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2007 — 2008 Writing Contest (December 07):
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What Happens to Kids Who Don't Clean Their Room By Madison Age 11 Reno, Nevada Once upon a time… wait, this story is true, so… One day there was a little girl named Lilly. Lilly really wanted a pony, so she went and asked her mom and dad. "No Lilly we won't get you a pony," her mom said "Well why not?" Lilly whined "Because you won't take care of it," her dad said, "just like you vicious rabbit, Sweet Cakes, your cuddly tarantula, spike, your speedy turtle snail, and your man-eating fish, Mike." "But this time I will take care of it I promise," Lilly said as she stuck out her bottom lip and opened her eyes really wide." "No Lilly and that is my final answer," her mother said sternly. "Fine! Then if you won't give me a pony, then I won't clean my room ever again." "Lilly stop being unreasonable and you will clean your room while you're grounded in it," her mother said as she pointed to Lilly's pink door covered with posters of kittens. Lilly marched to her room making loud thudding noises. When she was inside her room, she slammed the door… and a poster of a kitten sleeping fell down. "Well you'll see mom and dad, I won't clean my room, and then you'll have to get me the pony I want." Lilly said to herself lying on her pink bed and looking up at the pink ceiling also covered with pictures of kittens. She went over to the pink gumball machine in her room and opened the top of it and took out the pink gumballs and threw them up in the air. "Starting with the gumballs." She giggled and just as she started making gum angels her mom walked right trough the door. "Lilly Pad River! You pick up these gumballs right this instant!" Her mom put her hand to her heart. "You will not come out of your room until you pick up these gumballs!" "And if I don't?" Lilly asked in a snooty voice. "Then you will stay in here and… and.. you will even eat here." Her mom didn't know what to say as she watched her daughter cross her arms and just stand there. "Fine I will eat my meals in here. That's fine with me." "Fine." Then her mom left. Four weeks later, Lilly's room looked like a bomb blew up in there. There was cottage cheese that was mushy and it turned a sickly green color, there was a roll that was as hard as a rock, and if you even tried to bite into it you would break your teeth. There was a tee shirt that was once white but now was brown; dirty socks lay on the tops of the dresser drawer; and a winter coat was placed on her pink beaded lamp instead of on the coat hanger. Four more weeks later and the trash was piled sky high, and the smell was tremendous. It was of rotten fish, mouldy cabbage, and of dirty socks from the hills of dirty clothes. You even needed a map to find you way through her room. "Lilly!!!" Her mom yelled through the crack of the door because she could not open the door because the clothes were blocking the door. "Lilly you get over here now!" No answer. "Lilly?" Her voice echoed. "Lilly?!" Her own voice answered her. End Result: Well it turned out that Lilly got lost in her room because she couldn't find her way to the door. But its ok, she didn't die. Eventually they hired a team of miners to get trough the piles of clothes and food; and after the team of miners got lost in her room, they sent out a dog search team; and after the dogs got lost they hired a search and rescue team; and after the search and rescue team got lost the finally bulldozed the house down and they found everybody. But after they found Lilly, and got a new home, they grounded her for the rest of her life and everyday she cleaned her room… The Unusual Dog Day By Sammy Age 12 Gilbert, Arizona I opened my eyes to a bright light coming from the kitchen. I got up and stretched as I walked out of my small dog bed. My sensitive nose smelled something delightful coming from the oven. Refreshed from my nap, I walked into the kitchen and pushed my cold nose against my human's leg. She reached down and gave me a pat on the head, but then went back to making her food. This was unusual, for my human always gave me a lot of attention. I decided to try and get her attention by doing tricks. I stood on my haunches and begged, twirled around in a circle, and even jumped into the air. My human ignored my completely. Upset, I walked over to my doggy-door and went outside. I breathed in a deep breath of fresh air as I walked into my back yard. I couldn't understand why my human had ignored me. Stumped, I went and lay down in the grass. I soon fell asleep, but was woken up by talking coming from inside the house. I quickly got up and ran inside. I found my human's dinner table filled with people. My human was running around serving food, when she spotted me. She put down the food and petted me. "Hi sweetie," my human said to me. "Happy Thanksgiving!" As I heard the word "Thanksgiving" I knew why I wasn't given much attention. The same thing happened last year. I was just happy that my human hadn't forgotten about me. I gave her a lick on the face and she giggled. This won't happen next year, I thought, I will always remember that my human loves me. My Sister and the Mermaid By Sammy Age 12 Gilbert, Arizona The sun shone brightly on the sea. It was dawn. I sat alone on the beach, my head in my hands. I stared out across the horizon, wondering what I was going to do to fix my problem. It wasn't a very big problem, or so I thought… It turned out to be the biggest problem I would ever have. I have told my parents about it, but they don't seem to be too bothered by it. They're too busy getting ready for the new baby. In fact, that is my problem. That new baby is going to ruin my life. I just know it! All of these thoughts floating around in my mind caused me to fall asleep. I woke up right where I fell asleep, although it looked different in a way that I