Ok, writers, are you ready?
Forget the dishes in the sink, the pile of work in your inbox, and the fact that it’s your mother-in-law’s birthday on Thursday and you still haven’t thought of a good present!
It’s time to Mix ‘n’ Match your way to a new story! 😊
Mix ‘n’ Match Mini is a 7 week writing challenge for anyone who needs a little boost, a little inspiration, or a little encouragement to get writing. . . or maybe just a little fun!
You get to write your own story, enjoy and be entertained by everyone else’s stories, and get yourself in the running for some awesome prizes (please see the end of the blog post for a list of all the prize goodies which continues to grow!)
To be eligible for the prize drawing you must enter all 7 weeks.
For a full description of the challenge, to read the Week #1 entries, or to add your Week #1 entry, please go HERE (Week #1)
To read the Week #2 entries or add your Week #2 entry, please go HERE (Week #2)
Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Prompt #3 for Week of May 24:
So far we’ve played with character needs/goals, and with writing a cumulative story. This week we’re going to play with a picture prompt, 3 random words. . . and a secret!
Here’s the picture, drawn by the incredibly talented Julie Rowan-Zoch (author/illustrator of I’M A HARE, SO THERE! HMH Books For Young Readers 2021, and illustrator of LOUIS by Tom Lichtenheld HMH October 2020!) and used with her permission for your writing fun 😊 (Thank you, Julie!!! 💕)
And here are random words! Choose one from Column A, one from Column B, and one from Column C.
| Column A | Column B | Column C |
| raindrops | picnic | strawberry tart |
| nest | rope swing | pond |
| cherry tree | mistake | bucket/pail |
| unicorn | lost | tantrum |
| bridge | spring | admire |
But wait! There’s a twist! One of the characters has a secret! Which character? What secret? And how does it impact the story? You will probably want to think up your own secret, but in case anyone needs an idea, here are a few suggestions:
-took something that didn’t belong to them
-hid something on purpose
-told someone something that wasn’t true
-doesn’t want to play hide ‘n’ seek (or duck, duck, goose, or musical chairs, or tag, or. . .)
-only wants to play hide ‘n’ seek (or duck, duck, goose, or musical chairs, or tag, or. . .)
-is allergic to acorns
-wants to invite someone to their birthday party (or for a sleepover, or. . .)
-is afraid of dogs (or cats, or bicycles, or bees, or swimming, or. . .) and doesn’t want anyone else to know
-plans to bake a surprise cake for someone
-has a special present for someone
-isn’t telling someone something they should
-secretly really likes someone
-secretly doesn’t like someone
-is getting something they know everyone will love
Write a 100 word story for kids about the pictured characters, using three random words and giving one of the characters a secret which you incorporate into the story, and post your in the comment section below! (If for some reason you have trouble posting, you may use the contact form to email your entry to me and I’ll post it for you.)
- Stories can rhyme or not – totally up to you!
- You can go under or over 100 words if you want to – also totally up to you! – 100 is a guideline
- If you’re deeply inspired by random words that are not on the list you can use them instead – the purpose here is inspiration and to get you writing!
- For simplicity’s sake (and to aid skimming readers who might be interested in a particular thing) please say which random words you’re using you’re using at the top of your entry along with your name, word count, and title if you have one.
I am SO looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with! There have been so many amazingly creative, clever, fun, and entertaining stories written so far!!!
Now come join the fun! Get some writing done! Encourage your kids (or students) to give it a try! Or just have a good time together reading what other folks have written!
Ready, set, WRITE! 😊
(And remember, for full details on the 7 week challenge you can check HERE)
Check out the Week #3 stories!
Ruth’s Birthday Surprise – Sue Lancaster
The Perfect Gift – Erika Romero
Getting There – Rose Cappelli
A Hare Raising Mistake – Bru Benson
Acorn Day – Jen Subra
The Secret – Marty Findley
The Secret Spot – Isabel Cruz Rodriguez
The Smashed Bash – Laura Bower
The Secrets of Beryl The Bunny – Elenore Byrne
Hare…Or Not – Susan E. Schipper
Better Than Acorns – Erin Cleary
Acorns And, Er, What?! – Marty Bellis
Bunny’s Problem – Deb Sullivan
Floppy And The Rope Swing – Dawn Young
Untitled – Elizabeth Volkmann
The Cherry Pie Problem – Ashley B. Pedigo
Chip, Drip, And Skip – Meg King-Sloan
A Small Mistake – Leslie Degnan
Turtle’s Strawberry Hill Surprise – Joyce Uglow
Disappearing Dewberries – Candice Marley Conner
Rabbit Won’t Have To Wait – Sara Kruger
Hare Today And Gone Tomorrow: From Brey To Form, A Secret That Saved! – Sally Yorke-Viney
Miss Bun’s Secret – Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
A Happy Tail – Marta Cutler
Safe Cracking Squirrels – Susan Summers
Clueless Squirrels – Lyn Jekowsky
Scratch And Scritch’s Show Stopper – Ashley Sierra
Fireworks – Aly Kenna
Late Lunch – Hannah Roy LeGrone
Bunny’s Magic – Dianne Irving
Thoughtful Harry – Padgy Soltis
A Secret Entrance – Lauri Meyers
The Scavenger Hunt – Barbara Renner
Vanishing Act – Marta Cutler
Rabbith’th Thee-cret (Rabbit’s Secret) – Allison Strick
Harah Helps Look – Sarah Meade
Momo’s Cherry Tree – Bevin Rolfs Spencer
In The Mood To Play? – Amy Leskowski
A Couple Of Nuts – Jill Lambert
Mr. Bunny’s Secret Skill – Mia Geiger
B-U-N-N-Y Spells Trouble – Jeannette Suhr
Rainy Picnic – Nicole Loos Miller
The Secret of Sassafras – Linda Schueler
A Friend In Need – Candace Kubinec
Untitled – Lauren Scott
The Unicorn – Lynn Katz
Unicorn’s Secret – Michelle S. Kennedy
The Happiest Habit – Christine Alemshah
The Bunny’s Secret – Marla Yablon
Watch Out For Bear? Watch Out For Hare! – Katie Schwartz
The Will To Win – Colleen Owen Murphy
Magic Unicorn – Robin Currie
Happy Spwing – Deb Buschman
The Unicorn’s Mistake – Brenna Jeanneret
Tantrum Blues – Sarah Hawklyn
That Hare – JC Kelly
PRIZES & PRIZES OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES!
When it comes time for prizes, names of all those who complete the challenge will be drawn randomly and matched with prizes drawn randomly until we run out! 😊
Please join me in thanking these very generous authors and other writing professionals for contributing their books and writing expertise as prizes by visiting their websites and blogs, considering their books and services for gift purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazone, B&N, or anywhere else if you like them, suggesting them for school visits, and supporting them in any other way you can dream up! 😊
⭐️ Picture Book Critique from Penny Parker Klostermann, the lovely and talented author of THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT (Random House 2015) and A COOKED-UP FAIRY TALE (Random House 2017)
⭐️ 30 Minute Q&A with Penny Klostermann
⭐️ Picture Book MS Critique OR Query Letter Critique (Winner’s Choice) from Jennifer Buchet, debut author of LITTLE MEDUSA’S HAIR DO-LEMMA (Clear Fork/Spork May 11, 2021)
⭐️ Picture Book MS Critique from Jen Raudenbush, agented writer of picture books, middle grade, and poetry. (Represented by Natascha Morris of The Tobias Literary Agency)
⭐️ 30 minute Zoom chat about anything industry related (manuscript, query letter, best practices for querying) with Becky Scharnhorst, amazing author of MY SCHOOL STINKS (Philomel Books, July 6, 2021)
⭐️Picture Book Manuscript Critique with Audio Recording by author and poet Sarah Meade Sarah will do a written critique of your manuscript and include an audio recording of her first read-through of the manuscript. The audio recording is to help the author hear how the story flows and/or where a new reader may stumble when reading aloud.
⭐️ Webinar: How To Write Powerful First Pages Like A Pro by author and editor Alayne Kay Christian
⭐️ A copy of Mary Kole’s Writing Irresistible Kidlit: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult and Middle Grade Writers, donated by Nicole Loos Miller
⭐️ A personalized signed copy of SASSAFRAS AND HER TEENY TINY TAIL (MacLaren-Cochrane Publishing 2021) by Candice Marley Conner
⭐️ Making Picture Book Magic Self Study Class (any month)
⭐️A copy of A FLOOD OF KINDNESS by Ellen Leventhal
⭐️A copy of MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe by Vivian Kirkfield
⭐️A copy of THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT by Penny Parker Klostermann
⭐️A copy of SLOTH AND SQUIRREL IN A PICKLE by Cathy Ballou Mealey
⭐️A copy of BINDU’S BINDIS by Supriya Kelkar
⭐️ Magnetic Poetry – Little Box of Happiness
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Ruth’s Birthday Surprise
(113 words, bridge, picnic, strawberry tart)
Sammy and Simon scampered to where Ruth was waiting.
“Your birthday picnic’s ready,” said Simon. “With all your favourite food.”
