Thursday, October 31, 2013

The Halloweensie Contest!


It's time again for one of Susanna Hill's seasonal contests.  I'm always a bit intimidated, worried that I won't be able to come up with anything, but it keeps my creative juices flowing!  And I do love a challenge.


Source


Here are the the rules:


The Contest:  "Write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (title not included in the 100 words), using the words spookyblack cat, and cackle.   Your story can be scary, funny or anything in between, poetry or prose, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words (you can count black cat as one word) and is 100 words (you can go under, but not over!)  Get it?  Halloweensie - because it's not very long and it's for little people :)"






It took me a while to compose my story, but at 95 words, using "black cat" as a single word (and 97 words if Jack-o'-Lantern is considered three words) I'm finally ready to submit it. By the way, years ago, I owned a black cat named Henrietta, who we lovingly named, "Ornery-etta".  She deserved it!  The photo is so near her likeness that it could have been her.




                                                  A Fur-Raising Encounter

It is a dim and spooky night.  A black cat stalks unsuspecting field mice. Slowly he moves 

in the darkness, stealthily seeking his prey. A slice of the waning moon's light reflects on 

the prowling creature below, exposing his villainous plan. 

A twig breaks. The black cat's fur stands on edge.

"Trying to scare me, eh??" the voice says with a cackle.  Slowly the cat turns. Nothing 

but shadows. 

"Oooooooowwwwwaaaaa". The ominous laugh brings shivers in the night. 

Something brushes the black cat's paw. He jumps. The mouse looks up with a jack-o-lantern grin.

 "Got ya, fraidy cat!"




For links to the Halloweensie Contest's other entries, click HERE.


Enjoy!






48 comments:

  1. Great mood-settting! I was totally there and feeling a little spooked myself. Love the ending!

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    1. Thanks, Margaret! I appreciate your comment and visit to my site. Take care!

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  2. Ooh! Spooky, Jarm! Love that the mouse scared the cat! And what beautiful language, setting the scene! Very Halloween-y! Thanks so much for joining in the fun!

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    1. You are very welcome, Susanna. . .thanks for thinking up the contest in the first place! 😊

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  3. WONDERFUL twist, Jarm! What a surprise -- for us as well as for the cat!

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    1. Thanks, Beth. . .it took me a while to think of the ending. My daughter enjoyed it, too!

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  4. Wow! This is wonderful! I love the imagery and spooky feel leading up the surprise ending. Your scary, brave, little mouse was charming. Great Job!

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  5. A mouse. Very clever. Loved the surprise.

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  6. I love the idea of 'fraidy cat'. I could do with that mouse in my garden to keep the neighbourhood cats away! I found keeping to the limit of 100 words, difficult. You did well!

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    1. It was difficult, granny mar. . .truly! Thanks for stopping by.

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    1. Thanks, Donna Louise. . .endings are always difficult for me!

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  8. Funny ending!
    PS If 'black cat' counts as 1 then 'jack-o-lantern' should also be 1 :)
    Happy Halloween!

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  9. Ha! Very cute ending! Love it that it was a mouse :-)

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    1. The most unsuspecting creature. Thanks for your comment, Penny!

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  10. Sweet surpise. Well done, Jarm!

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    1. The little guy needs to win at times. Thanks for commenting, Julie!

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  11. Cute story. In kitty's defense, a mouse would spook me, too!

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    1. Ha! That's true, Janna. It never occurred to me that people would be afraid as well! Maybe they are more intimidating than we think. . .

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  12. I love your word choices. Every one sparkles. Well done, O ye of little faith!
    I hope you are spinning some stories about Ornery-etta for PiBoIdMo. The name's too good to let go.

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    1. You are so sweet and encouraging, Joanne! And you are right, a story of Ornery-etta will be my first entry for PiBoIdMo. Thanks again for stopping by!

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  13. Wonderful, Jarm! Love the spooky mood you've created, and the fun twist to the story. Well done!

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    1. I appreciate your comment, Cheryl, and thanks for stopping by!

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  14. Well done, Jarm! (I'm a bit of a 'fraidy cat, myself!) :-)

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    1. I am, too. . .in certain circumstances. Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. This is fantastic, Jarm! Great tension...and love the ending...'The Mouse that Roared'.:)

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  16. So good! I was hooked once I read "A slice of the waning moon"-- quite a powerful image.

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    1. Thanks for your specific words of encouragement, Michelle!

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  17. The mouse took me by surprise as well!

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  18. I love this Jarm! What a funtastic twist. Clever, very clever! It made me smile. :-)

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    1. Good. . .I'm glad it made you smile, Robyn! Thanks for stopping by.

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  19. I like the idea you bring out in the story... cats are joking all business and I can see a mouse being a prankster... good job

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    1. Thanks! It's about time the mice get the upper hand. . .

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  20. Hi Jarm,
    That was a great story. Fraidy Cat...love it! BTW, I nominated you for the Liebster award. Stop by my blog and claim your badge!

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    1. Thanks so much, Romelle. . .I am honored! But unfortunately, I am so overwhelmed with my current responsibilities, that I won't be able to do it justice. Please feel free to pass the award on to another deserving blogger. I appreciate your thoughtfulness!

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  21. Hi Jarm,
    Love the the mouse scaring the cat... :)

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    1. Thanks, Catherine. . .it is a stretch, but it works!

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Journey into the Promised Land

Journey into the Promised Land
From Egypt to Israel