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.
The Contest: "Write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (title not included in the 100 words), using the words spooky, black 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.
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!"