“There are lettuce chips, acorn fritters, and for pudding a delicious carrot-…”
“Sssshhh, Sammy!” Interrupted Simon. “That’s a surprise.”
Ruth blushed. “Thank you, you’re very kind,” she said. “But I have something to tell you.”
“What?” asked Sammy.
“I can’t stand carrot cake,” she whispered.
Sammy looked disappointed.
“You must think we’re terrible friends,” he said, as they crossed the bridge. “But what I was about to say was… a delicious carrot-FREE strawberry tart! Of course, we know you hate carrots!”
Simon pushed aside the bushes to reveal a group of animals.
“SURPRISE!”
Aww! Love this. What sweet friends they are.
Aw, so cute, Sue! Great job working in the words and the surprise, and how tricky of Sammy and Simon to let Ruth believe for a moment that they had made her a birthday cake she wouldn’t like!
I went the birthday picnic route, as well! Love this twist!
VERY cute, Sue! Does the strawberry tart have a little dab of chocolate?
Love these caring friends. Nice job!
What a great surprise!!! Nice job! 🙂
Of course they knew she hated carrots! What a cute story!
The Perfect Gift
By Erika Romero
Nest, Picnic, Pond
Sally and Tally were so excited to be invited to Buster’s birthday picnic.
“We need to find the perfect gift!” Sally decided.
“A gift Buster will never forget!” Tally agreed.
They decided to start their search for the perfect gift at their favorite red maple tree.
This tree had grown so much since they first visited that it now cast a big shadow over the calm pond.
“Maybe Buster would like a vacation to this pond. The tree keeps this area cool and the fishes are friendly.”
Tally wasn’t convinced by Sally’s choice.
“I think Buster would like the tree more than the pond. He can enjoy seeing all the growing families in the birds’ nests.”
Sally didn’t think Buster would find bird eggs that interesting.
They collected a few acorns while thinking the matter over.
“Maybe Buster will like spending time by the pond AND the tree,” Sally suggested.
“Two gifts are better than one,” Tally agreed.
Decision made, they gathered their favorite acorns and made their way to Buster’s birthday picnic.
What they didn’t know, and wouldn’t find out until Buster’s vacation, was that the fishes and birds had heard Sally and Tally’s plan. They had never meet Buster and were always looking to make new friends.
When Sally, Tally, and Buster arrived at the pond by the tree, or maybe it’s the tree by the pond, an extra birthday surprise was waiting.
A perfect gift that Buster would never forget.
What do you think the surprise gift could be?
Fun! Love the question at the end!
Great names for the characters in the story! 🙂
Such fun, Erika! Love the open ending!
Hmmm, a joint gift from fish and birds? Could it be an arrangement of feathers bedazzled with fish scales?
More friends are better than one, too! Sweet story! 🙂
Might the surprise be lettuce-wrapped acorn pancakes with maple syrup?
I love your guess! Glad you caught the purposeful inclusion of the maple tree.
Getting There
by Rose Cappelli
(111 words; bridge, rope swing, strawberry tart)
Rabbit contemplated Hedgehog’s sweet strawberry tart waiting for her on the other side of the pond.
“What’s wrong?” asked Squirrel One.
“I’m trying to figure out the best way to get to the other side. I might get lost if I walk around, the rope swing isn’t strong enough, and I’m too big for Crow’s back.
“What don’t you just hop across the bridge?” inquired Squirrel Two.
“What about Troll? I’m afraid he might eat me! But…I have another idea. Will you help?”
Rabbit and the squirrels constructed a sturdy raft out of acorns.
“Come with me!” said Rabbit.
“You two go ahead,” said Squirrel One. “I’m afraid of the water.”
Hahaha, Rose! What a great ending! After all their efforts! If only he hadn’t kept his fear of water a secret 😊
Very cute! Now how does Squirrel One get across?
Great story!! Hope he will eventually get there!!! 🙂
Aww, poor squirrel. He’ll make it some way, I hope! Cute story!
Thank you for showing my entry:
Word Count: 100
Words: Cherry tree, mistake, bucket
A HARE RAISING MISTAKE
By Bru Benson
“That’s not what I wanted,” Hare said, “I need cherries from the cherry tree.”
“Acorns are the best,” said the squirrel.
“I can’t climb trees,” Hare said, “I can’t use acorns.”
The squirrel knew a secret.
“Can you help us carry our heavy bucket back to our nest?” the squirrel asked.
Hare followed them to the acorn tree.
“We covered the bucket with twigs so it wouldn’t spill,” said the squirrel.
Hare lifted it up. It felt light.
“There must be a mistake,” Hare said.
Squirrel removed the twigs to reveal cherries.
“Surprise. Now you can make your cherry pie.”
Well done, Bru! What a nice surprise for Hare that they had collected the cherries all along, and how crafty the squirrels were to keep it a secret 😊
What a nice surprise for Hare!
Sneaky squirrels! And how sweet of them to have known that Hare wanted cherries all along!
They certainly knew him well! 🙂
What sweet friends! Cute story!
ACORN DAY by Jen Subra
words: raindrops/spring/picnic/pail
Biffy and Buffy were Bunny’s best friends. They did EVERYTHING together! In the spring, they romped through raindrops. In the summer, they picnicked on plump peaches. But fall was the finest season of all. Every fall in the park where they picnicked, the acorns would fall–plink! And every fall the three friends met to fill their pails–plunk! Acorn Day was a special day.
“I think we should surprise Bunny this year,” said Buffy.
“What should we do?” asked Biffy.
“Let’s gather all the acorns before Bunny arrives and surprise him with a full bucket!”
In a dash, the two squirrels had filled three buckets to the brim. And just in time! Bunny hopped into the clearing and stared in amazement.
“Look how surprised he is!” whispered Buffy.
Then Bunny’s ears drooped, and his smile slumped.
“Bunny, look!” exclaimed Biffy. “We already picked a pail full for you!”
Bunny’s eyes brightened, but he was still sad.
“Do you not like our surprise?” asked Buffy.
“It’s a wonderful surprise! But the best part of Acorn Day is not a pailful of acorns. The best part is spending the day with my friends, but now all the work is done,” sighed Bunny.
Buffy and Biffy looked at each other, smiled, and tossed the buckets in the air! Acorns rained down, and Bunny laughed out loud. What a wonderful surprise!
Aw! What a sweet story, Jen! Love the opening – sounds like a picture book 😊 And love that when Biffy and Buffy’s secret plan didn’t work quite how they envisioned, they made everything right with their quick thinking 😊
Love your lyrical language.
Love your seasonal alliteration!
Jen, loved your story! Alliterations, surprises and great friends! !!! 🙂
I loved the alliteration too – romped through raindrops. A sweet story.
Sweet. What a great commentary on friendship.
Oh My!! Sweet story!
A doubly fun Acorn Day! Cute story!
Ah! I love it!! What sweet friends.
The Secret
By Marty Findley
Words: raindrops, picnic, tantrum
Hare has a secret!
Hare watched his best friends, the twins, Chitter and Chatter, come to the picnic. Chitter was throwing a rip-roaring tantrum. “What is wrong with you?” demanded Chatter!
“This is my last acorn!” replied Chitter “and I’m still hungry!”
“Calm down,” said Hare. “I have a secret to share!”
Suddenly raindrops began to fall and the friends dashed to Hare’s house. “Come inside,” said Hare.
“Surprise!” The room was filled with furry forest friends and on the table under a HAPPY BIRTHDAY banner sat the biggest cake Chitter and Chatter had ever seen! It was decorated all around with acorns! And on top was a big orange carrot. After all, rabbits get hungry too!
So adorable! And two surprises ( the cake and why the acorns were all gone)!
Great names for the characters along with super surprises!!! 🙂
Chitter was one hangry squirrel! So glad his friends had a plan that made it better and FUN!
You made this prompt look effortless. Congrats!
POSTED FOR ISABEL
The Secret Spot
By Isabel Cruz Rodriguez
The pompous hare curled her hair
“It looks like rain. I must take care.”
“Don’t want to mess my coiff so rare.”
“No time to waste. Time to make haste.”
Across the pond two chipmunks rest
From dumping acorns in their nest.
“We need to hurry”, the youngest said
“Or rain will fall upon my head.”
Hippity Hop the hare jumps up
She spots the bridge to go hide under.
Skippity Skip the chipmunks zip
They see the bridge to which they skip.
Drippity Drip. Plop Plop Plop.
The raindrops begin to Drop Drop Drop.
Hippity Hip. Trot Trot Trot.
The hare hops to her secret spot.
The chipmunks skip to do the same.
To their secret spot to miss the rain.
Hippity C-R-U-N-C-H!
Skippity S-C-R-U-N-C-H!
Curlers fly! Acorns roll!
The SECRET SPOT belongs to all!
Lots of fun action and sounds to enjoy….and glad they all stayed dry!
Cute! A fun one to read aloud 🙂
Nice action and sound words! I’m glad they found a place to get out of the rain!
Love the curlers! Cute story! 🙂
Love the onomatopoeia and the inclusive message at the end!
