COUGAR PRIDE Student Short Stories Friday, April 11, 2025 Page 11 Student Short Story: Riley the Raccoon EDITOR’S NOTE: We gladly welcome short stories from students and staff for publication. Submit your stories to dwgravely@pcva.us.
a donut in the other, he strolled through the quiet corridors of the school. Outside, the leaves rustled as the wind carried the scent of fall through the air. Riley, drawn by the mysterious aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries, approached the school. Guided by his keen sense of smell, he maneuvered his way through the bushes and up to the open window of the staff lounge. With a nimble jump, he landed silently on the countertop, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Inside, Officer Fifteen was bliss- fully unaware of his furry intruder, engrossed in the morning paper. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the sound of a mug crashing to the floor. Startled, Officer Thomp- son spun around, his heart racing. There, in the middle of the lounge, stood Riley, frozen in place with a donut clasped in his tiny paws. The two locked eyes for a brief moment, each equally surprised by the other’s presence. Officer Fifteen fumbled for his radio, in- stinctively reaching for his holster as well.
nal, just a cheeky raccoon on a breakfast mission. He chuckled to himself, lowering his hand and shaking his head in disbelief. Word of the incident spread quickly through the school. By lunchtime, it had become the talk of the town. Students and teach- ers alike shared a laugh over the tale of Riley the raccoon and his daring donut heist. Even Officer Fifteen couldn’t help but smile as he recounted the story, grateful that no harm had come from the morning’s excitement. As for Riley, he returned to the forest, content with his adventure and the sweet taste of victory. He’d had his fill of donuts and excite- ment for one day, but he promised himself that he’d return to Pulaski High School when the next oppor- tunity for mischief arose. After all, a curious raccoon like Riley could never resist the allure of a good adventure. Do you have a short story to share? Email your submission to dwgravely@pcva.us for consideration.
By DAMIEN “BLUE” LEDBETTER
In the quaint town of Pulaski, nestled between rolling hills and dense forests, life moved at a gentle pace. It was a place where neighbors knew each other by name, and the school was the heart of the community. Pulaski County High School, with its stately brick façade and sprawling grounds, was the pride of the town. But even in such an idyllic setting, unexpected events could stir up quite a commotion. One crisp autumn morning, as the sun peeked over the horizon, Riley the raccoon decided it was time for a little adventure. Riley was not your average raccoon; he was a curious creature, always keen to explore the nooks and crannies of his environment. His nocturnal escapades were well- known among the local wildlife, but today, he was feeling particu- larly bold. The school resource officer, Officer Fifteen, was making his routine rounds early that morning. With his coffee in one hand and
“Dispatch, we’ve got a situa- tion here,” he muttered, trying to keep his voice steady. “There’s an intruder in the staff lounge.” Riley, sensing the tension in the air, decided it was time to make a hasty retreat. With a deft leap, he bounded off the counter, leaving a trail of crumbs in his wake. The of- ficer, still in shock, watched as the raccoon darted across the room and out the window. For a split second, Officer Fifteen’s training kicked in, and he almost drew his weapon. But realization struck him just in time; this was no dangerous crimi-
LET’S MAKE PULASKI COUNTY A CLEANER PLACE TO LIVE! Do your part and have a chance to win a $100 gift card! Students can also enter the other contests for a chance to win additional prizes.
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