Whitecaps
By Lexi, age 12, Dover, New Hampshire, USA
As the waves crash, I think
What is it like to be a wave?
Does it stay on just my beach?
Or has it seen the many shores of the world?
How far has it traveled?
How long has it lived?
Does is just float?
Or does it too know how to swim?
What is it like to be a wave?
To be riden by surfers, and swam in by children.
Would you be mean, and drown people, or would you be kind, and never
have an under toe?
If you were a wave, would you wonder what it was like to be a human?
To walk on dry land, and feel the sand beneath your toes.
Or would you think that we were awful, for polluting you?
If you could talk, would you ask us to be more kind?
Because, If you could talk, I think most of us would listen. (May
2002)
*
A Prayer Before Birth
By Erica, age 11, Parkwall Primary School, Bristol, UK
I am not yet born: please provide me with -
The sea to hush me,
The wind to sing to me,
A bright star to guide me,
The clouds to send me to sleep,
A loving, caring world and
My mother's arms to cradle me.
I am not yet born: please protect me from -
Hatred between people,
War and fighting that leaves people dead,
Enemies that could harm me and
Death itself.
I am not yet born: please make my world one that -
Is a fun place for everyone
loves everybody and cares for the poor and ill and
Makes me love each day and
Look forward to the next. (May
2002)
Editor's
Award Winner May 2002 (Inspired
by Louis McNeice, I suspect)
The Time Traveller
By Scott, age 9, Biggin Hill Junior School, Biggin Hill, UK
It was a bright and sunny morning in the Carolinas. Everyone was just
waking up from a deep long sleep after the shortest day and word had
just got round that someone had just built a time machine. The man who
made it was called Professor Challenger. There was a competition to
win a trip on a magnificent time machine, which had been tested on a
couple of things. The competition was to draw the best picture of a
time machine. Only two people could win and any age could enter. When
the competition was over, the judge announced the two winners who would
go on an expedition to a set date of their choice. They both decided
that they wanted to go back 60 million years ago to a time when the
dinosaurs ruled but something went terribly wrong. The professor typed
in the date of when the dinosaurs roamed and forgot to set the last
number so it ended up as only 60 years ago: the time when Hurricane
Mitch was tearing the land apart.
The children were so excited because they thought that they were going
back to when the dinosaurs were around but what awaited them was not
going to be a pleasant surprise. In the time machine, they landed in
Barbados in 1933. Luckily Hurricane Mitch hadn't reached there yet.
When the two children got out they looked around and saw the building
being deserted and people running around screaming their heads off.
They went back inside and told the professor. He checked everything
and made sure nothing had gone wrong. Then he looked at the date and
it said 1933 and it was meant to be 6 million years earlier than that
and the professor fainted with shock. When he woke up and got outside.
They felt a very strong breeze and looked behind them to see some very
strong dust devils tearing down buildings like a bulldozer destroying
small structures but only these things were destroying humongous sky
scrapers and other various things. The two children fainted too.
The professor struggled to wake the two children but after a while
he gave up. So he re-set the dials for 2002, and started to pull the
lever but, before he had chance to pull it right back, the hurricane
hit the time machine. Sparks flew all over the place, fuses completely
blew and wires came undone. The control panel was sizzling with heat
and the dial exploded. The gauges were still working. The professor
looked at them and saw that they said the time machine was only able
to transport one person. The professor couldn't decide who to send back
and turned around to look at the children but they had gone and the
door was swinging on its hinges. He walked to the door and looked outside
and saw the two bodies flying off into the distance. There was no choice.
He pulled the lever back, or what was left of it and off he went. Soon
after that, the professor was back in 2002 and everyone had been waiting
for its arrival for days and now it had finally come back. They asked
where the children were and the professor explained all about what had
gone wrong.
The scientists have now learned not to be too adventurous otherwise
something like that could go wrong again. The moral of this story is
to think before you do something, in other words, look before you leap.
(May
2002)
Life Is Like A Precious Pearl
By Saffron, age 15, Redditch, Worcestershire, UK
None of us know
How much time we have left
But one thing is certain
Life is like a precious pearl,
And we should make the most
Of it every minute of every day.
We should make each day
Count for something
We enjoyed,
Moved closer to a dream,
Or spent time with a
Friend or a loved one.
Did you make the most of your life today?
It's not too late. (May
2002)
Death
By Saffron, age 15, Redditch, Worcestershire, UK
He lay dying
His grey hair matted
And streaked with blood.
His eyes, once baby blue,
Were dilated and going dull.
His legs were stiffening in death,
His breathing became slow, missing out a breath each minute,
He tried to move, to struggle,
But it was no use.
He lay there in his favourite chair, in front of the TV,
No one knew he was dead
He was all alone with no help or support from his family.
A loner we might say. (May
2002)
America
By Michelle, age 10, Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
A - is for all united as one
M - is for mishaps but we aren't done
E - is for everyone no matter what race
R - is for respect for everyone in this case
I - is for independent,that's what we are
C - is for courage, you'll find that not very far
A - is for America, the country we love (May
2002)
Message
By Michelle, age 10, Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
At first it was dark and dreary
But now I can see clearly
I saw a light from above
The message was from a dove
He told me to wait one day
I would be rewarded in my own way
How he couldn't say
I don't know will happen to me
I'll just wait and see
I'll wait for it to come
But I don't know where from
I'll be waiting though (May
2002)
The Key
By Samantha, age 10, Coral Springs, FL, USA
Every day on my way home from school I always pass the old cinema.
It is an old rickety place with a humongus sign saying "Cinema
II." I've always wonderded, what are thay hiding? It was always
locked so no one could come in. I always search around for a key, but
no luck so far. I always see a neon green light streaming out through
the windows when I come near. I know it's weird but sometimes I think
my luck key, which hangs around my neck ever since I found it, will
unlock it.
So yesterday I tried the key and it opened! I stepped in and saw cobwebs
dangling from every corner of the room. It seemed as a play theater
rather then a movie theater.I saw a red door and the sign on it that
was too worn to see. I pushed it open and saw a control room. I was
so curiuos I tripped over a popcorn bucket and accidently pushd a button
marked:a'jactedantal. Thats not a word, I thought.
A green light suddenly burst through the room. It made me lift up and
float through the air. I suddenly felt a cold air brush through me.
Help! I wanted to scream but I knew no one would answer. Suddenly I
fell to the ground and was knocked out. I had a dream that I would have
the power to see the future. Cool, I thought sitting up in my bed. It
was all a dream and my mom was calling me and my Alphabet Cereal formed
"THE KEY." (May
2002)
It's September 11th
By Padme, age 13, Bardstown, Nelson, USA
The rain is here,
the sun is gone.
The rubble is here,
the Building is gone.
It's a sad day,
It's September 11.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The terrorists came,
people screamed.
The planes exploded,
people died.
It's a sad day,
It's September 11.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The lives were taken,
of innocent and bad.
The terrorist were happy,
and we were sad.
It's a sad day,
It's September 11. (May
2002)
Why Am I So Shy?
By Jamie, 7th grade, Houghton Middle School, Houghton, Michigan, USA
Why am I so shy?
That I don't know why?
Why do I feel so left out?
Why do I feel so scared?
Why am I so shy?
Why can't I love a normal life?
Why can't I feel as though I belong?
Why am I so shy?
Why can't I feel as though I have a meaning?
Why am I so shy?
That I don't know why.
I have been searching for 13 years.
I still haven't found out.
Why am I so shy?
That I do not know.
Someone tell me what to do.
Someone tell me what meaning I have in life.
Tell me why.
Why I am so shy. (May
2002)
My
Homeland
By Pratigya, 14,
Galaxy Public School, Nepal
I am here away from
you,
you remember me don't you?
I lived there, by the valley of KATHMANDU,
and it was there, I played and laughed with you.
I didn't realize this when I was there,
but it was too late when I realised it here.
I thought foreign is great, new friends eh!
mates tried to warn me but I was busy in hi!
As I am already here, now it is out of hand,
I ended up here away from you in a foreign land.
apart from the similar normal life there,
I seem to miss everything here.
I love you and want to be back there with you,
But there seems no way back once you are here.
I will be back there in two more years,
but I want to be there now, how can I wait a year?
A
Family
By Kristen, 12,
Grade 6, USA
A family is something
you should hold onto forever.
A family is something you should always treasure.
A family should mean the world to you,
even when all of the times are blue.
You should always remember to love each other,
even in the cloudiest weather.
Happiest day of my life
By Anum, 13, 9th
year, Divisional Model School, Fasialabad, Pakistan
It is diffcult
to define happiness. At the best it considered in relation to certain
attributes the word happy is characterised by content, well being and
pleasurer. It indicates a satisfied state of mind.
Happiness is such a wonderful thing leads you towards a happy life ,
the topic to discuss is which is the happiest day of my life. Well it
was my birthday. It was on 22nd April. That day I woke up early in the
morning.
My bother, my sister, father and my mother wished me a pleasant surprise
that we have arranged a bithday party for you. Then in great excitement
I went to the phone and held it and started dialling number of them
to my birthday party.
I went to kitchen where my mother was preparing a meal for party with
our house servant, she was very sad. I asked my mother what happened
and why she was weeping? My mother told me that the daughter of our
house servant was ailing and she did not have enough money for her medical
treatment. I decided in my mind that the money which my father, mother,
grandmother and grandfather, uncle and aunt would gave me on my birthday,
I will give to her daughter. I told my mother about this, my mother
kissed my forehead and encouraged me. I was feeling very happy that
my mother encouraged me.
Then I helped my mother in preparing meal. I decorated the dining room
with balloons, then I set the plates on the dining table. Then I went
to cake shop and get the chocolate cake from there.
In the evening the guests started arriving. My friends, uncle, aunts
etc. Near about eight o'clock I cut a cake. All of them clapped and
wished me "HAPPY BIRTHDAY". I enjoyed the party very much, but I was
also worried about my servant's daughter. After the party I went to
my servant and gave her rupees that I had collected on my birthday.
She was staring at my face in surprise and happily. My mother said her
to accept it but she did not consider it. I requested her that I did
not consider her as a servant but as a sister.
She accepted
it. I was very happy. I did not know in what way I can describe my feelings
that were in my heart. She thanked me so much. I was very happy that
I used the money in right way.
I think that was the happiest day of my life.that day.
I felt near to my God.
The whirlpool of terror!
By Adi, 11, Year
6, Sheep Dip Lane Primary School, Doncaster, England
Ben tugged hard
at the steering wheel, trying to direct it away from the terror! But
the boat would not turn, it sounded crazy... but to Ben, it seemed like
the boat WANTED to go into the whirlpool. But Ben didn't care if the
boat wanted to go into it, he DIDN'T!!
He pulled long and hard, but alas.. he just couldn't get it to turn,
so he began to tug less and put less strength into it. He sat down on
the chair and began to say his prayers, but these didn't last long as
the boat gave a violent jerk, then was pulled inside the whirlpool's
terror!
When the boat jerked, Ben had been thrown against the wall of the ship
and had gone unconscious. As he lay upon the floor, his eyes finally
opened, they flickered then shut again, but Ben, realising where they
were, jerked them open again and looked around, he ran to the window,
outside he could see the deadly walls of the whirlpool, thrashing and
swirling in anger. Just then a small black animal caught his eye, as
he looked closer, he saw it was a small dog.
'No..' he thought' It can't be dead can it...oh no it can't be because
it's thrashing its legs all over the place". Suddenly another large
black thing caught his eye, he realised it was a shark... heading for
the dog.
Without thinking, he ran up to the door leading to top deck, he flung
it open, taking a deep breath, and swam outside!
The water encircled him, binding him like a snake with its prey. He
opened his eyes, the salt made them sting, but he didn't care, he wasn't
going to let a poor defenseless dog get hurt. He could just make out
the shark and the dog in front of him, he tried to swim forward, but
the more he tried, the more the water held him back. Just then a humongous
wave swept over the whirlpool taking ben with it. The wave practically
took Ben over to the dog, Ben put his arms around it and began to swim
back to the door, he didn't care if a boat load of water got inside
as long as it didn't flood the ship! It wasn't quite as hard to swim
now as he was swimming with the current, he grabbed the door, tugged
really hard and finally flung it open, he pushed the door shut with
a mighty fight, as the shark narrowly missed his foot!
Abby
By Alex, 9, USA
It was my birthday.
I quickly got out of bed and got dressed. In my family they celebrate
your birthday with a kwanta, tree and 3 birthday presents. A kwanta
is a box that our whole family shares. It holds family possessions.
And we put one more thing of ours in every birthday. Our kwanta goes
back to 1871!
Our tree is
decorated with special painted happy birthday ornaments and pictures
of us at every age. We only get three presents but they are all big.
