So excited to share my story for Susanna Leonard Hill’s Valentine’s Day Writing Contest with you. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know how I did.
* 214 words or lesson * Someone has to be confused
Want to enter for yourself? There’s still time. Just visit Susanna Leonard Hill for all of the contest rules.
Hope you enjoy my entry:
Officer Pudge and the Valentine Surprise
Officer Pudge was in a sour mood. Traffic duty! Standing in the street, he thought of all the mushy stuff people were sharing today like roses, candy hearts, and sappy cards.
Pudge startled as Edgar Elephant ran down the street with a bag of peanuts. Next, Mr. Howitzer’s band marched by practicing a tune. Then, Mower’s clown troop whizzed by carrying bundles of balloons. This was a most-unusual Valentine’s Day.
More excitement followed as Ms. Petunia’s class, carrying delicious cupcakes, passed along with Greta Goose and her world-famous lime punch. An incredible Valentine’s indeed. No one tried to hug him or offer him gooey chocolates. Had everyone forgotten him?
At the end of his shift, Chief whisked Pudge off in his squad car. As they sped through town, Officer Pudge couldn’t imagine what was happening. Chief pulled to a stop. “Pudge, out of the car; around the building.” Great! Mayor’s Valentine Dance!
Where was everyone? What was the fuss? Storming up the steps, he wanted to give someone a piece of his mind! “Rotten Valentine’s Day!”
“Surrrprrrissse!” City Hall bustled as Howitzer’s band struck up a familiar tune. “Happy Birthday, Officer Pudge,” the townsfolk sang. They had remembered! Pudge ran off to celebrate with peanuts, cupcakes, and of course; some world-famous lime punch!
Children's Author - Maria Bostian 
Ha, ha, he was confused about the party! Love it! I entered, too, with an extra short entry this year. Guess I’m still stuck on Halloweensie word counts. 🙂
Yay, glad you entered, too! I’m gonna try to enter every one of them. Gonna do more writing this year. Learning and growing – my goals for 2017!
Glad you liked Officer Pudge.
From a pity party to a surprise party–What a fun read with a neat twist at the end!
Wonderful! Glad you liked it. Hope you are having a good year and that you are writing that magnificent story of yours. I want one of the first autographed copies.
You had me at “Officer Pudge.” Lol!
Wonderful! Wish I could draw what I see him looking like in my heard.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I love Officer Pudge — great character! And you did a great job of showing us his confusion and letting us be surprised and delighted with him. Well done!
Awesome! Glad you like it!
Guess Pudge was a curmudge-on until the end. Yay! Good luck in the contest!
The lime punch sounds delicious. Officer Pudge had a great birthday/Valentine’s Day. Good luck!
Love Officer Pudge! Now, how do we make that world-famous lime punch? 🙂
Hummmm – Guess I need to get my sister-in-law’s recipe. She makes the best punch! If I get it, I’ll post it!
It’s wonderful to be appreciated; nice story. I wish you well with it.
Ha! I love Officer Pudge. I’m so glad he got a party in his honor. I was feeling sorry for him. Good luck!
Thanks. I’m glad you liked it.
Hurrah for remembering the men in blue! I’m glad his special day was not forgotten…and I loved the craziness in town…well done, Maria!
Great twist – as one who celebrates a holiday birthday can attest! Happy Valentiny!
So glad you like it!
I love that this plot is unique. Well done! You really made the tiny word count seem effortless.
Fun story, Maria! I was sold at Officer Pudge! Great first line! Love how he went from being sour at the idea of what was usually shared to sour because no one shared it to happy and surprised that he hadn’t been forgotten after all! Thanks for joining in the Valentiny fun!
Glad you liked it. Thanks for commenting on it!