The rules? We are to write a 100 word story appropriate for children using the words pumpkin, broomstick and creak, or a form of those words. It's not as easy as you think, my pretties.
My story? I was playing around with word families in an attempt to learn more re: early readers and chapter books. I decided to include a word family in my story, too, based off the long "e" sound in creak. Amazingly, it sounded rather poetic, and that, my pretties, made me happy. So here it is. Let me know what you think...
Creak, C-R-E-A-K, Keep! by Kathy Halsey
Autumn jumped.
“C-r-e-a-k.”
Have I heard that sound before?
“C-r-e-a-k…”
Was it in the basement?
Was it outside in the pumpkin patch?
Autumn grabbed a
broomstick propped by the screen door.
This MIGHT keep
the scaries away.
Sweep, sweep.
“C-R-E-E-E-A-K!!!!”
Autumn dropped
the broom.
Maybe a peek in
the
deep
dark
basement?
Stairs were
steep.
Autumn took two
at a time.
She landed on
cool cement.
Autumn inched
over to a dank corner.
She reached
something
soft and sleek.
Saw glowing eyes,
felt whiskered
cheek.
Autumn hugged
something sweet.
A big black cat, I think I’ll keep!
She's brave. I'm still scared of the basement! But I'm glad she found a lovely new friend on Halloween.
ReplyDeleteMe, too, i was always afraid of our basement.
DeleteI was wondering what she would find in the deep dark. I'd want to keep it too!
ReplyDeleteHey, Penny, it's a sweet black cat, yes.
DeleteI loved this! Wonderful story, Kathy! :-)
ReplyDeleteTY for stopping by, Cheryl.
DeleteLove the line, felt whiskered cheek!
ReplyDeleteYup, Julie - I loved that line, too. Ty for coming by.
ReplyDeleteOoo, Kathy. LOVE IT! So glad I found your story. I KNEW you'd written one. Love the tension. It had me from the first line. Why it's PHANTASMAGORICAL! (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteHa, Robyn, my new favorite word.
DeleteLove this! Just the right amount of scary spookiness but with a cuddly ending. Love the sound imagery!
ReplyDeleteGlad you stopped by, Leslie.
DeleteLoved the visual along with the cat description. Terrific imagery.
ReplyDeleteTB
Yay, thank you, Todd. Happy day to you.
DeleteYeah she's very very brave and aptly rewarded for the same. A sweet friend! ! Cute story. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteTy for stopping by, Rupali
ReplyDeleteAutumn's MUCH braver than me. (Or is it I?) :-)
ReplyDeleteCathy C. Hall, I caught that on-purpose grammar mistake. I agree, i'd stay upstairs, no basement for me.
ReplyDeleteHow cute. Loved the last stanza.
ReplyDeleteThis girl likes a good mystery! She's full of adventure. I'm guessing maybe she'd find frogs by the C-R-E-E-K, too? Cute story, Kathy.
ReplyDeleteSuper sensorial and I love the name Autumn!
ReplyDeleteAw, that was a great spooky/sweet combo! Brave girl reaching into that dark corner!
ReplyDeleteMe-ow! Glad her surprise was sleek and sweet and purrfect!
ReplyDeleteOoh, lovely job, Kathy! I like all the long "e" sounds - you're right, they work well! Autumn was very brave to go into that deep dark basement alone! I'm glad she found a friend! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun with your wonderful story/poem! :)
ReplyDeleteSusanna, thank you for reading and for your comments.
ReplyDeleteLove your eek sounds and the glowing eyes and whiskered cheek--fun story!
ReplyDeleteBrave little girl with a sweet ending!
ReplyDeleteLove the word family!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Teresa.
DeleteAs someone who is currently housing a cat in the basement, I can totally relate to your adorable story.
ReplyDeleteAw, great, Jen.
DeleteGreat suspense as she tiptoed down the stairs to the basement. Cute ending.
ReplyDeleteOh my! Autumn is much braver than me.
ReplyDeleteShe's braver than me, too, Catherine.
ReplyDeleteA brave girl who gets a kitty as a result! Way to go. Good luck. :)
ReplyDeleteCute and unexpected ending!
ReplyDeleteLoved the suspense and unexpected ending. Great story.
ReplyDeleteOh Kathy, this is really good. Scary, cuddly, creepy...lovely. All in 100 words. You managed to introduce a wonderful mc, create tension, and give us a delightful twist of an ending. And again, all in 100 words. WELL DONE YOU! Well Done!
ReplyDeletePam , methinks you, too, are too kind. It was fun, though.
ReplyDeleteFun use of the creak and a fun ending! I'm glad you shared the link with me. I still haven't made it through the full list.
ReplyDelete