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.