The Smashed Bash
By Laura Bower
(unicorn, mistake, raindrops, tart)
234 words
“Hey Gus – how come you’re sitting still?
Today’s the party day!
Uni-Corn is turning six –
Come on! We know the way!”
“I..uh…don’t…uh…feel so good.
I have a stomach ache.
Going to this party would be
such a big mistake!”
“You’re feeling sick? Lil’ Skippy asked.
That doesn’t make much sense.
I saw you just an hour back
dancing on the fence.”
“Uhh… you know? I’m feeling better,
but really shouldn’t go.
Uni-Corn is mad at me.
For what? I do not know!
“Oh, don’t be silly!” Nutsy yelled.
I heard from Uni-Corn
that you’re the guest of honor and
you’ll get the golden horn!”
“Oh, are those clouds? And raindrops too?
WE should stay indoors.
I’ll race back to my cozy home.
and you can go to yours.”
“But Gus, the day is nice and bright.
What’s really going on?
The party ends at 5 o’clock.
We should have been long gone.”
I guess it’s time I told you this
(should’ve from the start).
I’m sitting on a pile of super
squishy, smashed-up tart.
I was in charge of the dessert.
Poor Uni will be sad!
I can’t attend the big soiree
with nothing good to add?
Don’t worry Gus. It’s YOU who will
make your best friend’s day.
(and if you clean up really fast –
a bake shop’s on the way).
Loved the secret Laura, you kept me guessing. And a cute ending.
Thank you Elenore! It’s so much fun to write and read everyone else’s stories!
Great title and story! 🙂
Thank you so much! Appreciate it!
Great story arc in such a short tale and a satisfying ending too. What else could you ask for?
That’s so nice – thank you Leslie!
Super cute secret. It is so relatable. Congrats!
Thanks so much Joyce for reading/commenting!
The secrets of Beryl the Bunny
Word Count 137
Using bucket, nest, mistake
Beryl the Bunny’s embarrassment stung,
caused by her peers and the slip of a tongue.
She sat with a bucket to capture her tears,
while mean nasty words lingered on in her ears.
She lifted her hankie and patted her eyes,
upset they’d discovered her carrot supplies.
She’d hidden a stash in the back of her nest,
coz bunnies found acorns quite hard to digest.
The duet approached “We come with a gift.”
Beryl stared blankly her feelings still miffed.
“We made a mistake being careless and feral.
We shouldn’t of said it. We’re so sorry Beryl.”
“We know you love acorns as much as we do,
so here are some red oaks we picked just for you.
We vow not to snoop, it’s such a bad habit
and promise we’ll never – call you a rabbit.”
Warning: Please never feed rabbits acorns (from my 9 year old son).
Aww…excellent message (from the squirrels and your son!)
Thanks
Clever!!!
And yes, love the warning, too!
Thank you for reading.
Fantastic meter and rhyme on this one (and CUTE poem too!)
Thanks Michelle. Appreciate your feedback on the meter and rhyme.
One of my parents’ horses died from eating red oak acorns–so I don’t blame Beryl one bit for wanting carrots instead! Love the rhyme; excellent job, Elenore.
That’s horrible to hear Candice. Best to stick with the carrots! Thanks so much for reading.
Love this- great job!
Thanks Laura
I love the name Beryl and your rhyme (feral)…also your son’s warning at the end! Perfect rhyme and meter along with so much emotion in only 137 words. Wonderful, Elenore!
Thanks Jill. I love the name Beryl too – it was my Nanna’s name.
Please disregard the “Hare ..Or Not story above 😦 I mistakenly submitted one of my drafts instead of the real deal! UGH! So embarrassed! )
Hare…Or Not
By Susan E. Schipper
Unicorn, Spring, Admire
WC 140
There once were two friends who loved adventures
One squirrel named Clyde and one called Spencer.
They took acorns with them wherever they went
They loved everything “acorn” even the scent!
One spring day they met a hare
Who stared at them and said, “Beware!”
Do not come closer or you’ll be sorry!
I’ll send you off to Kalahari!
Trembling, they offered acorns to hare
But suddenly hare was not there!
In his place right before their eyes
Sat a bright, white Unicorn about six feet five!
What happened to hare, where did he go?
Oh Mr. Unicorn we have to know!
He was right here before our eyes
Now he is gone! What a surprise!
Unicorn said, I admire your generous offer to “me”
You both are so kind, as kind as can be!
I know you love acorns yet you would share
Your treasured treat with a mean old hare!
No worries, Susan – I removed it for you! Cute story! Who would have guessed that an act of kindness might turn a mean old hare into a gigantic dazzling unicorn?! 😊
Thank you so much, Susanna, for removing the “incorrect” version!! UGH!
Thank you too, for your comment 🙂
YW 😊
Oooh…love that mysterious ending!
Thanks, so happy you enjoyed the “ending”! 🙂
I love how the title is answered at the end. What a nice surprise!
Thanks, Erin! 🙂
It’s like a woodland friends retelling of Beauty and the Beast! Nicely done, Susan
Thanks for reading and commenting! 🙂
Love the title and the important message of kindness!
Thanks for your “kind” words, Laura! 🙂
What a cute story! Love the surprise ending too!
BETTER THAN ACORNS by Erin Cleary
(words: cherry tree, lost, spring, pond)
Chester and Shirley were searching for acorns when they spotted their friend sitting under a cherry tree.
“What are you doing, Bonnie?” Chester asked.
”I’m thinking about a story I want to write,” Bonnie said.
“Ooh! I know, I know! You can write about acorns and how delicious they are!” said Shirley.
“I’ve never eaten an acorn,” said Bonnie
“Here, you can have this one,” said Chester, handing her one he’d been saving for a snack.
“Thank you, Chester,” said Bonnie.
“Or, you could write about how fun it is in the spring to find a lost acorn you buried for the winter,” said Shirley.
“That does sound fun, but I’ve never buried an acorn.”
“Here’s an acorn we found by the pond. Maybe you can bury it and then look for it later,” said Chester.
“That’s a nice idea, Chester,” said Bonnie.
“Or, you could write about a great big tree that grows acorns that magically grow into new trees that grow more acorns!” said Shirley
“You mean an oak tree?”
“Oh, right,” said Shirley.
They sat quietly together for a little while.
“I know just the story!” said Bonnie.
“Tell it! Tell it!” the squirrels cheered.
“Once upon a time there were two squirrels. One squirrel was very good at sharing his acorns. The other was very good at sharing her ideas. Together they helped their friend write a story. It was a very good story. The end.”
“Those are very nice squirrels.” said Shirley.
“They are, Shirley,” said Bonnie. “Do you want to know a secret?”
Chester and Shirley looked at Bonnie.
“That story is about you!”
“It is? I liked that story, Bonnie,” said Chester.
“Me too,” said Shirley. “That story is even better than acorns.”
Aww…friends are certainly better than acorns, for sure 🙂
I agree! 🙂
This is so fun to read! Love the dialogue. 🙂 Great idea!
Thank you!
I forgot to mention, 290 words.
Loved the story within your story!! 🙂
Love how everything ties together at the end! Nicely done, Erin! Friendship stories are better than acorns 😉
Oh my gosh. This is so sweet! I love this story of sweet friends who are so willing to share. 😊
Cute story idea – reminds me a little of Toad and Frog.
ACORNS AND, ER, WHAT?!
by Marty Bellis ( mistake, pail, bucket, admire, unicorn )
“Look, Rabbit, we collected twenty pails of acorns for the contest. Where are yours?”
Rabbit dutifully admired the squirrels’ work, but had to admit he had none.
“We thought you were helping us,” said Eddie.
“I did, too.”
Poor Rabbit’s whiskers turned bright pink.
“You couldn’t find any?” asked Freddie.
“Ummm, well, I thought you said, er, it was a unicorn contest.”
Reluctantly, he showed them what he’d collected.
“Wow! They’re perfect!” cried the twins.
“They are?”
“Yes, unicorns LOVE acorns. They’ll collect buckets full in no time. We’re sure to win the contest now.”
A relieved rabbit hopped away to clean his ears, before he made any more embarrassing mistakes.
Haha! Great twist!
Thanks, Erin. Glad you liked it!
Ending is great! 🙂
Thanks for taking time to comment!
LOL literally! Nice twist.
Thanks, Joyce. Cleaning rabbit ears is no picnic 🙂
Ha! Great twist, Marty. Kudos to Rabbit for finding unicorns!
Thanks, Candice. Loved ‘hearing’ from you. LOL
That’s really cute, Marty. Great job! I love the embarrassed rabbit’s whiskers turning bright pink.
Bunny’s Problem
by Deb Sullivan
97 Words
rope swing, strawberry tart, unicorn, pond, lost
“Just tell us,” said Squirrel 1.
“I can’t,” said Bunny.
“Please?” said Squirrel 2. “You can have my last acorn.”
“No thanks,” said Bunny.
“I’ll push you on the rope swing,” said Squirrel 1.
Bunny shook his head.
Squirrel 1 nudged Squirrel 2.
“I’ll make you a strawberry tart!” said Squirrel 2.
Bunny sighed.
