The Trampoline

Do you have a guardian angel, or feel someone special watches over you? In this story, a little girl learns about feelings as she connects to someone very special whilst bouncing on her trampoline.

I hope you enjoy my story. Thank you for your messages, support and kindness ... I truly appreciate each one.

Transcript

Hello,

My name is Jacqueline and I'm a very proud grandma.

I write stories for my grandchildren and I'm very happy to share them with you too.

So make yourself comfortable,

Settle back because my next story is about to begin.

The Trampoline Mariam's favourite place in the world was out in her backyard on her trampoline.

She spent hours on there.

She didn't do any fancy twists or turns,

She just bounced up and down.

Her parents thought she liked being on it for exercise and fresh air and she always looked content,

Smiley and happy.

But nobody knew the real reason she bounced up and down on the trampoline.

It was a secret that Mariam wanted to keep to herself.

Until now.

Mariam's grandpa had brought the trampoline a few years ago for Mariam and her sisters to enjoy.

It was a big round trampoline which they could all bounce on together if they wanted to.

Around the outside of it was a large safety net,

Just in case they learnt any tricks which could result in them falling off,

Especially if they didn't land in just the right spot.

To get onto the trampoline they had to climb a little ladder which had four rungs on it.

Then they climbed through an opening in the safety net which they closed behind them using the attached zipper for extra safety.

The first time Mariam jumped on the trampoline she felt a little strange.

She didn't really like bouncing up and down,

It made her tummy feel funny and she didn't see the point in spending time doing that.

Her two sisters liked bouncing and enjoyed playing together upon it.

But soon the novelty of a new trampoline wore off.

Nobody used it except a tiny door mouse who seemed to enjoy strolling across it,

Maybe for exercise each day.

The girls mum had seen the door mouse many times climb up one of the ladder legs.

At the top he pulled himself onto the safety net and jumped through the open gap.

Then he would stroll around the trampoline with his head held high as the fabric gently bounced under his tiny footsteps.

When he came back round to the opening in the safety net he would climb through,

Then move over to the ladder and slide down the leg as if a fireman on his pole.

This happened most mornings just as the sun was rising and always made mum smile.

Maryam didn't spend very much time outside unlike her sisters.

She preferred to stay in her bedroom and read.

She loved reading and would get lost in the magic of the stories for hours at a time.

One warm Sunday morning as they were all sitting around the dining table enjoying breakfast Maryam's mum asked her girls what they were going to do that day.

Maryam's sisters didn't hesitate with their answer.

They were going to play in the woods which joined on to their yard.

The day before they had been busy digging up an area and finding old pieces of pottery.

It was fun cleaning up their finds and figuring out what they had been and how old they were.

What are you going to do Maryam?

Asked her mum already knowing the answer.

I have a new book from the library that I'm excited to read,

Came Maryam's reply.

You really should go outside and enjoy some time in the sunshine before you go back to school tomorrow sweetheart,

Mum said.

Why don't you go on the trampoline for a while?

The exercise and fresh air will do you good.

Bouncing on the trampoline is boring,

Replied Maryam,

Tired of having the same conversation with her mum.

I don't see the point of it.

You know I would rather read.

Maryam loved reading and because of this she was top of her class.

She loved going to school almost as much as she loved reading.

She always handed her homework in on time and excelled in tests.

She had many friends and was a very popular girl.

Okay,

Said mum,

Not wanting to have the usual argument with her daughter.

Do what makes you happy.

And she set about clearing the breakfast dishes.

Oh don't forget girls,

It's school tomorrow so an early night for us all.

The next day Maryam came home from school in a very bad mood.

What's wrong honey?

Asked her mum,

Not used to seeing her daughter like this after school.

A new girl started at my school and I had to look after her all day,

Maryam started to explain.

She seemed nice until after lunch when we had maths.

She couldn't do her sums at all and no matter how hard I tried to help her she just couldn't understand.

It was so frustrating that I got angry and said some nasty things to her and the teacher gave me detention.

That's not like you sweetheart,

Said mum,

Confused as to why her daughter would be so mean.

Are you spending too long reading at night instead of getting enough sleep?

You always think that's the reason for how I'm feeling,

Snapped Maryam and she ran out of the house and into the backyard.

Maryam was upset with her mum and upset with herself.

To be honest Maryam didn't even know why she had been so mean to the new girl in school.

Sometimes it does take people a while to grasp the concept of things.

What she did know was this sudden feeling of anger and frustration had been happening a lot lately,

Like just now when she had snapped at her mum who was only trying to help.

Maryam stomped around the yard,

Not wanting to go indoors just yet.

It was a little chilly out so she looked for something to warm her up.

She spotted the trampoline and thought bouncing on that for a while would help her feel warmer.

She climbed up the ladder,

Stepped through the gap in the safety net and pulled the zipper up.

She moved into the centre of the trampoline and started bouncing,

Up and down,

Up and down.

Suddenly Maryam heard a voice talking softly in her ear.

Hello,

Maryam,

Said the voice.

My name is Debbie.

