Ended Contest #4 Short Story Fiction Contest - 6th Annual BYC Easter Hatchalong

[ronott1]

I hope I am not too late for this contest. Here is a short story I have been working on.



It was a dark night as he gazed across the vast expanse of sky. Even the stars seemed to shield themselves from view. There he stood watching and waiting. The days have been long and wet as of late and his mood had turned sour. He was worried about her. She had been sitting there refusing to move for weeks now, and he just didn’t understand why. It was as if overnight his beloved had turned on him. It is not as if he didn’t see it coming. Just that he hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

This past winter had been an exceptionally cold and bleak time for the small flock. Many of last year’s younglings could not withstand the cold and perished before the weather warmed. It was heart breaking as each, in turn, slowly faded. They gave up the fight. It started innocently enough. Their energy would drain and they would sit for much of the day. Then they stopped eating and let go of life.

Now, his beloved seemed to be doing the same thing. This terrified him. He would bring her treats, trying to encourage her to move and be active. The last thing he wanted was for his beloved to fade away like the others. For all his efforts she would hiss and snap at him. Nothing could make her budge.

A heavy sigh escaped him as he shook his head in dismay. It would be a long night alone with his thoughts. At least the rain had stopped. Just then a single star appeared in the black sky. The clouds began to disperse and his hopes were lifted. Maybe the bright sun and warm weather would finally entice her to venture out.

There she sat, in her little corner, resting. She knew it would be a long time before she could truly rest again, once the night was over. It was beginning to happen and her focus needed to be on the task at hand. For the briefest of moments her thought drifted to him. He just didn’t understand. This was something she had to do. Everything inside her kept her pinned in this one spot. They depended on her vigilance and determination.

She knew he worried about her. The losses they experienced left both of them depleted and sad. This would change things, and she knew it. When this night was over happiness would fill both their hearts. If only she kept to this most important work, and not move.

A sudden movement jolted her back to her work. The first of five was finally out. It would take time for the youngster to dry and the other four were still working themselves through this lengthy process. She kept silent as the little one toddled about fluffing itself against her warm body. She admired the look of him. He had his father’s kind eyes. As she admired this first one, two more broke through with great force. They were strong and agile already, just like there mama had been.

Outside, the sun began to peak out over the horizon. The day was dawning bright and beautiful. He let forth his long and welcoming morning call. Yes, today was going to be a good day. From his perch he spotted his beloved's favorite treats. With the stealth of a dive bomber he hopped down and scooped them up. Yes, he would get his beloved outside today.

With determination in his heart he entered their little home and headed straight for her. Carefully he placed the treats before her and enticed her to get up and eat.

Something was different about today. She had a look in her eye and secret in her heart. Then a tiny little head popped out from under her wing, then another, and another. For a moment he was stunned. What had just happened? His beloved had three little creatures hidden beneath her.

So, that is what has kept her immovable for so long. Relief filled his heart and joy escaped his beak. Quickly, he climbed to highest place he could reach and proclaimed to the world. His crow echoing across the land, that he was a papa!

Content that he finally understood, she settled in a little further and sighed. After all, two more were still working their way into this world.

With a look of joy in her eyes, she gazed up at him whispered, “Happy Easter, my love.”

@wornoutmomto3 Can you add picture or drawing? The word count is 500 for the contest--you are close to that just a bit over.

 

[Lotta3]

loving the stories

would love to take part but am in the UK

 

[Sealfeeder]

Lucy's Love

All of the chickens in the flock lay their eggs into the same nests in the coop. When enough eggs are laid, at least one hen will go "broody." The hen will sit on the eggs for about 21 days or 3 weeks. Then, the eggs will hatch into new, sweet, little chicks.

One of the chickens in our flock is Lucy, a white silkie hen. Silkie's are small chickens whose feathers are very soft and fine. The feathers are beautiful, but this makes it hard for Lucy to fly. Because she cannot fly well, Lucy's biggest fear is coming out of the coop.

One day, Lucy found a large pile of eggs and sat on them for a long time. Lucy began to wonder if the eggs where ever going to hatch. Then, one day, she saw one of the eggs wobble. It wobbled some more and then more. Then, she heard a "crack" and saw a small beak poke through the shell! All the eggs hatched into beautiful little chicks.

Lucy was the best mother ever. She kept them warm. She taught then how to scratch for food and drink water.

Before she knew it, her little chicks were turning into young hens and roosters. They wanted to explore the world. They wanted to do the one thing that terrified Lucy the most: come out of the coop. She tried her best to stop her young chickens from taking the leap out of the coop, but she knew she could not do it forever.

Eventually, the big day came and all of Lucy's chickens jumped down to the ground. Lucy stood helplessly in the doorway of the coop. Peaking in and out the door with one foot in and one foot out. Heart pounding. Feathers tight against her skin. What should she do? Stay in the safe, dark coop or leap into her greatest fear?

