Short Bedtime Stories Presents: Ben Ventor's New Swing Set Invention

Short Bedtime Stories Presents: Ben Ventor's New Swing Set Invention

"All of these great things," Fran said, looking out over the back yard, "and we don't have a swing set."

     "That's because your father would have to put it together," Ben's mom said, again using the term "your father" because she was annoyed with her husband’s inability to do anything mechanical.

     "They didn't have any classes on swing set construction in therapy school," Ben's dad said in his own defense.

     "How hard is it to put together a swing set?" asked Ben, never having had any trouble putting together anything in his life.

     "You'd be surprised," answered Ben's mom, still giving her husband a hard time.

    "Do most people have a hard time putting together swing sets?" asked Ben, becoming very interested.

     "You'd be surprised," said Ben's dad, knowing there were more people like him in the world.

     "I can fix that," Ben said, allowing his mind to begin wondering about a solution to this seemingly common problem.

     "I'd buy it today," said Ben's dad, already convinced of the possibility of a swing set builder invention.

     About a week and a half later, Ben approached Fran.

     "You want to come outside with me and see my new invention?”

    "Does it involve me being scarred, burned, bruised or hurt in any way?" She asked seriously wondering if these were possibilities.

     "Come on, Fran," Ben pleaded," of course not.

     "OK, I'm in," Fran said.

    "Me too," said Ben's dad, popping up from behind his computer.

     "I come?" asked Peter, having no idea what was to come, but loving anything that involved leaving the house.

    

Outside, Ben found a part of the back yard that was bare.

    "I am going to plant these right here," Ben said, holding up what appeared to be seeds made of metal. "Fran, if you water them every day, I promise you will be happy with what you grow."

     Fran shrugged her shoulders and agreed.

    

Over the next two weeks Fran watered the seeds every day. At first, the only thing that came out of the ground was a metal triangle. After a few days, the metal triangle grew higher and higher until it formed the top of a swing set. After two full weeks, the seeds had fully grown and had become a perfect working swing set.

     "This is cool, Ben," said Fran, genuinely grateful for the new swing set but also confused. "But, I am trying to understand. You invented seeds that can grow swing sets?"

     "No, I invented seeds that can grow anything you want that is made of metal."

     Ben then led Fran over to the other side of the house, where two other metal objects were beginning to come up for the ground.

     "What are they?" asked Fran.

     "The red one is a new Ferrari for Dad. He would never buy one for himself."

     "What is the blue and grey one?" Fran asked.

     "It's a real Thomas the Train engine for Peter."

     "And what is that white one way out there," Fran asked, motioning to the white wedge shaped piece of metal sprouting from the ground.

     "That one is an X-wing from Star Wars for me."

How the metal seeds are used today:  People use them to build metal houses, cars, and planes. The Smithsonian used them to make new models for their museums like a space shuttle model for their air and space museum.

How much the metal sprouts sold for:  280 million dollars

What Ben bought with the money:  The biggest airplane hangar in the world to house his new history of airplanes museum.




Don't forget to check out part 1 of Dr. Shaw's children's book series of inventions and craziness called Best. Theme Park. Ever. for just $.99 on Amazon. Please leave a positive review on Amazon if you will!  It helps get Dr. Shaw's work discovered by others.  Also, when you buy it on Amazon, you can choose which iPod, iPhone, iPad or other device to send it to, as long as you have the free kindle app installed on that device.