This week, Susanna Leonard Hill is hosting a holiday writing contest on her blog. The rules dictate that the story be about a holiday (Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanaza) mishap, mix-up, miscommunication, mistake, or potential disaster not to exceed 350 words.
You can read more details about the contest at
http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2013/12/ho-ho-ho-3rd-annual-holiday-writing.html
I’ve already read some really amazing stories submitted this week, but I’m going to see what my little holiday gem brings. I’m taking a chance by not mentioning the holidays in my 346 word story, thereby allowing the reader to make inferences through the text. That being said, I’m having trouble giving my little story a title. After you read it, I would love to get some title suggestions from my astute readers.
Winter Lights
by Juliana Lee
Nico brushed the snowflakes off his shoulders.
Picking up his bundle, he hurried toward the barn.
Meow, Meow, Meow
The sound came through the icy air.
Meow, Meow, Meow
Nico’s whiskers trembled.
Meow, Meow
There near the holly bushes, Nico saw a large ball of fur shivering.
A tail twitched. A head poked up. Then two. Then three.
How many were there? Nico wondered.
Meow, Meow, Meow
Nico stepped forward.
Meow, Meow, Meow
“Follow me,” he said. “You can stay in the barn tonight.
Meow, Meow
Nico started off.
Eight kittens tumbled after him ears over tails.
Cow gave them fresh milk.
Meow, Meow, Meow
Donkey gave them dry straw.
Meow, Meow, Meow
Sheep gave them soft wool.
Meow, Meow
Nico searched the starless sky.
He saw only one light, shining in a window.
In the morning, the world was painted white.
Meow, Meow, Meow
The snow continued to fall.
Meow, Meow, Meow
Nico strung berries and leaves together.
Meow, Meow
The second night Nico searched the cloudy sky again.
He saw two lights shining in the window.
The snow continued to fall.
Meow, Meow, Meow
The world outside looked like a snow globe.
Meow, Meow, Meow
The barn was warm and smelled of evergreen.
Meow, Meow
Every evening Nico searched the dark sky.
Every evening Nico saw one more light shining in the window.
The snow drifted against the barn.
Meow, Meow, Meow
Nico mixed seeds and nuts.
Meow, Meow, Meow
The kittens played with thistle ornaments.
Meow, Meow
On the eighth night the snow stopped.
The moonlight reflected the snowy world.
Nico led the kittens out of the barn.
Meow, Meow, Meow
A ribbon of kittens trailed through the snow.
Meow, Meow, Meow
Tiny paw prints marked their path.
Meow, Meow
Nico counted eight candles in the window.
The light glistened on the frosted pane.
“What have we here?”
Meow, Meow, Meow
“A gift for a lonely old woman!”
Meow, Meow, Meow
“Come in, Come in. You must be freezing!”
Meow, Meow
Nico saw the star in the sky.
It was a good night.
Nice to meet you, too, Juliana!
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Hi Julie! So happy you found your way over here! I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of you this year!
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Oh wow, what a great job, Juliana, with fantastic imagery. The repetition is so important to the kidlets. Excellent! Good luck!
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Thank you Robyn! I’m so glad you enjoyed reading it!
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how lovely. a string of kittens and a sky full of stars. I could imagine the snow. lovely word pictures.
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Thank you so much Cecilia! Hope you’re having such nice nights in your area!
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Sweet ‘ribbon of kittens’! Good luck, Juliana
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Thank you Julie! I had fun writing it!
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A magical story to reflect the magic of the season. Enchanting!
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Thank you Michelle. It is a magical time of year isn’t it?
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This is adorable, Juliana! I love cats/kittens so you had me from the start! Nice job 🙂
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Thanks Penny. I like the kittens too!
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Just lovely. Love the imagery!
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Thank you Joanne! So happy I’ve gotten to know you through PiBoIdMo. It’s been so much fun!
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Lovely original story, Juliana! I love how you shadowed the Christmas story with the details of the animals in the barn (the cows giving milk, the donkey straw, the sheep wool) and also the festival of lights with the 8 kittens, the 8 nights of snow, and the 8 candles in the window. The phrase “ribbon of kittens” is beautiful! And I’m glad that the kittens found a home with the lonely old woman – happiness for everyone 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the holiday contest fun!
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P.S. – It looks like plenty of people are finding you anyway, but I did just realize your link was broken and fixed it, so hopefully it will work now!
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Thank you, Thank you, Susanna! Your word count was a real challenge, but I’m glad I did it! And thank you also for fixing my link to your site. I’ve read all the other stories and I’m just glad I don’t have your job now of choosing the winners! Good Luck!
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Sweet story Juliana! What wonderful imagery, “a ribbon of kittens.” Love it. 🙂
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Thank you so much Meg! I can’t wait for ReviMo, I plan on getting to know you much better.
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Juliana,
I found you and I’m so glad I did. Your story pulls me in like poetry. Beautiful!
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Oh, thank you Linda! That’s sweet!
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This is beautiful! So peaceful and sweet! Well done!
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Thank you Sharon, glad you found me!
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A magical story! You are very talented. I love the imagery!
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Thanks Kathy! Wishing you and John a Merry Christmas in your new home!
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Sweet story! Love the imagery. Good luck in the contest. Merry Christmas!
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Thanks Keila! Merry Christmas to you too!
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Such beautiful imagery. You surpassed your goal. It still has the feel of a holiday — especially with the 8 candles.
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Thanks Pat! Without an illustrator, I was afraid the evergreens, holly, star, and candles might be lost in the story.
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Peaceful and lovely!
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Two beautiful adjectives…. thank you Cathy!
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This is really sweet. Nicely done!
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Thank you Nancy.
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Lovely story!
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Thank you Little Birdie! I hope to get around to reading all the other stories before tomorrow!
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This is the magic of the holidays right there, Juliana!
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Thank you! I tried to do it justice in just 350 words.
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Just beautiful, Juliana! You are very talented.
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How nice of you to say, Michelle. I liked the Cookies for Papa Noel as well!
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This is beautiful, Juliana! I love the poetic rhythm and the repetition. It’s such a sweet story. Well done! 🙂
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Thank you Cheryl. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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A magical tale…made even nicer with cats! 🙂
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Thanks Teresa! That’s very nice of you to say.
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Wished I was an illustrator!
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Oh, me too! I wonder if Santa can grant that wish for us!
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Beautiful!
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Thanks Cindy. I liked your Dark Night Before Christmas too!
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