The Perfect Valentines

Last month I signed up for the 12X12 Challenge, and already I have learned so much about picture book writing and myself as a writer.  Someone shared the Valentiny Writing Contest entry information, and I just had to give it a try!


So here is my Valentines story in less that 214 words (205!) in which someone (or in this case, some squirrel) feels guilty!  


For more information, check out
https://susannahill.com/2019/02/13/oh-guilty-heart-the-4th-annual-valentiny-writing-contest/

The Perfect Valentines

by Elizabeth Muster

All day Scurry the squirrel searched for a Valentine’s Day gift for his mother.
All the nuts he found were too high, or too small, or too hollow.  

“I found Mama the perfect one,” Scurry’s sister, Furry, bragged. “You haven’t found anything?”

Scurry looked at the ground and shook his head.  

“What else might Mama like?” Scurry wondered.  He hunted for a grasshopper,
but none were out in this cold weather. A heart-shaped leaf flew away before Scurry could grab it.

Then Scurry spotted a beautiful round nut in Furry’s favorite tree stump. Perfect!

When Scurry returned home later that night, Furry was crying. “I’m sorry, Mama.
I had the perfect nut for you, but now it’s gone.”

“Well, that’s too bad.” Scurry smiled slyly and handed Mama his present.

“Thank you, Scurry.” Mama patted him on the head.

“Wait a minute!” Furry hopped up. “Did you find that nut hidden in the hollow tree stump?”

“No.” Scurry clicked his front teeth together.   

Furry’s eyes widened. “Liar!”

Scurry sobbed. “But I needed a Valentine’s Day present for Mama.”

“I found it first,” screeched Furry.  

“Listen, you two. All I need is your love.” Mama hugged Scurry and Furry.
“And for you to always be honest.”