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Teacups
Many years ago, young Mary Ann became enchanted with the teacup ride at Disneyland in California, thanks to a classmate who showed her photos of the ride. She'd always wanted to swirl and twirl in one of those gaily-decorated cups, but, alas, never had the chance. Take a journey with her in this short story as she remembers that magical obsession from many years ago and attempts to bring her elderly self into the three-dimensional world that had only been a square Kodak photo.
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Published August 19, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 12, 2024
Teacups
I was not expecting to have as many feelings about this story as I did. I quickly bonded with the characters as I read through.
I was not expecting to have as many feelings about this story as I did. I quickly bonded with the characters as I read through.
January 21, 2026
Wanda Adams Fischer’s Teacups is a beautifully crafted short story that captures the quiet magic of a long-held childhood dream and the tender courage it takes to reclaim it in later life. In just a few pages, Fischer spins a tale that is both light as a whisper and deeply moving, a perfect testament to the enduring power of imagination and memory.
The story centers on Mary Ann, whose youthful enchantment with the Disneyland teacup ride, sparked by nothing more than a classmate’s square Kodak photo, is rendered with such vivid, nostalgic clarity that the reader can almost see the “gaily-decorated cups” and feel the yearning to “swirl and twirl.” This simple, universal longing becomes a poignant thread connecting her past and present selves.
Fischer’s prose is elegant and economical, carrying the reader smoothly from memory to present-day action. The journey Mary Ann embarks upon is more than a trip to a theme park; it is a gentle, determined act of making a two-dimensional dream three-dimensional. For an elderly protagonist, this attempt is framed not as whimsy, but as a meaningful reclamation of joy, a closing of a circle that speaks volumes about honoring the child we once were.
The story is a celebration of small, personal magic and the idea that it is never too late to fulfill a simple wish. It’s about the persistence of wonder and the beauty of finally stepping into a picture that has lived in your heart for decades.
Teacups is a delightful, heartwarming read that leaves a lasting impression far beyond its brief length. It’s a perfect little gem for anyone who has ever carried a childhood dream in their pocket, waiting for the right moment to let it out to play. Simply lovely.
The story centers on Mary Ann, whose youthful enchantment with the Disneyland teacup ride, sparked by nothing more than a classmate’s square Kodak photo, is rendered with such vivid, nostalgic clarity that the reader can almost see the “gaily-decorated cups” and feel the yearning to “swirl and twirl.” This simple, universal longing becomes a poignant thread connecting her past and present selves.
Fischer’s prose is elegant and economical, carrying the reader smoothly from memory to present-day action. The journey Mary Ann embarks upon is more than a trip to a theme park; it is a gentle, determined act of making a two-dimensional dream three-dimensional. For an elderly protagonist, this attempt is framed not as whimsy, but as a meaningful reclamation of joy, a closing of a circle that speaks volumes about honoring the child we once were.
The story is a celebration of small, personal magic and the idea that it is never too late to fulfill a simple wish. It’s about the persistence of wonder and the beauty of finally stepping into a picture that has lived in your heart for decades.
Teacups is a delightful, heartwarming read that leaves a lasting impression far beyond its brief length. It’s a perfect little gem for anyone who has ever carried a childhood dream in their pocket, waiting for the right moment to let it out to play. Simply lovely.
October 13, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed reading TEACUPS by Wanda Fischer.
Mary Ann's family never traveled far on a vacation during her childhood and envied those who did. So when a fellow fourth-grade classmate shows her photos of his trip to Disneyland - on the other side of the country - she is mystified and admits that her favorite ride was the teacup from Alice in Wonderland. It was his favorite, too. She vowed to go on this magical ride at least once in her lifetime. It became her obsession.
This short story follows Mary Ann through motherhood and eventually to grand-parenthood. She is still obsessed with the teacup ride and missed her only opportunity decades earlier when her kids were small. Finally, with some extra funds, she decides to take her two grandchildren to Disneyworld in Florida and partake in that ride to Wonderland which eluded her for half a century.
While standing in line, the unexpected occurs. Something that she could not have imagined in her lifetime. The story is error-free and easy to read. A real gem! Take advantage of this one.
Mary Ann's family never traveled far on a vacation during her childhood and envied those who did. So when a fellow fourth-grade classmate shows her photos of his trip to Disneyland - on the other side of the country - she is mystified and admits that her favorite ride was the teacup from Alice in Wonderland. It was his favorite, too. She vowed to go on this magical ride at least once in her lifetime. It became her obsession.
This short story follows Mary Ann through motherhood and eventually to grand-parenthood. She is still obsessed with the teacup ride and missed her only opportunity decades earlier when her kids were small. Finally, with some extra funds, she decides to take her two grandchildren to Disneyworld in Florida and partake in that ride to Wonderland which eluded her for half a century.
While standing in line, the unexpected occurs. Something that she could not have imagined in her lifetime. The story is error-free and easy to read. A real gem! Take advantage of this one.
October 1, 2023
This was such a sweet story. Mary Ann shared with us her obsession with the teacup ride at Disneyland. As a child, a new kid in class showed her a picture of the ride, and she never stopped dreaming about them. When she grew up, she had an opportunity to ride them but let it slip away because she wasn't assertive enough. When the opportunity came again, she knew she needed to make it happen.
This story is beautifully told. I was easily able to connect with Mary Ann's struggles and her determination to make her childhood dream come true. All the characters were realistic and interacted with one another in the way you would expect for that time period. And the ending was so warm-hearted! I would definitely recommend this short story. :-)
This story is beautifully told. I was easily able to connect with Mary Ann's struggles and her determination to make her childhood dream come true. All the characters were realistic and interacted with one another in the way you would expect for that time period. And the ending was so warm-hearted! I would definitely recommend this short story. :-)
August 4, 2023
An engaging story that will make you smile
This short story takes Mary Ann from childhood to life as a grandmother. A grade school desire is the focal point and the author does an excellent job of showing its importance to Mary Ann later in life.
Interactions among the characters are realistically portrayed. Their personalities are defined and unique and readers will relate to the variety of emotions displayed. Just when you think you know how this tale will end, you’ll find that it isn’t quite what you expected. That is my favorite kind of story!
This short story takes Mary Ann from childhood to life as a grandmother. A grade school desire is the focal point and the author does an excellent job of showing its importance to Mary Ann later in life.
Interactions among the characters are realistically portrayed. Their personalities are defined and unique and readers will relate to the variety of emotions displayed. Just when you think you know how this tale will end, you’ll find that it isn’t quite what you expected. That is my favorite kind of story!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews