'The Obvious' made known

A few months ago, I used a column that our oldest grandchild had written.

Heather Ernsbarger is 14 years old and a ninth grader at Conway East High School, Conway, Ark.

There were many comments made by readers of how good her column was. Many could not believe that with the quality of her writing that she was so young and only a ninth grader.

We were down there a few weeks ago and her dad Greg said that she got bored one afternoon and put together a book of articles she had written from her school paper. It is only four pages long including the cover page and the back, containing the credits and a trademark statement.

Under the credits, she listed:

A Scrape Above -- Heather Ernsbarger

Story Time -- Heather Ernsbarger

Jailing -- Heather Ernsbarger,

Obituaries -- Heather Ernsbarger

Sports Corner -- Heather Ernsbarger

Editor -- Heather Ernsbarger

Publisher -- Heather Ernsbarger.

The obituary was about her late uncle, my brother David.

She had a small circle with "The Obvious" printed above the circle. Inside the circle, she has "HE," with the H and E touching. I am not skilled enough to do that type of work on the computer.

At the bottom the work states, "All articles printed are a trademark of 'The Obvious.'Any copying or duplicating without permission is prohibited and will be subjected thereof."

Since it was trademarked with such a strong statement, it was obvious to me that I had better not use it in any of my columns without her permission -- I did not want to be prosecuted. Her comment was, "Yes. Papa. You can use it anyway you want." Although I did not get the permission in writing, I do have witnesses; so, I am in the clear and will use two of the stories.

One selected is "Story Time." Her story is as follows:

Today we will be learning the story of Goldy the goldfish and his adventure in the ocean.

Once upon a time, as many know, there was a tiny little gold fish named Goldy.

Goldy swam in a crystal clear tank with many other goldfish. One day, like many other, Goldy was swimming around in circles when a giant green net swooped in to get him.

"I want that one Mommy!" cried Ivory, a bratty little girl. "All right darlin' hold on just a minute." Soon Goldy was swept up and dumped into a plastic bag. "Yay!" Ivory yelled as she sloshed and bounced Goldy all the way to the car.

They then hit the road. "Mom, it's hot," said Ivory as she rolled down the window. She looked at Goldy. He didn't look so good (due to all the shaking). "I think he needs some fresh air," Ivory said as she held Goldy and his plastic bag out the window.

Now this was probably not the best idea, seeing that the car was going over a bridge in Destine, Fla. "Oh no!" Ivory yelled as the bag slipped from her "I'm alive!" said Goldy as he checked himself for cuts and bruises. "

That was a nasty fall. what was she thinking, holding me over the water like that?"

Goldy was happy that he was alive, there was just one problem ... he was still in the plastic bag, or at least he thought he was. All of a sudden Goldy was no longer swimming in nice fresh water. He was swimming in salt water. The bag had caught on a stick and popped. "Wow," Goldy thought, "the Ocean. I have to find someone who can help me."

Goldy began to swim. And he swam, and he swam, and he swam some more. Just as he was about to give up out of pure fatigue he spotted a coral reef.

"Oh my, this is beautiful," Goldy said to no one in particular. "I' going to live here all of my life and live happily ever after." Goldy thought. CRUNCH!!! that was all Goldy thought, he was swallowed up by a bigger fish.

A sad end to a story, but everyone new it was coming.

Heather's mother Rene's interest is in scrapbooking, and another of Heather's stories highlights Rene's accomplishments and contributions through a job.

I learned after reading Heather's story, "A Scrap Above" that Rene worked at a scrapbooking store for a couple of weeks to fill in. Out of Heather's creativeness she wrote the following story:

The phone has been ringing off the hook at A Scrap Above, a scrapbooking store in downtown Conway, Ark., due to the newly hired worker, Rene Ernsbarger.

Rene is there to assist any confused shopper who needs help.

Early to work and with money counted and in the register, Rene is ready to tackle anything coming her way.

Rene is married to Greg Ernsbarger, the world renowned super manager of the super Wal-Mart superstore in Cabot. She has three beautiful children, Heather, age 14; Christie, age 12; and Brenton, age 7.

A Scrap Above is now a hit thanks to Rene. Of course, she is not the original worker of the store. Stacy Taylor of Conway and Lisa Eason of Conway have been here since the beginning, making the store all it is today.

But the store is getting constantly ever-more popular due to Rene's new spicy sense of style. She is doing a terrifically wonderful job and the editor of the paper would like to congratulate her on her new job.

Thanks for what you are doing, You are actually bringing something to Conway after all.