Two curls of the lip
One raised eyebrow
Five disapproving glares
Six condescending smirks
Eighty-one scathing remarks
Should have done the trick;
Two loving glances
One understanding smile
Five bear hugs
Six adorable kisses
Nine simple words of love
Surprised him instead!

Hop over to the Yeah Write grid to write your own or read more fabulous 42-word entries!
Imagination and mathematics mixed together:) Now that’s a great one, Shailaja!
Thanks Beloo!!
Ah beautiful sentiments. I’ve tried this on my son. Never works without a raised eyebrow, but then the raised eyebrow doesn’t work without the love. It’s a nice balance 🙂
Good to hear that 🙂
What a beautiful way to start the morning. I’m sure my children will thank you as I remember to smile and hug instead of raise eyebrows.
Very pleased to hear that indeed 🙂
Honey always catches more flies than vinegar. Lovely answer, Shailaja! 🙂
Thank you very much, James. Appreciate you stopping by 🙂
I think that’s why the experts always recommend positive reinforcement as a discipline tactic. Great response to the prompt!
Thank you Melanie!
I love a happy ending! That never gets old.
True, it doesn’t 🙂
Such a lovely sentiment.
Hugs to you Meg 🙂
Excellent. enjoyed those numbers. Sometimes smaller numbers beat larger numbers. 🙂
Kind of like David and Goliath? 😉
I’m glad there’s somebody atleast who understands math! I loved this too much 🙂
Aww, thanks a ton!
The end is especially moving. It made me happy. 🙂 l love the flow of this!
Thank you very much 🙂
oh this is just so sweet. wonderful piece!
Thank you Malaika 🙂
So positive and a great take on the prompt, well done.
Thank you very much!
Love this, Shailaja – it’s so upbeat and positive : ) And the kind of math I like.
Thank you, Kymm 🙂
This is amazing, Shailaja! You created an entire story out of so little at your disposal. I really loved it!
Yeshu, I admire your work a lot, so to hear this from you, it is such an honour. Thank you!
and that which worked was easier and less. amazing
Yes, it is in the little things that our greatest triumphs lie. Thanks Habiba!
Love your addition here. I could see a lovely children’s book based on this.
Oh Marcy! I think your comment just made my week!! 🙂 <3
Agreed!
Now I am just blushing <3
Lovely play on the prompt to incorporate counting into human emotion! Well done!
Because at the end of the day, that’s what ‘counts’ 😉 Thanks for the comment.
Now this is the kind of mathematical surprise that turns out well for everyone 🙂 Love the use of numbers at the start of the lines….it ‘adds’ (haha, pun intended) to the prompt question so well.
Coming from you, that is a HUGE compliment, CC!
This is the kind of maths I actually like! 🙂
As do I 🙂
<3 Five-stars for that!
Accepted with gratitude!
Oh, I love the transition to hope 🙂 Well written!
Thank you kindly <3
Hope always springs eternal 😉 Thanks!
And there yahaveit! Wonderfully done!
Thanks a ton 🙂
So beautiful how the relatively few loving things outweigh all the negatives.
Isn’t it, though? Always amazes me 🙂
Good one, Shailaja! Imaginative and very cool. 🙂
Very pleased you think so 🙂
wow..a great take on the prompt..and now you have given me an idea 🙂
Glad I helped 🙂
Brilliantly written! You are truly a teacher 🙂 🙂
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Aww, thanks 🙂
Gradual flow of words makes it a beautiful reading experience:)
Thanks for reading 🙂
love did win in the end 🙂
As it always should 🙂
Love the ya you did that. Brilliant Shailaja.
Thanks, Tulika 🙂 You’re my motivator:)
love and encouragements wins all 🙂
In every possible way, Raj 🙂
It’s really the little things, isn’t it?
Absolutely:)
42 exactly and I’m still flummoxed. 🙂
Hope it made you happy 🙂
A very good maths lesson. Nice one Shailaja.
Much appreciated , Suzy 🙂