Eve and Mort
by Rebekah Hoeft
214 words
Eve folded, cut, and glitter glued
so many Valentines that you'd
be certain she had made enough for all
be certain she had made enough for all
her class of twenty-eight, plus two--
a card for Mrs. Mackenrue
and one for her best friend across the hall--
but you'd be wrong, for Eve was short
by one sweet heart. I must report
it was no accident that Mort was missed.
For he on playground three days past
had beat her in a race; aghast
she claimed, "He cheats!" and bopped Mort with her fist.
So she was sent to Mrs. Brahm
who shrilled, "Detention!," called her mom,
who picked Eve up and grounded her for life;
or so it felt to Eve: "Not fair!"
She pouted, stomped, and vowed, "I swear
I'll never be a friend to Mortie Drife."
On Valentine's she made her move
to show him up; with hearts she'd prove
that she was not his friend and never would
forgive him for his besting her,
for stealing "Fastest Kid," no sir,
but when she saw his card she felt no good.
It was impressive, glittered gold,
Amazingly with words in bold:
"Two kids as quick as us should be fast friends."
Guilt-ridden, in remorse Eve cried
"You won! You didn't cheat! I lied!"
With Valentiny hug she made amends.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Interested in writing a 214 word Valentine's story and sharing it with all the world? Okay, not ALL the world, but whoever wanders over from Susanna Leonard Hill's blog?!
Here are the rules:
💗214 words--can be less but not more!
💗clearly about Valentine's Day
💗clearly about Valentine's Day
💗has a character who feels guilty about something (or makes someone feel guilty about something)
💗be written for children
Your story can be poetry or prose. If you don't have a blog but want to compete for fabulous prizes you can post your story to the comment section of the blog post she posts on February 13. Or email her. Or don't compete and just use her prompt as a prompt.
Or don't write a thing and just go read all the teeny-tiny stories about Valentine's Day.
Thanks, Susanna, for a fun challenge!