Without even thinking, before she realized it, she had jumped out of the coop. Lucy was amazed at how big the world seemed! She did not cluck loudly or scatter around the yard, but simply watched her chicks.

If Lucy's love helped her conquer her biggest fear, imagine what we can all do with God's love for us?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

"A Story of Marvel," final version.

Once upon a time, in a land not far away, a dozen or so hatching eggs came to be abandoned at a feed store. No one knew from whence these eggs had come, and no person claimed them as their own. It appeared no one would.

As fortune would have it, after a few days had passed, a simple but good woman, with a soft spot for all things chicken, happened into this store. Her heart was heavy as she had two very forlorn hens who sat at home, hours in their coop, longing for chicks of their own. The store owner was eager to part with these eggs, having no place to keep them; so the kind lady took them home to give to her two hens in hopes of cheering them.

When she showed the eggs to her daughter, the girl knew immediately that these were no ordinary eggs. These were eggs with amazing and marvelous powers bestowed within. To mark their worth, she emblazoned signs of wonder on their shells.


The two forlorn hens eagerly accepted their charges and dutifully set about the business of properly caring for these special eggs. Unfortunately, an evil had befallen upon them, and as the days progressed, it was apparent that few would ever reach their full potential.

But our heroes remained determined. At the end of the third week, a rumbling began amid the oval vessels. Alarmed, but steadfast, the two faithful hens sat their ground and carefully guarded their nests. The woman and the girl gasped, "Could it be? Were the signs to be made true?"

The Flash, being the fastest, was the first to emerge. Quickly upon his heels came little Leonardo, bursting out of his small blue shell with powerful swift kicks.

Hours more passed, and as a darkness descended, Batwoman rose from her calcite citadel.


Soon, Spidey spun out from its ovum web, filling the coop with the familiar song of chirps.



The last to free herself and join this heroic clutch was Ms. Marvel who quickly looked up to Heaven and gave thanks for the victory that had been won over the evil doer who had made them such captives.



In a matter of weeks our super heroes grew strong and fearless, and the two hens clucked in contented approval, certain that great deeds lay ahead.

Flash and Leonardo desired the adventures of new lands and flew the coop to find their fortunes elsewhere. Their tales are whispers among the townfolk. But Batsy, Spidey and Ms. Marvel stayed to watch over this small land to the great pleasure of our kind lady. And the girl? She smiled. She knew she had been egg-xactly right...from forth these humble objects had sprung great and amazing creatures. The three smiled confidently back for they knew that with great purpose comes great responsibility.



The End.

 

[theoldchick]

"Mr. E! Mr. E!" Little Sister sped across the grassy yard. "It's just awful!"

Mr. E bounded out of his den. "What! What are you squawking about? Is it a hawk attack?"

Little Sister skidded to a halt in front of the Easter bunny. "It's much worse! Much worse! Big Sister was hit by a car while crossing the road!"

Mr. E's long ears flipped forward. "Crossing the road? Why on earth did she do that?"

Little Sister shook her head, her red wattles vibrating anxiously. "She saw a grasshopper and just had to go get it. Now we don't have her famously large eggs for the Easter Egg hunt. Mrs. Farmer will be so disappointed. You know how the kids love those large brown eggs Big Sister lays."

Long ears flipping nervously, Mr. E whispered, "Is Big Sister still alive?"

Little Sister gave her glorious black feathers a shake. "Mrs. Farmer scooped her up and took her to the veterinarian. There was so much blood!"

Mr. E paced in a circle, laying his ears along his back as he spoke. "You'll have to get the Marans Triplets in line, Little Sister. Those pullets have been lazy lately, but Curly Sue lays a fine dark brown egg that the kids will like. Tell Steele to make them work."

Little Sister raised her hackle feathers. "I'll be the one to talk to those girls. Steele is worthless. He can't see past his glorious wattles."

"Go to it," Mr E said with a sage nod. "I must to groom my fur so I'll look good for the Easter Party in three weeks."

Little Sister nodded and marched across the yard, crowing for the hens to come to an emergency meeting. In the coop she paced along the roost as she shared the terrible news of Big Sister. Although she was the smallest Jersey Giant in the flock, she was known to get nasty if provoked. All the hens listened as Little Sister lectured the Marans Triplets on the importance of laying on schedule.

Later in the day, Mrs. Farmer came to the coop, her fingers folded over a small object. The hens rushed to her as she sat down. Little Sister ran to her, looked her in the eye and knew the news was not good.

Tears rolling down her cheeks, Mrs. Farmer presented a large brown egg. "This is all that is left of Big Sister. The doctor did all she could but Big Sister just wasn't able to make it. Somehow she laid this egg just before she passed. My incubator is broken so I'm going to place this egg in a nest. I know none of your girls are broody as you all have been laying such fine eggs for the Easter party. So I place this egg in the nest box and hope for a miracle."

