"The Game"

So for school I had to read this book called Pollyanna. At first I really liked it, because it was super cute. Its about this little girl named Pollyanna, and her mom and dad are missionaries that have died. So she is sent to live with her Aunt Polly, who is pretty much a huge jerk that doesnt like anything or anyone. But Pollyanna is totally oblivious. She thinks that her Aunt Polly is the nicest person ever and loves living with her. Also, the only thing that makes Pollyanna sad is when she thinks about her father, who died most recently(her mother died when she was really little). She is glad that her father is up in heaven, but she misses him a lot. Other then that, this little girl is ALWAYS happy. And she can ALWAYS find something to be happy about in any situation. Its so crazy!

Her father, before he died, came up with this thing that they call "the game". Here is how it works: you have to find something to be glad about in everything that happens; good or bad. They say "the harder it is, the more fun it is". So Pollyanna goes around this town that her Aunt lives in, making a huge impact on everyone she meets. Boldly she tells them about "the game" and how much fun it is to play. She talks to people that are sick, lonely, and some that havn't talked to anyone in YEARS! Making friends where ever she goes, Pollyanna has the greatest time ever and has so many things to be glad about. But then the happiness stops.

One day on the way home from visiting a friend that she made, Pollyanna got hit by a car. Waking up the next day, Pollyanna discovers that the cant move her legs. She is paralyzed. Her doctor tries to come up with a way to fix her legs, but he isnt very experienced in that kind of thing and they are afraid that Pollyanna will never be able to walk again. One day she hears her Aunt Polly say "Not that! Doctor, not that! You don't mean the child will NEVER WALK again!"

Pollyanna bursts into tears. From then on she can't think of a single thing to be glad about. Pollyanna couldnt play "the game" anymore. People asked her "I thought you told us that it was more fun when it was harder." Sadly she responds, "I guess its so much different when its yourself," Nevertheless, people from the town come to talk to her and tell her how they are playing "the game" now, how they are so glad to have met her, and that they hope she can play "the game" again.

Eventually she ends up being able to play the game again. Pollyanna had never been able to tell her Aunt Polly about "the game". She wished that she could, but her aunt never wanted to hear about her father, and it was her father's game. So she could never explain it. But after all of these people came to the house and talked about this "game" Aunt Polly was confused and wanted to know what it was about. So she asked her cook, Nancy, if she knew about "the game". Of course Nancy did. Everyone except Aunt Polly did. As soon as Aunt Polly knew about Pollyanna's "game" she burst into tears. Then she went up to Pollyanna's room to talk to her. Softly, she whispered, "Pollyanna, I'm playing "the game" now." Pollyanna was filled with joy, and could then play "the game" again.

I thought this was a super amazing story! I'm going to start playing "the game" now. How about you? : )