the snarls
by Camryn Brennan
Hello, everybody! My name is Sylvia. These two are my brothers, Carl and Darl. We are The Snarls, and we live on the head of a little girl named Maryn. Maryn has very straight, very long, very blonde hair, and we love to mess it up. That is our job after all. Maryn’s mom gave us our name. I think it fits us quite nice. Carl, Darl, and Sylvia Snarl.
Our biggest enemy is Hazel Hairbrush. She always kicks us off Maryn’s head. The best time for us to sneak up is during school. Maryn gets ready in the morning, and Hazel makes her hair all smooth. We wait until after drop off, after morning reading, and after math. Recess is our time to shine. Maryn jumps around the monkey bars and slips down the slide. She swings on every swing and dodges every dodgeball. Maryn’s hair flings every which way, creating tangles upon tangles. Carl, Darl, and Sylvia snarl are here to stay. When recess is over, it's time to go inside for lunch. Maryn tries to get us out, but her fingers aren’t strong enough.
During English, Maryn’s friend, Violet, tries to braid her hair. However, Carl, Darl, and I are too stuck in there. I am positive we’re gonna stay in here this time. Maryn goes to the bathroom to see herself in the mirror. Look what we’ve done! Her hair is practically standing straight up! Maryn’s hair is knotted and muddled and matted and jumbled.
I look at Carl and Darl and shout, “We did it! Maryn’s hair is all snarled up. We are here to stay!”
When Maryn realized how bad her hair was, she headed to the nurse's office. The nurse took one look at Maryn and said, “Goodness gracious! Your hair is knotted and muddled and matted and jumbled. Don’t worry, Maryn, I know just how to fix this.”
The nurse pulled out a bottle of magical spray, and it began to melt us three Snarls away! The next thing she pulls out is unbelievable. The nurse brings out Hazel Hairbrush! Carl, Darl, and I hold on as tight as we can, but Hazel is too strong. Maryn’s hair is back to being very long and very straight.
Maryn rides the bus home from school and runs through the front door of her house.
“How was school today, honey?” Maryn’s mom asked.
“It was fine,” Maryn responded, “but Carl, Darl, and Slyvia Snarl got in my hair again.”
“Oh no! Maybe tomorrow we should put your hair in a braid?”
“That sounds great!” Maryn exclaimed, and she ran off to play.
Photo of Camryn Brennan
BIO: Camryn Brennan is a writer from Iowa. She currently lives in Ames, IA, with her cat, Maple. She enjoys fishing, crocheting, and baking. Camryn is currently studying Animal Science at Iowa State University.