couldn't describe. As I was staring out into space, someone came behind me and tapped me on the shoulder. "Excuse me, are you Claire?" I turned around to see a beautiful woman who had a giant fin instead of legs! "You're a-a-," I stammered. "Yes, a mermaid. I heard that you are afraid of becoming an older sister." "Well yes, but are you sure this is real? I mean, a mermaid? Think about what you are saying." The mermaid looked at me and then stared out at the ocean, then, completely ignoring my doubt of reality, the mermaid replied, "I am here to help you overcome that." "Well ok, I…" All of a sudden, the mermaid and I were in a room with a girl about my age leaning over a cradle. "You stupid baby," the girl said. "You are stealing all of my parents' attention. All they do is care about you and not me!" "Wow, that's harsh," I said, "I would never say that." "Just you wait. There's more," The mermaid said. Once again, the mermaid and I appeared out of nowhere in a different place. This time, we were in front of an elementary school. The bell rang, and hundreds of children ran out. When the stampede of children had gone, one little girl was left in front of the school. Time passed, and no one came to pick her up. On the verge of tears, the little girl cried out, "Where is my big sister? She was supposed to drive me home!" This made me feel like crying as well. "Who is this person? How can she forget about her sister like that?" I asked the mermaid questioningly. "I am sorry to say, Claire, that it is you," the mermaid explained. A look of surprise passed over my face. "This is what will happen to you if you grow to hate your new sibling." "That can't be me, I would never do that!" I exclaimed in anger. "There must be some mistake!" All of a sudden, I heard the familiar sound of my cell phone ring tone. My eyes snapped open at the sound, and, oddly enough I was back on the beach. I picked up the phone. "Hello, Claire here." The person on the other end sounded excited, and sure enough it was my father. He said that the new baby had been born; I now had a baby sister. Four weeks later, I held my baby sister in my arms. I stared at the mermaid mobile that she had hanging over her crib. I might have been my imagination, but I could have sworn that I saw one of the mermaids wink at me! The Morgan Sisters And The Mystery Of The Lost Voice By Andrius (Florida, NY) and Lily (Beacon, NY) Chapter 1 The Deadly Scream The sky was getting dark. The wind was blowing as if it was a Hurricane. Bbghchxxze! Lightning struck. The streets are flooded with water. Pagge heard a deadly scream. "What was That?" Pagge asked curiously. "What do you mean what was that?" Julia responded. "The scream, didn't you hear it?" Pagge stated. "There was no scream." Julia said. "Yes there was, I swear!" Pagge exclaimed. "Scream or no scream, I think it's a mystery." Julia said. The storm came to a halt.. The first sunrays came though the dark sky. Pagge said "I still want to know what that scream was. It sounded like it came from Central Park." Chapter 2 Something In The Mist Both girls ran to Central Park. All they saw was mist rising from the ground. Then they saw a mysterious "something" In the mist. "Julia, what's that?" Pagge asked, scared. "I was about to ask you the same thing!" Julia said. The something seemed to be saying something, but what? It sounded like "go away, far, far away and never come back!" Both girls ran home as fast as they could. At the front door they found a Note saying "Do you believe in ghosts? I'm one of them." The next evening they went back to Central Park and waited for the Ghost to appear. But nothing appeared. So they went back home and they saw black smoke going around in circles above their house. Chapter 3 The Smoke Across The Moon Then the black smoke went back to Central Park! Pagge exclaimed "Its going to Central Park!" They saw nothing. Then they saw black smoke cross the moon. Then the smoke disappeared. A tree collapsed. Both girls screamed and ran home. They found another note. It said, "Go far, far away and never. come back! This is your last warning!" Then they heard another scream! It sounded like "Help me! Please" "It sounded like it came from inside!" Julia said. NNN A cold breeze blew across Julia's face. She screamed. Then she Fainted. Page's heart was broken. Pagge touched Julia's forehead. The door creaked open. Julia woke up. They saw glowing eyes at the staircase. They ran to the police office. The girls waited until morning. The newspapers came. On the front page it said a singer died last week. To be continued… Katie's Friend By Esther Age 9 Málaga, Spain As Katie walked from school one dreary afternoon she was knocked over by a rude push. "Ouch!" she cried. She rolled over and saw the school bully, Frank, throwing stuff out of her backpack. "Stop!" said Katie. Then Katie saw someone else beside her empty backpack, a tall lanky boy with short brown hair and blue eyes. He nudged the bully and said "Scat!" Then he turned to Katie. "Hi, are you hurt?" he asked. "No." He walked around, picking up her books and papers. "What's your name?" Katie asked curiously. "Joseph." "That's a nice name." When Joseph and Katie had picked up the last paper they studied each other a minute. "Thank you," said Katie. "Always glad to help," was Joseph's answer. Joseph said, "I'm new here and I don't have any friends, would you be my friend?" "I would be glad to be your friend." Katie smiled. The sun came out just as they started to walk home together. We asked Esther if she would write "Katie's Friend" in Spanish for us as well; and here it is. (Thanks, Esther.) El Amigo de Katie Por Esther Edad 9 Málaga, España Mientras Katie caminaba de la escuela una tarde nublada fue arrojada al suelo por un empujón. "¡Ay!" exclamó. Se revolvió y vió al matón de la escuela, Frank, tirando cosas de su mochila. "¡Para!" dijo Katie. Entonces Katie vió a otra persona al lado de