Mary was a Little Lamb

No, Friday Fiction Fans, (If you are still around:)) this is not another poem about a lamb.:) This was my assignment for my online writing class which got read aloud to over 1,000 people.:0
I know, I'm still rather shocked that it happened. I did do the changes suggested by Mrs. Morecraft, so it sounds better. But still--!

I have been writing, some, but everything has been part of a longer thing and I'm having trouble getting my brain to work. Maybe it is the contest in the writing class that is causing the trouble.:} But tell me, how do you write a short story that is only 1,000 words long? I can do a children's story, but an older one? Hmm. Right now I'm trying to revise one of the scenes from my book. But I've read it so many times that I don't know if it sounds good anymore. *sigh*

I don't have much time now as I have other things I have to get done. What do YOU think of this story? It was based on a picture of Mrs. Morecraft's grand-daughter. Sorry, I can't show you the picture.

Mary was a Little Lamb
Rebekah Morris

Jane was lonely. This was the third day she had spent at Grandma and Grandpa’s, and now she was by herself. Grandpa was working on something in his study, and Grandma and Aunt Mercy were busy with some writing class that was coming up. Poor little Jane. Though she was only four, she had kept a smile on her face until she was outside. Now, however, her chin quivered and her lips trembled. Her big, bright blue eyes filled with tears. What could she do now that no one could play with her?
For several minutes she sat and cried softly. Not only was she lonely, she missed her Mommy and Daddy who had gone on a trip. If only she had someone or something to play with. Her sad thoughts were interrupted by a bleat.
Shaking back the mass of red curls which fell about her tearstained face and clustered on her neck, Jane wiped away the tears and looked up. The nearby rail fence was before her, but it was the ebony creature lying down, silhouetted against the lush summer grass growing behind the fence which caught her eye.
Skipping over to the fence Jane peered between the rails. Another bleat came from the black form and it stood up on wobbly legs. Jane gave an involuntary giggle, and the lamb, for so it was, turned to look at her. For several moments the young creatures gazed at each other in the bright sunshine while above their heads in the azure sky, small cream puffs of clouds danced and skipped in the breeze as though inviting the pair below to join them.
The lamb seemed to accept the invitation for it gave a little skip on its slender legs. Jane giggled. The lamb came closer making friendly little noises. In an instant Jane had climbed the rough rail fence and stood looking at the lamb. A smile wreathed her tearstained face. Here was a friend who could play with her! This lamb didn’t need to study or write and it certainly didn’t need to go on any trips. Reaching out a gentle hand, Jane stroked the wooly head. The lamb on its part nuzzled Jane’s skirt.
“Okay, little lamb,” Jane told it, “let’s play tag.” With a laugh Jane turned and danced away calling over her shoulder, “You’re it.”
Joyfully the lamb frolicked after Jane and butted her softly.
“Now I’m it! You have to run!”
And so the game continued, sometimes Jane chasing the lamb but more often than not, the lamb following Jane. At last both were worn out, and Jane sank to the grass to catch her breath. The lamb stood in front of her while Jane patted its dark coat. So intent were Jane and the lamb with each other, neither one noticed Grandma coming over with the camera.
“Are you having fun, Jane?”
Jane looked up and grinned. “Oh, Grandma! Mary can play tag with me! We love each other, don’t we?” Jane pulled the small thing close to her and kissed its nose. “Now I won’t ever be lonely again,” she added with a whisper in the little charcoal ear.
“Baa” answered the lamb and folding its legs up, laid its woolly head in Jane’s lap and closed its eyes.