Spring Fling Contest 2023
Every spring I look forward to hearing about the new baby goats at Rhythm Ranch Homestead. I excitedly watch each kid enter the world via Facebook, and watch for updates as they are cleaned, weighed, fed, and named.
This year was tough. A few births were sad and traumatic and they echoed the personal losses in my own heart this spring.
So, it was only fitting that I process it all in words. Because that is what I do.
For this year’s Spring Fling Kidlit Writing Contest, hosted by agent Kaitlyn Sanchez and author Ciara O’Neal, I chose to write about Clover (which is really the stories of 2 little goats, Clover and Cyprus, combined) and the amazing love and care they received from their human Mama and family at the farm.
I am so excited to visit the farm this weekend and hold these baby goats in my arms. They are truly the sweetest, and their story of hope and survival is a true inspiration. Fun fact: That’s the real “Clover” in the picture below!
The contest challenge: Choose a GIF and write a spring-inspired story, 150 words, or less for children 12 and under.
The real “Clover”
Lucky Clover
(Inspired by a True Story)
by Christina Shawn
149 words
“Clover’s too small,” I worry.
He’s too wobbly to stand,
too weak to suckle…
and much too cold.
Mama sighs, “We’ll be lucky if he makes it through the night.”
We set up heaters,
and take turns snuggling him close to our bodies,
pressing a bottle to his lips.
I trace the dark patches on his snow-white coat, stars and sky in reverse.
I’m sweating, while Clover is barely warm enough to survive…
“Don’t give up,” I whisper.
The night weighs long and heavy while
Mama checks and rechecks Clover,
shaking her head.
When morning finally lights our furrowed brows,
we take Clover’s temperature again.
I hold my breath,
and feel Clover’s tiny nose pressed to my chin.
“Never give up.”
Mama breathes relief. “He’s warmer. That’s good.”
She squeezes my hand and I know Clover will still need our help.
But for now,
we all feel
lucky.