This summer Susanna Hill hosted Summer Short and Sweets. The object of Summer Short & Sweets was to keep us writing through the busyness of summer. As a wrap-up, Susanna is hosting the Summer Send-Off Writing Contest. There are prizes for those who provided an entry each of the 8 weeks of Summer Short & Sweets. For the contest, we have to write a children’s story of 250 words or less based on Heather Newman’s beautiful artwork below. Oh but, there are more guidelines:
Somebody somewhere in our story has to say, in dialogue, “Did/do you see that?” (we may substitute any of the other senses – “Did/do you hear/feel/taste/smell that?”) and somebody somewhere in our story says, “Goodbye!” (we are allowed to substitute “Farewell!”, “Au revoir!”, “Sayonara!”, “Ciao!”, or “So long!”)
illustration copyright 2012 by Heather Newman used by permission
My story is to the tune of “Three Little Fishes” and you’ll have more fun if you sing along :-)
I’m betting this peppy and addicting tune will be with you the rest of the day :-)
The “Happy” Key
Down in the forest by the twisted tree
Lived a fox and a raven with the witch, Noglee
Where they planned and they schemed—“No more happily”
As they kept close watch on the “happy” key.
Boop-bop, boop-bop, bippity boo
Boop-bop, boop-bop, bippity boo
Boop-bop, boop-bop, bippity boo
As they kept close watch on the “happy” key.
Now they stopped the knight with a river of fire.
Locked the princess and the maid in a castle spire.
Hired a trainer for the dragon from Page For Hire.
Yep, the chances of a rescue seemed quite dire.
Boop-bop, boop-bop, bippity boo
Boop-bop, boop-bop, bippity boo
Boop-bop, boop-bop, bippity boo
Yep, the chances of a rescue seemed quite dire.
“Did you see that?” croaked the witch, Noglee
As a horse flashed right by the twisted tree.
And the knight on his back nabbed the happy key.
Yelling, “Farewell witch! Hello happily!”
Boop-bop, boop-bop, bippity boo
Boop-bop, boop-bop, bippity boo
Boop-bop, boop-bop, bippity boo
Yelling, “Farewell witch! Hello happily!”
The knight set the maid and the princess free.
Made a pact with the dragon—signed a Peace Decree.
Hired the page as a guard for the “happy” key
and they all sang Boop-bop happily.
Boop-bop, boop-bop, bippity boo
Boop-bop, boop-bop, bippity boo
Boop-bop, boop-bop, bippity boo
And they all sang Boop-bop happily.
How did you develop a rhyme so fast!? I love “Page for Hire.”
Thanks for stopping by Lauri! Your story is really cute!
Loved it! Another Penny perfection!
Thanks, Hannah! I appreciate you reading my story :-)
Penny – your poetry is always the ‘key’ to happiness! Just delightful!
Aw…thanks for your kind words, Cathy!
Fantastic. I Just love it.
Thanks for coming by my blog and reading. If you haven’t read the other entries, click on the link in my post to head over to Susanna Hill’s blog. The other entries are delightful and creative.
Love the song and I love your word choices…
Noglee for the witch…GREAT name!
And I LOVE Page for Hire!
I was bopping along as I was singing….great job getting the rhythm and story dancing together.
I did think about the witch’s name. I thought Noglee worked well for a witch who was stealing away the happily! I didn’t know if anyone would notice…but I loved it :-)
Thanks for stoppin’ ‘n’ boppin’!
OMG…one of my favorite songs! What a terrific rendition! So clever!
Thanks for reading my story, Kim. I love that song, too….so catchy!
You’re so creative Penny! So much fun to read…I mean sing to:)
Thanks, Jennifer!
Boop-bop, boop-bop, bippity boo!
Boop-bop, boop-bop, bippity boo!
Boop-bop, boop-bop, bippity boo!
And a big heartfelt thanks to you :-)
I really enjoyed your clever story, and also can’t stop whistling the catchy tune!
Thanks, Julie. That tune does stay with you, doesn’t it?
I know you smiled the whole time you created this amazing story. You really had fun with this one. I had so much fun reading, and singing, and grinning all the while. So good and so fun to read!
Thanks, Pam. I did have fun with this one. Once I got the first line “Down in the forest by the twisted tree”, the tune came to me and I just thought about the picture and moved on adding bits and pieces on my daily walks! Actually, it made me want to skip!
You’re a talented rhymer, Penny my girl
Your story’s so awesome it makes my hair curl
I’m thankful you gave this great contest a whirl
Seriously, this is fantastic…how did you touch on EVERYTHING with such light-hearted language and stellar rhyming!!!
That’s a really nice compliment coming from you, Vivian because I think you’re a very talented rhymer….as your fun comment proves!
Now you made MY day, Penny! Sometimes, I just can’t help myself when it comes to rhyming. :)
LOVE IT! :)
Thanks, Erik! I appreciate you reading my story. I hope to get over to your blog (and lots of others) more now that summer is over. I haven’t been the best at following my favorite blogs over summer!
Great job on the poem! I have that happy tune in my head now.
Thank you.
Thank you, Diane. I’m glad you stopped by my blog!
I don’t know the tune, but I so loved your entry. Brilliant Penny! So Jaunty and had me Bob, bob, bobbing along……lol.
Glad to get you bopping, Diane! Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read my story!
Well, I don’t know the tune you’re talking about, but it doesn’t matter – your poem has me boop-bop bippity boo-ing right in my chair. Clever, funny, perfect meter — I expected nothing less when this arrived in my inbox, because you never disappoint. Huzzah, Penny!
Thanks, Renee. I appreciate your commenting about the meter! I find your meter maaaaahvelous, honey….so I take that as a real compliment :-)
Penny, you’re right. Your story is addicting and peppy. I love it! :)
Thanks, Tracy. I appreciate you stopping by!
My pleasure. I truly loved your story.
I knew you would write in verse. Your poem had a beat to it and was so very clever. Fantastic entry! Loved it!
Thank you for reading the entries, Patricia! Didn’t Heather do a beautiful job with her inspiring art??? Just love it!
What a clever, jaunty story! I love how many different ways illustrations can be interpreted.
Me too, Laura! The stories are all so different and each one so much fun! Thank you for stopping by to read :-)
I knew you would write it in verse and, of course, I am NOT disappointed. I absolutely adore the hiring of the dragon trainer from ‘Page for Hire’ and how you included so many characters from the picture. Brilliant, as usual, Penny!
I love being called brilliant for my silly ditties!!! Thanks!
Oh. My. Goodness! This is amazing! This is fantastic! You got a whole story, in rhyme, in a catchy tune, in under the word count. There must have been magic involved :) Thanks so much for entering! i hope lots of people will get over here to read your wonderful story! And you’re right… I’m going to have that tune in my head for days :)
There was a long walk, a recording app on my iPhone, and lots of singing involved…along with the magic :-)
That is totally awesome Penny! :)
Thanks, Catherine. It was fun….and I really have that tune stuck in my head :-)