su mochila vacía, un chico alto y delgado con pelo marrón corto y ojos azules. Él le dió un leve empujón al matón y le dijo "¡Vete!" Después se volvió a Katie. "¿Hola, te has hecho daño?" le preguntó. "No." Fue caminando de un lado a otro, recogiendo sus libros y papeles. "¿Como te llamas?" Katie le preguntó curiosa. "José." "Me gusta ese nombre." Cuando José y Katie habían recogido el último papel se estudiaron un momento. "Gracias," dijo Katie. "Siempre me gusta ayudar," respondió José. José dijo, "Yo soy nuevo aquí y no tengo amigos, ¿tú serias mi amiga?" "Me encantaría ser tu amiga." sonrió Katie. El sol apareció justo cuando empezaron a caminar hacia casa juntos. The Very Confused Frog By Jamie Age 9 Wellington, Florida One day I went into the pond and saw a crocodile. I started to hop as high as I could. But then I started to slow down, because when I got a closer look it was actually a turtle. I thought I might need glasses if they had invented them for frogs yet. Then the next day when I was taking my morning swim I saw a fish, so I went over to him and asked him, "What's your name?" He said, "Frank," but he was actually an electric eel. So I ran away and said, "I have to go!" Two weeks later I thought I might be crazy, but then I saw my friend Billy junior. He said, "Hi!" Then I said. "Hi!" Billy junior looked the way he really looked, I was so happy that I wasn't crazy. Raining Cats and Dogs By Amy Age 12 Saratoga, California One rainy day, a little girl named Molly woke up to the smell of fresh baked cookies. She quickly ran downstairs and ate one that her mom had already placed on a plate for her. Then, she looked out the window and saw that it was raining cats and dogs. So Molly ran outside to catch one blue puppy and one pink puppy that were falling out of the sky. She named the blue one Rain and the pink one Flower. "Mommy, can we keep them? Pretty please with some puppies on top?" asked Molly. "I'm not sure Molly. What do you think?" "I think that it's a great idea 'cause…um…um….I can be a more responsibler person, right?" Molly stuttered. "Well, as long as you know what you're doing, sure, and responsibler isn't a word." Mom replied. "Yeah! I get to have a blue and a pink dog!" Molly hollered. For the rest of the day Molly showed them around the house. But then, as Molly was taking them to her room, they disappeared when she opened the door. Molly looked under her shoes, behind her curtains, and in her pockets. She searched the whole house. They were nowhere to be found. Molly plopped onto her bed and started sobbing. "I'll never find them." Molly whimpered. As Molly was thinking of all the fun things they could've done, she tried one last place where they could possibly be… She tiptoed downstairs - and saw that the puppies were playing outside. It stopped raining cats and dogs. When Molly called them in, they quickly ran to her. Molly's tears were gone, and out came a big smile. This was too good to be true... The Silly Monkey By Michael Age 8 Wellington, FL Once upon a time there was a monkey in a garden. He was eating a banana. Out of nowhere, a spotted ball came flying through the air and hit him on his head. When that happened, he began choking on his banana. A little boy walking by saved him and the banana flew out of the monkey's mouth and onto the little boys head. After that, the two became good friends. One time they went hiking in the woods and they found a river. The monkey fell in and tried to swim but he couldn't. He floated down the river. The little boy had lost his friend and was sad. He sat there for weeks until one day the little monkey came up to him with dancing clothes on. The little boy was so happy to see his friend monkey that he put on the monkey's party hat. The two friends were dancing and having so much fun that they didn't realize they were both falling into the river. All of the fish in the river joined in on their party with them. They were happy forever. The Caterpillar By Aurora Age 8 O'Neill, Nebraska Pop...a little caterpillar hatched out of its egg. He was green with black dots. Well of course he was hungry when he came out of the egg. So he went out hunting for food. He went inching along. First, he stopped at a picnic spot. He thought, "This is a perfect place to find food!" Once again, he inched toward the spot. When he got there, he saw some ants. "Hey, you over there in the green...help yourself," said one ant. "Dig in," said another. "Well, okay," said the caterpillar, "it looks good anyway." He wiggled over to some lettuce. "Mmmmm....this is good!" he said. "What do you call it?" "I just call it green stuff," said a big, black ant. "The name is Dickey." "Well then Mr. Dickey, where are the leaves?" "You're eating them," replied the big, black ant. "I am?" asked the caterpillar. "Are you sure Dickey? Look little worm. I'm a caterpillar." "Okay little caterpillar. I know what it is and it's leaves!" All of a sudden, they heard footsteps. "RED ALERT! RED ALERT! The humans are coming! The humans are coming!" hollered the big, black ant. But the caterpillar just kept on eating. "Psst!" said Dickey, Get over here!" "Why should I?" scowled the caterpillar. "Look...do you want to get squashed or do you want to live?" sternly asked Dickey. "I like the gift of life," said the caterpillar. "Then get over here!" insisted the big, black ant. So the caterpillar grabbed some lettuce and squirmed over and under a rock where he was safe. After the humans left, the caterpillar inched out from under the rock and said..."Life is good!" "So is that green stuff!" Excuse Me By Shayna Age 9 Royal Palm Beach, FL. Once there was a big dragon that flew down to eat a little girl. When the dragon opened the door to eat her.... the little girl threw the water in the bucket and the fire from the dragon's mouth vanished. The dragon flew away to his home. He asked his mom what was for dinner. When he was eating with his family suddenly.... there was a noise and splat, water came out of the dragon's bottom! The Boy Who Wanted a Pet By Tola Age 6 Wellington, Florida Once upon a time a boy wanted a pet. He asked his mother, she said no. He asked his father, he said no. He asked his big brother, he said no. He asked his big sister, she said no. He asked his grandmother, she said no. He asked his grandfather, he said yes. And he got him a dog. The Three Rocks! By Krystan Age 12 Cedar Hill, Texas Once upon a time there were three rocks. One was a Small round rock, the second one was a Medium size rock that was rough and odd shaped, and the third rock was a Gigantic rock! All these rocks except the Small rock had big dreams. The Small rock didn't really have a dream, because he was so small he didn't think he could become anything good. The Medium rock had a medium sized dream; he dreamed and wished he could become one of those nice rocks that are polished and shined and used as a nice paperweight. The Gigantic rock had a gigantic dream; he dreamed he would be cut and carved into many blocks and be made into a house to protect people. All these dreams were great dreams! One day a little girl came and took the Medium sized rock and polished it all up! But instead of it being used as a paperweight it was carved into a box filled with gold which was held by a wise man which was eventually given over to a great and mighty King! Then on another day, not as bright and glorious as the day the Medium rock was picked up, a blacksmith came in and took the small rock and melted it and hit it until it was made into a nail. The Small rock was right, it wasn't good for anything; what was a little nail going to do? That small nail was pinned into the hand of the mighty King who had once held gold! Now it was time for the Gigantic rock to receive its dream. Two Soldiers came and took the rock but instead of being carved into many blocks to protect people this rock was left just as he was and was rolled over a giant hole which held the dead King who had once held gold and was praised, then crucified and nailed to a cross, and then placed in a giant hole! This King was JESUS!! Three days later the King rose from the grave and lives today! Even though the three rocks didn't get their dreams, they got dreams that would be remembered for ever and ever!! The Flat Moon Todd and Tim Ages 11 and 10 Bellevue, NE "I think the moon is flat, because you can't tell if the edges are round" Billy, from NASA said. That was 17 years ago, and of course, no one believed him. So he started building a rocket… 10 Years Later… "YES my rocket is finally finished! Now I may go to the moon to prove my answer is right. 5…4…3…2…1…BLAST OFF!" "Yes! Now I'm off to the moon." "Houston we have landed, now to prove that I am right. Hah!" First Billy grabbed his camera. Then he walked for an hour. "I give up, I never should have… Wait! What is that?" He walked to what he thought to be a living thing, but it just was a rock. "Gosh I walked all this way to … Hey the moon really is flat. If I would have walked any farther I would have fallen off the moon." said Billy. Standing on the very edge of the moon he excitedly pulled out his camera and snapped about 20 pictures for proof that the moon is flat. Finally he followed his foot prints back to his space ship and flew back to earth. When he landed he pulled out his camera and showed off his pictures. And of course the next day the photos were on the news. Everyone thought the photos were fake. He was the only one who knew they were real. "I should have brought my video camera and another person." 3…2…1…BLAST OFF! … Christmas Problem By Cassie Age 12 Bellevue, NE "On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me…" "No, no, no! You got it all wrong! It's not sent, it's gave! Now let's try it from the top." Right now I'm at my school choir. Mean Ms. Snydy is making us practice this song for about the hundredth time. Fine, five times but hey, who's counting? "I hate choir," my friend Cyndi whispered to me. Her mom made her go to choir. I don't have to go, but I go anyways. "Shhhhhhh! Don't say it so loud. I hate it too. I don't think anyone here likes choir." "I like choir," Ms. Snydy said. Apparently she heard us talking. "I like it too, Ms. Snydy," I told her. "If you like it so much, you can do the solo for Jennifer." "But I …." Jennifer complained. "Jennifer, quit complaining. Marissa wants to do the solo." "Jennifer can do the solo if she wants, Ms. Snydy, since she is so good at singing." I whispered. "Marissa is going to do the solo and that is final!" Ms. Snydy is pretty mad now so I gave up on trying to give the solo part to Jennifer. "Well that stinks. Now you have to go to the choir practices everyday," Cyndi told me after choir. "Did you see the look on Jennifer's face when Snydy said that you got the solo part?" "I'd give her the part if I could, but I can't." "Since you can't give her the solo part, why don't you ask to do a duet with her?" "That might work." "Let's ask her Ms. Snydy and Jennifer." "That's a great idea. I don't have to do a solo, and Jennifer gets a special part too." The Wonderful Wish By Spencer and Daniel Age 9 Sarasota, FL There lived a boy and girl. They were poor. They had to live in the street. Then they asked, "I wish we two got rich and had a house." Then one day their wish came true. They found $100,000 in cash. They had enough money to buy food and a house. They also got clothes, they were fancy clothes, too. They got rich and got a job. They lived happily ever after. The Crazy Zoo By Thouriya Age 9 Sarasota, FL Once it was a sunny day at the zoo. The animals were calm and it was peaceful until one day Victoria left her sister in charge of the zoo. Her name was Samantha. One day Samantha gave a giraffe a drink and gave a banana to a cat and a mouse to a dog! She was so un-smart. Then this man came with a contract. He said, "Can you read this contract and sign it?" Samantha said, "Yes." Then she did not read it, she just signed it. The contract said, "Let me eat the animals." Then one day she let all the animals out. She let them free, F-R-E-E, free. The animals ran all over the street and through the woods. One animal said, "Samantha has a stinky old ugly brain. I mean her brain is the size of a little baby ant!" All the animals laughed and giggled and some couldn't laugh any more. It was a funny joke!!! Then the man who gave the contract that Samantha signed came back, caught all the animals, and ate them. Then Victoria came back and said, "It's OK if you sold the animals to that guy." Samantha said, "He gave us 5,000,000,000,000 dollars at least." The girls screamed. |
