I’m participating in Susanna Leonard Hill’s Holiday Story Contest. The task – tell a holiday story in 250 words or less about a holiday hero. Here goes!

Nobody But Timmy (238 words)

     ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all the creatures in Timmy’s house were stirring.

Nobody noticed Jasper (Grandma’s cat) eyeing the twinkling ornaments.

Nobody but Timmy.

He rescued the glass ball just before it shattered on the ground.

Nobody noticed Percy (Aunt Rosie’s parrot) squawking and swooping ‘round the tree top.

Nobody but Timmy.

He spread his arms over the angel’s wings just before Percy pecked them off.

When Grandma gathered everyone around the piano for carol singing, nobody noticed Fred and Ginger (Uncle Mike’s two golden Labs) sneaking into the kitchen.

Nobody but Timmy.

Timmy tried his best to get the family’s attention.

He jumped and bumped.

He yammered and yelled.

He even sang off key!

But he just couldn’t compete with “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bells.”

Until…

Crash! 

Everybody dashed to the kitchen. And there, right in the middle of the floor, was the Christmas ham…

…with a bite missing from both ends!

“Oh, no! Our guests will be arriving for dinner and we have no ham!” exclaimed Mom.

Nobody offered any ideas.

Nobody but Timmy.

“I know! We can cover the holes with strips of bacon. No one will even notice,” he said.

“Hmmm. That just might work,” said Mom.

“A splendid idea!” squawked Aunt Rosie and Percy.

“Ham and bacon –a perfect pair!  Just like Fred and Ginger,” added Uncle Mike.

“Timmy, you’re our holiday hero!” said Grandma.

And this time everybody noticed.