It’s time for the Second Annual Valentiny Writing Contest, hosted by the talented and generous Susanna Leonard Hill. This year’s challenge is to write a Valentine’s story for kids, featuring someone who is confused, in 214 words or less. You can peruse all the contest rules and enter your own story (and read all the other fabulous entries!) here:
My entry for 2017 comes in at exactly 214 words:
MYSTERY VALENTINE
Sonia stared out the window. Three days until Valentine’s Day.
She missed Texas.
She missed sunshine and mockingbird songs.
In Portland, the sky poured rain and crows cawed.
Sonia dreaded Valentine’s Day in this wet and lonely place.
“Why don’t you play outside, Noodlebug?” asked Mom.
On the porch, a silvery button shone.
A Valentine’s gift? Who is it from?
“Is this from you, Mom?”
“No, Doodlebug.”
“From you, Dad?”
“Nope.”
“Caw.”
Sonia stared up at a crow staring back at her.
The next day, rain sprinkled.
On the porch, a copper coin sparkled.
Another Valentine’s gift? Who is it from?
“Is this from you, Mom?”
“No, Poodlebug.”
“From you, Dad?”
“Nope.”
“Caw.”
The same crow in the same tree stared at Sonia.
“What do you want?” asked Sonia.
“Caw.”
“Sunflower seeds?” Sonia tossed a handful.
“Caw.” The crow flew down, pecked up the seeds, and blinked at Sonia.
“More tomorrow.”
The next day, rain showered.
Sonia fed the crow.
On Valentine’s Day, a line of sunlight fell across Sonia’s pillow.
Outside, green grass shimmered.
On the porch, something glimmered – a tiny golden heart.
“A Valentine! Mom, is this from you?”
“No, Froodlebug.”
“Dad, is it from you?”
“Nope.”
“CAW!”
“Are the gifts…from you?” asked Sonia.
“Caw,” said the crow.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, crow!”
A shiny story. And so sweet. I’m glad the crow was able to make Sonia (aka Noodle, Doodle, Poodle & Froodle Bug) a happy girl! Love it, Gabi.
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Thanks for stopping by, Jill! I’m glad you liked my crow story!
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What a nice crow. =) Good luck!
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Thanks, Gregory! 🙂
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Lovely story, with a valentine twist. I enjoyed Crow’s role in this! (Incidentally, my story also features a bird who likes shiny things.) What a sweet friendship between Sonia and Crow.
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Hi Heather — thanks for stopping by! I look forward to reading your story! 🙂
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Cawlicious, Cawlovely, Cawerrific! So happy to hear crow made Sonia’s Valentine’s Day sunny. Good luck 🙂
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Thanks for your kind comments, Tracy! 🙂
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I love how thoughtful crow is and the variety of presents crow brings. Loves how he cheers Sonia up. Sweet story!
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Thanks for stopping by, Jilanne, and I’m glad you enjoyed the story!
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Crows are awesome. Great job!
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Thanks, Jennifer! 🙂
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Cute story, doodlebug!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Wouldn’t it be cool to have a crow as a Valentine? Glad that the crow was able to make Sonia’s Valentine’s Day less lonely.
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Thanks for stopping by, Linda! I used to have a slight fear of/aversion to crows, but the more I read about them and pay attention to them, the cooler they seem.
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A very unusual but cute and satisfying little tale. Good Luck Gabi
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Thanks for your kind comments, Maggie. Much appreciated!
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Cute story! I love crows and have always loved stories of them bringing gifts. 🙂 Also… are you from Texas? I’m a TX transplant, living in Bend, OR!
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Thanks, Ryan! I’m originally from Washington, but lived in Austin, TX for several years before moving to Corvallis, OR a few years ago. Bend is a fun town!
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This is a very original sweet story and we learn something about crows, too. CAW and Happy Valentine’s Day! Good luck!
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Thanks for stopping by, Kathy. Happy Valentine’s Day! 🙂
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Nice, Gabi. I love crows bringing gifts to their friends. They are so smart. Good luck
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Thanks, Maria! Crows are fascinating!
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What a sweet tale. I was feeling very sad for Sonia, but was happy to see the crow fly in and make her Valentine’s Day. Good luck!
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Thank you! Happy Valentine’s Day! 🙂
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Happy valentine’s Day to you!!
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Gabi, what a fun Valentiny Contest entry! I love that Crow gave so many shiny gifts. Sounds like he made Valentine’s Day very special for someone.
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Thanks for stopping by, Leslie! 🙂
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So lovely! I really enjoyed all the fun names for the little girl too 🙂 Good luck with the contest.
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Thank you! Happy Valentine’s Day! 🙂
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Wish the crows outside my house were offering gifts instead of incessant cawing! Great friendship story!
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Ha! I know what you mean about the cawing! Thanks for stopping by, Amanda! 🙂
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So sweet, and full of hope. I like how the interaction with nature (and a potential new friend) helps comfort lonely Sonia! Lots of luck to you, Gabi!
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Thanks for your kind comments, Katelyn. Happy Valentine’s Day!
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Not sure if wordpress is pranking me again or if this is a duplicate, but I wanted to say I love Mom’s replies and thank you for reading my entry. 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by, Jen!
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Hi Gabi, loved your story! I liked that the crow could sense her sadness and did something sweet to cheer her up.
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Thanks, and Happy Valentine’s Day! 🙂
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I love the presents came from the crow. Crows get such a bad rap so I am happy you gave a crow a new persona and let him make a friend. Sweet story Gabi. 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by, Traci! I agree that crows get a bad rap, but they really are smart and interesting birds! 🙂
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This is a nice relationship you developed. I wish you well with this story.
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Thanks, Lynn! 🙂
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What a sweet and unusual story. I’m a “bird-lover” and crows are so smart. Never thought to use one in a children’s story though. Good for you!!!
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Thanks for your kind comments, Carol! 🙂
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Clever crows – not just for Halloween anymore! Fun tale – Happy Valentiny!
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Thanks, Cathy! Happy Valentiny! 🙂
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Awww. So sweet.
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Thanks, Franziska! 🙂
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Cute story. Love the crow idea, it’s one I used in one of my books but not about Valentines :0)
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Thanks, Aileen! 🙂
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Gabi…this is so well done…I loved the pacing, the word play (sky poured – crow cawed)…and the repetition of the dialogue…it was really effective. And what a beautiful message. Perfect story!
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Thanks for stopping by and for your kind comments, Vivian. Much appreciated! 🙂
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Oooo. I wish this would happen to me. The crows come almost every day. They eat our seeds, but they don’t leave us presents. Of course, they often get chased by the turkeys, so maybe they’re feeling as confused as your Sonia. Thanks for sharing your story. It was fun.
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Thanks, Joanne! I’ve never received a gift from a crow, either. But it would be cool! 🙂
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This is wonderful. So touching, and I love your characters.
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Thanks, David! 🙂
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Aw! What a sweet story, Gabi! And how nice that both Sonia and the crow ended up with a Valentine… and a friend! Love all the shiny gifts! Thanks so much for joining in the Valentiny fun!
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Thanks, Susanna! Your contests are always fun! 🙂
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