“I dropped my lucky unicorn near the pond,” said Bunny. “I feel lost without it.”
“Maybe it’s still there,” said Squirrel 1.
“I doubt it,” said Bunny.
Squirrel 2 squeezed the trinket in his pocket.
“Let’s check,” said Squirrel 1. “You never know…”
So nice that Bunny finally opened up about her problem and learned her friends could help her!
Thanks so much for reading it, Erin!
Sweet!!
Thanks Liz!
Great story! I liked the “Dr. Seuss” type names.. Squirrel ! and Squirrel 2 :)!
Thanks so much for reading it (and very perceptive!)
This is so sweet and fun, Deb! I wonder what Squirrel 2 does next…
Thanks for reading it, Sarah!
Cute story, I’m left wanting to know more about the trinket in Squirrel 2’s pocket.
POSTED FOR DAWN
#3 cherry tree / rope swing / pail /secret
100 words
FLOPPY AND THE ROPE SWING
By Dawn Young
Floppy tried his best to climb the rope swing hanging from the cherry tree in the park.
He watched his friends, Rover and Clover swing back and forth. Squirrels made it seem so easy.
Floppy tied reaching for the rope with his front legs while trying to grab the rope with
his back two. NO LUCK!
The next day, his friends had a secret surprise for Floppy. They found a pail and tied
it to the bottom of the rope swing. When Floppy arrived, they urged him to hop into the pail.
Up-up-up he sailed into the air.
Floppy has great friends!! 🙂
I like how the squirrels used their smarts to help a friend. Lovely story, Dawn!
Sweet ending!
This is adorable, Dawn! What cute names, sweet friends, and a great ending image.
What a fun ending!
Such thought fun friends to help a bunny out! Terrific, Dawn!
I meant thoughtful friends.
E. Volkmann (180 words)
pond-bridge-picnic
Celeste turned from the still pond.
She glared at Hazel and Pip.
“Quiet, please! I’m contemplating Big Questions.”
“But Celeste … we need help. We’re, umm, lost.”
“Lost? You live over the bridge, just past my burrow.”
“Could you take us there, Celeste? We keep going in circles.”
Celeste sighed and stood.
“What are Big Questions?” Hazel asked.
“Why are we here? What is our purpose? Things like that.”
“We miss playing with you,” Pip said.
“When I have the answers, maybe I’ll play again.”
The three friends stopped on the bridge.
They watched ducklings, listened to birdsong and dropped wishing pebbles.
‘It feels good to help my friends,’ Celeste thought. ‘When I have answers to the Big Questions, I’ll do this more.’
At Celeste’s burrow, they stopped.
Streamers draped over branches, balloons danced in the breeze.
A bright picnic blanket held berries and nuts, fruits and leafy greens.
“Surprise!”
All of Celeste’s friends jumped out from the bushes.
“Why?” Celeste stammered.
“Because we love you!” the squirrels chattered.
Then Celeste shouted,“Let’s play!” – because she had all the answers she needed.
Friendship is the answer to all the questions. So sweet!
Can life be so simple?! Maybe so! 🙂
Cheers for friendship!!! 🙂
Indeed!! 🙂
Love how Celeste found the answers to her Big Questions! The idea of a rabbit searching for the meaning of life is charming.
Who knew rabbits were so introspective. Thanks for reading! 🙂
Celeste is too cute. Great character. I can see her starring in a PB some day 🙂
Aw, thanks!! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Who knew rabbits were so introspective! Thanks for reading!
Hear, hear! Love and friendship…that’s where it’s at!
The Cherry Pie Problem (cherry tree, picnic, strawberry tart)
-Ashley B Pedigo
All the animals were busy preparing for the first picnic of the summer, and Bunny had finally been put in charge of desserts. She knew just what she was going to make. But there was one problem— the squirrel girls.
“We have to make cherry pie for the picnic,” the squirrels said. “We have to, we have to!”
“Oh, um…” Bunny nodded, and bit her bottom lip. She didn’t want to argue with the squirrel girls. They scampered away to their favorite cherry tree, while Bunny lagged behind.
“I can get more cherries that you can!”
“Well I can get juicier cherries than you can!” The two squirrels were already arguing by the time Bunny arrived, racing back and forth from the top of the tree to an ever growing pile of cherries.
“Actually, I—” Bunny began, but the squirrel girls were already so involved in their games that they didn’t even notice when Bunny hopped away into the strawberry bushes.
The squirrel girls began to get hungry, racing up and down the tree was exhausting. Lucky for them, they had already picked so many cherries. Surely a cherry or two wouldn’t be missed.
When Bunny came back, she saw two very ashamed squirrels with very full tummies, covered in dark red juice and sitting on a pile of cherry pits.
“We— we don’t have any cherries for our pie!” They wailed.
But Bunny smiled. “That’s okay— truthfully, I don’t know how to make a cherry pie.”
“Then, what will we bring to the first picnic of the summer?”
“Do you think these will work?” Bunny said, and then showed them a tray of perfect strawberry tarts.
The squirrel girls heard their tummies rumble looking at the tarts. Perhaps they should taste one— just to be sure.
Cute story! I wonder if they will taste just one?! 🙂
I like that they want to take a taste after eating all the cherries – anything to help a friend!
Awww, I like how everyone got what they wanted! Adorable story, Ashley! (I’d prefer strawberry tarts to cherry pie too, lol)
Haha! Hold on to those tarts, Bunny! Cute story, Ashley!
Chip, Drip and Skip
by Meg King-Sloan
131 words
cherry tree, picnic, pond
Chip and Drip were twin squirrels. They lived near a pond and that’s how Drip got his name. He liked to splash around and didn’t use a towel to dry off. Chip liked to pull bark off their cherry tree but never took any cherries. Their friend Skip the bunny preferred skipping to hopping so he was frequently late when they wanted to play.
Skip didn’t like his name though. He secretly wanted a new name because he liked to roll down hills. On their next picnic he made an announcement.
“Please call me Flip.”
They were startled and then said, “Please call us Pip and Trip. We just like those names better and they still rhyme!”
They were all happy. Chip, Drip and Skip were now Pip, Trip and Flip.
What fun. I love all the names, but glad your characters ended up with ones they’re happy with, too 🙂
Thank you Marty!
Great story, cute rhyming names, old ones and new!! 🙂
A SMALL MISTAKE by Leslie Degnan
(WC: 106)
(cherry tree, mistake, tantrum)
“Go away!” cried rabbit.
“You are not my friend.”
“Yes, but…” began the squirrels,
Their fun came to an end.
“It was just a small mistake…”
“A small mistake you say!”
“An acorn hit me on the head!”
“Just a mistake? No way!”
While rabbit had his tantrum,
Squirrels tried to explain,
That they would not intentionally
Cause their good friend pain.
Rabbit wiped his eyes and rubbed
The spot where acorn hit.
Still angry with his friends,
Because it hurt a little bit.
We’re sorry, but we should have played
Beneath the cherry tree.
Just then, another acorn fell.
The squirrels looked up—you SEE!
A happy ending for the squirrels – let’s see what rabbit does next!
Acorns really can hurt when they hit you right on the head with their little pointy part, lol. I like how you worked cherry tree into this story, Leslie. Very creative.
Such a cute story! Love how the truth reveals itself at the end!
A fun story to read and a really cute idea.
So glad the misunderstanding got cleared up! Cute story!
I can only imagine what mishaps they’ll see under the cherry tree. 🙂 Another great one, Les!
Cute story! 🙂
TURTLE’S STRAWBERRY HILL SURPRISE by Joyce Uglow
(bridge, pond, strawberry tart)
“I guess I’ll just stay home,” said Turtle. “The Garden Party is out of the question. I’ll never make it across the bridge in time for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.”
“Here, take my acorns. They’ll bring you good luck,” said Squirrel.
“Thanks, Squirrel,” said Turtle. “Maybe it’s luck that I need.”
“Balderdash! None of us needs luck,” said Ace, “we have STEM!”
“Stem?” said Turtle.
“You know: science, technology, engineering, and math,” said Cottontail as she hopped away. “I pondered our problem, reviewed the research, did the math, and put my design in place. Follow me.”
Turtle pulled his head out of his shell. “Ok… If I don’t start now, I guess I’ll never get there.”
“SURPRISE!” said Cottontail as Turtle rounded the corner. “Climb on our new Strawberry Hill Zipline, Turtle. We’ll zip across the pond before you can say Strawberry Tart.”
I LOVE the inclusion of STEM in a woodland friends story! Great idea, Joyce!
Love that you got STEM in the story, Joyce, and love your title – so inviting! 😊
Thank you, Susanna. These exercises put my creativity to work.
I’m so glad, Joyce! 😊
Love Cottontail’s solution! A Strawberry Hill Zipline – how fun! Great job including STEM!
Clever approach — and such a nice surprise for Turtle. Yay, STEM!
STEM, zip line, strawberry hill – so clever and creative.
Love the way you were able to incorporate STEM! Great job! 🙂
Cute, and great solution! STEM comes through, again! Good job!
