Susanna Leonard Hill's Valentiny 2020 - Heart Hunt

It's that time of year--Valentiny time over at Susanna Leonard Hill's blog! 

Write a teeny-tiny children's story following these basic rules:

💜Make it tiny--214 words or less!

💜Make sure it is Valentine's story.

💜Make sure it includes someone who feels curiosity.

You can find more information at her blog.

Heart Hunt

214 words

Samuel shook his sister.  “Josie. Wake up.”

“Samuel,” Josephine grumbled, “it’s not dignified to be shaken.  Kindly desist.

“Princess Josephine, your royal presence is requested on a scavenger hunt.  Might you get up NOW?!”

Josephine popped up.  “To find what?”

Samuel shrugged, holding up a heart-shaped card with glimmering, golden words: ‘Head to the HEARTh.’  “Mother and Father left this before they set out for the Valentine’s ball.”

They ran to the great room.  There they found a warm fire and another card.

Josephine read:  'Go where cLOVErleaf grows.'

“The meadow!”  

Once ready, they crossed the moat to the snowy meadow.  Josephine sighed. “I wish Herbert was here. He loved adventures.”  

Samuel’s eyes grew hot with tears.  “I know. But he had to go. He didn’t like scaring people.”

The next crimson clue hung from a snowy branch on the edge of the meadow.

'Find your HEART’s desire where foxgLOVE’s found first.'

Josephine wondered.  “The only thing my heart desires is -- Oh!  Maybe through the woods…”

“...by the cave!  Do you think…?”

“I do.  Let’s go!” 

They ran until they reached the cave. 

Curled in the clearing was their dragon.  

“Herbert!”  

A golden heart around his neck read: 'Herbert’s here to stay. Happy Valentine’s Day!'

Herbert purred as they gave him a welcome-home hug.

Update: Not a finalist :) but there are some stories you can read at Susanna's blog that did make it to the finals! Read for fun or you can read for fun AND to vote by February 22, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.