Author Susanna Leonard Hill is having a Holiday writing contest where you could win prizes!
Be creative and write a post with your own version (350 words or less) of The Night Before Christmas (it can be about any winter holiday). Please visit Ms. Hill’s website for all the details HERE.
My entry is posted below. I have been interested in writing a picture book about the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal for quite some time, but have not done it yet. So, for my entry today the monk seal takes center stage, as I play around with the idea of what a monk seal might want for Christmas. Enjoy!!
A Monk Seal’s Christmas Wish
by
Christine Marie Alemshah
Twas the day before Christmas, when on the small isle,
A monk seal landed ashore, on a sand pile.
The hotel staff prepared yellow tape,
As onlookers all stared, gasped, and gaped.
The monk seal stayed all day and all night.
He was even there at the first Christmas light.
“What could a monk seal want for Christmas?” asked a small girl.
“Some fish, or shave ice, or maybe a pearl?”
She pondered and pondered, but then soon forgot,
As she went to her room to see want Santa brought.
A stocking full of treats and trimmings,
A teddy bear, and new fins for swimming.
She busied her day with family and good cheer.
And sang her very best, “Rudolph the Reindeer.”
At dinner, she ate til her tummy might burst,
And then was filled with a very great thirst.
She walked on the beach sipping hot cider,
When she noticed the monk seal right there beside her.
The little girl still had no clue.
“Mr. Monk Seal, what can I do for you?”
Finally, at day’s end, something came from the sea.
A big wiggly shape plopped near a palm tree.
Can it be — another monk seal?
The little girl thought she might squeal.
She was happy to see the seal got his wish,
And hoped that the two could share yummy fish.
She snuck away quietly, til she was out of sight,
and whispered, “Merry Christmas Monk Seals! Have a Good-night!”
A Monk Seal’s Christmas Wish
by
Christine Marie Alemshah
Christine Marie Alemshah
Twas the day before Christmas, when on the small isle,
A monk seal landed ashore, on a sand pile.
The hotel staff prepared yellow tape,
As onlookers all stared, gasped, and gaped.
The monk seal stayed all day and all night.
He was even there at the first Christmas light.
“What could a monk seal want for Christmas?” asked a small girl.
“Some fish, or shave ice, or maybe a pearl?”
She pondered and pondered, but then soon forgot,
As she went to her room to see want Santa brought.
A stocking full of treats and trimmings,
A teddy bear, and new fins for swimming.
She busied her day with family and good cheer.
And sang her very best, “Rudolph the Reindeer.”
At dinner, she ate til her tummy might burst,
And then was filled with a very great thirst.
She walked on the beach sipping hot cider,
When she noticed the monk seal right there beside her.
The little girl still had no clue.
“Mr. Monk Seal, what can I do for you?”
Finally, at day’s end, something came from the sea.
A big wiggly shape plopped near a palm tree.
Can it be — another monk seal?
The little girl thought she might squeal.
She was happy to see the seal got his wish,
And hoped that the two could share yummy fish.
She snuck away quietly, til she was out of sight,
and whispered, “Merry Christmas Monk Seals! Have a Good-night!”
Very creative! The seal certainly did take center stage.
So cute… a girlfriend for the monk seal.
Very sweet! I’d like to learn more about these seals. I hope you write about them again!
Another unique idea! How sweet for the monk seal to get his Christmas wish.
Sounds like a story that could possibly come true!
Awww! What a sweet story! i love animals too 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the fun!
Awww! What a sweet story! i love animals too 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the contest – glad to meet you!
Thanks everyone for your very kind comments. Ever since I saw my first monk seal in person two years ago, they have held a special place in my heart.
Bildebok- My goal is to definitely write more about them soon!
Susanna- Thanks for hosting this contest. What a great idea it is!
Now I’m off to read some of those wonderful entries out there…
I would love to learn more about monk seals! Cute story!
Awww! I love it! A very clever twist to this poem. Turned out so cute! Great job 🙂
Have a Merry Christmas!
A topic and poem completely after my heart. I have blogged about this delightful animal in the past. This was a wonderful and sweet story for this lovely animal!