Must include fire, prisoner, and boat.
Otis was a snowman, imprisoned, sad. He missed his caboose. And his mouse. They were a family, so different, but so connected. He was a prisoner now. But if only he could get out of this cage...
Otis got down on his hands and knees. Peeking under the door, he came to a realization.
“I am a snowman!” He exclaimed gleefully. “I can melt! So, I will!”
Grabbing the candle that lit the cell, he put it in front of himself and slowly melted away. But alas! He was not dead, for he could still move, just like a stream. Sliding around feet and falling down stairs, Otis was happy again. He was excited.
Out of the prison, he slid down an alley to grow back to a snowman again. Once this was accomplished, Otis walked out and met a girl. (Yes, a human one.)
“Hi I’m Betty. I was sent to inform all snowmen that I see that there is a fire on Sunshine Ave. and Cilantro St.” She helpfully told him.
“Oh, thank you, Betty. I will take this information into my deepest consideration. Whether I avoid the fire or not is another thing. Again, thank you, Betty.
Betty smiled for a moment, she was happy to help, but she was confused that he would not instinctively move away from the fire. After all, this was a snowman, and all snowmen melt. Or was she missing something?
“Sir, this fire does have flames. You do realize you could melt.”
“Yes, Betty, I am aware. Thank you. I best be on my way.”
Betty shrugged and moved on to the next nearest snowman. Otis had never even considered going down those two streets, but a friendly debate was often fun. After two hours of walking,
Otis found his home. A small igloo next to a train station and a mouse hole.
He was greeted by a caboose and a mouse.
Boat, the caboose hiccuped uncontrollably. Mark the mouse was smiling with a knowing look on his face. Being together again was all Otis wanted.
Afterword by Isaac Shaw
I must confess, when I first heard this story read aloud to me by the author herself, I belly-laughed through most of it. Izzy has an amazingly creative and unique way of writing, almost similar to Roald Dahl. It’s unapologetic, and hilarious.
Well done, Izzy.
So fun!