DISAPPEARING DEWBERRIES
By Candice Marley Conner
raindrop, picnic, bucket
116 words (I only used 80 words last week so I’m invoking rollover words ;))
Little Bunny sat at the edge of the picnic blanket, barely keeping raindrop-sized tears from wetting his whiskers.
“What’s wrong?” asked Chitter.
“I collected a bucket full of dewberries and now they’re gone!” Bunny wailed.
Cheep-Cheep tsked.
“Let’s retrace your hops,” Chitter suggested.
“I picked them off this brambly patch,” Bunny said. “Then I washed them in the creek.”
“They probably floated away,” Cheep-Cheep said. “Oh well.”
Bunny frowned. “Then I warmed them in the sun.” He led them to a sunny meadow.
“A bird probably ate them,” Cheep-Cheep said. “Oh well.”
“Then I folded them in a cobbler…”
“Oh! Well…”
“Cheep-Cheep, your cheeks are as pink as the dewberry cobbler staining your whiskers!” Chitter chirped.
So cute! Love the surprise. That sneaky Cheep-Cheep.
You did well to only use a few ‘roll over words’!! I like ‘retrace your hops’ (so cute) and ‘tears wetting whiskers’.
Yup! Retracing my steps is the way I find my favorites, too.
So such a cute ending 😊. I can see a child doing this.
This was a fun read!
Rabbit Won’t Have to Wait
by Sara Kruger
Cherry tree—rope swing—pond
“Are you ready to go to the pond?” Rabbit asked the twins. “I want to get there early so we don’t have to wait for the rope swing.”
“We won’t have to wait,” Squirrelay said.
“How do you know?” Rabbit and Squirrelbee asked.
“You’ll see when we get there ,” Squirrelay said.
The trio hopped across the meadow.
As soon as the cherry tree came into view, Squirrelay dashed ahead.
When Squirrelbee and Rabbit caught up, they saw four rope swings dangling from the tree branches. Only one was in use.
“Did you put up the other swings?” Rabbit asked.
“Happy birthday, rabbit!” Squirrelay exclaimed.
Hare Today and Gone Tomorrow: From Brey to Form, a Secret that Saved!
(nest, spring, pond, admire)
Why can’t they just leave me alone?
Can’t they tell I’m in a mood?
I’m so sorry and they don’t even know!
What? They’re bringing me acorns! No!
Don’t they know what I did?
Look, I will just sit here and ignore them!
I can’t. I’ll just take a peek and see if they’ve gone away…
Nope, they’re still there!
Alright here’s the truth….
I really didn’t mean to…I was just having some clover,
Yummy leaves and a purple flower desert.
A spring here, a hop there, zig zagging just to stretch my legs.
Stopped for a drink and to admire my lovely long ears in the pond.
Just minding my own business when it happened….
I spotted that stack of sticks
That mound of moss and that green gray grass.
So perfect, all there, just what I needed for my fabulous form.
And… I took it all. I didn’t know it was yours, really I didn’t!
So now you know my secret… I was your Drey Destroyer!
What’s that? I didn’t destroy your babies’ nest?
You have two other dreys and they are so much safer?
When your stuff disappeared, you knew you had made the right decision…
So these acorns are for me? A thank you gift? What’s that you say?
Hare today and gone tomorrow? No, no I’m always hare for you! No matter what the drey!
(Back Notes: Squirrels and hares both use sticks, moss and grass for their nest. Squirrels make numerous nests called dreys, as many as ten! Hares do not make nests in underground burrows, but in sunken areas lined with nesting materials that are called forms. Wild hares do eat acorns, but never feed acorns to your pet rabbit!)
I learned new vocabulary words! Thanks for the back notes!
Animal facts make my day. Thanks!
This was great! Loved all the NF tidbits at the end!
Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
Miss Bun’s Secret
nest, mistake, tantrum
100 words
Miss Bun was sitting quietly when the squirrels came by.
“Want to play?” one asked.
“Not now. I’m busy.”
“You don’t look busy,” said the other.
“It’s a quiet busy,” she replied.
“Want a nut?” said the first.
“No. I’m concentrating.”
“On what?”
“A secret.”
“A secret?” they asked together. “What is it?”
“It’s a secret,” she said, “so I can’t tell you.”
“If you tell us,” said the second, “we won’t tell anyone. So it’s still a secret.”
“I am sitting on an egg. It fell out of the nest by mistake. The bird inside was having a tantrum.”
The suspense to find out that secret. Nice connection to making the bird inside the egg having a tantrum.
A Happy Tail
By Marta Cutler
Nut and Natter looked up as thunder boomed.
“We better get our acorns home!” said Nut.
On their way, they saw Bunny. Great big tears rolled down his small pink nose.
“What’s wrong Bunny?” asked Natter.
“Blossom says I’m different!” cried Bunny.
“How?” asked Nut.
“I can’t tell you,” said Bunny.
“Can you whisper it?” asked Natter.
Bunny whispered to Natter. Natter whispered to Nut, who nodded.
The two squirrels turned their backs to Bunny.
“What do you see?” asked Natter.
“Your tail is smaller!” said Bunny.
“Exactly!” said Natter.
“No two tails are alike!” said Nut. “Yours is just right!”
Bunny brightened.
“I feel better!” he said.
Raindrops started to fall.
“Better enough to help us get our acorns home and share a strawberry tart?” asked Natter.
“That sounds just right!” said Bunny.
This IS a happy tail–such a sweet story of appreciating differences, Marta!
Thank you for the lovely comment Jill!
Love the names Natter and Nut!!! Cute story. So glad bunny’s day brightened at the end!
Safe Cracking Squirrels
By: Susan Summers
Bridge, nest, bucket, secret
WC: 138
“Psst, rabbit? You hungry?” asked the squirrels.
“Why do you ask?” answered rabbit.
“Follow us and we’ll show you.”
A quick scamper across the bridge and through the yard to the tall oak tree brought them to the squirrel’s home.
“Check it out!’ They proudly shouted as they hopped into a bucket and hoisted themselves up.
“Your nest is brimming with walnuts! How’d you manage that?”
“We’re safecrackers.”
“Excuse me?”
“We can outsmart any bird feeder in the neighborhood,” said squirrel one.
“Together we conquered Fort Knutz,” said squirrel two. “The most packed walnut hole there is!”
“Impressive, but there’s a problem. I don’t eat walnuts,” said the rabbit.
“Don’t worry, if you join our team, our next mission will be to get the goods from the farmer’s garden.”
“You in?”
“You bet! Let’s hop to it!”
——————————————————-
Want to see the squirrels conquer Fort Knutz?
This video was my inspiration – enjoy it. 🙂
Cute story, Susan! And I love that video. I’ve actually seen it before – my daughter showed it to me because I have a LOT of thieving squirrels at my bird feeders!
They have quite a reputation for that. This video definitely makes you feel a bit different about the little guys. 🙂
Oh, Susan! I busted out laughing at “Fort Knutz” and love the concept of squirrels as safecrackers! We have a few of those in our neighborhood. You nailed it! Love the video, too!
So fun and love the video accompaniment! LOL
Ha, ha, gotta love the squirrels! Very cute story, Susan, and love the video accompaniment!
Clueless Squirrels
By Lyn Jekowsky, WC 105
(cherry tree, unicorn, picnic, strawberry tart)
“Hey rabbit,” asked a squirrel, “what’s on your mind?
My friend here and I only see your behind.
We’d like to make friends and share our acorns
Maybe go on a picnic down by the pond.”
Rabbit peaked behind her, saw two tiny squirrels,
buit still sat by the cherry tree dreaming of castles
filled with strawberry tarts and pink lemonade.
“The squirrels are clueless of my masquerade.”
I stood up and faced them, my horn glowed in the sun.
“I’ll join in your picnic. Together we’ll have fun.”
The squirrels were surprised, a unicorn as a friend?
Unlikely friendships are always on trend.
Such fun, Lyn!
You never know what the woodlands friends will find. Rabbits, squirrels, and unicorns OH MY!
Fun story Lyn! (and great surprise ending 🙂
SCRATCH AND SCRITCH’S SHOW STOPPER
by Ashley Sierra
186 words
raindrops, spring, bucket
“You stole our buckets of acorns, Rabbit! Bird said you didn’t like our spring show,” Scratch said.
“Yeah! Give them back!” Scritch said.
“I don’t have them!” Rabbit yelled.
“We HAVE to have those acorns. They’re the raindrops. We can’t put on Singing In the Rain without rain,” Scratch said.
“Yeah! We need rain!” Scritch said.
“I did NOT take them!” Rabbit shouted.
“Well, you’ll have to answer to Deputy Duck. We’re on our way to report you,” Scratch said.
“Yeah, Deputy Duck . . . Wait, we are?” Scritch said.
“Yes, let’s go!” Scratch said.
“IT WAS ME!” Scritch said. “You used up our stash of acorns. And acorns as raindrops . . . kind of hurt.”
“Why I don’t like your show,” Rabbit muttered.
“Sorry, Rabbit,” Scratch and Scritch said.
“Yeah. Yeah. You may leave now,” Rabbit grumbled.
“Why didn’t you say something before?” Scratch said.
