Listen and read-along with this fun story by, Brandi-Ann Uyemura

Dax was on a mission. When mom didn’t believe and dad didn’t listen, he knew he had to do it himself. He had to get rid of the thing that woke him up night after night with its loud, snort-like breathing. 

First he needed to shower his room with salt. Salt, he heard, brings good luck. Having smuggled the saltshaker from dinner, he gave it a few good shakes, and one giant throw for good measure. 

“Nice and salty!” he said.

“Aaaack,” cried a voice.

Dax flipped the light switch and saw it for the first time. 

He rubbed his eyes. 

He pinched his arm. 

He wasn’t dreaming. 

It was a walking red carpet. This must be his monster. 

“My eyes! My eyes!” It screamed. “You threw salt in my eyes.”

“I’m so sorry,” said Dax. He really didn’t mean to hurt the monster. 

“When something gets in my eyes, my mom says to rinse it out with water.”

Dax grabbed the cup of water by his bedside and threw it on the monster. Only it didn’t quite reach its eyes. 

“Oh no!” the monster cried. “You soaked my fur. Now my eyes are burning AND I’m wet!”

“Oh I’m really sorry,” said Dax. “When my hair is wet, my mom uses the hair dryer.”

Dax grabbed his small hair dryer and turned it on. 

“Ow that’s hot!” cried the monster. “It’s burning my fur!”

Dax tried to turn it off, but he only made the dryer blow hotter. When he finally shut it off, the monster’s hair stood on end.

“You threw salt in my eyes, water on my fur, and now my coat is frizzy and my skin is burned.”

“I’m really sorry,” said Dax. “When I get sunburned my mom puts coconut oil on me”

Dax took a handful of coconut oil and rubbed it on the monster’s charred red fur.

Dax couldn’t help but laugh. The monster looked like a wet poodle. He wasn’t very scary at all.

In fact, the monster looked terrified.

“Here,” said Dax. “Let me get you a towel.”

“No! No! No!” stamped the monster. “I don’t want water, a hair dryer, coconut oil or a towel. I don’t want anything from you. Go away!”

“But I want to help!” Dax ran after the monster.

“I don’t want your help! I’m never coming here again!”

And just like that, it was gone. 

Dax never saw the monster again.

THE END

About the Author

Brandi-Ann Uyemura is an SCBWI member who started her writing career as an intern for Skipping Stones multicultural magazine. In her 13 years as a freelance writer, she’s been an associate editor for Psych Central, an online columnist for The Writer magazine, and a features writer for other publications. Currently, she homeschools her two boys in her hometown of Oahu while working on picture books and a middle grade. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and Twitter. She also blogs about writing on her website and inspires people to pursue their passion on TheInspiringBee.com.

Have some fun with Dax and the Monster PDF