Valentiny Contest Entry: A Paper Heart Mystery

Below is my entry for Susanna Leonard Hill's Valentiny Writing Contest, a contest where writers must write a children's story in 214 words or less. This year's theme is "curiosity" so I wrote a mystery! 
red paper hearts on wood floor

A Paper Heart Mystery
214 words


Cora woke up and discovered a red paper heart by her pillow. “What a special Valentine’s Day surprise!” When she got dressed, she found another heart in the closet. When she brushed her teeth, she found another on the bathmat. 

Mama came into the room, little Neo panting at her feet. “Thank you, Cora, for the lovely paper hearts you left me in my room,” she said.

“But I thought you were the one who put them in my room.”

“That is very curious,” Mama said.

Cora thought for a moment. “Do you think a leprechaun left them?”

“Leprechauns are for St. Patrick’s Day,” said Mama.

“What about the Easter Bunny?” Cora asked.

“Easter is not for weeks.”

“Santa?”

Mama chuckled. “I don’t know who left them. Let’s get ready for school.”

At breakfast, Cora found a heart under the table. She found another inside her shoe, then one more under her coat.

Cora grabbed Neo’s leash and whistled. “Neo! Time to walk to school.”

Neo trotted in with a mouthful of paper hearts. He dropped them at Cora’s feet, wagging his tail. “Neo! You silly pup. It was you that left the hearts everywhere.” She bent and Neo licked her face. “I love you too. Thank you for the special Valentine’s Day surprise.”

small dog licking face of young girl
Photo by bin Ziegler from Pexels

Do you like my story? Check out my other kid stories, flash fiction, or poetry.

Photo above adapted from photo by Adonyi Gábor from Pexels.

Comments

  1. Colleen MurphyFebruary 12, 2020 at 7:09 AM

    I love the picture in the end as well as all the questions Cora asked about who might have left them. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cheryl SecombFebruary 12, 2020 at 7:35 AM

    What a fun story! I love the mystery, and what an adorable ending. Nicely done!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Brit_Brit_February 12, 2020 at 9:20 AM

    Nice dialogue between Mama and Cora. Good luck!

    -Brittany Pomales

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rose CappelliFebruary 12, 2020 at 1:48 PM

    So kid-like to think that the Easter Bunny or Santa left them! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kelly ConroyFebruary 13, 2020 at 7:18 AM

    So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nancy RileyFebruary 13, 2020 at 4:00 PM

    Of course it was the dog! Love it. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mary Ann CortezFebruary 13, 2020 at 4:34 PM

    Great story. I was curious to know who was leaving the hearts, nice surprise ending.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lauri MeyersFebruary 14, 2020 at 3:44 AM

    Cute! My pup is looking at me with guilty eyes because I'm asking why he didn't get me paper hearts:)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Charlotte DixonFebruary 14, 2020 at 12:31 PM

    Sweet and suspenseful. Nothing like puppy love. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jilanne HoffmannFebruary 14, 2020 at 10:08 PM

    LOL, our dog would have left all those hearts a shredded mess. I'm glad Neo (as the delivery vehicle) left them intact! Sweet puppy love.

    ReplyDelete
  11. JeanJames926February 15, 2020 at 11:41 AM

    Such a sweet story. Our little dog would have chewed up all those hearts, she already chewed up some of the chocolate kisses. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Susanna Leonard HillFebruary 16, 2020 at 5:20 PM

    What a sweet story, Lara! Love that the puppy was the one sharing love! Good job making us wonder :) Thanks for joining in the Valentiny fun!

    ReplyDelete

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