.

“Did you have a great birthday Ricky?” asked Mom.

“Yes! My shoes are the best present ever. Thanks Mom!” Ricky sat playing on the floor.
Over the next couple of months Ricky wore his shoes EVERYWHERE. He wore them to baseball practice. They helped him run faster around the bases. He wore them to play out in the rain. They helped him jump higher over puddles. He even wore them swimming. They helped him swim better. Then one day it happened……

The front part of his shoe ripped open. He tried to hurdle over the neighbor’s fence, but missed and fell into the flower bed. He tried to play baseball, but he ended up with dirt up his nose. He tried to play in the rain, but got all wet. He even went swimming in them, but had to be saved by the lifeguard. It was as though, when his shoe ripped opened, the magic leaked out.

Staring at the rip in the bottom of his shoe, Ricky opened the front door and saw his Grandma Jan.

“Why, Ricky, what’s the matter?”

“The shoes, I got for my birthday ripped open and the magic leaked out.”

“Magic shoes huh? Maybe this will help!” Grandma Jan handed Ricky a green wrapped present. He tore open the present and found a pair of white shoes with red stripes. Ricky tried to smile.

“Aren’t you happy?” Grandma Jan asked.

“They’re not like my old shoes!”

“How do you know until you try them on?” Grandma Jan helped remove his old tattered shoes. As she placed the new shoes onto Ricky’s feet, he again felt the electricity shoot from the magic shoes into his feet. Standing up, the feeling to run magically came back. He whooshed out of the house, passing the mailbox. Suddenly Ricky skidded to a stop and zoomed back to see his Grandma bring in the grocery.

“Grandma let me help.”

“Be careful Ricky some of those bags are very heavy.”

“Its ok my magic shoes will help.”

Ricky grabbed three bags in each hand and carried them into the house and set them on the counter. He again zipped back out for the rest. After the last bag was brought in he hugged his grandma.

“What is the hug for Ricky?” His grandmother asked.

“For giving me new magic shoes.” Ricky smiled.

“Your welcome, Ricky that’s what grandma’s do, they help bring magic into their grandchild’s life and help them with their tattered shoes to find the right magic fit.” She hugged him again.
Ricky couldn’t help but kiss her on the cheek as he whooshed out the door again to find a new way his magic shoes could help. Then he thought to himself, maybe mom will need help too. He stood still for a moment and blasted of like a rocket to find his mother.