The Love-a-lots!
Illustration (just for fun!) by Cathey Graham Nickell … with a little bit of tracing involved.
It’s that time of year! Time for Susanna Leonard Hill’s 6th Annual Holiday Contest. The rules this year are fun: Write a children’s holiday story using the basic format/concept of “The Twelve Days Of Christmas,” not to exceed 300 words.
The story can be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever else one might celebrate. Once it’s written, the contestants are asked to post it on their website.
In February of this year, my “Valentiny” story (which had a 214-word limit) called “Kandie’s Kiss” won second place!
I don’t know if I’ll get to keep my fancy crown or not, but here goes! Happy Holidays!
THE LOVE-A-LOTS!
(300 words)
Dearest Santa Claus,
We are a warm and lovely pair
With lots of love to give.
If only we had children,
We’d have new reason to live!
It’s been our Christmas yearning
As long as we recall.
Alas, we are still childless;
Perhaps our wish is too tall?
Signed, Mr. and Mrs. Love-a-lot
On the first day of Christmas,
Santa answered their request.
He brought the Love-a-lots a girl,
Who had no house to rest.
On the second day of Christmas,
Santa brought one more.
A boy with sun-tanned skin,
Who’d never had a home before.
On the third day of Christmas,
Santa knew what to deliver.
Twin orphans from afar,
Their excitement all aquiver.
“Oh, my!” exclaimed the couple,
Their emotions were quite sappy.
“Three boys and one girl!
We’re finally feeling happy!”
But that wasn’t all, you see,
For Santa had a plan.
On the fourth day of Christmas,
He added six more to the clan!
The ten children bonded,
As they studied, ate and played.
They came from different countries,
Each skin a different shade.
It wasn’t long before the neighbors
Began their talk and whispers:
“Those Love-a-lots are such a mess,
Too many brothers and sisters!”
And so to show the busybodies
Their thoughts were quite outlandish,
Santa delivered two more darlings,
On days five and six with brandish.
“We love our growing family,”
Mrs. Love-a-lot said caringly.
“But twelve children are enough,
We’re getting by so sparingly.”
When Santa Claus heard her words,
He tied packages tight with twine
And delivered toys, clothes and extra beds
On days seven, eight and nine.
The neighbors’ hearts began to thaw,
They took sweet treats off the shelf
And dispensed them to the Love-a-lots
On days tenth, eleventh and twelfth.
Thank you, dear Santa!
From all the Love-a-lots!
UPDATE: Alas, no prizes for my entry, but the challenge was good writing practice! — Be Amazing
Comments
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Gregory E. Bray
What a nice story. Good luck and happy holidays!
Cathey Nickell
Thank you, Gregory! I read your entry, too, and it was a lot of fun! Happy Holidays to you, too.
Amanda Sincavage
This is beautiful! Definitely worthy of the crown!
Cathey Nickell
Awww, thanks. You’re so kind so say that!
David McMullin
A lot of joy in this story. Very nice.
Cathey Nickell
Thank you, David! I felt joyful while writing it!
Gabi Snyder
I’m glad the neighbors’ hearts finally thawed. Sweet story!
Cathey Nickell
Yes, those judge-y neighbors finally came around! Thank you!
Shelley Kinder
Sweet story, Cathy! We need diversity in PBs, and this is wonderful!
Cathey Nickell
Thanks, Shelley! We do need more diversity, and this is my first attempt at such!
Jennifer
“All you need is love…” Glad Mr. and Mrs. got their wish 🙂 Good luck!
Cathey Nickell
Yes, lots of Love!
Jean James
There’s always room for one more. What a precious story. Best of luck to you.
Cathey Nickell
Oh, thank you! I’ll check yours out, too. 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill
Aw! What a sweet story, Cathey! So nice that the Love-a-lots had so much love to give, and that Santa brought them a whole diverse family to share it with! Thanks for this creative twist on the 12 Days, and Happy Holidays!
Cathey Nickell
Thank YOU for creating these original, fun contests. I just discovered them this year, and they’re so much fun.
Vivian Kirkfield
Oh my goodness, Cathey…this is wonderful…I love their open hearts and arms for children of all shades…and I’m thrilled the neighbors learned to open their hearts also. A great lesson for the world, in only 300 words. 😉 Well done!
Cathey Nickell
Thank you so much, Vivian! A great compliment coming from you. Happy Holidays!
Patricia Nozell
Such a love-filled story, Cathey. From the Love-a-Lots filling their home with children needing homes, to Santa making sure they have enough to care for them, to the neighbors who finally showed kindness, too. A great take on the 12 Days!
Cathey Nickell
Hi Patricia, I just noticed your comment today. Thank you so much! I didn’t win anything for this submission, but I had fun writing it! All my best to you!