Cody And The Magic Frog By Sean Age 7 Wright City, Missouri Once upon a time there was a boy named Cody. "You must make 3 wishes," said Frog. "Mmmmm! I want to have money," said Cody. Frog tried his hardest magic to get money for Cody. "I'm RICH!" said Cody. "What is your next wish?" said Frog. "To be king," said Cody. Cody got to be king with Frog's powerful purple potion. "What is your final wish?" said the Frog. "To fall in love with a smart queen and have two super powerful kids," said Cody. "NO! You made 4 wishes; so you don't get anymore!" shouted Frog. "You are too greedy!" So Cody was himself again. The Adventures of Chocolate Moose By Amy Age 7 Knoxville, Tennessee Chocolate wanders in the woods to find berries for the young'un to eat. Maybe his wife will make blueberry cheesecake. Chocolate is drinking out of a brook when out of the corner of his eye he sees Moosey studying a bush! He rushes over to him and says, "Moosey, go home and tell your Mother to get ready for blueberry cheesecake". "Yes, Dad," Moosey says. Chocolate keeps on gathering berries. It is getting dark and Chocolate is on his way home. Now Chocolate is eating his favorite meal — roast chicken! He asks Moosey (since he had studied that bush), "What have you learned about nature?" Moosey says, "I learned how to whistle like a bird…" When Moosey finishes talking, Bacon, his mom, says, "Moosey, it is time to go to bed. I will come and read you The Adventures of Moosey the Great in a second". Early next morning Moosey asks, "Dad can I come berry picking with you?" "Yes, young Oosy," Chocolate says. "My name is Moosey," Moosey says. "I know that," Chocolate says. "No you don't!" Moosey says. "Oh just be quiet!" Chocolate replies. "Let's go berry hunting for breakfast." They just arrive in the woods when they see a glimpse of a Black Moose. "Oh no!" Moosey whispers. The Black Moose has seen them. He has got into a real fit - his antlers ready to fight, his hooves ready to kick! But Chocolate and Moosey are ready for him and chase him out of the woods forever! Bacon is waiting for them when they get home. "Where have you been," Bacon asks. "Chasing a Black Moose," Chocolate answers. "Thank goodness you're safe!" Bacon says. "I baked razzleberry pie." And they start eating the best razzleberry pie they ever tasted! The Magic Giraffe By Ahlyia Age 6 Wright City, Missouri Once upon a time there used to be magic giraffes in the stinky zoo. The old king stole one of them. The king put one of his dirty arms around the magic giraffe. The old king asked the magic giraffe to make him a pie, an apple pie. The king got his apple pie. Then the king wanted a necklace. The king got the necklace, He asked for a good watch. The old king got the watch. The king asked for a ring. "NO!" said the magic giraffe. "You're too bossy. So you get nothing else." The old king got nothing else. Then the old king got put in the stinky jail. Spy Dragon By Caleb Age 8 Once there was a dragon that got a spy kit for Christmas. He loved it. He spied on everyone. His mom, his dad, his brother, and even his pet frog. His friends played with it too. One day he went into a field and got bit by a snake. It is a good thing that his spy kit came with an emergency kit. Then he went to a pond and almost drowned. He heated up the water with his fire and it raised him up. He never spied again. The Hog In The Bog By Jared Age 9 Elmira, Ontario, Canada There once was a hog named Horace who was departing on a picnic with his mom. Horace's mom warned him not to wander off since there were some dangerously boggy areas nearby where rapidly growing trees were falling down everywhere. As they were passing a bog, Horace saw his favorite food in it; ROTTEN PEAS!!!!!!!!!!! While an extremely cute lizard distracted his mom, he dashed down to get the rotten peas. Horace was just about to grab this delicious food, when a little baby tree fell on his leg and trapped him. He squealed and squealed for help, but his mom was too far ahead to hear him. Fortunately, a snake slithered by and Horace told it about all that had happened. The helpful snake slithered onto the baby tree and cracked it, crack! right in half. Horace was FREE!!! He ran back up and ran and ran and ran and ran until he caught up with his mom. As they got to the picnic grounds, they feasted on the food (including rotten peas). After Horace went home, he thought that he would buy more picnic stuff for his mom tomorrow as a surprise. The next day he got up at 5:03 A.M . and rushed to the store. When he got to the checkout counter the cashier said the total cost is $21.12. He went on another picnic with his mom, but this time Horace didn't wander off He had learned his lesson. Sydney, The Special Star By Rachel Age 14 East Northport, New York Once there was a tiny star named Sydney. She was the friendliest of all the stars. The other stars would always talk and joke with her. Sydney was a special star, because she could change colors. She could be any color, any time she wanted! However, Sydney just wanted to be big. One day she went to see the head star, Boris. Sydney asked Boris, "Could you make me like all the other stars?" "I don't know," replied