Holiday Helper Contest 2020

It's time for another writing contest! Thank you to Susanna Hill for running the contest and to everyone who is offering up their time and talent as prizes! Please go check out Susanna's blog here!

This year's theme is Holiday Helpers. The story must be 250 words or less and focus around the theme of helping out during this holiday season. Intrigued by the fact that it's winter up here in the Northern Hemisphere, but summer in the Southern Hemisphere, I chose to write a story about two girls a world apart who are helping their families celebrate the solstice. Enjoy!

December 21st
by Kirsten Leestma
170 Words

Aada hangs a tangle of twinkle lights.
Zara strings a strand of shells.
Aada twirls hers around a pine and Zara twists hers around a palm.

Aada bakes gingerbread friends in the warm oven. She stands close so they don’t get away.
Zara arranges fresh fruit into the shape of Santa. She sneaks a few grapes to stay cool.
Aada puts the cookies on the table and Zara sets her tray on a blanket near the waves.

Aada clomps through the snow to bring in new logs for the fire.
Zara skips across the sand to snag the umbrella for shade.
Aada gathers her family to celebrate light in the darkness and Zara gathers hers to celebrate a day of endless sun.

Aada’s eyes sparkle in the glow of candlelight on the shortest day of the year.
Zara’s eyes sparkle the way the sun shines across the sea on the longest.
Aada smiles. Zara does, too. They've helped create a perfect day.

​It’s December 21st. Winter and Summer are here.