Hello everyone! I have just finished writing my story about George Washington, and I can’t wait to share it with you here. Here’s an important thing to remember before you start reading it: not everything you read in stories is true. In fact, a lot of stories are about things that are not true, things that are completely made up. It’s ok to read stories about make believe. In fact, many made up stories are lots of fun. But it’s also important to remember that some stories just stories. I tell you this, because there are a few parts of my story about George Washington that are not quite true. See if you can find them as you read. If you’re not sure which parts are real and which are made up, just ask an adult. If they’re not sure, ask me!

Here’s my story:

George Washington Goes to the Moon

by Matthew Swanson

You probably think that George Washington was the first president of the United States of America. And you’re right. He was. But did you know that he also was the second president of the moon? Well, he was. At least, I think he was.

Here’s what happened. When George was just a boy, he was riding on his skateboard in the mall parking lot when a flying saucer landed right on top of someone’s minivan, crushing it into a pancake. A door opened and seven orange aliens got out.

George, being a nice sort of boy, went up and shook each of their hands. The aliens had come to Earth for cheeseburgers, but they were so impressed with George’s polite manners that they invited him into their ship. Once he was inside, they shut the door and took off.

George looked out the flying saucer window as the Earth got further and further away. Only then did he start to worry a little bit. His mother was going to miss him. George asked if he could go back home, but the aliens just smiled and gave him popcorn and lemonade.

A few hours later, George saw the moon outside the window. The spaceship landed softly on the surface. The aliens gave George a space suit and carried him on their shoulders down the stairs and onto the surface of the moon. The sky was so black and beautiful. “This is way better than skateboarding in the mall parking lot,” he thought.

The aliens carried George up a mountain and down into a valley. Then up another mountain. “Where are we going?” said George. “Nowhere,” said the aliens. “We’re just getting our exercise.” A few hours later, they all went back to the spaceship and had some chicken enchiladas for dinner. And then they all took a 15 minute nap.

“Good morning,” said the aliens, fifteen minutes later “Good morning,” said George, who was starting to miss his mom. “Are you ready to go home?” said the aliens. “I guess so,” said George, who was also sorry to leave his new friends. “Ok,” said the aliens. “But one more thing before you go.”

The aliens hung up a lot of streamers and played a rousing song on orchestral instruments. They hung a medal around George’s neck and gave him a special hat with three bells on top. “We officially name you Second President of the Moon,” they said.

George was surprised. He hardly knew what to say.

“Who was the first president?” said George.

“We’ve never had a president,” they said, “but we think you should be the first president of something else.”

“Ok,” said George, “But what do I do?”

“Go back home and have a happy life,” they said. “We prefer presidents who lead by example.”

And George did just that. He went home and hugged his mom and did his homework and always tried hard.

He did have a happy life, and also a very successful one.

All the citizens of the moon kept watch. Every time George had a good day, they did too.

Every time George had a cheeseburger, they did too.

And when George became the first president of the United States of America, they smiled to themselves, knowing that first sometimes means second and second sometimes means first.

The end.

Now get out your pencils and computers and write your own story inspired by George Washington. It can be true, true-ish, or totally not true at all – you’re in charge! Post your stories in the comments below for a chance to be named Champion of the Week – with your very own [drawn by Robbi] trophy to color in, and your free archival print of Robbi’s George Washington drawing.