“I tried,” Scritch said. “But you were too busy rehearsing.”
“What do you think we could use for rain?” Scratch said.
“What about . . . leaves?” Scritch said.
“Yes!” Scratch said.
“See you at the show, Rabbit!” Scratch and Scritch said.
Rabbit chuckled, “Not a chance!”
Great job with the secret, Ashley! And I’m with Scritch – acorns as raindrops WOULD be painful!
Thank you for reading Susanna 🙂.
I love Scritch and Scratch, Ashley! I hope you write more about them. 🙂
Thanks for the support, Sarah! I’m glad your enjoyed it 😊.
This story is SO GREAT, from the title to the dialogue (that captured the accusatory tone perfectly) to the satisfying resolution at the end. Awesome job, Ashley!
Thank you so much for always reading and for the positive comments, Jill. It is really the support of the writing community that helps keep me going. I enjoyed connecting the word choices with the picture prompt to come up with this story 😊. And it’s unlike me to get the title after writing the story.
So cute! Love the names Scritch and Scratch. This was a fun read from beginning to end!
Thanks for reading Michelle! This was a fun prompt this week.
POSTED FOR ALY
FIREWORKS
by Aly Kenna
UNICORN/LOST/STRAWBERRY TART & A SECRET.
(195 words)
Morris sat on the knoll watching the unicorn spit fireworks.
“There’s Morris!” said Slick the squirrel.
Not the least bit interested in watching a unicorn show off, Speedy shouted “Hey Morris, how about a game of catch?”
Morris turned to see the twins tossing acorns back and forth.
“Maybe later” replied Morris.
Slick nestled up, “What’s going on?” he asked.
“Uni lost his strawberry tart. You know how he gets when he runs out of sweets.”
Not wanting to be left out, Speedy climbed up on Morris’s shoulder. But before he could get settled, a rocket whizzed past his head. Ducking for cover, Speedy dropped his most prized possession.
“My acorn!” he cried.
Morris dove for the acorn, launching Speedy through the air like a missile. Caught up in Morris’s ear, Speedy yanked Morris through the air after him, landing at Uni’s hoof.
Slick couldn’t help himself, he rolled on the ground laughing at their misfortune. Slick’s antics drew Uni’s attention up to the knoll.
“What’s that on your nose?” asked Uni.
Startled, Slick stopped laughing. He was covered in strawberry tart!
“Oh, oh,” he said. And like that, Slick was gone in a flash.
Hahaha, Aly! Uh oh indeed! 😊
Late Lunch
(unicorn, lost, pond) – WC 115
By Hannah Roy LaGrone
“Where’s Yuliana?” Harold asked. “She’s got the onion rings!”
“I’m sure she’s close. We brought some protein for now!”
“Yuliana was supposed to FOLLOW you. She’s new here, remember? Now she’s lost!”
“Oh yeah…she was right behind us!”
“…Until we saw that shiny pond…”
“…And jumped from tree branch to tree branch to look into it.”
“We’ll scurry back for her.”
The squirrels searched the forest.
Finally, they saw the unicorn with snacks on her horn!
“We didn’t mean to leave you! We’ll stick together this time.”
They headed back to the meadow.
One hour later…
“Sorry lunch is a little late, Harold.”
“LUNCH?! Oops…I ate all the sandwiches while you were gone.”
Hahaha! Love the ending, Hannah 😊
Fun! Love all the action, Hannah, and the surprise ending.
I wondered where you were going with those onion rings…then grinned when they ended up on the unicorn’s horn! And you captured those distracted squirrels perfectly. Well done, Hannah!
POSTED FOR DIANNE
Bunny’s Magic
By Dianne Irving
Unicorn, lost, strawberry tart
Bunny’s friends were playing acorn tag and saw bunny sitting alone.
“We thought you were working today. Come play with us”, they shouted.
Bunny’s cheeks blushed as red as a strawberry tart. He didn’t want them to know that he lost his job playing Easter Bunny at the Mall. To a Unicorn no less!
“We need the kids to feel a different sort of magic this year”, they told him.
Bunny felt like he lost his magic touch.
“I don’t want to play today”, he said sadly to his friends.
“Please play with us Bunny. You always add a special magic to our games”, they sang happily.
Bunny smiled, maybe, he could create a different sort of magic and hopped off to play with his friends.
What a cute, sweet, story, Dianne, beautifully incorporating all the suggested elements into a complete story arc! Nicely done 😊
Yay for Bunny and his kind friends!
Aww! Poor Bunny. That is such an unexpected and sweet problem for Bunny to have. Love the happy ending, too.
A perfect “Aww!” ending, Dianne! So sweet!
Thoughtful Harry
By Padgy Soltis
Word count: 104
Cherry tree, mistake, strawberry tart
MIX! ROLL! BAKE! POUR!
Harry raced to set up the surprise birthday party—under the cherry tree.
It was hard keeping a secret from the twins.
15 minutes. 30 minutes. 45 minutes. 1 hour.
No one showed up! Not even the twins! Harry was sad.
“Harry!” said a familiar voice. “What are you doing all alone?”
“SURPRISE!” Harry shouted.
“Our birthday is tomorrow!” laughed Seth.
Harry made a mistake. “I ruined the surprise!” he exclaimed.
“It’s ok Harry,” said Sid.
“I ate the strawberry tart,” Harry whispered.
“It’s the thought that counts,” said Seth.
MIX! ROLL! BAKE! POUR! Today was Sid and Seth’s birthday!
This is so cute! Love the action, Harry’s sweet confession, and the full circle ending.
This was a fun one!
A Secret Entrance
By Lauri Meyers
143 words
nest, bucket, picnic
Chippy and Scrams invited Fluffy to their picnic.
“I love a picnic!” Fluffy said. “Will there be carrots and dandelions?”
“And acorns!” Chippy said. “See you at noon at our nest.”
“Up there?” Fluffy looked up the oak tree. “I can’t climb.”
“Don’t worry we have a secret entrance.” Chippy winked.
Fluffy did worry. She asked Cardinal to teach her to fly up the tree. But apparently she needed wings. She asked Lizard to show her how to hold on. But she didn’t have sticky feet. She practiced jumping, but couldn’t get high enough.
When she arrived at the tree at noon, she was exhausted.
“Come on up,” Scrams called.
“I wish I could,” Fluffy said. Just then a bucket dropped in front of her.
“Climb in,” Chippy called. “We’ll pull you up.”
Fluffy giggled all the way. “That was arriving in style!”
Fun! I can just picture all the engaging action. Love the adorable names you chose, too, Lauri!
Forest fun! Love that there was a happy ending for Fluffy!!!
THE SCAVENGER HUNT
By Barbara Renner
Word Count 123
cherry tree, picnic, pond
Squeaky Squirrel and his sister, Sneezy, invited all the animals to a picnic down by the pond to celebrate the arrival of Spring.
Everyone was there, even Bashful Bunny.
“Let’s go on a scavenger hunt,” suggested Squeaky. “We’ll look for the acorns Sneezy and I hid last fall. We forgot where we hid them.”
The animals scattered, looking under the rocks by the pond, in the grassy meadow, and deep in the forest green. But nobody found any acorns; not one.
They gathered back at the picnic area. Bashful Bunny was sitting alone, a sly grin on her face and bright pink cheeks. “I have a secret. I found all the acorns last fall and hid them under the cherry tree. I win.”
Cute! Love the sweet names you chose too, Barbara.
I have so much fun with these, I couldn’t resist adding another! Thanks Susanna!
Vanishing Act
By Marta Cutler
(unicorn, picnic, strawberry tart – 97 words)
And just like that, the squirrels’ acorns vanished, all but two.
“How did you do that?” they asked.
“A magician never reveals his secrets,” said Rabbit.
“What about our strawberry tart?”
Rabbit twitched his nose. The tart disappeared.
The squirrels chittered in delight.
“Unicorn!” they clamoured.
Twitch. Unicorn was gone.
The squirrels applauded. Rabbit bowed.
“May we have our acorns and tart back?” asked the squirrels.
Rabbit twitched his nose. Unicorn reappeared.
“What about our picnic?” asked the squirrels.
Unicorn burped contentedly.
“Most delicious!” he pronounced.
“Rabbit!!!” yelled the squirrels.
But just like that, Rabbit had vanished.
Oh, I love this! Well done.
Thank you so much Allison! 🙂
That ending made me chuckle. This is very fun and cute, Marta!
Oh I’m so glad Sarah! Thanks!!!
Oh my gosh, SO clever and funny!!!
Thanks Nicole!! 🙂
Rabbit’th Thee-cret (Rabbit’s Secret)
By Allison Strick
100 Words
words: spring, lost, admire
—————————–
“Rabbit!” called Tilly. “Happy spring potluck day!”
Rabbit smiled, tight-lipped. “Hmm-hmmph,”
“Cucumber? Carrots? Hummus?” Taffy offered. “Eat, eat!”
Rabbit’s eyes lit up, but he sighed. “I have a thee-cret. I lotht my front teeth. I can’t chew, and I have a thilly thmile.”
“Wait here!”
