Jelly Jill and Sister Jill

J.J. sat quietly in the library, Thumbing through a stack of books, looking quite contrary— Jack Be Nimble, Jack Sprat, Little Jack Horner, and Jack and Jill, Sifting through, trying not to make noise and sitting still. Her shoulders slumped, and she muttered to herself, “No other book with just Jill on the shelf.” She let out a little yelp. The librarian gave her a stern look over the glasses perched on her nose and said, “Hush! Do you need any help?” Jill mumbled, “Sorry, I see there’s no picture book with Jill only.” The librarian pursed her lips and said, “Nope, Jack mostly.” J.J. smiled and proceeded to the computer; She would write a picture book story, one that would suit her. “Jelly Jill” would be the comic hero, front and center— No script with silly Jack, no Jack, no setback! This Jelly Jill would lead the pack. J.J.’s twin sister, Jill, would be part of the story. Smiling to herself, she thought, Jack will be so sorry. No Jack—only Jill—would go up the hill to fetch a pail of water, With her furry friend, Luna, nipping at her heel, trailing after. Mom shouts, “Be home by eight and don’t be late!” J.J. stops typing, hands in midair, and looks at her watch as it pinged eight. “Oh, great! No, Jill! I’ll transform into Jelly Jill in search of Sister Jill,” A blob of red jelly slithering through the grass, Jelly Jill tumbling and jiggling like jello. Maybe she thought she might need a boy in her story after all, named Longfellow. She dismissed the thought immediately— Boys can behave so disobediently! Jelly Jill might be jelly, but she sticks as she climbs walls. She’s getting closer to the well, and she recalls How in Jack and Jill, Jill went tumbling down the hill. She covers her mouth in thrill. The storyline’s ending has to be epic! She quickly transforms and feels brave and so energetic. Slithering and tumbling like a torpedo, Being the star of the story, she does a backflip for show. There will be no broken crown As she shudders and slithers down. She sees the pail full of water, The puppy standing on his hind legs—that’s another matter. Jill is fast asleep, leaning against a rock, face down. Jelly Jill, no longer a big jelly blob, Is now a hero as she gently places the crown on Jill’s head. Jill sighs and opens her eyes; She points to the pail full of water and says, “Are you surprised?” J.J. laughs and replies, “The only surprise is Jack’s crown on your head.” Jill straightens her crown, takes her by the hand, and says, “J.J., you are my hero; let’s go home to bed.”