Les Miserables: A "Cozy Classics" rewrite for Toddlers

This book is now MINE! Walked in the wind and the rain and stopped by one of those "Little Free Libraries". Whenever I see Les Miserables in a slim volume, count me in! This book is meant for TODDLERS, and there's exactly 12 words in it. So parents would have to scramble for a means to tell the story. Cuz 12 words can't quite do that!

I came up with a Fun Writing Challenge: Write Les Miserables in 12-15 paragraphs, in a way that a toddler can understand it, and make it reasonably accurate and don't make up fake happy BS if it's not in the original! 

I think that everybody, no matter what age and level of reading ability, should have a version of Les Miz that works for them. The politics of the original might sail over some heads, but there are some good lessons about compassion, love and redemption and not judging others solely on their pasts that everyone can understand.

And...snobby "book purists" who think that children's versions of the Classics should not exist, and that Les Miz (and any other lengthy Classics) should only be read in its unabridged form by people old enough, or smart enough, can just buzz off and KMA. Talkin' bout you snobs on r/books!  

(I already paid it forwards by leaving another book at that free library)

"POOR"

Poor Jean Valjean! It's the year 1815, and he was just released from prison. He has to walk from town to town. He's tired and hungry but the inns won't rent him a room or sell him a meal. He sleeps on a bench in the street and a nice old lady tells him to see the Bishop.

The Bishop of Digne is a Great Guy! He loves Valjean, and gives him food and a bed. But Valjean steals the Bishop's silver candlesticks. The Bishop forgives him and tells him to be a good man from now on.

"RICH"

Years later, Valjean becomes rich. He owns a factory in the town of M-sur-M and makes glass beads. A poor girl named Fantine works for him. She has a child, Cosette, and no husband, so she pays The Thenns to care for Cosette. But Fantine gets sick and dies, and Valjean promises to look after Cosette.

"SAD"

Cosette is very sad. The Thenns are mean people and they yell at her, make her work hard sweeping the floor and cleaning their inn. They also beat her. Cosette has to go out at night with a huge bucket to get water. Valjean helps her carry the water and buys her a doll. He is the first person to be kind to her. He bribes the greedy Thenns with money, and they allow Cosette to leave with him.

"HAPPY"

Valjean takes Cosette to a new town, and she calls him "Father". He feeds her well and teaches her how to read and pray. She is happy for the first time in her young life.

"RUN"

But there is a policeman named Javert who is spying on them. Javert thinks Valjean is an escaped convict and wants to arrest him and put him back into prison. Valjean and Cosette run from Javert while a whole squad of police are searching for them.

"CLIMB"

Valjean and Cosette have to climb over a very high wall. It is a convent! They meet Father Fauvent, who Valjean saved years ago from being crushed by a broken cart. Father Fauvent speaks to Reverend Mother and gets permission for Valjean and Cosette to stay. Valjean works as a gardener at the convent, while Cosette goes to a real school there. They live happily in peace and safety for years.  

"STROLL"

Cosette grows up, and when it is time to leave the convent, Valjean takes her to live near Lux Gardens. They stroll in the park every day and help feed the poor.

"LOVE"

A handsome young man, Marius Pontmercy, sees Cosette at Lux Gardens. But he is too shy to talk to her so he just watches her and follows her. Valjean doesn't like this and thinks Marius is rude. Valjean and Cosette move to a new house, but Marius finds out where they live. He leaves a love letter to Cosette under a rock. She reads it, and Marius meets her and the two young people fall in love.

"FIRE"

The year is 1832, and the people are angry at the King and the Government. There are too many poor and starving people and the King does nothing. Marius and his friends the ABCs want to help, so they lead a revolt. The King sends soldiers against the rebels. Marius threatens to blow everybody up by lighting a barrel of gunpowder on fire. The soldiers retreat.

"STOP"

But Marius and his ABC friends and the people lose the battle against the soldiers. There are too many soldiers and not enough rebels. Many people are shot. Marius is also shot, but he is still alive. Valjean wants to save him and takes him into the sewers to hide. Javert finds them and orders them to "Stop!"

"DARK"

Valjean makes a deal with Javert. If Javert will allow Marius go home and see a doctor, Valjean will let Javert arrest him and take him back to prison. Javert accepts. But he has second thoughts and decides that Valjean is not a bad man. Javert disappears by walking away into the dark and Valjean is free!

"TOGETHER"

Marius and Cosette get married. But Valjean is ashamed that he was a convict and tells Marius, but doesn't want Cosette to know. Marius thinks Valjean committed more new crimes as a thief and a murderer. He won't allow Cosette to see Father anymore. Valjean becomes sick and very lonely without Cosette.

Bad Mr. Thenn visits Marius, looking for money. Mr. Thenn has proof that Valjean is innocent of these new crimes. Marius is shocked and regrets his bad behavior towards Valjean. He and Cosette rush to see him. Valjean is overjoyed and blesses them before he dies and they are together as a family for the rest of Valjan's life! 

THE END.