Other Writing

by Cheryl Secomb

Valentine wondered about many things.

He wondered what he would find under that rock

or where a puddle went once it was gone

or why his tail was so long.

Valentine wondered most about the sparkling stars. What did they really look like?

Because he was a tiny, little mouse, he knew he would never reach them. But still he gazed and wondered, wishing he could see them better.

On Valentine’s favorite holiday, he was busy baking heart-shaped cookies when he noticed a new neighbor moving...

by Cheryl Secomb

Jasper Turtle wanted to look dashing.

He would be escorting his best friend, Abigail Mink, to the Village Valentine Bash. She always looked so sleek in her soft furry coat.

He pulled his tuxedo shell from the closet and tried it on.

SQUEEEEEEZE

“It’s a little snug,” he squeaked.

Perhaps he should shed a few pounds before the bash. He glanced at the calendar. And soon!

Jasper nibbled on greens.

His tummy rumbled.

He jogged through the park.

He tripped and tumbled.

Jasper stepped on the...

by Cheryl Secomb

Mixie often mixed things up.

She slipped the pie in the dryer and tossed the laundry in the oven.

She dusted the cat and set a saucer of milk on the mantel.

And she poured nuts in the mailbox and put letters in the squirrel feeder.

One day, she opened the refrigerator and found her calendar.

“Oh dear!” she cried. “My Christmas party is tonight!”

Mixie raced to town where she bought gifts and food and decorations, then she hurried home to prepare for the party.

Mixie wrapped the...

by Cheryl Secomb

“Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh…” The song floated from the kitchen radio. Holly heard her neighbor, Mrs. Frost, humming along.

Holly stared out the window at the snowless neighborhood and sighed. Would she ever have a white Christmas? She picked up the snow globe from the table and shook it. Tiny white flakes swirled about the miniature horse pulling a sleigh with two riders.

Mrs. Frost poked her head into the living room and smiled. “The first batch of...