The Kidlit Fall Frenzy is here! 

Hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis, this contest starts with choosing a picture prompt from a fall assortment.

Several inspired me. This one for instance sent me down the path of "Legally Dead" where Elle Lost-in-the-Woods mourns the loss of her blonde hair and pink Prada suit, but still becomes a champion for the legal rights of the dead.  (Plus I kept getting Clueless quotes mixed in- AS IF!)

Credit: Unsplash via Sabina Music Rich

But I couldn't stop thinking about this guy who is somehow both horrifying and comedic. I couldn't resist!

Credit: Magnific via teksomolika

Barnyard Joke Fest

By Lauri C. Meyers

200 words

Picture #3

 

Scarecrow’s stuffing shook when he read the poster.

“Barnyard Joke Fest! Sign up here.”

“Telling jokes? What a great way to meet new folks!”

 

“Scarecrow doing standup?” Pig snorted. “What a bunch of hogwash!”

“Scarecrow thinks he’s funny?” Cow said. “Udder nonsense.”

“Try a scaring contest,” Chicken said. “Best of cluck.”

 

Still, Scarecrow signed his name.

 

Cow hoofed on stage.

“The farmer asked me for milkshakes. I said…. ‘Get me a trampoline!’”

No one was amoosed.  

 

Pig waddled to the microphone.

“Yesterday the farmhand dropped his wallet in my pigsty…. Now, he’s filthy rich!”

Pig was not a ham.

 

Chicken flapped under the spotlight.

“Did you hear about the rooster who slept all day?... What a cock-doodle-DON’T!”

She laid an egg.  

 

Scarecrow stumbled up the steps.

 

“Mama, he’s scary!” Lamb cried.

 

“Ahh, I’m just sewn that way.” Scarecrow tried to smile. “Inside I’m stuffed with kindness …and straw.”

The crowd snickered.

 

“Folks ask what it’s like being a scarecrow… It’s scratchy.”  

They snorted.

 

“I have a pet in the field…It’s a corn dog.”

The barnyard rolled with laughter.

 

“Mama, he’s silly!” Lamb cried.

 

“So corny!” Cow said.

“He’s hay-larious!” Pig said.

“Cracked me up!” Chicken said.

 

Scarecrow (sort of) smiled.