Little Sister knew what she had to do. She watched Mrs. Farmer place the egg on the hay. Without a cluck, she marched to the box and carefully settled her body on the brown egg.

Mrs. Farmer smiled. "Looks like you might be the miracle I need. Good luck, Little Sister."

So Little Sister settled down to brood the egg. She was sure she was doing everything wrong but she remained on the nest. Mrs. Farmer put food and water nearby so she wouldn't have to leave the nest for long.

As Little Sister sat, plans for the party went on. Mr. E had groomed himself to perfection and was placed so the children could see him while listening to the story of the Easter Bunny. After the story, the egg hunt started and the laughter of children filled the air.

In the cool darkness of the coop, Little Sister sat quietly. The egg under her moved. A crack formed. She listened to the peeping in the egg and waited. When the shell cracked again, she ever so carefully rolled the egg. The crack widened and a black beak broke through. Peeping frantically, the chick struggled. Little Sister pressed her beak across the shell and the egg cracked further.

With a final kick, the chick managed to push out of the shell and gasp for air. Little Sister flung the shell from the nest. Outside, the Easter party continued and the patter of fast feet could be heard with the laughter. The air in the coop was quiet as a tiny little chick managed to raise her head.

"Hello," Little Sister clucked softly to the chick. "I think I'll call you Miracle."










Edited to add no animals, humans, or insects were harmed in the creation of this story.

 

[Mellow1]

"Mr. E! Mr. E!" Little Sister sped across the grassy yard. "It's just awful!"

Mr. E bounded out of his den. "What! What are you squawking about? Is it a hawk attack?"

Little Sister skidded to a halt in front of the Easter bunny. "It's much worse! Much worse! Big Sister was hit by a car while crossing the road!"

Mr. E's long ears flipped forward. "Crossing the road? Why on earth did she do that?"

Little Sister shook her head, her red wattles vibrating anxiously. "She saw a grasshopper. And just had to go get it. Now we don't have her famously large eggs for the Easter Egg hunt. Mrs. Farmer will be so disappointed. You know how the kids loved those large brown eggs Big Sister lays."

Long ears flipping nervously, Mr. E whispered, "Is Big Sister still alive?"

Little Sister gave her glorious black feathers a shake. "Mrs. Farmer scooped her up and took her to the veterinarian. There was so much blood!"

Mr. E paced in a circle, laying his ears along his back as he spoke. "You'll have to get the Marans Triplets in line, Little Sister. Those pullets have been lazy lately, but Curly Sue lays a fine dark brown egg that the kids will like. Tell Steele to make them work."

Little Sister raised her hackle feathers. "I'll be the one to talk to those girls. Steele is worthless. He can't see past his glorious wattles."

"Go to it," Mr E said with a sage nod. "I must to groom my fur so I'll look good for the Easter Party in three weeks."

Little Sister nodded and marched across the yard, crowing for the hens to come to an emergency meeting. In the coop she paced along the roost as she shared the terrible news of Big Sister. Although she was the smallest Jersey Giant in the flock, she was known to get nasty if provoked. All the hens listened as Little Sister lectured the Marans Triplets on the importance of laying on schedule.

Later in the day, Mrs. Farmer came to the coop, her fingers folded over a small object. The hens rushed to her as she sat down. Little Sister ran to her, looked her in the eye and knew the news was not good.

Tears rolling down her cheeks, Mrs. Farmer presented a large brown egg. "This is all that is left of Big Sister. The doctor did all she could but Big Sister just wasn't able to make it. Some how she laid this egg just before she passed. My incubator is broken, so I'm going to place this egg in a nest. I know none of your girls are broody as you all have been laying such fine eggs for the Easter party. So I place this egg in the nest box and hope for a miracle."

Little Sister knew what she had to do. She watched Mrs. Farmer place the egg on the hay. Without a cluck, she marched to the box and carefully settled her body on the brown egg.

Mrs. Farmer smiled. "Looks like you might be the miracle I need. Good luck, Little Sister."

So, Little Sister settled down to brood the egg. She was sure she was doing everything wrong but she remained on the nest. Mrs. Farmer put food and water near the nest so she wouldn't have to go far.

As Little Sister sat, plans for the party went on. Mr. E had groomed himself to perfection and was placed so the children could see him while listening to the story of the Easter Bunny. After the story, the egg hunt started and the laughter of children filled the air.

In the cool darkness of the coop, Little Sister sat quietly. The egg under her moved. A crack formed. She listened to the peeping in the egg and waited. When the shell cracked again, she ever so carefully rolled the egg. The crack widened and a black beak broke through. Peeping frantically, the chick struggled. Little Sister pressed her beak across the shell and the egg cracked even further.

