Once upon a time, there was a lone skunk named Skunella looking for love, craving some tender care. She didn't have much luck until, she discovered something about February 29th she didn't know was there.
Every Leap Year it seemed, a girl could ask a boy to "be mine", and if they refused to marry you, they would be forced to pay a fine.
So with a cunning smile on her lips, Skunella went out to find a mate. Knowing that this time no boy could refuse her, simply because she stank.
While walking alone, Skunella noticed a hare, hopping up and down desperately in order to reach a pear.
Skunella looked over the hare, admiring the strength in his jumps. His beady, black eyes and gorgeous, tan fur made her heart go thump.
"Marry me!" Skunella yelled, making the hare stop in his tracks " by the Leap Year law, you must do as I ask or pay the fine,"
The hare looked frightened. " No skunk will ever be mine! Take the pear tree! That will pay my fine."
Muttering about her luck, Skunella took the tree and made her mark. Then she wondered around again, 'till she spotted a bear scratching at some bark.
Skunella instantly had a crush on the bear, as she witnessed him tear a honeycomb from the tree. The bees were not pleased with this action and began to sting, but the bear just shrugged saying...
"That don't bother me,"
"Marry me!" said Skunella, as the bear started to lick his prize " by the Leap Year law you must do as I ask, or be forced to pay a fine."
"Then I choose the fine" said the bear with a growl " no skunk will be my bride. My honey is yours now."
As the bear stalked off, Skunella licked solemnly at the comb he left behind. Her heart sad and heavy, would she ever be a bride?
And as Skunella cried, eyes running with tears, a big ol' tiger suddenly appeared.
"Dear sweet skunk" said the tiger " do not cry. Forget the other animals, you shall be my bride,"
"You will truly be mine?" asked Skunella.
"Of course I will my dear" said the tiger " our wedding shall have the finest cake and wine, once your flesh I shear,"
Skunella backed up in fear. Then a hero burst out of the hedges releasing a stinky gust.
The tiger dashed away while a boy skunk stood proud. Skunella smiled at him, feeling her love lorn heart pound.
"Who are you?" asked Skunella.
" My name is Stench" said the boy skunk " I have followed you ever since you started your quest to become a bride. But, when I saw the tiger try to harm you, I knew that I could no longer hide,"
"Will you be mine?" asked Skunella " by the Leap Year law you must or pay the fine,"
"No my dear" said Stench, wrapping Skunella in a hug " I will not run from love. Shall we plan our wedding, my stinky turtledove?"
With a smile and a nod, Skunella followed after Stench as the Leap Year ended, and the sun set in the sky. Her heart proud and happy, for she finally was a bride.
The End