Boris, "You are a special star, are you sure?" "YES!" Sydney said, "That's all I want!" "Ok, I can make you big, but, you won't be able to change colors anymore." Boris told her. "That's ok, I don't care!" Sydney said. "All right," Boris said as he sprinkled stardust on Sydney and watched as she grew until she was just like the big, white stars. "Thank you so much Boris!" Sydney said as she floated back to her place in the sky; but the other stars ignored her. Nobody recognized the new Sydney. She became sad and lonely. Sydney went back to see Boris. "Boris, can you change me back?" "I just made you big a couple hours ago. What happened?" Boris asked. "It was terrible! Nobody recognized me and I had no friends. Please! I liked being unique. Being like everybody else is so boring!" Sydney pleaded to the head star. "Well, ok. Since you admitted that you want to be unique." Boris said. Then he sprinkled some stardust on Sydney's head. Sydney became her original size again. "Thank you!" Sydney said. Sydney floated happily back to her place in the sky. As soon as she got there, the other stars floated over to talk to her. Sydney loved being a unique star, and she wouldn't change ever! Nicolette's Birthday By Kathryne Age 13 Derby, Kansas One bright sunny day in the land of Dumdiddle a graceful fairy sat upon a small white toadstool. Her name was Nicolette. She was the most beautiful fairy in all the land. Her wings were a dazzling crimson color with bits of burnt orange and forest green. And on this particular afternoon she was wearing a gorgeous emerald green dress, and her dark black hair was pulled back in loose pigtails. Nicolette was very excited because today was her 250th birthday (as everyone knows 250 is quite young in fairy years). She was sitting around idly dreaming of big presents and huge cakes, when her friend, Liliana, fluttered out from behind a tree. "Why Liliana! what a pleasant surprise," Nicolette said with a grin. "I was looking for you," laughed Liliana. "I was wondering if you could help me move some boxes at my house." "Of course," Nicolette said. They flew through the woods, to the hollowed out tree that was Liliana's home. As soon as Nicolette entered, all of her fairy friends popped out from their hiding places and shouted, "Happy Birthday Nicolette!" Nicolette was overjoyed. They partied all day long and sang fairy songs. Everyone agreed it was the best party ever! Happy To Be Me By Moriah Age 8 Winder, GA I'm happy to be me Running, skipping, playing All the days I live… I'm happy to be me I'm happy to be me I love the way God made me, I like the way I AM! Mr. High-Tech Rabbit By Aziza Age 8 Florida West Palm Beach There was once a rabbit that thought it would get an IPod, so it tried to sell carrots. A dinosaur came and said, "Can I have one of those?" So rabbit gave dinosaur a carrot. "5 bucks please," said rabbit. "What! 5 bucks for a carrot? You know what? Animals don't get money, and what are you going to do with money?" said dinosaur. "Well I'm going to get an IPod," said rabbit. "No… no… no! Animals don't play. They eat and get fat. That's what we do." "Oh… oh…oh. I think I know. We earn money to get food," said rabbit. "Lets see… no ! We… okay, why I'm I talking to you if I don't even know you? I'm out of here and I mean it," said dinosaur "That's funny... then where do you get food?" rabbit asked. "Come on cheap dino, you need the food and I need the IPod." "Okay, Mr. High-Tech rabbit." The Polar Bear That Lived in Arizona By Sarah Age 11 Bellevue, NE Once upon a time - actually last year - a polar bear decided to live in Arizona. This is how it happened. The polar bear, whose name, by the way, is Hannah, was outside in a very bad snow storm… "Mom, why can't we live somewhere better?" Hannah asked. "Better how? This place is great! The fish is always fresh and don't you like Sammy the Seal that lives down the street, by the iceberg?" "No! I don't like Sammy and I don't like fish either! I'm a vegetarian!" So, that night, Hannah, knowing her mom wouldn't go with her, set out to find a better place to live. Somewhere called the Equator. As you probably know, the Equator is just an imaginary line around the world. Hannah didn't know. Hannah hopped on an iceberg and floated south. After about three hours Hannah was passing Oregon and the weather was nice and the ice started melting. "What should I do?! I could swim." So Hannah swam for about an hour and got very tired. She landed on shore and asked some a bear if he knew a fast way to the Equator. "Excuse me," she said to the bear, "Do you know a fast way to the Equator?" "I don't know about the Equator, but I do know about Arizona." "Arizona? What a beautiful name. Who is she?" "Uhhh. Little girl, Arizona is a state. And if you want to get there sneak onto a plane. You should get there in a couple of hours." Hannah was on the plane for two hours, and then landed in Arizona where she met Sally the Salamander. Sally and Hannah are best friends now. And Hannah's mom decided to join Hannah in Arizona. A Persuasive Essay: Why School Hours Need to be Changed By Khadijah Age 13 (8th grade) Samuel H. Daroff Elementary School Philadelphia, PA Students will perform so much better if they get a good night sleep. Schools hours need to be changed. School hours need to be changed because there should be different hours for every grade. We should have different hours in classes. We should have time for community service or to help younger kids. Schools hours need to be changed because it should be different hours for every grade. K-3 grade should be 9-4, grades 4-7 hours should be 8-3, and grades 8 -12 hours should be 7-2. If we all get out at the same time there will be this big mess in the school yard, with older kids pushing the younger kids and fights sometimes where younger kids get lost. We should have different hours in our classes and advisory should be 15 minutes. Then we should switch