#020

Untitled
By Steve

A medal. The humans who remained on our side - squirrel lovers we called them - thought I deserved a medal, just for surviving the final battle. But most of my brothers were gone. After years of destruction, tearing down our trees, stealing our nuts... it was war. A costly one. I didn't want to be a hero. I just wanted to do my part and protect my nuts... for me and my kind.




The Offer
By Linda Gail A.

It is such a tempting offer: a medal to complete my favorite outfit in exchange for a dangerous and not so ethical mission. My quest should I choose to accept is to climb up the oak tree, jump across to the power line, tightrope walk across the wire above the wide street below, jump onto the roof of the First National Bank, and make my way inside through the air vent shaft. Then I find the rare Gemini diamond, secure it, and make it back to the park bench without getting caught or dying on my mission. The medal is perfect; so incredibly shiny.


Untitled
By Jennie O.

“Your mission should you choose to accept it Sir Squiggly, is to arrive at the enemy camp and deliver the message of peace. It will be symbolized by this medal.”
“How sir, Can I convey such a message dropping directly into the enemy camp?” cough, cough,cough,”What if I do not make it into the camp?’”
“Would you like me to go for you Squiggly?
Immediately.
“No, Sir!”
“Why not, Squiggly?”
A pause.
“Because, I have faith I can do this Sir!”
“Is the faith in you, Squiggly?”
Another pause.
“No, Sir a far Greater Source. I’ll be off Sir. See you Soon!.



Super Softeyes
By Mary F.

“Private Softeyes, your assignment is to entertain a kid at Ronald MacDonald house.”
“Chirp.?”,
“He started chemo today. His Mother said he likes to watch squirrels so go swing and climb and keep the kid entertained.”
Chirp.
That night, Softeyes climbed the oak, swung to the window and located a spot in the child’s line of sight. He reached into his pack, pulled out the life lite, chanted the magic word, and aimed it at the boy’s eyes. Green glistening particles of life flowed into his body. The instrument beeped and shut off automatically.
Light dawned and Softeyes put on a show for a healthy boy who was going home.



The Kingpin
By Randy H.

While watching from a curiously safe distance, the Poser; sweat raining down, hears a snow patch in his ear and wonders if the boss has made the switch. Meanwhile, the boss, embracing his role as the brains behind this heist has again let his zeal get the better of him. Overconfident and dreaming of fame, the costume has attracted the attention of a hot, young woman for whom the boss would like to get better acquainted. The distraction of the savory perfume compromises the plan and the switch, which is integral to this heist, never happens. Nevertheless, the boss signals success, igniting the next phase.



Homeland Security
By Russ B.

Homeland security gave out it's first medal today.

Carl knew for the first time that his sacrifice was worth it.
“America’s nuts are now safe from the foreign nuts!” he mused.

Rumor of a terrorist attack against Georgia’s peanut crop had proven to be true, and almost more than he could stand against.
It was only through recruitment of the local rodent population that all terrorist ski masks could be stolen.

“Cowards,” he reasoned, “can’t fight showing their faces!”

Carl knew the mind transfer to a squirrel was dangerous, and one way.
But he didn’t know how short of a mission it would be.

Somehow, his peanut allergy transfered also.



Sir With Honor
By Jerry H.

Captain TomTillerie the first squirrel ever to lead The Long Patrol stood at attention but his stomach was twisted like discarded plastic wrap.
Brother DaveJoe of the Redwall Abbey spoke, “Captain we are counting on you to deliver this special flash drive to Salamandastrom. It contains the Holy Scriptures, to guide the church planters of the Polaris Vineyard in their attempts to love the creatures of the Frozen North into relationship with Christ; with our prayers, be safe, Godspeed.”
“Sir with honor” TomTillerie answered. He calmed.
Their adventures and challenges inspired tales for generations for they always gave God the glory.

Juicer: Breakin' the mold

Sometimes you gotta break from the pack and do your own thing. In writing and in life. Right?

#019

The lovely Deb F. found this gem online at yahoo. I thought it was appropriate to wrap up the holiday season with. Thanks, Deb. You made me laugh out loud when I originally saw this one.

As for the stories, I cannot stress enough how proud I am of each of you. I love to read the entries each week and see all of the different ways you take a simple idea and picture and create moving stories. Linda Gail A.'s story was no exception. I chose to highlight her this week because not only did she create something wonderful, it was moving and unexpected. Congratulations, Linda!!!!

Remembering
By: Linda Gail A.

I usually don’t cry when I come to my baby girl’s memorial; her last request. Brittany wanted an ornament because Christmas reminded her of gifts and life is the best gift. She wanted it gold because it would remind us where she was now – walking the streets of gold. And she wanted a hook to remind us that time is short. We need to grab opportunities that come along and live life to the fullest. That’s what my Brittany did until cancer took her from me. I usually don’t cry, but today she’d have been nine and I ache to hold her one more time.

Gimme some more...

The Poser
By: Randy H.

The man with the yellow boots stepped out of the shadows as the rented cargo truck sped away. What seemed inadvertent was completely according to plan. The ball was dropped and the man, wired to communicate, stood gawking and admiring this overgrown Christmas ornament. Drawing the attention of onlookers and halting the flow of traffic, the heist was underway. As the scene spirals into chaos, the man with the yellow boots turns away and folds up his umbrella; signaling the next phase of the operation. Nerves pounding, he walks away and disappears into the crowd. Making good on his part, the man awaits his share of the booty.

Getting Back to Reality
By: Deb F.

“Enough is enough,” she said as she pulled ornaments off the tree. “It’s January 5th -- y’wanna keep the tree up until Easter?” She dropped the round gold ball and it rolled to the edge of the door and out.

“Now go get that…or they’ll know we’ve got real gold up here,” said the Giant to his tiny wife.

She saw the gold ball fall through the cloud, bouncing down as it sailed to the world below. She donned her mucking boots and her sailing umbrella and took the plunge…down to the city below. As she closed her umbrella she pondered, “how am I gonna get this back up the beanstalk?”

People Who Are Smarter and Better Looking Than Us Get All the Breaks
By: Jerry H.

Dr. Annie Marshall quivered in her Hazmat boots, gripping a charged radiation shield. She still worked out; keeping the shapely legs that got her through grad school. Even though she found talking to advanced space aliens comfortable, those legs wobbled and she waited to faint.

“Yes I remember the StarHoppers and their bubble ships ringed with fire.” Annie answered the visitors from ChristmasWorld, “They ran a cafe at Dolphin’s Cove but they left five weeks ago.”

The visitors thanked her and before liftoff they invited her to a party on Betelgeuse. “YES”! She exclaimed. Hey, she was already dressed for it.