Thursday, December 10, 2015

The Holiday Spirit

     Fridays are usually Perfect Picture Book Friday posts--but Susanna's Holiday story contest continues! Here's a second story to close out the week. I'll be heading to read the other stories soon with a cup of cocoa which should put me in the right mood to write some holiday cards.




THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT              by Wendy Greenley                 (285 words)

Sheltering among the crabapple trees in the little home’s side yard, the animals’ stomachs grumbled.

“Is this the right place? You said there would be food,” said Squirrel.

“It’s here! Smell the holiday spirit,” said Deer.

“Smells like pine. But there are no pine trees,” said Rabbit.

“That’s the decorations,” said Deer.

“Where’s the food?” Squirrel danced nervously overhead.

“The holidays are about sharing. See the holiday spirit?” asked Deer.

“Holiday spirit flashes on and off?” asked Rabbit.

“Sometimes it flashes, sometimes it glows. Sometimes holiday spirit shimmers by moonlight,” said Deer. 

Image courtesy of thegraphicsfairy.com
“I’m hungry!” said Squirrel.

“Be patient.” Deer pawed the ground.

The animals waited.

“Do you see any more petunias?” Squirrel whispered.

“Nope. We nibbled them to the ground last week,” said Deer.

“Any more hosta leaves? They’re my favorite,” Rabbit said.

“Nope. Last night’s frost turned them to mush,” said Deer.

“So, if you’re wrong—there’s nothing to eat!” Squirrel and Rabbit moaned together.

“Have faith!” said Deer. “I think I hear the holiday spirit.”

“Footsteps?” asked Squirrel.

“Run!” said Rabbit.

The animals did their best to blend in with the shadows.

“Here you go,” a voice said. “Before we built our home, this was your land. Thank you for sharing it. Happy holidays.”

The footsteps headed back to the house.

“How did you know the holiday spirit would bring us food?” Squirrel and Rabbit asked again.

“I didn’t,” admitted Deer. “But the holiday spirit is about hope, too. And I felt it.”

Squirrel took a big bite from the corn on the cob. “Holiday spirit tastes delicious.”

“Dibs on the carrot!” said Rabbit.

“We’re supposed to share.” Deer crunched an apple. “Never mind.”

The holiday spirit, and all its gifts, were delicious.

                                  --THE END--

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season filled with delicious moments. :)

19 comments:

  1. What a sweet story, good luck! Happy holidays!

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    1. Thank you! This is based on real life --while I don't know what the animals are thinking, we do put treats out for them. Happy holidays.

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  2. I love this image of holiday spirit.

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    1. Thanks, Linda. We have WARM weather here today, so the whole holiday feels askew.

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  3. I like how you played with the animals' conception of "holiday spirit." Fun story!

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    1. I probably spend far too much time imagining what animals think, lol.

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  4. Very cute! Here's to Holiday Spirit.

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    1. Thank you! I put Peace on Earth at the top of my wish list.

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  5. Love your holiday spirit, great story!

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    1. I've given up on keeping the animals out of unfenced portions. Might as well embrace them.

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  6. Unique idea of what holiday spirit is!

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    1. I was trying to think of what it looked like to someone who had no explanation or point of reference--like the animals. Glad you enjoyed it!

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  7. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  8. Wendy, I love how you made hope and believing a central part of your story.

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    1. Maybe a bit of writer's spirit in that part. :)

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  9. Wendy, I love how you made hope and believing a central part of your story.

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  10. What a sweet story, perfect for youngest readers learning about the five senses as well as the Christmas spirit! Thanks so much for another wonderful entry, Wendy! :)

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    1. Thank you, Susanna. It was such fun to write!

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