to the next class and we should spend 75 min so we can get our work done faster. When we go to lunch we should spend 50 min so we can go to Wendy's or another fast food place or to a store. Student will be happier that way and will work harder. We should have time for community service or to help younger kids with our extra time. We should help so they can be prepared for the future, and we can help them with homework if they don't understand it. We can clean up the classroom or the schoolyard if it needs it or people don't like the way it looks. School hours need be changed. If we changed the school hours, it would be easier for us to leave the school. If we have extra time, we could be doing something nice and helpful and I think this way it will be easier and quicker and stop conflicts. That's why we should do it my way. A Trip To A Dinosaur's World By Launa Age 9 Sarasota, FL It was the day before Christmas. Launa sat on her bed thinking what she was going to get for Christmas. Launa went outside to play with her friend, Rylee. It was time for Launa to go to bed. Launa awoke to a scratching noise. She scanned her room and saw a box. She jumped out of bed and ran towards the box. When she opened it, it said, "Make your greatest wish." Launa thought really hard. Then she said, "I wish I could see the dinosaurs." All of a sudden she heard the roar of a dinosaur. Launa was scared so she ran toward a cave. A dinosaur was sleeping in the cave, so she ran out, screaming. A mamma bird mistook her for one of her babies. She flew down, picking Launa up. The bird flew back up squawking. She pushed out all of her babies, even Launa. Launa woke up screaming. It was all a dream… but by the time her mom was awake Launa saw the same, exact box. All that stuff that happened in her dream actually happened on Christmas. My Three Dogs By Rebecca Age 11 West Palm Beach, Florida This story takes place on a cold, snowy, muggy day… Sandy comes running upstairs saying, "Ginger! Ginger!" "Precious got stuck in the fence again!" Ginger says, "Again? How did this happen?" "Her ball went through the fence and she tried to go after it", says Sandy. "Ok, let's go help her." They go to help Precious. After they get her out of the fence they all go to the mall. When they are there, Ginger gets a digital camera, Precious gets a Video IPod, and Sandy gets a cell phone. They are all so happy. Ginger says," I just completely love my pink digital camera!" "I know! I love my IPod so much!" says Precious. "Can you believe that we finally get the things we wanted!" "I know!" says Sandy. Then after they go and eat they go to the accessory store and Ginger gets a printer, ink, carrier, and paper for her digital camera. Sandy gets face plates, service for her cell phone and a carrier. Precious gets a carrier, and a $50.00 ITunes gift card. They were all so happy, and then something bad happens. They go to leave, but, here's the catch, there has been a BLIZARD! Ginger says," Are we going to be stuck in here forever?" "No, but we will have to spend the night here," says Precious. The next day they go home, and they play with all of their new things. Precious, Ginger, and Sandy are all so very happy. "Yesterday was the greatest time of my life!" says Sandy. "I know, I had so much fun sleeping in the mall." Says Ginger. "Yeah it was so awesome; we all had such a great time together." says Precious. Santa A.K.A The Imposter By Ellen, age 12, and Jasmine age 11 Bellevue, NE. Lucy was excited as she jumped in the car with her mother. Five year old Lucy was on her way to the mall to see Santa. "Are you excited to see Santa" asked her mother? "I am SO excited to see Santa!" exclaimed Lucy. "Sorry. I didn't know you were interested in Santa, since he isn't re. . . never mind." "He isn't what, mom?" "Nothing, sweetheart. All I said was that he isn't fat. Oh look, we're here" mom said. Lucy and her mother got out of the car and zoomed to the mall. As they went, Lucy was thinking, 'Mother wasn't going to say fat. What was she going to say?' The line to see Santa wasn't long this year. There were about ten people. When it was her turn, she sat on Santa's lap. Lucy said sternly, "Santa, I want a pony for Christmas. Not a stuffed one. A real one." Santa said, "Ok, I will get you a real pony for Christmas. Ho Ho Ho!" Then it dawned on her. Real was the word her mom was about to say. Her mind wandered on the subject of Santa being real or not. Lucy wanted to prove if he was real so she decided to rip off his beard. As quick as possible Lucy tugged on Santa's beard. The beard flew off and all the children started to cry. Santa was a fake and Lucy just proved it. Then Santa said very sadly, "Well Lucy you have found out my secret. I don't have a beard anymore." Lucy jumped up and said, "Aha! That's what mom was going to say - Santa doesn't have a real beard. But even if Santa doesn't have a beard, let's hope he can still fit that pony in his bag." The Dog that Mooed By Morgan Grade 6 Far away on a little farm, about six days ago, a mother collie had given birth to her first litter of adorable puppies. They frolic and play, eat and sleep. Just like all puppies… Except for one. He sat in a corner with a lonely look in his eyes. He only ate when all of his brothers and sisters slept. His mother couldn't understand why her son was so different. She couldn't bear to think about it. One of the pigs on the farm noticed that she was fretting. She tried to comfort her by saying, "Oh dear, don't worry about it. It's just an early stage he is going through." With the pig's encouraging words, the mother stopped worrying. Almost a week later, the puppies got their names given to them by their mother. First there was Angela, then Billy, Sam, and Kate. Don't forget the lonely puppy. He was given a special name that would be remembered forever. Its name was Lambert. Not long after that, all of the puppies except for Lambert began