Maryam stopped bouncing and looked around,

But no one was there.

She went over to undo the zipper and get off the trampoline when the voice spoke again.

Don't go,

Maryam,

The voice said hurriedly.

I didn't mean to scare you.

I just want to talk to you.

Who are you?

Maryam asked,

Searching around for the person who was talking.

Come out and show yourself.

Why are you hiding?

I'm not hiding,

Said Debbie.

I'm your inner voice,

A special friend who watches over you,

Like a guardian angel.

A special friend?

Questioned Maryam.

What does that mean?

And why can't I see you?

You can't see me with your eyes,

Explained Debbie.

But if you close your eyes you will be able to see me in your mind's eye.

Maryam closed her eyes for a second before opening them quickly again.

No,

I can't see you,

She said,

Not too sure if she liked this uneasy feeling.

You will eventually,

Answered Debbie.

I have been around you since the day you were born.

I'm your guardian angel and I guide and protect you by sending thoughts to you.

That sounds a bit weird,

Said Maryam,

Still looking around her for some kind of sign of a person.

After all,

Only things like this happened in the books she read.

Maybe her mum had been right and she did need to get her head out of books and spend more time outside in the fresh air.

Her thoughts were brought back to the moment when she heard Debbie's voice again.

Do you remember when you went to cross the road yesterday but stopped just as a car came whizzing around the corner,

Asked Debbie.

Yes,

Answered Maryam.

I wasn't looking or thinking properly and just stepped into the road and suddenly,

For no reason,

I just stepped back onto the kerb and then the car came hurtling past.

Well,

That was me,

Said Debbie.

I put the thought into your head.

I also inspire and push you to do great things in life.

Maryam wasn't sure if she liked this thought and said,

So you tell me what to do and rule my life?

No,

Debbie said softly,

Not wanting to upset Maryam.

You are free to do whatever you want.

I just advise and suggest the right path for you to follow by putting suggestions into your mind.

Well,

You didn't do a good job of helping me at school today,

Said Maryam a little sarcastically.

I still feel really angry about it.

I did try,

Debbie explained,

But you were too busy focusing on being angry and frustrated with the girl that you didn't take any notice of the thoughts I was trying to give you.

So you trying to help me with thoughts doesn't always work then,

Maryam said,

Feeling slightly curious by now.

You have to take responsibility for your own feelings and emotions,

Maryam,

Debbie said.

I'm only around to advise you,

But when you're feeling negative emotions,

It's harder for my positive advice to get through to you.

But that girl made me feel so frustrated,

Said Maryam remembering how she felt.

No she didn't,

Debbie corrected.

You chose to feel that emotion and the only person it upset was you.

The girl couldn't help not knowing how to do the maths,

But she didn't understand what I was trying to tell her,

Argued Maryam.

The next time it happens,

Suggested Debbie,

Send her to the teacher to explain.

Don't allow yourself to get so angry about something that is out of your control.

Now how are you feeling?

I was starting to feel better when I began bouncing on this trampoline,

Said Maryam.

That's good,

Said Debbie.

Why don't you bounce again?

Maryam started to bounce,

Still feeling strange with this voice in her ear.

I do feel better doing this,

She said.

Why is that?

Debbie started to explain.

When we move our attention from whatever frustrates us,

Our mind is taken away from negative thoughts as we start focusing on doing something completely different,

Normally because we start doing something positive,

Something we enjoy.

Maryam bounced up and down as she thought about this.

Close your eyes as you bounce,

Debbie suggested,

And enjoy the bouncing.

Maryam closed her eyes as she gently bounced and a calmness came over her.

Now,

Continue Debbie,

Take a deep breath in and then blow out any negativity you may still have in your body.

Maryam took a deep breath in,

And as she breathed out she felt a warm glow around her.

She took another deep breath in and the warm glow grew stronger.

Peace surrounded Maryam and she felt so much better than she had earlier.

She opened her eyes and said,

Thanks for helping me,

Debbie.

Silence.

Maryam smiled as she opened the zipper to the safety net,

Climbed off the trampoline and went indoors.

The next day after school,

Maryam went back to the trampoline.

She called out to Debbie at the bottom of the ladder,

But there was no reply.

She climbed up the ladder and through the opening in the safety net.

Hello,

Debbie,

She called as she bounced gently on the trampoline.

Still no reply.

Maryam felt disappointed and then thought maybe she had dreamt everything and Debbie really wasn't her special friend after all.

Then she got cross with herself and annoyed that she had believed and listened to her own imagination.

Hey,

Maryam!

Shouted Mum from the house.

Do that zipper up if you're going to bounce on the trampoline.

I don't want any accidents happening.

Maryam huffed as she zipped up the safety net.

She was fed up with being told what to do.

She was fed up with her mum always having a go about something or another.

She started to bounce high on the trampoline and as she did so she felt herself relax and the negative feelings drift away from her.

After a few minutes she remembered what Debbie had said to her and she closed her eyes as she took a deep breath in.

Hello,

Maryam.