The squirrels scampered away and returned with two shining acorns.
“What are thothe for?”
“Watch!” said Tilly.
With a few gnaws of their jaws, Tilly and Taffy carved some impressive dentures.
Rabbit tested out his new grin.
Taffy giggled. “Now that’th a thmile to admire!”
And who ate the most hummus–with crunchy carrots–that year?
Rabbit.
This is delightful, Allison! I adore the premise of a spring potluck day.
I was not expecting dentures 😄. So creative. And a nice touch with Rabbit’s dialogue. And a complete story in a 100 words. Great job!
Love this one, Allison! Such a cute title and unique solution to Rabbit’s thmile problem! It made me thmile, too!
HARAH HELPS LOOK
By Sarah Meade
Word Count: 226
Words: raindrops, cherry tree, bridge, rope swing, lost, pond, bucket/pail
“Bert! Squirt!” Harrah called. “I have something to show you!”
The squirrels scurried over.
“Harah, we can’t find our berry pail!” said Bert.
“We lost it yesterday,” said Squirt.
“The raindrops came down in buckets,” said Bert.
“So we forgot OURS!” said Squirt.
“I’ll help you look,” said Harah. “Then I’ll show you my secret surprise!”
“Let’s retrace our steps,” said Bert.
First stop: the pond.
They searched by the rope swing and in the water, too.
“No pail here!”
Next stop: the woods.
Bert and Squirt searched high. Harah peeked under trees.
They scampered over the bridge to their last stop: the cherry grove.
“We were picking cherries when the rain started,” said Bert.
They looked and looked.
“There!” said Bert, hurrying toward the tallest cherry tree.
“Yes!” said Squirt. “It’s upside-down.”
“That’s my surprise!” said Harah. “My new chair!”
She skipped over and sat happily.
“Harah,” said Bert, “That’s our berry pail!”
Harah flopped down.
Squirt flipped Harah’s “chair” upside-down.
“Oh.” Harah hurried away and hid.
Bert and Squirt followed and found her.
“Thanks for your help today,” said Squirt.
Harah stared. “You’re not mad at me?”
“Not one bit!” said Bert.
Squirt held up the pail. “Let’s pick cherries!”
Harah heaved a sigh of relief and hopped off with her friends.
After they picked cherries, Harah even got to try her chair again.
Wow, look how many of the words you used! Hopefully Harah will find another chair that she can keep!
The funny thing is I used NONE of them in my first attempt at a story with these characters. Thanks for reading, Allison!
So much action in such a short story, Sarah! Love Harah’s creativity (and trickster ways :)…fun read!
Thank you so much!
I just love how Rabbit thinks the bucket is her new chair. So sweet! And I can picture this really happening with children.
Thank you, Ashley! 🙂
You outdid yourself using so many of the words, Sarah! Nice!!!
Thanks, Michelle!
Momo’s Cherry Tree
By, Bevin Rolfs Spencer
words: cherry tree, rope swing, tantrum
250 words
Beneath a blooming cherry tree, is Momo’s happy place. She has cherry blossom tea parties. She plays bunny games and naps on a creamy, almond-scented breeze.
Then one day, a surprise.
“A rope-swing!”
Momo’s brothers and sisters cheer and clap.
But Momo did not. “That’s my tree.”
They swing all day, blossoms falling like rain.
“What a perfect spot,” says Mama Bunny.
“For my birthday party,” says Momo’s sister Lola.
Momo stomps on the blossoms. She grinds them under her feet. She tantrums and melts. “That’s my tree!”
“Oh, Momo!” Says the Bunny family. They carry on decorating the tree for the party.
The next day, friends arrive for the party. Then, a surprise.
Lola sobs. “The swing!” [Ill. Note: swing is hanging by one rope.]
Momo watches two squirrels offer their gifts.
They tell Lola, “Acorns make you feel better.”
“Did you break the swing?” Lola asks. “Squirrels chew through everything!”
“Not us,” say the squirrels.
“Not me,” say the other animals.
Momo can’t hold her secret any longer. “I chewed the rope,” she says. “I didn’t want to share my tree. But I didn’t mean to ruin the party.”
“Oh, Momo!” Mama Bunny cries. “You have a very special spot. We should have talked to you about the swing.”
Then, surprise! Momo makes her cherry blossom tea. She shows everyone her bunny games. “Sharing my tree sometimes is kind of fun,” says Momo.
After a fun and busy party, they all fall asleep, on a cherry-almond breeze.
Ahh, love the first few lines and how you circled back to them at the end!
In the Mood to Play?
By Amy Leskowski
raindrops, lost, tantrum
Two girls (both squirrels) approach someone new.
The rabbit seemed pouty, so what did they do?
Offered an acorn. Asked, Are you lost?
But the rabbit ignored them, with arms tightly crossed.
Avoiding a tantrum, the squirrels retreated,
down, disappointed, discouraged, defeated.
Why did the rabbit not smile or speak?
They strategized, role-played, and toned their technique.
Song-and-dance squirrels, they offered a show.
One belted high. The other crooned low.
Their tap-shuffle-hop guaranteed to bring cheer.
But her grimace suggested, “You’re NOT welcome here.”
When sprinkle-y raindrops mounted to pouring,
they offered umbrellas—and noticed her SNORING.
Asleep the whole time? The two friends sat in shock.
She’d not seen their show, and she’d not heard them talk!
The squirrels both cackled, completely amused,
which startled the rabbit. She scowled, confused.
“We thought—” one began.
“You—” the other one tried.
How could they explain? Neither one could decide.
They instead offered acorns. They asked, Are you lost?
And this time, the rabbit said, “No,” arms uncrossed.
The three dashed and played. They tagged, joked, and hid.
While they planned to reveal their goof—neither one did.
This is wonderful! Great rhymes and story. Love the line “Down, disappointed, discouraged, defeated”!
Thank you! Thanks for reading 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it.
This is so clever Amy. I had to laugh too when they realized the rabbit was asleep 😄. So much fun! And a great beat to it.
Thanks, Ashley! I appreciate you reading it and happy to hear you enjoyed it 🙂
I really enjoyed reading this story Amy. Great rhyme and I enjoyed the little details – the arms tightly crossed / then uncrossed at the end – nice!
Thank you, Elenore! I appreciate you reading it and am glad you enjoyed it!
A Couple of Nuts
By Jill Lambert
WC:176 Options: nest, picnic, tantrum
“We have a proposition,”
Sid and Sally said to me
while I meditated on my hill
beyond their nesting tree.
I had reached a state of calmness
when the squirrels butted in.
I exhaled and turned to face them,
with my patience wearing thin.
“Okay, you two, what is it?”
They responded with a chitter:
“It’s that backyard barker, Charlie,
giving chase–he’s not a quitter.
We’re exhausted! Will you help us, Lily?
Here’s some ammunition.”
Then they handed me two acorns,
so I’d pelt their opposition.
“You need to find a hiding place
and fling these at his head.
When Charlie is distracted,
we can raid the garden bed.
It’s our secret spring indulgence.
HEE-HEE-HEE…he’ll have a tantrum!
We promise to grab carrots
while we’re in the inner sanctum.”
I followed their instructions
to the letter and I lobbed
both the nuts at the dog’s noggin.
Next those nutty squirrels robbed
all the produce from the garden.
Then we three enjoyed a picnic.
Poor old Charlie, sighed, perplexed.
How did they pull off that trick?
My two boys would love this story. Especially, the part that says,
Here’s some ammunition.
Then they handed me two acorns.
They were just throwing water balloons at each other yesterday.
I am always amazed with your creativity with each story, done in rhyme, and completed so quickly.
Another fun one, Jill!
That’s the audience I was going for, Ashley! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on my writing. You always give me a boost!
This is so much fun! I can really see the fun illustrations in my head!
Thank you for reading and commenting, Allison. I appreciate it!
Great job Jill! My favorite line- “We promise to grab carrots while we’re in the inner sanctum.” I love the title too!
Thank you, Michelle! Your support means so much to me!
This is great – a novel idea with heaps of kid appeal and some great rhymes – I like the ammunition – so I’d pelt their opposition. Look forward to reading your take on a nursey rhyme.
Aw, poor Charlie! But every critter deserves to find a nut (or a carrot, etc) every once in a while! Great rhymes, and cute story! And I guess Charlie didn’t get hurt, just a couple of nuts bouncing off his head, most dogs have hard heads!
POSTED FOR MIA
Mr. Bunny’s Secret Skill
By Mia Geiger
172 words
Little Squirrel flagged Mrs. Bunny.
“Slow down, please! You are too runny!
Hip and hop, and hip and hop.
Please, oh, please! I hope you stop!
“Hiding acorns is my thing,
each and every day of spring.
But someone came and moved my treats.
Now I have nothing for eats!
“My tummy grumbles all day long.
Ping-itty-pong, ping-itty-pong!
I’m too small to scale the gate.
But you could help! It’s getting late!”
“Climb on up,” the bunny said.
“Hold on tight and look ahead.
Leap-itty leap, and leapi-tty leap.
Looky there! A great big heap!”
“Thank you, pal, you saved my tummy.
