I can’t believe it’s that time of year again! When February rolls around, it’s time to write a story for the annual Valentiny Contest. If you don’t know about Susanna Leonard Hill’s wonderful writing contests for kidlit creators, you can find all the details here.
This year, we had 214 words (excluding the title) to write a full Valentine’s Day themed story with a main character who is worried about something. These are always too fun to miss! Here’s my entry:
Wally Isn’t Worried!
by Melissa Johnston Miles
213 Words
Wally is the fiercest, most ferocious ferret in the forest.
Everyone knows it.
Well, maybe not everyone…
Okay, okay, maybe no one.
Still, Wally repeats these words
each morning while staring at his reflection
in the pond near his home—
hoping to make them true.
Maybe by repeating them enough,
he’ll become braver. Less worried.
Fatigued of fearing other forest creatures,
Wally sets out to deliver the custom Valentine’s
he’s spent weeks crafting.
First stop is Snake’s house.
“Who’ssssssssssssss there?”
Wally gulps, drops the Valentine, and scurries away.
Next stop is Owl’s place.
“WHOO WHOO WHOO’s there?”
Wally gulps, drops the Valentine, and scurries away.
He tiptoes towards Bear’s cave.
Wally’s heart hammers.
His paws tremble.
“GRRRRRROOOOOOWWWWWLLLLLL!!!!!”
Wally gulps, drops the Valentine, and scurries away.
Back at the pond, Wally sits with sagging shoulders.
I’ll never be fierce or ferocious. I’ll always be worried and scared.
Behind him, a twig snaps.
Wally scrambles to his feet and spins around—
prepared to run for it!
In the clearing, a flurry of forest friends gather.
“Thanks for our Valentine’s!”
“You knew where to find me?”
Wally always worried no one knew he existed!
“SSSSSSS-sure we did,” says Snake.
Wally grins. All that worry for nothing!
Maybe friendly is better than ferocious anyway.
“Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it!