Category: Guest Posts

Guest posts are blog posts that are written by Poptropicans who are not staff writers on the PHB team at the time of writing. Interested in contributing? Check out our “Write for the PHB” guide under the Contact tab up top.

Guest Posts

The Christmas Story with Invisible Ring

Slanted Fish

Hey Poptropicans, this is a guest post by Invisible Ring. Enjoy!

Prologue

Whenever I think of Christmas, I think of Christmas carolers, decorations, and Christmas trees with presents underneath. I love all this and more about this holiday season, but I sometimes feel sad in spite of all this, just like Charlie Brown. 

Unlike some holidays, there seems to be more to Christmas than this; even more than family reunions and festivals! But it’s hard to remember what it is, and what all those other activities have to do with it.

But when Charlie Brown asked what Christmas is really all about, Linus gave him his answer with the story of the First Christmas, and it really helped him feel better.  He passed this story onto his whole neighborhood, and now I wish to pass it to all of you.

The First Christmas
Luke 2: 1-16 (KJV)
Illustrations by Invisible Ring

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us.”

And they came with haste, and found Mary, Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Epilogue

Whenever I read this story, I think back to the Christmas trees with stars on top, and think of the star of Bethlehem that guided those shepherds to the Christ child, Jesus. I also think of the carolers, singing together like the multitude of angels that came down to earth that night.

The First Christmas story is often depicted in nativity scenes, alongside the Three Kings who gave gifts to baby Jesus, kind of like how we give gifts to each other nowadays. May we not forget the true meaning of Christmas — the best way to make sense of this whole holiday season!

Hope this yuletide message of good tidings lifts your holiday spirits as it did mine. Have a joyous and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, everyone!

Hope you enjoyed this guest post by Invisible Ring. If you did, you might also enjoy another Poptropica rendition of the Christmas story from the PHB here.

The Poptropica Help Blog welcomes interesting Poptropica insights from anyone in the Poptropica community with thoughts to share. Interested in writing for the PHB? We’d love to hear from you!

Guest Posts

That’s Snow Fun ☃️❄️

LJ

Hey Poptropicans, this is a guest post by Invisible Ring. Enjoy!

To celebrate my first early snowfall of the season, I have a Pop Quiz for you: What’s your favorite winter activity?

A:  Snowball fights? 🥶

Nothing like a battle with the Whirley Street Kids or a good game of Snowpocalypse as I always say…

B:  Christmas Decorations? 🎄

I know some people like to hang those up before it gets cold outside, but it certainly is a pleasure to have them up to see when the snow comes.

C:  Skating? 🎿

Ice skating, that is—not roller skating. Don’t bring wheels to a frozen pond or rink! If skates aren’t for you, though, try sliding around in your shoes instead!

D:  Staying indoors and relaxing by the fire 🔥

Those are your four basic options, but depending on how much snow you get, there are also snowmen, snow angels, snow forts, and snow sculptures to make!  

If that’s still not enough for you to do, don’t worry. The holiday season is upon us all, (right after Thanksgiving, that is…) so get out there and have some fun! I’m going out to go catch some snowflakes! ❄️

Hope you enjoyed this guest post by Invisible Ring.

The Poptropica Help Blog welcomes interesting Poptropica insights from anyone in the Poptropica community with thoughts to share. Interested in writing for the PHB? We’d love to hear from you!

Fanfiction, Guest Posts

Fanfic: Murder at Myron’s 🦉 Part 4/4

LJ

Hey Poptropicans, this is a guest post by Magic Kid. Enjoy!

Alright Poptropicans! Magic Kid is back again with the final part of the fanfiction, Murder at Myron’s. (Read parts 1, 2, & 3 first! 🙂) 

The villains are pointing fingers, investigating, and analyzing everything and everyone in order to figure out who murdered Myron Van Buren. It’s extremely difficult, however, to figure out. All the shifty suspects are 100% capable and dangerous, but all claim innocence. 

They had just discovered a secret tunnel and some more interesting variables when another well-known— yet uninvited— villain turned up. More contention will break out as they blame the newly arrived Dr. Hare for the murder. But what happens to him, to our Narrator Merlin, and to every villain at that dinner-gone-wrong?

You’ll have to read this shocking conclusion to the series in order to find out for yourself what happens in the end…

Murder at Myron’s

Part 4/4

All the Villains except Dr. Hare were shock-quiet as Dr. Hare, pink bunny suit and all, stepped inside in the warm house and shivered in the sudden temperature change. And then more chaos, more arguing, and just more contention in general broke out for probably the millionth time that evening.

Captain Crawfish pinned Dr. Hare against the Lincoln Log style walls of the cabin and shouted at him. “WHY DID YOU KILL MYRON? AND TO HAVE THE NERVE TO COME BACK TO THE SCENE OF THE CRIME LIKE AND INNOCENT LITTLE SHRIMP? HOW DARE YOU, RABBIT!”

Everyone else was ganging up on Dr. Hare and joining in on the shouting now.
“I see how it is! You got mad you weren’t invited and decided to get a little bit of revenge, right? Daphne poked at him.

“N—no! I got an—”

I was accidentally pushed roughly against the wall by the villains gathering and this kind of behavior continued.

“Who are you working with?” demanded Mademoiselle Moreau, who had been the one to discover that breakthrough of the window having to have been unlocked from the inside.

