LTN 2017-2018 ISSUES

Let’s Talk Trash! NOV/DEC 2017

©2017 The Keenan Group, Inc

9

How the Skunk Got Its Stripe

by James Horton CCCHS student creative writing class

Once upon a time long ago out somewhere in the woods lived a bunch of animals. If you are thinking, “Do these animals talk?” Well, you would be right. In fact, these animals were very social and loved playing games especially the children. In these woods lived lots of animals that you can see just about anywhere. The grown-ups worked and the children, well, you kow what children do. I know I said there are a lot of animals in this forest, but I am going to talk about one in particular, and this is where my story begins. Once upon a time lived a skunk named Curley. Curley was the average skunk size, maybe a hair taller. He was a plain black skunk with brown eyes and a lovely hairdo. Many of his friends asked him how he got his hair to stand up. The secret was tree sap. One morning when Curley got up, he got breakfast and read the newspaper. He read about the Squarelettes and their singing performances and the legendary dog, Ralf, who could dig a three foot deep hole in less than two minutes. “I wouldn’t want to get my claws dirty digging a hole,” he said to himself. “That’s not for me.” After he was done reading the paper, he set out on a walk. As he was walking, the children outside asked, “ Can you come play with us Curley?” He replied, “Not right now, but I will when I get back, I promise.” Curley continued to walk down the beautiful path and leaves rustled under his feet as he felt the wind on his fur. “Oh, I love the fall.” A few minutes later he was going by Turkey’s house when asked Turkey as he was raking leaves, “Good morning Curley! Where are you off to this early?” “Oh, just out of a walk,” Curley replied. “Can I come?” asked Turkey. “Sure,” said Curley. Curley and Turkey continued to walk when Turkey saw a big red apple up in an apple tree. “Curley,” Turkey asked, “ can you climb that tree and get me that apple please?” Curley said, “It’s not our tree, so let’s ask Mr. Jay, afterall it is his tree.” “Yeah, you’re right,” said Turkey. So together they stepped up on Mr. Jay’s porch and knocked. A few seconds later Mr. Jay opened the door. “Oh, good morning Curley, Turkey, how are ya’ll doing?”

“We’re doing good, how about you?” “Oh, I’m doing good, I reckon,” said Mr. Jay

“Is it all right if I can get that apple out of your tree?” asked Curley. “Of course,” replied Mr. Jay. “Could you lads do me a favor?” asked Mr. Jay “Sure,” they both said. “I need my fence painted white,” said Mr. Jay “Sure thing!” Curley and Turkey said. They went to the tree and Curley climbed up the tree and grabbed the apple. Turkey was painting a board under the tree, when suddenly Curley lost his balance and fell out of the tree onto a freshly painted white board which left a big white stripe on his back. “Are you ok?” asked Turkey. “Yeah,” replied Curley. Curley turned around and yelled, “There is a stripe on my back!” “I like it! It’s your kind of style,” said Turkey with a chuckle. So from that day on Curley’s future children had white stripes on their backs because Curley could not get rid of it. It was magical paint that could not come off. The End.

The Ashland City Times

The

Diner

the EXCHANGE

aaron@usstn.com c: (615)982-2998 w: (615)227-2275 f: (615)746-5211 ProjectManager AARONWOLFE

Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker