Wind stirred the leaves of the forest, dancing the foliage of whitehall in a merry jig through the woods.1
Down beneath the cover of trees, where the shadows slid back to revel a slight patch of warm sunlight, a squirrel sat playing a small reed flute.2
She was a pretty creature, tall with pale amber fur, her large honey/brown eyes shut as she tooted away on her flute.3
Her name was Summer Dale, and for anyone who knew the merry little beast, they all agreed that the name fit.4
She looked up as another joined her, a big strong otter with a dark coat and deep eyes.5
Without a word he sat down and watched her.6
She continued playing, knowing he would wait till she was done to speak.7
"Dee-lee, phewtata lele-dee. flwee-flwee deelele."8
She paused, gathering breath for the final note.9
"Ffffffeeeeelllllllleeeeeeddddeeeee!!"10
The otter clapped his paws as she stood up and bowed to her audience.11
"Thank you, thank you. I appreciate your kindness."12
He grinned.13
"Yore a strange un' missie. What's yore name?"14
She grinned back, pulling a strange face at the otter.15
"Oh, this and that. But pray, what is your name, oh good knight?"16
He snorted. "I ain't no knight, miz. I'm an otter, name o' Derann Galewyth, only son o' Deepwyth the Grand. Ye have a name, squirrel?"17
She smiled, prancing up to him and holding forth a paw.18
"Aye, matey, I do!! Call me Summer Dale, or call me strange, both are my given names!"19
Derann nodded, his sides shaking and tears leaking from his eyes with suppressed mirth.20
"I'll call ye Summer Dale the Strange!"21
Author notes
I really did have a character named Summer Dale!! Yes I found a contest I could use her in. This is one of my stories from the 'Coming of Kira' series. Its book four, Gale in the Wyth.
The Wyth are otters, by the way.
Don't ask. Its something I came up with.
A contest entry
- What's in a name? by Neolittlefish.
195 points, ended October 12, 2008, 7 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - A is for Animals by tonialoise.
525 points, ended November 24, 2008, 14 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
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Hmmm... it's cute but not much of a story here. It's a good beginning but no middle or end. Yeah I realize it's just a chapter but for the contest purposes something with a bit more substance would have been better.
I think you do have good characters here and I like the imagery and especially the little song on the flute.
-
Great!
I really liked the way it was written, and the original take with her being an animal. Brilliant and good luck! -
OMG!
I LOVE Dale! She's so cute! XD Squirrels! Me loves dem!
Great imagery and witty dialogue! Me wants more! 
NOW! hehehe!
-Lissy
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