“Why would you DO this?” asked Ringmaster Raven angrily.

“M—Myron’s d—dead?” Dr. Hare asked, barely managing to talk because of Crawfish’s grip on his throat.

“AYE, YOU MUCK OF SLIME—”

“What should we do with him?” Director D asked in cold rage.

Gretchen replied in equal anger “I don’t know! I think we should just let Crawfish have him at the moment!”

“No! Wait— I didn’t—”

“Why else would you come here uninvited?!” Mordred shouted.

Continue reading “Fanfic: Murder at Myron’s 🦉 Part 4/4” →
Fanfiction, Guest Posts

Fanfic: Murder at Myron’s 🦉 Part 3/4

LJ

Hey Poptropicans, this is a guest post by Magic Kid. Enjoy!

*poof* Heyo Poptropicans! I come bringing you Part 3/4 of Murder at Myron’s! Read the previous episode here, or if you’d like to go to the beginning, you can reach that here.

Okay so quick recap: A lot of Poptropica’s villains come together for a dinner party at Myron Van Buren’s cabin, but after searching for the host, they find Myron DEAD in the trophy room. *DUN DUN DAAAAAA*

Last episode was a game of “Where’s Myron?” but now it’s time to figure out who, out of the choice of many dangerous unpredictable villains, killed him. Can Merlin figure out who the villain of villains is before they take another victim?

Perhaps this episode will be the answer…

Murder at Myron’s

Part 3/4

Pandemonium.

Black Widow’s scream reached the dining room and brought in a rush of people, spilling in through a door and crowding the entrance of the trophy room. Everyone gathered around Myron’s body, whispering loudly and shouting questions repeatedly until someone answered it.

Winston went over to investigate the commotion, and seeing his master’s body, he quickly sat down in a nearby chair with a small, “Oh, dear.”

“ALRIGHT, WHO DID IT?” Director D shouted over the noisy crowd, already exhausted from the arguing that was happening.

Everyone clambered to answer.

“It wasn’t me!” Isabella, the chef, said.

Daphne shouted over the noise, “MORDRED AND BLACK WIDOW WERE IN HERE FIRST!”

“Don’t look at me, I didn’t do it!” Mordred protested after several heads turned to him.

“To be fair, neither did I!” Black Widow added.

Gretchen argued back. “You two were in the room first, you both had opportunity.”

“But what’s our motive?” Black Widow shot back. “I, at least, had no desire to murder Myron Van Buren. I swear, I just found him like that! Mordred, on the other hand—”

“Excuse me?!” Mordred said. He was about to argue but was cut off.

“I think it was Moreau, she hasn’t said a WORD since entering this room, unlike everyone else,” Daphne accused bluntly.

“That’s MADEMOISELLE Moreau to you,” she replied coldly. “And silence is no admission to guilt. Would it be impossible to believe that all this noise began to give me a headache and I would rather not contribute to the tumult?”

“Oh.”

“Who said ve vas murdered? This could have EASILY been an accident!” Count Bram wondered.

Continue reading “Fanfic: Murder at Myron’s 🦉 Part 3/4” →
Guest Posts

Halloween Fun 101 🎃

LJ

Hey Poptropicans, this is a guest post by Invisible Ring. Enjoy!

It’s that spooktacular time of year again! Thrilling parties, chilling movies, tricks and treats all around! Yes, Halloween is upon us like the brisk autumn air that just blew in out of nowhere. Speaking of which, you best put on a hat! It’s only going to get colder from here…

Once you’ve grabbed your hat and picked out some pumpkins, go find a costume, and hurry! Time is running out and you can’t trick-or-treat without a costume! I mean, maybe you can, but what fun would that be?

If you’re having trouble deciding what costume to choose from, try rooting through your closet. If you have no costumes in your closet, you can either get creative with a clever combination of clothes and accessories from your inventory or swing by the nearest costume shop and pick something out!

Most importantly, grab a bag or a Halloween basket to put your candy in. Grocery bags and pillow sacks work great, but if you don’t have those go get a happy meal at McDonald’s! They always have Happy Meal “Boo Buckets” this time of year!

But I know what you’re thinking: “Aren’t we a little old for this trick-or-treating business?” My answer is no! Why? I know people who still go trick-or-treating even in their 50s! Plus, there are whole families who trick-or treat in group costumes like the Flintstones or the Incredibles.

Besides, we all have masks on so nobody is going to really know how old you are. Just play nice and blend in with the crowd. You’ll be just fine.

But if your neighborhood has grouchy neighbors who tell you that you’re too old for trick-or-treating, then I suggest you try trick-or-treating at the mall. There are also fall carnivals, trunk-or-treats, and harvest festivals everywhere on Halloween night, so try finding events like those as well!

P.S.  Feel free to attend as many Halloween parties and events as I do, because it isn’t just bonus candy; it’s bonus costumes and Halloween fun too!

I hope that you found this post spooktacular and that these Halloween tricks treat you well this season. Thank you for reading and I wish you all a very Happy Halloween! 🎃

Hope you enjoyed this guest post by Invisible Ring.

The Poptropica Help Blog welcomes interesting Poptropica insights from anyone in the Poptropica community with thoughts to share. Interested in writing for the PHB? We’d love to hear from you!