One December Night

One December Night Susan, Joy, Marsha, and Pam crawled out of their beds to eat bacon and ham. Their parents were sleeping. They snored while the slept. The children tiptoed to the very top step. The staircase was chilly. And it creaked while they crept. Downward they were slinking, step by step. Their puppy was resting on the fireplace hearth. They sat down beside him for what it was worth. They sat on the floor. They did not use a chair. And while they were sitting, Marsha hugged her pink bear. They made funny faces and started to laugh. They giggled and squiggled and chuckled so fast that all of the elves in earshot were aghast. Then all of a sudden, they heard something loud. It wasn't a trumpet, a flute or bassoon. “I know what it is! …A kazoo!!” shouted Sue. They looked all around to locate the sound. But, look as they might, it could not be found. They looked in the kitchen and under the couch. Pam bumped her red head and loudly said, “Ouch!” Who played that kazoo? They all wanted to know. So, they scampered around by the fireplace glow. The dog started barking. And bark loudly he did. That's when it happened. Beneath the windowsill Sue slid. A great big toad outside, on that hill, in the cold wet snow, stood up suddenly. Then, quickly down he did go. Frightened, freezing, and carrying a load. He slid off of the log and went a-rolling downhill in the snow. The children began jumping and squealing with delight. Oh, what a sight to see at mid- night. The old toad was sliding with stocking feet in the air. Behind him, downhill, slid his sack with a flare. About all that sliding he did not seem to care. Out there on the lawn in rare southern snow, up and down Roller Coaster hill he did go! Faster and faster, he was sliding with time. His suit became wet and covered with grime. Where was he going? Who would they tell? At about that time, they heard the doorbell. (To be continued...) © Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen December 5, 2009 Inspired by: Poetrysoup member's Contest Anything Goes! Sponsored by: Constance La France (I took you at your word... It's a LONG story.)