Susanna Leonard Hill's Valentiny Contest

I read about Susanna Leonard Hill's Valentiny Contest and it sounded like a fun challenge to write a Valentine story with a grumpy character in only 214 words! ( 2/14 for Valentine's Day off course!) So here is my humble entry in this contest. It was a lot of fun to write and difficult to keep under 214 words! Thanks for the opportunity and for the nice little writing challenge. Coming in at exactly 214 words, I submit:

Captain Salty's Valentine

Captain Salty was in a mood. Nothing could make him smile. Not stomping his peg leg. Not feeding crackers to his parrot. Not telling jokes to First Mate Moe. In fact, where was Moe? Captain Salty couldn’t make the ship run smoothly without Moe! Oh dear. It didn’t look good.

Captain Salty searched all the places he could think of: the galley, the crow’s nest. the poop deck. He even checked to make sure Moe hadn’t gone for a nap. No sign of him!

Just when Captain Salty was about to order all hands on deck, First Mate Moe appeared with a big smile on his face and his hands behind his back.

“Blimey!” Exclaimed Captain Salty. “Where has ye been?”

“I’ve been workin’ on a little something fer ye, Cap’n.” Moe replied.

“Fer me?” asked the Captain.

“Yes,” exclaimed Moe. “Tis a special day today.”

By now, the other crew members were gathered around.

“Today?” The Captain scratched his head.

“We admire the cut o’ yer jib, Cap’n,” Moe said. “And we want to wish ye a Happy Valentine’s Day.” Moe pulled a giant paper heart out from behind his back, signed by the whole crew.

The captain was so touched he made a rare declaration.

“Doubloons for all!”

“Hooray! Happy Valentine’s Day!”