to bark and howl. Now Lambert's mother got extremely worried, and this time the wise pig had no encouraging words. Finally one long day, after hours of coaxing, Lambert made his first sound. Don't get too excited now. Lambert's first sound just happened to be a moo. His mother was shocked with this discovery. She was so shocked she fainted. When she awoke, Lambert made his awkward sound again and again. He did this so much that everybody just simply got used to it. Now Lambert will play with his siblings, and when they bark, he moos. His mother is no longer worried, and has accepted him the way he is. Lambert was just a normal playful puppy. The Magic Balloon By Aaron Age 9 Sarasota, FL Once upon a time there was a boy named Matt. He was a very good boy. Then one day when he was outside playing with his friends, he saw a balloon… Matt walked up to the balloon and then the balloon talked to him. Matt was really scared for a minute. The balloon said, "Hi my name is Bob". Matt said, "Bob is a silly name for a balloon." "Where did you come from?" Bob said, "I came from all around the world," then asked, "do you want to go on a trip all around the world and see all the different places?" Matt said, "Yes, it's been my dream to go around the world. I want to go to Alaska first." Bob said, "Hold on tight" and when Matt saw icebergs in the ocean he knew they were close. Bob asked, "Do you want to go stand on the iceberg?" "Yes," said Matt, "I want to go stand on the iceberg. That would be the best thing ever!' When Matt got on the iceberg, he felt like he was floating in space. Then Bob asked, "Where do you want to go now?" Matt said, "I want to go to Mexico. I want to see the Mariachi band!" "OK, hold on tight!" said Bob. "We will be in Mexico and see the Mariachi band in no time." After that, Bob asked, "Where do you want to go now?" "I want to go to Japan and see how shark fin soup tastes… Ummm that's so scrumptious." After they visited more places, Bob asked again, "Where do you want to go now?" This time Matt answered, "I want to go home now. I'm feeling tired." When Matt got home, he asked Bob, "Will we ever see each other again and go on other adventures?" Bob said, "I have other kids I have to get to. Maybe another time we will get to go on other adventures." Matt said, "OK, see you later," and went in and went to go to sleep. Missy Saves the Day By Chloe and Taylor Ages 11 and 10 Bellevue, NE I don't believe in UFO's. At least that was what I thought up until yesterday. I was walking home from school when I stepped on a toy spaceship. At least I thought it was a toy. I heard a huge voice say, "Earthling take me to the candy." "I don't give candy to strangers," I declared. "Are you sure?" askd the voice. "Yeah I'm sure." I said. "Oh Man, you're the second Earthling today to say no. But that just means you'll have to come with us." griped the huge voice. "O-kaaay," I said. It was then I realized I was shrinking! When I was done shrinking an alien who was probably usually the size of my pinkie came out of the ship and said in his booming voice: "Welcome, Earthling, to the candy basher 200." The next thing I knew I was in the spaceship hovering in my room. Alien person yelled, "Now where's the candy? Is it over here, Over there?" "It's in my closet." I said, hoping they'd believe me. What they didn't know was that my cat slept there. She guards my candy. She is such a good cat, and you know what's so special about her? She's the best mouse (or alien in this case) catcher ever; but she never kills anything. She just sticks it in her litter box. "OK I'm going in for the candy," stated the lead alien. "Fine with me," I giggled. The next thing I knew I heard the aliens yelling at the top of their lungs. I went in and burst out laughing, for there in Missy's litter box sat a few, very dirty, very mad aliens. We made a truce, I would give them a piece of candy, they would enlarge me… … and Missy caught her 'mouse'. The Ticket and the Box By Maggie Age 9 Sarasota, FL It was a cold, crisp morning when the twelve-year-old twins Jimmy and Russell awoke. All of a sudden Russell sat up, opened his eyes, and noticed that there was a mysterious sound coming from a box by the open window. Jimmy woke up and remembered that last night there was a noise by the (closed) window but thought it was just a dog walking. Russell jumped up to get the box and see what was in it. Jimmy started yelling at him saying that it was for him. After they stopped fighting, they opened the box together to see what was in it, which was nothing, so they closed it and went downstairs for breakfast. After the twins came back from breakfast they realized that the box had moved from the window to the closet. Russell jumped in to the mysterious box to see where it would take him, but he didn't move at all. When Jimmy tried he disappeared right when his foot touched the bottom. Russell was very jealous. As Jimmy was falling through Chicago, Illinois' Chinatown, he fainted from fear. After all of the commotion Russell put his ear up against the box and he could hear Jimmy but couldn't see him. Russell stuck his hand in the box to see if he could feel him and he could, but still couldn't see him. When Jimmy awoke he was in his room with presents everywhere. Chicago China Town and the box was all a dream except there was a box that looked exactly like the other one… Epilogue A few days later they opened the box and there was a ticket to Chicago Illinois' China Town in it. The Monkey Who Saved the World By Zachary Age 9 Sarasota, FL It all started off one day when a boy and his friend were walking through the park and saw a monkey. The boy's dad was a scientist, but the monkey found a machine that made animals have super powers. The monkey pressed the button and… It made a sudden movement. It made the monkey's DNA get out of whack and made the monkey forget he was a monkey. And started saving the world… |
