Susanna L. Hill’s Annual Holiday Contest-My Entry

Illustration by Natalia Lavrinenko -Pixabay

Click here for the guidelines: Write a maximum 250 word children’s holiday story (children here defined as age 12 and under) about a Holiday Countdown!

The countdown can cause emotion – anticipation, excitement, confusion, worry, dread or anything else.

Here’s my entry:

Lost and Found: A Christmas Tail. WC 244

On December 8, after decorating the Christmas tree and Nativity scene, Christina and Nonna rushed to join the festive procession.

As they sang and prayed, they sampled treats the brethren’s wives prepared.

A sumptuous feast awaited after mass.

“Can I have a dog for Christmas?” Christina asked Nonna.

“A dog needs a lot of attention and care.”

Christina sighed. “Can we at least visit the dog shelter and donate blankets?”

“It’s a good idea,” Nonna agreed.

As Christmas approached, Christina eagerly checked off her advent calendar.

Baking biscuits. Check.

Shopping for presents. Check.

Wrapping presents. Check.

Finally, the day arrived to visit the dog shelter.

Christmas music was playing while Christina gave treats to each dog. Only one stayed distant, covering his snout with a paw.

“Why won’t you come to me?” Christina asked, tossing a treat into his cage.

Christina visited every day, and a bond formed. She learned that Arno, like her, had lost his parents.

One day, Christina arrived to find Arno’s cage empty. Panic set in. “Where’s Arno?” she asked the storekeeper.

“Someone left the cage door open, and he escaped.”

Desperate, Christina searched the town but couldn’t find Arno.

Meanwhile, Arno, with a good sense of smell, found a familiar scarf in the snow.

On Christmas Eve, Arno was still missing.

Unable to sleep, Christina feared the worst.

Determined, she ventured out in the morning,

and found Arno sitting on her doorstep with her scarf hanging from his mouth.

Good luck to everyone that submitted their story. If you haven’t, you can still read and comment. Authors would be grateful.

Happy Holidays!