What Happened When I Tried to

Get What I Wanted

written and illustrated by Cassie Fredendall

After watching each of his three sisters get what they want from their dad, one young boy decides to try it for himself. But his attempt to be charming and sweet instead turns into a disaster.

This amusing story will make all who read it remember exactly why it is that girls can always get what they want.

Cassie Fredendall, currently a student at the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas, grew up in Port Huron, Michigan with her parents, brother and two sisters.

What Happened When I Tried to Get

What I Wantedwritten and illustrated

by Cassie Fredendall

Three Sisters Books § Port Huron, Michigan

Author’s Thank Yous

Special thanks to Ces for the help, to my family for the inspiration and to Dr. Clodfelter for the opportunity.

What Happened When I Tried to Get What I Wanted

Copyright © 2005 by Cassie Fredendall

Published by Three Sisters Books, Inc.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided by USA copyright law.

Text copyright © 2005 Cassie Fredendall

Illustrations copyright © 2005 Cassie Fredendall

Design by Cassie Fredendall

First printing 2005

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN 0-12345-678-9

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Fredendall, Cassie.

What happened when I tried to get what I wanted / Cassie Fredendall.

p. cm.

For my dad and for my mom, who always know the difference

between what I want and what I need.

“Three little girls with little blonde curls right in the middle of their foreheads.” That’s what Mom

always says.

Except the youngest has brown hair.

And they always get what they want. All three of them.

“Your mom taught you girls how to get what you want when

you were young.” That’s what Dad

always says.

And it’s true.

“Daaaddy,” the oldest one says in her sweetest voice, “Can I have just one

more cookie? I’ve only had five so far.” She bats her eyes and pinches her

cheeks and smiles real pretty.

And Dad can’t say no.

“Daaaddy,” the middle one says in her sweetest voice.

“Can I stay up and watch just one more show with you? I

promise I won’t be tired in the morning.” She bats her eyes and pinches her cheeks and

smiles real pretty.

And Dad can’t say no.

“Daaaddy,” the youngest one says in her sweetest voice, “Can I go to work with you tomorrow? I promise I won’t

touch the copy machine unless you say so.” She bats her eyes and pinches her

cheeks and smiles real pretty.

And Dad can’t say no.

● ●

So one day I decide to try.

“Da-a-a-d-dy,” I say in my sweetest voice (which is more squeaky than sweet), “Can I have another

cookie and can I stay up late and watch TV and can I go to work with you tomorrow and play with the phones and sit at your desk and watch you use all

your tools?” I bat my eyes (which is kind of awkward) and pinch my cheeks (which kind of

hurts) and smile my prettiest smile (which is not very pretty).

And Dad just looks at me.

And then he laughs.

“Your mom taught you girls how to get what you want when you were young.” That’s what Dad

always says.

And I say, “I guess she forgot to teach me.”