Have some acorns. Crunchy-yummy!
Hopping is your special skill.
Soaring high gave me a thrill!”
“Here’s a secret you should know.
Mrs. Bunny’s on the go.
But any time you need a ride,
shout my name and I’ll abide!
“Call me any day or night.
Late or early is all right.
Hopping’s fun, you probably guessed.
But helping friends is just the BEST.”
So sweet, engaging, and fun, Mia! Love your kindness theme, too.
Great job Mia with this one! So much fun language throughout that makes for a great read aloud.
B-U-N-N-Y spells trouble.
Nest – lost – admire
Jeannette Suhr – w/c 215
“Bunny,” said Squirrel, “help us gather acorns.”
“Winter is coming and our nest is empty.”
“You mean like these two?” asked Bunny, as he reached behind Squirrelella’s ears.
“How did you do that?” asked Squirrel.
Acorns are very hard to find.
“Ha, got to run,” said Bunny.
And he hippity-hopped into the forest.
“He’s a bit strange” said Squirrella.
“Did you notice how he’s always disappearing?”
Bunny appeared again three days later.
“We thought you were lost,” said Squirrel.
“Me?” said Bunny. “HA HA. I’m always coming and going.”
“We need more acorns,” said Squirrelella.
Bunny performed a binky.
He jumped high, twisted in mid-air and kicked his legs out.
He said something the squirrels couldn’t decipher.
Then he landed with five more acorns in each paw.
“I don’t believe what I’m seeing,” said Squirrel.
“Do you have acorns up your sleeves?”
“HA HA,” laughed Bunny and he hip-hopped away again.
“I really admire his talent,” said Squirrel.
“Let’s check his den,” said Squirrelella.
And lo and behold, Bunny’s den was full of magician’s tools and books.
“HA HA,” said Bunny.
“You’ve learned my secret.”
“I spent years in magic acts and being pulled out of hats.”
And I’ve learned a trick or two.
And he hip hip hopped away never to be seen again.
RAINY PICNIC
By Nicole Loos Miller
159 words (raindrops/picnic/strawberry tart)
Bernadette flinched as raindrops plip plop plopped on the picnic blanket.
“Quick,” she said. “Eat the strawberry tart! It’s no good when it’s soggy.”
Maple and Willow were happy to oblige.
One slice. Two slices. Three slices. Four!
Bernadette was stuffed but glad her tart had not gone to waste.
Maple was full and delighted.
But Willow felt a little bit…guilty. “I confess,” she squeaked. “I knew it was going to rain.”
“Why would you invite us to a picnic on a rainy day?” asked Bernadette.
“Because I knew we’d have to eat the whole tart.” Willow hung her head.
Bernadette began to giggle. “Silly Willow, we still would have eaten the whole tart.”
“Really?”
Bernadette nodded. “But we would have eaten it slowly. Now you’ve just made it harder to keep up with me.”
“Keep up with you for what?”
“Puddle tag!” Bernadette shouted. “You’re it!”
Stuffed, soaked, and full of laughter, it was the best picnic ever.
Words: raindrops mistake strawberry tart
Word count: 100
The Secret of Sassafras
by Linda Schueler
Sassafras Squirrel’s tail drooped. “Look at Rabbit’s strawberry birthday tart!”
Sandy Squirrel squinted. “It looks like some raindrops splattered on it.”
Sassafras sighed. “Rabbit will be disappointed.”
Sassafras and Sandy hopped to the meadow. Rabbit sat, waiting. Rabbit rubbed her belly. “Mmmm, that strawberry tart will be yummy.”
“Ummm…”
“What’s that behind your back, Sassafras? Is it a secret?” asked Rabbit.
“This? This is your birthday acorn!”
“No tart?”
“I’m sorry, Rabbit. I made a mistake by leaving it on a branch to cool.”
Rabbit smiled. “Do you want to hear my secret? I like your acorns just as much.”
This is great! A full story in 100 words exactly!
A Friend in Need
by Candace Kubinec
Bridge/mistake/pond
150 words!
Rabbit sat on the bridge, did not want to play
He thought it might be the very worst day.
He didn’t feel sick, or happy, or mad,
Poor Rabbit was just undeniably sad.
Squirrel asked him why.
Rabbit started to cry.
Squirrel looked closely at Rabbit, then he sat down too
“What’s making you sad, friend? I haven’t a clue.”
“It’s a secret”, he whispered. “I made a mistake.
“Please don’t tell my sister.” Rabbit started to shake.
“I lost her best hair clip somewhere near this bridge,
Or under that tree just over the ridge.”
“We’ll go search together”, Squirrel said with a grin.
“Off to the tree, that’s where we’ll begin.”
So Squirrel and Rabbit looked high and looked low.
They found the hair clip and some string and a bow.
Back home they went, running around the small pond.
Smiling and laughing, with the treasures they found.
WEEK 3
Cherry tree picnic strawberry tart
Bunny-Boy, Chomper & Spud
“You should play without me.” Bunny-Boy whispered.
“C’mon BB. It’s not a picnic games day without you.”
“Please” quietly urged Spud.
Spud had longed for BB’s attention since that fateful day in the woods. That day had changed things forever. BB knew this, which made his shame burn deeper.
Sweet berries had always been his weakness, which was why he had found himself in the blackberry thicket long ago. The one Spud had been trapped in.
But today, giving in to his weakness did not lead to a rescue.
Pretty cherry tree, picnic blanket and a strawberry tart. No getting out of this one.
“I ate the missing tart. All of it.”
Gulp
“Your…. birthday tart, Spud. You deserve better than me for a friend.”
Spud looked up to BB. “You saved my life BB. You’re worth everything. Scoffed cherry tart or not” he cheekily smirked.
“Tag” Chomper sang out as he playfully honked BB’s cotton tail.
The trio was united beyond picnics and birthdays. Their brotherly type love for each other would stand strong for years to come. Through thicket and thin.
140 words: The Unicorn
by Lynn Katz
Oh, look Chippy! It’s a unicorn.
I am not a unicorn.
I’ve never seen a unicorn, but from what I’ve heard, that’s definitely a unicorn.
You’ve made a big mistake. I am not a unicorn.
Let’s try the strawberry tart test.
What’s the strawberry tart test?
Unicorns love strawberry tarts.
If you eat the strawberry tart, then we’ll know you’re a unicorn.
See. . .you took a bite.
Ooh, and another bite.
YOU ATE THE WHOLE THING! You’re a unicorn.
Everyone likes strawberry tarts. That doesn’t make me a unicorn.
If you’re not a unicorn, what are you?
I’m a rabbit.
WHAT? YOU’RE A RABBIT? Prove it.
Can a unicorn hop like this?
Can a unicorn rotate its long ears?
Can a unicorn’s teeth grow longer and longer like mine?
OH NO! IT’S A LION, CHIPPY! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!
(ILLUSTRATION: Unicorn removes its rabbit costume and reveals a laughing unicorn underneath.
haha! This was so much fun to read!!!
(I got carried away and used ALL the prompt words in my story this week!)
UNICORN’S SECRET (WC 267)
By Michelle S. Kennedy
Unicorn has a secret. She used to be a donkey…
One spring day, Donkey was sipping water from the pond by the cherry tree. Suddenly, raindrops began to pelt down on her. Donkey hastened under a nearby bridge to wait for the rain to stop. She fell asleep…
When Donkey woke, the sun was shining. “Chittle! Chittle! Chittle! Twee!” She heard birds chirping from their nest in the distance. She LOVED birds! Donkey wanted to admire their song up close, so she followed the happy sound until she realized she no longer knew where she was. Her familiar valley was gone, and she found herself in a strange wood. “I made a mistake! I shouldn’t have wandered off. “Oh, HEE-Haaawwww!” she cried in a tantrum. “How will I EVER find my way back home? HEE-Haawwww.”
“What’s wrong little donkey?” said a sweet voice behind her.
Donkey turned and saw a fairy dangling from a rope swing on a nearby tree.
“I’m lost.” whimpered Donkey.”
“I can help you get home! My name is Flauna. I’m a forest fairy. But before I send you on your way, won’t you join me for a picnic?” Flauna fluttered off the swing, grabbed a nearby pail and floated down next to Donkey.
“This here is the best strawberry tart you’ll ever eat!” exclaimed.
Donkey took a bite. Glitter and sparkles filled the air…
“It’s also magical!” said Flauna mischievously.
Donkey looked at her questioningly. “HEE—-” But before Donkey got out her “Haawwww!” she sneezed. When the glitter faded, Donkey was a Unicorn…
“Shhhhhh! Now don’t you tell anybody!” said Flauna.
— TO BE CONTINUED…
Wow! Great job using ALL the prompts, Michelle!!! And I love the idea of a donkey turning into a unicorn 😊
Thank you Susanna! ❤ I always have fun with your writing prompts!
Way to go Michelle! Great story, all the prompts worked well, and nice for a donkey to become a unicorn, much more respected in fairy lore, I think. Looking forward to reading the continuation at some point!
Thanks, Katie! I am hoping one of the next prompts will give way to the continuation of this one!