Jack and the Pirates

Jack was a boy with a big imagination. He liked to pretend to be heroes who saved the day. Sometimes he was a police officer or firefighter, other times he pretended to be a knight in armor or ninja warrior from Japan. But what Jack loved to be most was a pirate. Along with his trusty stuffed parrot and best friend, Feathers, Jack sailed imaginary high seas in search of treasure and adventure.

One night, after Jack's parents tucked him into bed, Jack heard something at his window. Clutching Feathers, he sat up in bed and looked at the window. It was opening! Two ugly hands slid the glass up. A face peeked over the windowsill. It was a dirty face, with warts and a messy beard. Jack knew immediately who it was. It was a pirate!

"Argh!" said the pirate. "Mateys, we found treasure. There be lots of toys in here for us!"

"Good job, Dirtball," a voice outside said. "Let's get it all!" Dirtball the pirate climbed in through the window. Jack watched as other pirates followed Dirtball. They were ugly pirates with ugly names like Scumbag, Scuzzy, and Riff and Raff. Finally, their captain climbed into the window.

"Wait!" cried Jack. He stood up, holding tightly to Feathers the parrot. "You pirates can't take my toys. I won't let you."

"Argh!" said the captain. He was the ugliest of all the pirates, and he had a bright green beard. "I'm Captain Greenbeard, commander of the ship Scurvy Beards, and I take what I want!"

"Not while I'm around!" said a new voice. Suddenly, a man with a sword between his teeth swung on a rope into Jack's bedroom. He was a dashing man wearing a white pirate shirt, black pirate pants, and black pirate boots. Around his waist was a bright red sash. He took the sword from his mouth and bowed to everyone. "It is I, Captain Jolly Roger. You bad pirates aren't taking any toys tonight."

The pirates were afraid, but Captain Greenbeard wasn't. "Silly Jolly Roger," said Greenbeard. "You're not match for my pirates. Get him, boys! I'll get the treasure, starting with that parrot." The four pirates drew their swords and ran at Jolly Roger while Captain Greenbeard ran at Jack.

"Catch, Jack!" yelled Jolly Roger. He tossed his sword to Jack. Then he pulled a long knife from his sash and fought the bad pirates. Jack caught Jolly Roger's sword and defended himself from Captain Greenbeard. Jolly Roger was a great fighter. He quickly threw Riff out the window, followed by Raff. He led the other two pirates on a merry chase around Jack's room. They made quite a mess and a lot of noise. Finally, Scumbad and Scuzzy went out the window too.

"Avast, ye scurvy dog!" Jack said to Captain Greenbeard. He was bravely fighting the bad pirate captain. "Never, little boy!" replied Greenbeard. He twisted his sword and and knocked Jolly Roger's sword from Jack's hand. It flew threw the air. "I have you now! Give me the parrot, boy, and you won't get hurt."

"Not so fast," said Jolly Roger. He had caught his flying sword and now pointed it at Captain Greenbeard. The two captains charged and their swords clashed in a shower of sparks. Greenbeard swung high and Jolly Roger ducked. Greenbeard swung low and Jolly Roger jumped over the sword. Captain Greenbeard finally lunged at Jolly Roger, who turned sideways and tripped the bad pirate captain. Jolly Roger grabbed Greenbeard's shirt and threw him out the window. Jack clapped and hollered. Jolly Roger smiled at the boy.

"Thank you for being brave, Jack," Jolly Roger said. He took off his red sash and tied it around Jack's forehead. "You're my honorary second mate now. Whenever those pirates make trouble again, I'll be back and we will fight them off again." Jolly Roger patted Feathers on the head, then ran to the window and jumped out.

Jack waved and his parents opened the door. They were surprised to see the mess from all the fighting. When Jack tried telling them what happened, they sighed and shook their hands. "Oh, Jack," they said. "It was a dream, go back to sleep. When will you outgrow these pirate stories?" When they left the room, Jack laid down and smiled. He said to Feathers, "I won't ever outgrow them."