Here’s my entry for #FallWritingFrenzy 2020, a fantastic kidlit contest run by agent and author Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez (@KaitlynLeann17) and children’s author Lydia Lukidis (@LydiaLukidis). Many thanks to them for organising such a fun competition!
You can read more details about the contest here: https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/fall-writing-frenzy-contest-2020/ or read the other entries (guaranteed to get you in the mood for Autumn!) here: https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/2020/09/30/fall-writing-frenzy-entry-form/
The task was to select one of the fifteen Fall-themed images provided as a prompt to write a kidlit piece of 200 words or less – ‘a poem, a story, a mood piece, (…) happy, scary, beautiful, grotesque, whatever suits your fancy for any kidlit age’.
This image of a girl with a beautiful red leaf was the one that spoke to me! By the way, in case you don’t know, ‘Oma’ is a German word for ‘Grandma’.
Orla’s Leaves – a Fall Faery Tale (200 words)
Orla kicks up whirling blizzards of color. A damp-earth smell rises into mist.
Of all seasons, Oma misses Fall most. So, Orla will bring leaves to Oma.
First, oak – crimson… russet…
Next, hickory – lemon-yellow… amber…
Then, a maple mosaic – scarlet… magenta… gold…
Mist is now thick fog. Orla is lost.
A voice stirs like shifting leaves: ‘Help me!’
On clammy moss lies a deer, shivering. Orla sighs. Such beautiful leaves she’s chosen. But Oma is warm, and this poor creature is not, so she spreads her whole collection over the deer like a blanket.
‘Kindness begets kindness,’ says the deer. ‘Hurry home, then shake out your knapsack three times.’
‘But it’s empty,’ says Orla, ‘and I’m lost in this fog!’
‘Don’t look too far ahead,’ the deer replies. ‘Follow the leaves at your feet, step by step: maple, hickory, oak. When you look up, you will be home…’
‘I’m back, Oma!’ Orla says, and shakes her knapsack three times. Leaves flutter down, rich pigments aglow, then fit themselves together to form an intricate quilt. Orla tucks it around Oma. The forest smell envelops them. They will endure winter step by step, and when they look up, Spring will be there.
How beautiful! Good luck Claire
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Thank you, Sue!
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Such a lovely autumnal tale, Claire.
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Thanks, Jenny!
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This is so beautiful. Congrats, Claire, and best of luck!
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Thank you for your kind comment, Ashley!
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How lovely and magical. So many beautiful lines. Good luck!
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Thank you Sara, you’re very kind!
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This is lovely! So many wonderful details.
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Thank you, Allison!
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What a wonderful tale. Beautiful. Good luck!
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Thanks very much, Rosanna!
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I love the tender moment when having to decide between bringing the leaves back or warming the deer. I could feel the tug at her heart. Great entry!
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Thank you, Brittany! 😄
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Kindness does beget kindness and the world needs more Orla’s. Thanks for sharing! Good luck with the contest.
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Yes, agreed – kindness is more important now than ever! Thanks for commenting, Colleen 😊
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Lovely! Your words have painted such a beautiful image in my mind.
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Thank you, Kelly – I’m happy you enjoyed it!
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Claire, beautiful story of hope!❤️
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Thank you very much, Janie!
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Lovely–simple kindness has a great bounty. Well done. Good luck!
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Thanks very much for your kind comment!
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Beautiful story and imagery. There’s such a tenderness here, and I love the bit of magic at the end. Good luck!
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Thank you, Alicia – you’re very kind!
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This is so magical. I enjoyed reading it very much!
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Thank you, Sarah! I’m happy you enjoyed it!
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I love the descriptions of the color of the leaves and the way they weave together to make the quilt for Oma. This is a beautiful story of love and kindness Claire.
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Thank you for your kind comment, Kerry!
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I love the magic! Such a sweet story.
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Thank you for your kind comment, Melissa!
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I love the color descriptions and how you integrated some elements from classic fairytales for a modern, fall remake. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you so much for your lovely comments!
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Your way with words is magical, Claire. The superb sensory details and description in this story are so atmospheric and evocative. I can smell the “damp-earth,” and I shiver on the “clammy moss” with the deer. Charming, generous Orla warmed the deer, Oma, and my heart. @AnneLipton
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Those are such lovely comments, Anne – thank you so much!
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Lovely, Claire! It makes miss the change of seasons! (I’m out in Arizona!)
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Thank you for your kind comment, Colleen!
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Love the Grimm-esque of this story, Claire. The colors really brought the story to life and the message of kindness was beautiful!
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Thank you very much for your kind comments, Candice!
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So beautiful and magical, Claire! I love your word choices!
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Thank you, Jolene!
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Claire, you paint such a lovely story with your lyrical language and leaf gifts! Kindness begets kindness is shown in such a magical way.
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Thank you very much! I appreciate it!
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Thanks for sharing this sweet tale of kindness for the Fall Writing Frenzy!
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Thanks for reading, Kaitlyn! I enjoyed writing it!
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That’s so wonderful to hear!
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A magical story of kindness! It reminds me of one of Aesop’s Fables, The Lion and the Mouse.
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Thank you for your kind comment, Karen!
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Wonderful, vivid descriptions. I love the conflict between bringing leaves to Oma or helping the deer. I pray that many kids come from living situations that produce empathetic and resourceful humans like the little girl in the story. Lovey fable with a great message. Kids will get it. Good luck. Stay well.
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Thank you so much for your lovely comments, Annie! I appreciate it!
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