What's better than candy or roses or diamonds or anything shiny? It's...
Valentiny!
There's nothing like a kid-lit writing contest to cheer you up in the thick of winter. With that in mind, here's my entry for Susanna Leonard Hill's annual "Valentiny" Contest. To meet this year's criteria, the story had to include someone who's "hopeful." And as usual, it must be super-duper short--just 214 words or less. Good luck to everyone participating. This is a fun one!
Now put on your scuba suit. We're going under the sea for this valentine tale...
Now put on your scuba suit. We're going under the sea for this valentine tale...
Love, iKedod
At Little Swimmers Sea-School, Ms. Fish said, “Reach into the shell and choose a valentine pal.”
“I wonder who’ll get me,” squ-eel-ed Elektra.
“I’ll take anyone,” swished Angelica “…except Icky Ichabod.”
Elektra didn’t answer.
It was Ichabod’s turn to choose. He hoped and hoped for…
Elektra!
Ichabod puffed up…poking Angelica.
“Hey! Stay away.”
“Sorry.” Ichabod deflated.
How he wished Elektra’s card could be special. The trouble was…
his untidy writing. Somehow his spines got in the way.
Bee Mi vaLuntiin.
Love, iKedod
Ichabod swam, searching for answers.
Here was a sprig of golden kelp.
It might help Elektra remember the day he shared his seaweed sandwich with her.
Here was a many-colored shell—just like the rainbows they drew together.
And here was a pearl—the same kind they used to play catch-of-the-day.
Ichabod made a card...
without words.
“Icky, your envelope’s poky and puffy—like you,” snipped Angelica.
Ichabod didn’t answer.
He set the card on the Elektra’s desk—and hoped for the best.
“Oh!” said Elektra. “Who did this come from?”
She noticed the kelp, and glowed.
She spotted the shell, and shined.
She observed the pearl, and her smile became…electric.
“Look!” said Elektra. “My valentine’s one-of-a-kind. Just like my good friend…
Ichabod!”
Angelica didn’t answer.
Ichabod did…
“Be my valentine, Elektra!”
“I wonder who’ll get me,” squ-eel-ed Elektra.
“I’ll take anyone,” swished Angelica “…except Icky Ichabod.”
Elektra didn’t answer.
It was Ichabod’s turn to choose. He hoped and hoped for…
Elektra!
Ichabod puffed up…poking Angelica.
“Hey! Stay away.”
“Sorry.” Ichabod deflated.
How he wished Elektra’s card could be special. The trouble was…
his untidy writing. Somehow his spines got in the way.
Bee Mi vaLuntiin.
Love, iKedod
Ichabod swam, searching for answers.
Here was a sprig of golden kelp.
It might help Elektra remember the day he shared his seaweed sandwich with her.
Here was a many-colored shell—just like the rainbows they drew together.
And here was a pearl—the same kind they used to play catch-of-the-day.
Ichabod made a card...
without words.
“Icky, your envelope’s poky and puffy—like you,” snipped Angelica.
Ichabod didn’t answer.
He set the card on the Elektra’s desk—and hoped for the best.
“Oh!” said Elektra. “Who did this come from?”
She noticed the kelp, and glowed.
She spotted the shell, and shined.
She observed the pearl, and her smile became…electric.
“Look!” said Elektra. “My valentine’s one-of-a-kind. Just like my good friend…
Ichabod!”
Angelica didn’t answer.
Ichabod did…
“Be my valentine, Elektra!”
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