My story entry in Susanna Hill’s 4th Annual Holiday Contest

Yesterday I found out that Susanna Hill is hosting her 4th Annual Holiday Contest right now. The challenge is to write a story for children in no more than 350 words, the theme being wild weather that impacts the holidays in some way. I decided to give it a try, so this is my first attempt. Next I have to link back to Susanna’s blog so my story can be connected to the contest, and then the entries are narrowed down to a few finalists whose stories are posted next Monday or Tuesday (Dec. 15 or 16). Those stories are then voted on by anyone wanting to read them. I hope you will go to Susanna’s blog and add your vote, even if it isn’t for my story. You have from Dec. 15 or 16 till Dec. 18 at 5 PM EST to VOTE.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

Now, here’s my story in 349 words.

 Blizzard Blessings

Suzie frowned out the window, her chin resting on her hands. It was Christmas Eve day and it was snowing – a lot! “Daddy, can’t we go to the pet store anyway?”

“I’m sorry, Suzie; there’s too much snow. The wind is blowing so hard we could get stuck in a snowdrift and not get back home tonight. Remember, you have to be in bed for Santa to come.”

Suzie pouted. “But you said for Christmas I could get a pet to live in the cage I found in the attic. I have it all ready!”

“Pouting won’t make the blizzard go away, Suzie. You have to wait until after Christmas now,” Daddy said. “How about we stay safe inside and read the Christmas story together?”

In the meantime, at the North Pole the elves were helping Santa load his sleigh. Soon he would be on his way, bringing gifts to all the girls and boys while they slept.

Santa picked up his warm red hat to wear that stormy night. When he gave it a shake out dropped a sleepy, little white mouse. “Sylvester! Ho! Ho! Ho! You can’t live in my cozy hat,” said Santa.

The little mouse sadly scurried away. Every time he found a nice place to live he was told “No!” – not in the dollhouse, not in the red fire engine, not in the drum set, not even in Santa’s hat. Where could he go?

That night Santa climbed into his sleigh. “Ho! Ho! Ho! What blustery weather for old Santa!”

Everyone was sound asleep when Santa landed his sleigh at Suzie’s house. He reached into his pack. “What’s this!” He pulled out a little white mouse. “Ho! Ho! Ho! Sylvester mouse! You can’t live in my pack, and it’s too stormy for you outside.” He looked around. “Look here! I see just the place for you. Merry Christmas, Sylvester.” Sylvester’s whiskers twitched from excitement.

Christmas morning Suzie squealed, “Daddy! Daddy! Look what Santa brought me!”

Under the Christmas tree, in the old cage from the attic, sat a happy little white mouse.

50 thoughts on “My story entry in Susanna Hill’s 4th Annual Holiday Contest”

  4. I think a scrawny little gremlin ate my dang comment. I absolutely LOVE your story. I said in my previous comment that it was enchanting. Your ending is cozy and satisfying too. 🙂

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  21. Lovely story, Lynn. Good luck with the contest. My last “Christmas mice” were discovered (well, their evidence was discovered) after Christmas dinner when I opened a drawer to get plastic wrap to wrap some leftovers for one of our guests. I decided not to share the news. 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much, Jilanne! I really enjoyed your story, too. I think it’s going to be a hard decision for Susanna and her helpers to narrow it down for the vote. 🙂

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  25. Cute! Made me think of a hamster we had years ago – it disappeared into the walls of our old farm house, never to be seen again, but I liked to think it had found a new home with the mice:) Happy holidays!

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    1. Jan, it’s so good to hear from you!
      It’s nice to think good thoughts about disappearing pets. 🙂 I think there’s a story in that!
      Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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I look forward to reading your greatly appreciated comments. Thanks for making my day! :)

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