Without further ado, here is my entry for Susanna Leonard Hill’s Birthday contest. The idea is to write a children’s story about a creative or unique birthday celebration in 300 words or less, poetry or prose. Susanna is a fun and generous blog hostess and her competitions always garner lots of delightful entries. I hope you will pop over to read them!
Lundy the hound and Captain Saltsam
Were pirates aboard the vast ship Crusty Clam.
On Saltsam’s big birthday, he had one desire:
A colorful bird for his pirate attire.
Lundy decided to cast out their net
And catch Saltsam’s present, the best ever yet.
After sailing around, Lundy pulled in the haul:
Some driftwood, a buoy, a flattened beach ball.
Snared in the net lay a sopping sea bird,
“A parrot?” asked Lundy. “Now don’t be absurd!
I’m a puffin! Release me!” the cranky bird snapped.
“I’ve no place on a ship, and I won’t be bird-napped!”
“Hush up, pesky puffin! Behave and pipe down.
You’re a pirate’s bird now. Eat crackers and frown!
Happy birthday dear Captain!” said the gift-bearing hound,
“A bird for your shoulder! Here – wear him around!”
The bird thrashed his feet and swung with his beak,
He flapped his strong wings, smacking Sam on the cheek.
He wiggled and wobbled and shrieked in alarm,
Then lifting his tail, pooped down Saltsam’s arm.
“Yuck!” yelled the captain. “Get off me! Goodbye!”
The puffin leaned over and nipped Saltsam’s eye.
Lundy was crushed, gave a low mournful howl.
“I’m sorry I gave you that terrible fowl.”
“Oh well!” said the captain. “I don’t need a bird.
I can see now quite clearly my wish was absurd.
The present I want isn’t one we can catch.
With this nifty new boo-boo, I want an eye patch!”
I have long been infatuated with this unique little dog, the Norwegian lundehund. They were originally bred to hunt and retrieve puffins, which were a vital source of meat and feathers for Norwegians living along the western fiords and islands. In the 1880′s puffins became a protected species and the lundehund breed was nearly lost. Today, there are approximately 1,100 lundehunds living in Norway and 350 in the United States.
Excellent, Cathy! Very fun! You will win the hearts of young readers the world over with any story that involves poop down the arm
Unique and creative! Thanks for joining in the fun!
Thank you for hosting us Susanna! Glad you enjoyed it.
I tend to have a twisted sense of humor, so I too, loved the poop down the arm. Excellent job.
I’m glad to hear you view life with the glass half full. That’s the only way to get the most out of life.
*clink* Cheers Tracy! Thanks for stopping by!
You’re most welcome. I enjoyed all of your humorous comments today! Double clink.
Cathy…what fun! Kids will love any story that involves a pirate and poop.
Seriously, it was really entertaining…and I enjoyed his flexibility, great attitude and willingness to see the silver lining in the cloud…now he can get an eye-patch!
Indeed, that Saltsam is quite a role model for a pirate. Thank you for visiting and commenting Vivian!
What a bouncy, unique story! I love the typical pirate bird idea turned on its head, with hysterical consequences.
Thanks Laura! There are so many ‘angry’ birds in the world today, eh?
A pirate tale from one of my favorite wenches (don’t tell Iza)! Delightfully creative, Wench Ballou — I fell for it poop, brine, and stinker!
Argh matey. Iza’d keelhaul you if she knew!
Blimey! I’d make ‘er walk the plank!
Very creative, showing the reason why a pirate needs an eye patch! And I like how you used the puffin and Lundehund!
I think Saltsam had read Susanna’s “No Sword Fighting in the House,” so I needed a different reason for an eyepatch to be in demand! Thanks for stopping by!
A pirate tale from one of my favorite wenches (don’t tell Iza)! Delightfully creative, Wench Ballou — I fell for it poop, brine, and stinker!
I can hear you, Renee….
HA HA! I LOVE your story!
Poor Cptain Saltsam… 
Thanks Eric! I think Saltsam will be just as happy with an eyepatch instead of a bird, don’t you!
Yes I think he will be better off with an eye patch!
Brilliant story! Fun, rhyming, pirates, poop and interesting dog.
Hello fellow Catherine Club member! Thanks for dropping by. I’ve seen plenty of puffins, now I really want to see a lundehund.
Shiver me timbers! How can you not fall for a pirate who can ‘see’ the advantage in an eye injury! And thanks for including the info on the Lundehund. Avast, what a proud beauty!
Love it Julie! Yes, Saltsam is a wise and wily pirate for sure. Thanks for coming by!
Cathy, this is hilarious. I love it!
Thanks Carrie! Glad that it gave you a laugh today.
Absolutely did not see that ending coming – great job!
Thanks Julie! Glad you were surprised.
That’s a great pirate tale, me heartie!
Yo ho ho Iza! Every word of it is true, you know ;- D
Wonderful, Cathy. So fun and well done! The poop is hilarious!
Thank you Penny! Loved your birthday entry as well!
What a fun, creative story!
I’m so glad you stopped by Lori – thank you!
Creative and very humorous. You write verse exceptionally well. Good for uTales.
You’re so kind Pat. Glad my kooky characters entertained you!
Love this. The poop on the arm was a nice touch. Your verse always makes me smile. Interesting story about the lundehund, too.
Thanks Stacy! Hope Saltsam never sails into Venezia because those St. Marks pigeons are ruthless!
Absolutely fabulous story!!! Love it!
Thank you SFH! I’m glad you stopped by for a laugh.
Haha! Great entry!
Thanks Hannah – glad to have you drop by!
Loved this and learning about the Norwegian Lundehund!
Woof! Although I know you are a cat person at heart Joanna!