This month’s Valentiny contest is organized by Susanna Leonard Hill, and you can read more about the contest here. The challenge was to write a story in 214 words (2/14) or less that is Valentines-focused and includes a skeptical character.
My 5th graders just wrapped up their Greek myth plays, so my inspiration comes from “Eros and Psyche,” but you may better recognize Eros by his Roman name … Cupid.
Pilfering Parrots
By: Katie McEnaney, Word Count: 208
“No. Way,” Preston the parrot squawked in dismay. “Valentine’s cannot possibly be your favorite holiday. All that snuggling and kissing, ugh.”
“There’s tasty treats!” his friend Petunia insisted.
“True. We’ll keep the treats but ditch the lovey-dovey. THAT’s why we’ll steal Cupid’s arrows. No more arrows, no more huggy-snuggly Valentine’s Day. Just treats!”
—
The plan was proceeding perfectly:
Sneak into Cupid’s castle? Check.
Locate the quiver of arrows in his bedroom? Check.
Snatch the arrows, speed out the window, carry them to the nearby volcano, and melt them into oblivion?
Not.
Quite.
Check.
Instead, Preston swooped down and grasped the arrows by the tip. “Ouch!”
Cupid’s love potion flooded him from tip to tail. Preston’s heart fluttered faster than his wings, and his beak began beaming. Why, love was a marvelous thing!
“What a glorious day!” he crowed, waking up Cupid. “I LOVE love.”
Petunia fluttered down. “But … why … what about too mushy and too gushy?”
Preston perched beside her and cuddled close. “Love is a celebration of friendship and joy. Now I get it!”
Cupid smiled at the foolish friends. “Come, join me! Together, you shall be my ambassadors of love.”
… and THAT is how the Agapornis parrots became forever known as love birds.
Leave a comment with your thoughts below or visit Susanna’s site for my official entry comment.