I was browsing Twitter when I stumbled across a writing contest with a 150 word limit . . . that’s right ~ a complete story in 150 words or less.
I immediately thought of my seventh and eighth grade writing club. I could create a similar challenge for them for one of our lunch meetings! But I knew I needed to model it myself before asking them to give it try. Me? Limited to 150 words? It’d be a challenge for sure!
I can’t wait to share it with my Whittier Writers!
Thank you Kaitlyn and Ciara! This middle grade author had fun with your word count challenge, and learning how to create a gif from my wildlife photography!
Hatching Day
A loon sits on a bowl-shaped nest by the water,
keeping watch for danger.
Eagles fly overhead.
Ravens call nearby.
Curious humans boat too close.
The loon sits firm, her partner on the water nearby.
I paddle out every day, checking on the pair and their two olive-colored eggs.
Never too close. Just close enough to see.
Today is day twenty-eight. Hatching day!
But when I round the corner of their island,
the nest sits empty.
Woou-ou-ou-ou
Oh no! The tremelo call!
I paddle faster!
And there behind the island are the parents, one chick between.
Only one?
Rustle-rustle
My eyes lift to find an eagle preening on a branch above.
Did it already snatch a newly hatched chick?
“Go away!” I cry. “Get breakfast elsewhere!”
The eagle eyes me regally before flying off.
But wait! Now there’s two chicks!
One was hiding under its mother’s wing all along!