It’s time once again for another one of Susanna Hill’s wonderful writing contests! This is the tenth year of the holiday contest and my third year participating. The 2018 holiday contest was my first kid lit writing contest ever. The rules are to write a holiday story for children (ages 12 and under) that involves helping. Check out the rules and all the stories here.
A GUMMY GOOSE FOR GOOD LUCK
By Sarah Meade
Word Count: 250
Jill’s granny always said to eat a gummy goose on New Year’s Eve for good luck.
After her family moved, Jill needed some good luck– and some friends.
“I’ve gotta get a gummy goose for good luck!” Jill said.
“Better hurry,” said Mom. “Candy Castle closes at four.”
Jill hustled.
She passed an icy driveway. A girl mumbled and grumbled.
“I’ll help!” Jill pulled the stuck shovel.
“Thanks! I’m Lucy.”
“I’m Jill. I’m getting a gummy goose for good luck. Bye!”
Jill passed the post office. A lady fumbled and stumbled.
“I’ll help!” Jill gathered up the dropped mail.
“Thank you! I’m Ingrid.”
“I’m Jill. I’m getting a gummy goose. Bye!”
She passed the park. A boy flailed and wailed.
“Need help?” asked Jill.
The boy clutched a leash. “I can’t find Snowball!”
They looked and looked.
Finally–
“Snowball!”
“Thank you! I’m Aiden.”
“I’m Jill…”
BONG.
“Gotta go!”
BONG.
“Almost there.”
BONG.
“Finally!”
BONG.
Jill charged inside.
“One gummy goose, please!”
The shopkeeper sighed. “Sorry. Sold out.”
Jill’s eyes filled with tears.
She mumbled and grumbled. She fumbled and stumbled to the door. Outside she flailed and wailed.
She trudged home.
No gummy goose.
No good luck for the New Year.
That night Jill skipped the New Year’s countdown.
In the morning, she plodded outdoors.
Alone.
Until–
“Hi, Jill! Want to go sledding?”
Lucy!
“Sure!”
At the park…
“Hi, Jill!”
Aiden and Snowball!
Ingrid!
“Meet my grandchildren!”
Jill grinned.
Even without a gummy goose, the new year felt pretty lucky.
The idea of a gummy goose for good luck was inspired by the peppermint pigs sold by Saratoga Candy Co.
Thank you for reading!
Sarah Meade, Writer for Children 
Great story and fun visuals, Sarah!
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Thank you very much, Kim!
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This is so SWEET! 🙂 I love it!
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Thank you so much! I enjoyed your story as well! Just read it. 🙂
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Fun to read this one, Sarah. I liked the journey of your MC and the circularity of the story arc.
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Thank you very much for reading and commenting, Anita!
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What an interesting history behind the gummy goose. Great job with this one!
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Thanks, Ashley! I was searching for New Year’s traditions and loved that this one involves candy! 🙂
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Such a fun and inspiring story!! Good LUCK!!! Dedra
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Thank you for all your support, my friend!!
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Nice work on this one! So much (well paced) action in less than 250 words! Love how she comes full circle, and the ending line wraps it up nicely.
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Thank you so much, Kelsey! Thank you for your always thoughtful and thorough critique, too!
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I was wondering what a gummy goose was! I am glad you included the inspiration at the end. And I am so glad Jill’s selfless actions brought her the friends she wanted!! Good luck!
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Colleen! I appreciate it.
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Yum! What a great way to get some luck for the new year. But I’m especially glad that Jill was able to make her own sugar-free luck 🙂
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LOL I like that, Nicole! Thank you for your sweet support!
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I really enjoyed this story, Sarah. There aren’t many that focus on New Year’s so it is unique. I loved the internal rhyme and the good luck ending. Best of luck in the contest!
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Thank you very much, Jill! I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it.
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The gummy goose needs to be a real thing! (As somebody who likes to eat all things gummy, I approve.)
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That would be fun! 🙂 Thanks for your help on it, Maria!
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I can’t believe this story is only 250 words…it’s so well written and feels complete! My heart sank for Jill when she didn’t get her gummy goose. But, it sounds like what she DID get was much more meaningful! 🙂 Good luck!
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Thank you so much, Molly! I appreciate your kind words. 🙂
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I realized that I had been holding my breath while reading your story, Sarah. It had me totally engaged. You did such a wonderful job with the momentum and the rising tension!
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Laurie, thank you so much for telling me that! Your kind words made my day.
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Love your short sentences that kept my attention throughout! This was a fun story to read with a great arc. Good luck!
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Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Rose! I always love reading your stories, too.
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Lovely how selflessly she helped everyone and ended up with new friends instead of sweets 😁
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Lydia!
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What a wonderful story focusing on a New Year’s tradition. Your pacing is perfect as we see Jill eager to get to the sweet shop but still willing to stop and help others. Nicely done! Best of luck!
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
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I love how she made friends along the way. What a great ending, Sarah!
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Shannon!
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Great story! I love how she got good luck in an unexpected way.
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Thank you so much, Linda!
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Wow! You did so much with so few words. I enjoyed reading a New Years story. Now I have to find a store that sells gummy gooses. Good luck!
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Thank you so much for reading! 🙂
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What a sweet story of New Year’s luck, and friendship. And I absolutely love the Saratoga Peppermint Pig. It is such a fun tradition!
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Thanks so much, Jean! I think so, too!
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