Debbie's voice sounded in Maryam's ear.

Hello,

Debbie,

Maryam replied,

A smile forming on her lips as she stopped bouncing.

I didn't think you could hear me today.

I called out earlier but you didn't reply.

Oh,

I hear you all the time,

Said Debbie,

But you only hear me when you're not feeling a negative emotion.

Oh,

Yes,

I was a little angry with my mum earlier,

Said Maryam.

I feel she is always telling me what to do.

She's just trying to teach you how to be a good human being,

Said Debbie.

She loves you very much and only wants the best for you.

Oh,

I suppose you're right,

Said Maryam,

Reluctantly agreeing.

Anyway,

Bouncing on this trampoline helps me to calm down.

And when you're in a positive frame of mind we can talk,

Said Debbie cheerfully.

Yes,

I'm starting to understand now,

Said Maryam.

I'm also noticing the difference between how I feel when I have a negative thought to how I feel when I have positive thought.

I like the feeling positive thoughts give me best.

I'm glad to hear that,

Said Debbie.

Maryam began bouncing a few more times on the trampoline and then asked,

So,

Why did you choose me to watch over and not some other little girl?

I used to watch over your mum,

Debbie said softly.

You used to?

Questioned Maryam.

Why don't you watch over her now?

Is she too old?

No,

Laughed Debbie.

Age has nothing to do with it.

I do still watch over her,

But not in the same way as I used to.

I stopped being so protective when she married your dad.

Now your dad looks after her and protects her and together they figure out any problems.

I just keep an eye on her to make sure she is happy.

She will always be very special to me.

So is that the reason you watch over me now?

Asked Maryam.

Because I'm my mum's daughter.

Yes,

That's right.

Agree,

Debbie.

You're very special to me too.

Maryam thought about this for a moment and then thoughts of her mum came into her head.

She thought about the times her mum had asked her to do things and how she would feel irritated by this.

Then she remembered her mum telling her she loved her so much,

Even when Maryam was upset with her.

This thought made Maryam realise just how much she loved her mum.

Coming back to the moment,

Maryam said to Debbie,

Thank you for helping me understand how much my mum loves me.

That's what I'm here for,

Explained Debbie,

To help guide and protect you.

I like that you're here for me,

Maryam said smiling.

It makes me feel warm inside and it's good to know that when I feel myself getting aggravated by anything,

I can come to the trampoline and talk to you.

Oh,

You don't just have to be on the trampoline to talk to me,

Debbie announced.

I just needed to get your attention in order to help you understand your feelings.

The trampoline was an ideal place to shut you off from everything so you could only concentrate on bouncing.

Now you can talk to me wherever you are.

Maryam's smile grew bigger as she felt so lucky to have this special friend around her.

I may still come and bounce on the trampoline to talk to you,

Said Maryam,

Because it's our special place,

The place where we first said hello.

That works for me,

Replied Debbie.

Over time,

Maryam began seeing Debbie in her mind's eye,

And the conversations they had together helped Maryam grow into a beautiful young woman.

Also,

Maryam's mum no longer had to tell Maryam to go out into the backyard for some fresh air and exercise,

Because every day Maryam would either be out walking around the yard or bouncing on the trampoline as she talked to Debbie,

Her guardian angel.

I hope you enjoyed my story.

Before you go,

I'd like to ask you a question.

Do you think you have a guardian angel watching over you?

Thanks again for listening,

And come back soon to hear another story from Grandma.

Bye for now.

Reviews

My great grandmother

Odd one out?

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✨stars✨

🌕🌙🌎💫🪐⭐️🌟✨⚡️☄️🌞

While I was listening to this I asked my great grandad to give me a sign he is with me and then wind blew a few seconds after that

That was really good 👍 👏 👌 ☺️ 😌 😊 👍 👏 👌 ☺️ 😌 😊 👍 👏 👌 ☺️ 😌 😊 👍 👏 👌 ☺️ 😌 😊 👍 👏 👌 ☺️ 😌 😊 👍 👏 👌 ☺️ 😌 😊 👍 👏 👌 ☺️ 😌 😊 👍 👏 👌 ☺️ 😌 😊 👍

That was really cute and inspiring Jacqueline💖 Thank you🙏

Aww... how cutie and soft.
Yes I think my aunt Donna's daughter who died is my guardian angel because she was called an angel her name is Arin ❤️

-Ash/Aubrey:)

This is peobably one of my favourite stories! Keep up the fantatic story making, Jacqueline! 🥰

Yes, I do. I also think that my dog is watching over me. 🤗

Well no not exactly I think all the good people tern into gosts and look out for everyone and not a perticular kid/adult

Yeeeeeeeeeeeees

Great for kids to hear about handling frustration &v getting outside! Thx!

Hi 👋 I hope you have more on the way. Continue to love your stories

Maybe

I do have lots of stuffys that talk to me and help me out especially pride the lion with a unicorn horn I also have some invisible freinds a white kitten a purple unicorn and a angel all the kids here on insight timer keep loseing our accounts

Wonderful 💖