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After School

The Very Loud Hiccup

A read-aloud story with a noise in it that everybody has to make. Loud, silly, and not for bedtime.

Updated 2 min read Reviewed

A funny original read-aloud story about a hiccup that gets louder. Includes a sound effect for children to join in with. Takes about four minutes and suits ages 3 to 7.

Photograph to come.

The short version

  • About four minutes, and everybody has to do the HIC.
  • Best before bath, not before bed — it winds children up, deliberately.
  • Works well with more than one child, and better the third time.
Age
Ages 3–7
Difficulty
Easy
Where
Indoor

Nell had a hiccup. It went like this.

HIC!

(You have to say that bit. Say it loudly. Ready? HIC!)

"Hold your breath," said her brother.

Nell held her breath. She held it until her face went pink. She held it until her eyes went wide.

HIC!

"Drink some water backwards," said her brother.

Nell tried to drink some water backwards. It went up her nose. It went on the floor. It went on the cat.

HIC!

"Have a fright," said her brother, and he jumped out from behind the door and shouted BOO.

Nell was not frightened. Nell was never frightened of her brother.

HIC!

"Stand on your head," said her brother.

Nell stood on her head. She stood on her head for a very long time. Everything went upside down and slightly red.

HIC!

Then Nell's grandmother came in and said, "What is all this noise?"

And Nell opened her mouth to explain.

And nothing came out.

No hiccup. Not one.

"Oh," said Nell.

"Oh," said her brother.

And then, from behind them, very quietly, the cat went

HIC!

Questions parents ask

Is this a bedtime story?
No. It is designed to make children shout, so it is a before-bath story. There are quieter ones in the bedtime section.
What do I do with the HIC bits?
Say them loudly and let everyone join in. Pausing before each one and looking at your child gets the best result.
Will they want it again?
Immediately, and probably several times. The join-in noise is why.

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