With a final kick, the chick managed to push out of the shell and gasp for air. Little Sister flung the shell from the nest. Outside, the Easter party continued and the patter of fast feet could be heard with the laughter. The air in the coop was quiet, though, as a tiny little chick managed to raise her head.

"Hello," Little Sister clucked softly to the chick. "I think I'll call you Miracle."

Really liked your story :>

 

[One Chick Two]

Monet, without warning, suddenly went on walkabout, in search of adventure.



He sent this postcard to the peeps back home:
"Wish you were roosting here..."



Cherie' started off after her roo... she had something important to tell him.



Monet just couldn't shake off the sensation SOMETHING was going on! He hurried back home.



"There you are," Cherie' said, munching. "Come home... I have something to show you. Aren't these worms de-lish?"




"Chicklets," Cherie smiled, "You are a father!" Monet was shocked.



Monet slowly grinned with pride. There's no field like home...

 

[bamadude]

The year of 2014, I decided to start being a good person. I stopped putting all the eggs that didnt hatch in my neighbors car. I took those old people to bingo (whether they wanted to go or not). I even returned the cart back to Wal-Mart (I was using it as a wood burning grill). I was being very good.
I hadnt had a visit from the Easter Bunny in decades. I figured I was surely entitled to a visit for being on my best behavior.
Easter eve, I opened my front door. I was impatiently awaiting the Easter bunny's arrival.
Apparently I fell asleep. I awoke Easter Morning expecting to find a big basket of goodies. Wrong.
The Easter Bunny had STOLE my VCR.

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

I'm posting now so I can write later!

 

[tntchix]

I hope I am not too late for this contest. Here is a short story I have been working on.



It was a dark night as he gazed across the vast expanse of sky. Even the stars seemed to shield themselves from view. There he stood watching and waiting. The days have been long and wet as of late and his mood had turned sour. He was worried about her. She had been sitting there refusing to move for weeks now, and he just didn’t understand why. It was as if overnight his beloved had turned on him. It is not as if he didn’t see it coming. Just that he hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

This past winter had been an exceptionally cold and bleak time for the small flock. Many of last year’s younglings could not withstand the cold and perished before the weather warmed. It was heart breaking as each, in turn, slowly faded. They gave up the fight. It started innocently enough. Their energy would drain and they would sit for much of the day. Then they stopped eating and let go of life.

Now, his beloved seemed to be doing the same thing. This terrified him. He would bring her treats, trying to encourage her to move and be active. The last thing he wanted was for his beloved to fade away like the others. For all his efforts she would hiss and snap at him. Nothing could make her budge.

A heavy sigh escaped him as he shook his head in dismay. It would be a long night alone with his thoughts. At least the rain had stopped. Just then a single star appeared in the black sky. The clouds began to disperse and his hopes were lifted. Maybe the bright sun and warm weather would finally entice her to venture out.

There she sat, in her little corner, resting. She knew it would be a long time before she could truly rest again, once the night was over. It was beginning to happen and her focus needed to be on the task at hand. For the briefest of moments her thought drifted to him. He just didn’t understand. This was something she had to do. Everything inside her kept her pinned in this one spot. They depended on her vigilance and determination.

She knew he worried about her. The losses they experienced left both of them depleted and sad. This would change things, and she knew it. When this night was over happiness would fill both their hearts. If only she kept to this most important work, and not move.

A sudden movement jolted her back to her work. The first of five was finally out. It would take time for the youngster to dry and the other four were still working themselves through this lengthy process. She kept silent as the little one toddled about fluffing itself against her warm body. She admired the look of him. He had his father’s kind eyes. As she admired this first one, two more broke through with great force. They were strong and agile already, just like there mama had been.

Outside, the sun began to peak out over the horizon. The day was dawning bright and beautiful. He let forth his long and welcoming morning call. Yes, today was going to be a good day. From his perch he spotted his beloved's favorite treats. With the stealth of a dive bomber he hopped down and scooped them up. Yes, he would get his beloved outside today.

With determination in his heart he entered their little home and headed straight for her. Carefully he placed the treats before her and enticed her to get up and eat.

Something was different about today. She had a look in her eye and secret in her heart. Then a tiny little head popped out from under her wing, then another, and another. For a moment he was stunned. What had just happened? His beloved had three little creatures hidden beneath her.

So, that is what has kept her immovable for so long. Relief filled his heart and joy escaped his beak. Quickly, he climbed to highest place he could reach and proclaimed to the world. His crow echoing across the land, that he was a papa!

Content that he finally understood, she settled in a little further and sighed. After all, two more were still working their way into this world.

With a look of joy in her eyes, she gazed up at him whispered, “Happy Easter, my love.”

great story - needs pics and check word count!