It’s that time again The Children’s Holiday Story sponsored by Susanna Leonard Hill. The rules are here. You have to write about a child’s holiday treat — anything goes … sort of. You have to include a treat, write for a child under 12, and write the story in 250 words or less.
In this story, an opportunity to go sledding is the holiday treat.
The stories are always delightful. I decided this afternoon to participate. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful Holiday Season.
The No Snow Dilemma
By Stacy S. Jensen
Suzie doesn’t like this Christmas weather.
She glares at the sun and blue skies.
“I’ll never go sledding,” she cries. “It doesn’t look like snow.”
Her mother doesn’t care about the weather. “No chores,” Mom says. “No sledding.”
“There’s no snow,” Suzie wails.
“There are chores,” Mom points to the chart.
Suzie points to the window.
Mom is a statue.
Suzie stomps off to her room.
Mom has a different plan. Minutes later … Suzie empties the dishwasher.
“There’s no hope for snow.”
Mom says, “There’s no hope for sledding, if you don’t do your chores.”
Suzie digs in.
She refuses to gather the trash.
She watches as her sister sets the dinner table.
She fails to pick up her clothes.
Suzie gets sent to bed early to “think” about her choices.
“I can’t ‘think’ about anything with this nice weather,” Suzie mumbles.
When Suzie wakes up to gray skies, she’s hopeful and checks off some chores.
She feeds the dog.
She helps her sister with Christmas crafts.
She gets the mail without her mother asking twice.
Then, she sees rain.
Suzie KNOWS snow will arrive soon.
But, her dad says, “No. Just flurries.”
Suzie goes to bed to “think” about this news.
The weather isn’t better the next day, but Suzie remembers one chore left undone.
She rakes the leaves into a pile in the sunshine and discovers she doesn’t need snow for her sledding treat. She just needs to do her chores.
Poor Suzie…so many chores and so little snow…but she perseveres…does she sled in the leaves? Very creative…and good for you, Stacy, for entering. I keep waffling because I don’t really have the time…and soon I’ll be out of time. 😉 I loved the card…and now I have your new address so I can send you one! Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Yes. She’s sledding in the leaves. (No art notes LOL) We’ve considered sledding among the leaves in our new backyard. Leaves can be very slippery! You are so busy! I hope you have a great Christmas and new year too!
Yay! I LOVE this story, Stacy! I’m going to have my son read it, LOL. Maybe he will do his chores….or maybe not. Good luck in the contest! I couldn’t get myself together to enter this one. Cheers!
Thanks. The chore struggle is real! I’ve had difficulty getting myself together for weeks now. 🙂
Oh now this is the cutest! LOved reading this. Well done!
Can you tell Georgia leaves are heavy on my mind. LOL. Thanks for stopping by!
What a fun twist. Great to find a way to make do with what you have, where you live, and make your own traditions. Best of Luck.
Thank you!
Oh Suzie! I love that Mom was consistent in her insistence the chores get done AND that Suzie found a way to make the chores work for her. Good job with your story and good luck in the contest!
Thanks Colleen.
This is very good, Stacy. I love the different twist on the theme. Haven’t had contact in a long time. Happy holidays to you and your family. Enzo must be a tween?
Thanks Patricia. He’s 9 going on 19. LOL
Hi Stacy, a new story with a new setting, you all in GA. I love the realism in the way Suzie reacts. So true. Suzie has the answer, too, leaves are slippery as we know in Ohio.
Thanks Kathy. Yes. They can be slippery! Those little acorns hiding under them can also be tricky.
what a fun idea – to sled on the leaves. Our leaves get so slippery after the rain…
They do get slippery! Our backyard would make a perfect sledding hill. Thanks for reading.
Hi Stacy! Cute entry. I love that Susie finds a creative way to sled! Hope all is well with you!