The Challenge: Write twelve 144-word posts revolving around “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” The posts, written daily for 12 days, are to include a different item from the song.
The Instigator: Blogdramedy
The Item for Day 7: Seven Swans a’Swimming.
The Person all caught up and Ready to Go: Me
.::.
“I am certain it was her!” Gramps said.
He left the Scotland Highlands over 20 years ago, but his nightmares of sailing in Loch Ness continued. “Grab the wheel!” He’d yell, as he battled the ghost of Nessie. “She’s in one of her moods!”
I grew up hearing Gramps tell endless stories about Nessie. He told each story with such conviction; it was hard not to believe him.
“They were there. Seven baby swans, just a’swimming on the lake. Suddenly, I saw the familiar ripple in the water. I watched wide-eyed, too scared to blink. Then, I saw her head rise with her mouth wide open. Within seconds, all seven swans were gone!”
“Gramps, I believe you.”
I put my arm around him and started towards the house. Nessie raised her head slightly above the water and watched as Gramps disappeared in the distance.
Lenore's Thoughts Exactly 
For a seasonal short story challenge…you know…holidays, Christmas, good tidings and cheer…we’re killing off an awful lot of wildlife. 🙂
Hahahahahahahahahahaha! *snort*
You saw my shark and raised with Nessie! Beautiful!
I swear I wrote mine last night. I even read it to Rob prior to scheduling the post. When I read yours this morning, I freaked. Great minds, Amy. Great – or sick – one of the two.
Another story with seven swans eaten in one fell swoop! Baby swans, no less! Nice touch to have the story come from Gramps. Was it Nessie? Was it Gramps’ imagination? Keeping the mystery alive…
From all the pictures I’ve seen of the alleged ‘Nessie’, her mouth is not her biggest feature. I figured Nessie taking out 7 baby swans was more believable than taking out 7 full grown swans. Those birds are big!
I’m glad you liked the story.
Well that is a very good point. I had no idea you had such a good reason for making them baby swans!
Love killing off the swans, now can you make the entire song disappear?
Welcome, JL. I appreciate you stopping by the neighborhood. I take it you are not a fan of 12 Days of Christmas? It is a bit repetitive. Thank you for visiting.
Clearly, you and Amy were thinking along the same anti-goose lines!
I couldn’t believe it when I read Amy’s post, Steve. Clearly, the two of us have great taste.
I can’t believe you killed off those babies!
I didn’t do it. Nessie did it. 🙂
I like the mythical aspect! Cool
Thanks, Lindsey!
Bringing Nessie in for an appearance was a nice twist. She’s for real, ya know. A real Plesasaurus. It’d been cool to have her kill off 7 baby pteradactyls. But that would’ve just interupted the whole flow of the song. “Six geese a-laying. Seven baby Pteradactyls a-swimming…8 whores a-milking..”
Oops. Sorry. Just read Amy’s post. It carried over.
Spectra, I think we should protest the current 12 Days of Christmas and demand a new – more exciting – version.
Thanks for reading!
Batten down the mast!
Hoist the starboard bow!
(I’ve got some serious sailing talent… can you tell?)
🙂
I’ll watch your sailing skills from the dock. Thanks. 🙂