I’m participating in Susanna Leonard Hill’s Valentiny contest. Entries must be related to Valentine’s Day, include a character who is hopeful, and be 214 words or less. Here’s my entry:
Sela and Cecil (214 words)
by Rose Cappelli
Sela lived with an ordinary family in an ordinary house in an ordinary town. But Sela was far from ordinary. She dressed in superhero outfits, ate avocado and cream cheese sandwiches, and collected cardboard cutouts of cats. But despite being a bit quirky, Sela had a heart full of love that she hoped to share with a special friend, especially since it was almost Valentine’s Day. Perhaps a pet, her parents suggested.
At the pet store, Sela had high hopes for the hedgehog, but he was too hard to hold. The capybara looked promising, but she wanted to bring her whole clan. The tarantula was tempting, but a bit too terrifying, even for Sela.
Sela was about to give up hope when she spotted a sign in the shop window across the street:
Valentine’s Day Special
Magically Magical Cecil
Needs Lots of Love
Sela raced over. She could hardly believe her eyes. There sat a sea serpent lawn decoration with an enormous head, eight arms for hugging, and an adventurous grin. He might be made of metal, but to Sela he was perfect, and hopefully magical. Sela wrapped her pink and red scarf around his neck and whispered, “I love you!” And with that, Sela and Cecil flew off to find extraordinary adventures together.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Ah, what a wonderful tale! Made me smile throughout the read 🙂
Best of luck in the contest. – Vicki
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Best Wishes!
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Rose, this is a cute story with an ending that surprised me. I wish you well with it. 🙂
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A sweet fantastical story. Best of luck.
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I love Sela. What a great character. This is a fun story with a great twist on getting a pet. Best of luck with it.
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Love this character-driven tale and surprise twist!
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I want a sea serpent lawn decoration. I don’t think my wife would go for it. Good luck!
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My friend actually has one that inspired this story!
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What a magical story! Love the characters.
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HI Rose, Enjoyed your story! Sela’s a great character with a great imagination!
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Thanks, Jen!
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Definitely a twist at the end! These contests are fun. 😊
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So fun! I hope this means there are adventures to come… Good luck! Liz
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Rose, You had me at Capybara! Fun pet choices:)
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Love the word play with the different pets she considers. Now I want a real sea serpent! Good luck!
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Aw, this made me smile! I love Sela’s character and the sea serpent lawn ornament is a really creative twist. 🙂
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Of course! Of course this little girl would select a magical sea serpent for a pet! Thank you for sharing your story with us! Best of luck in the contest!
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Cute story! Sela and the sea serpent has a nice ring to it! Good luck in the contest! 🙂
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Yeah! I was routing for Sela the whole time because there truly is someone for everyone. And she sure found her someone. Good luck 🙂
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Hi Rose – wonderful character names … and oh how appropriate she went off with Cecil … he really was magically magical and fitted in with her superhero life style … I hope he eats avocado and cream cheese – such fun – cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.ca/2018/02/the-robin-who-hedges-her-choices.html
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Sela is such a fun character! I love how you were able to develop such a strong character with so few words and just a few key details. She collects cardboard cutouts of cats? How awesome is that! Well done, Rose!
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Such fun! Sela is a great character (I’d love to see more of her adventures), and I got a big kick out of the twist at the end. Great job!
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Love Sela’s quirky personality and her hopeful search to find someone to love, Rose. And what an original ending that she should choose a magical metal sea serpent lawn ornament! That’s a happy day for both of them 🙂 Thank so much for joining in the contest fun!
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