Super Squirrels to the Rescue

Eleven lords a'leaping, readers!  It's that time again, time for mistletoe and holly, and Susanna Hill's 2018 Holiday Writing Contest. This year writers are to craft a holiday story for children 12 and under about a holiday hero. Our hero's act of heroism can be on a grand scale or a small one, BUT it can only be 250 word or less. So cuddle up with a cup of cocoa and a chuckle or two. I hope my story leaps into your funny bone today as it features the most unknown of super heroes...THE FLYING SQUIRREL!

Super Squirrels to the Rescue!!!!

by Kathy Halsey

             Hurricane-strength winds, ice thick as windowpanes, a real Snow-ageddon pummeled Santa’s reindeer. The pack shivered – not with anticipation but with fear of flying.

            Nothing interested them – not reindeer games, not even SUPER LICHEN, a treat that stoked their bellies for liftoff.

  

            Grounded reindeer. Ho-ho-NO.  Santa paced, pulled his beard, and peered. What to his wondering eyes did appear— flying squirrels in flight gear!

            “Never fear, Holly and Berry here. Able to leap 150 feet in a single bound, fly under the radar, and pierce the dark with x-ray eyes.” 

            Visions of flying reindeer did NOT dance in Santa’s head. “Come quick. The herd’s sick.”

            “Eleven Lords a’leaping, Berry. Grounded reindeer? Oh dear and no levitation? What a strange situation!”

            Super Squirrels vowed to get them upright. Comet and Cupid and all the rest perched on tree branches to learn from the best. 

            Reindeer spread antlers, sensed the wind. Puffed fur like squirrels, headed airborne again. They pawed, pranced, and rose to the roof. 

            BAM! BOOM! CRASH!  A soupy fog caused a great crash. Holly and Berry to the rescue once more fitted them with night vision goggles so they could explore.

            Gliding by moonlight, super squirrels at the lead, over trees the herd sped with Santa and sled. In the nick of time, to the four corners of Earth they spread Christmas cheer.

            Now reindeer all snuggle, safe in their beds while visions of super squirrels fly in their heads. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good flight!

Fractured Fairy Tale Contest - The Twelve Dancing Walruses

This tale clocks in at 385 words w/out the title. Please note that a "let" ( In Sedna's poem, line 3 of the story) is the collective noun for a group of walruses. Please leave a comment & I promise to read your tale, too. Thanks & appreciation to Susanna Leonard Hill for hosting this contest.

The Twelve Dancing Walruses

     Every evening as the Northern Lights flashed, Sedna, the Sea Goddess, sang a sea shanty that only twelve walrus pups could hear.

     “My lovely let* of twelve,

     Come to me where I dwell.

     Dance with me under the sea.

     I’ll catch you in my spell.”      

    The twelve slipped into the sea and swam to a secret cove where Sedna held court until dawn.      Her song enraptured the calves. The sociable sea creatures flapped their flippers. They danced a jig. They jostled and jumped ‘til the wee hours.

     The next day the calves slumbered in the sun. Old Tooth snorted when he saw his pups still dozing  Hmm… they sleep too soundly as if they’ve been up all night.

     First Born felt his father’s gaze and barked. “Look lively, brothers, especially you, Little Bit. Father suspects.”  

     Sedna’s mesmerizing voice continued to compel the calves to dance. The pups waltzed. They wiggled and even did the wobble. Each night promised more fun than the last.

     However, Little Bit dragged his flippers as the twelve shimmied and swayed. He blubbered to First Born, “My flippers flop. I’m ready to drop.”   

   The next night as the Aurora Borealis danced its way into the sky, Little Bit waited. While his brothers and sisters snuck out, he floated over to Old Tooth, seeking out his father’s warmth. Old Tooth woke as Little Bit crawled closer.    

“Is that you, little one? Where are the others?”

     “My flippers aren’t dancing slippers, Father, but if I tell my brothers’ secret, they will tease me.”    

     “Son, I questioned why your brothers lay listless. I was once like First Born, but I have a plan. My brother Grimm entrusted me with a magical net before he died. Now we use it.”

     Under the Northern Lights Old Tooth and Little Bit paddled to Sedna’s cove. While the pups frolicked, an invisible net scooped up the let and pulled them home.

     The twelve brothers rose early the next morning, famished and forgetful. Old Tooth swam over to the twelve.

     “I am pleased, my pups. Tonight we feast on the shrimp, crab, and clams I caught with Brother Grimm’s net. We will dance by the light of the moon. I decree that First Born and Little Bit shall lead and I will call the tune.”