You get one from your family, one from alll your friends that they buy
or make together, and the last is a surprize gift you get under the
tree and it is only from one person.
Charlie my grandpa picks the surprize person for every person in our
family. That person picks out a present that has to do with he or she.
If it is expensive everybody helps out. The friends present is opened
first then the family and last the surprize. It was always fun to guess
who it was. I ran down stairs everybody was waiting for us.
They were giggling. We had cake, then finally birthday presents. My
friends handed me theirs. It was in a bright blue huge package. I opened
it. It was the computer I had been begging for. Then I opened my family's
it was in a small purple bag. I opeed it and saw a beautiful jewel necklace.
I put it on and smiled. I had been asking for real jewelry every day
at 5:00 since I was 7. I was turning ten now.
Last I opened the surprize present that was under the tree. It was a
small package and turned out to be a envelope. I opened it. It said,
LOOK OUTSIDE. I looked out the window and saw a little black labrador.
I ran out and hugged it. It would be my.....my......Abby
All
of us
By Samantha and
Jenny, 13, Wallasey School, Merseyside, UK
At Christmas time when
were having fun.
The children of Africa will be under their sun.
For most there's no presents, no roads, no bus.
The only water they will see is in a hungry child's tear.
Think of them then think of yourself it could be you.
On a Turkish Hill
By Jason, 12, Year
8, Te Rapa Primary School, Hamilton, New Zealand
ANZAC day is a day
celebrated in New Zealand and Australia to celebrate a day that ANZACS
landed on Turkish beach and were getting shot at from above by the Turkish
army.
ANZACS died for us on a Turkish kill
They had no hope climbing up that hill
The general was mistaken
Lots of lives were taken
The Axis are under control
Our guys are getting shot on patrol
I just saw my best friend die
I wish I were home in bed watching time fly
Age shall not weary them
Nor the years condem
We will remember them
Selfish Sister
By Krissie, 12,
Year 7, Dartmouth Community College, Galmpton, Devon, UK
"....And don't forget
that you are in charge of Angelica, and if she tells me that you have
wronged her in any way, I will ground you for a month, got that?"
Mum slid into her boyfriend's car and waved as it drove off.
"Yeah, see you later." I muttered.
My name is Crystal, and I HATE it when mum goes off with her boyfriend,
because she leaves me with my sister and always threatens me with being
grounded if my sister tells her of any wrong doings I have done. That
means my selfish sister can blackmail me into doing whatever she wants,
and if I don't let her, she goes and tells mum a lie that I raided the
fridge and ate all the cookies, or something like that.
I walked back down the path and my sister, Angelica, stood there, in the
doorway, smirkimg at me.
I walked past her and she said "So, Crystal, looking forward to another
night of sisterly dealing?" She laughed.
"You know it isn't dealing, Angelica, so stop trying to make stupid sarcastic
remarks." I snarled.
"I want to eat every packet of HARIBO STARMIX." She replied coldly.
"Oh, you are so greedy. They are mum's fav sweets, you eat them all and
she will notice." I retorted.
"Yeah, I know, that's why YOU are eating them when she gets back." She
laughed for so long and I was so angry I was hoping she would choke. But
she didn't.
"GET THEM OR MUM WILL BE GROUNDING YOU UNTIL YOU ARE 18!" She screamed.
"OK OK I will, don't flip your lid. GEE." I ran through the hall to the
kitchen, where I grabbed the bowl of STARMIX and gave it to her. She grabbed
the top packet and when she got to the stairs, she turned and headed up
to my room, where she proceded to kick my quilt on the floor and flopped
down on my bed, but not before she asked me to turn on the TV and fetch
mum's best pillows so she could sit up. I was tempted to be grounded forever
so I could slap her round the face. But my little secret kept me from
that and I fetched the pillows.
"What time is mum coming home tonight?" She demanded.
"11 o'clock." I said icily.
"Right, you will start tidying up at quarter to and if mum suspects me
one incy bit, I will get you gro..."
"Yeah yeah until I'm 18." I sighed. She is so annoying all the time.
The last half hour was hell: 'do this, do that, now tidy up.'
But I did it all 'cause my secret would stop this all together.
Mum arrived and put Angelica to bed and I took something out of my jumper.
"This better be good." She said.
"Just do it before you go out again." I replied. "See you in the morning."
The next day, I looked at mum quizzically and she nodded. I smiled.
Angelica came in to the kitchen and said "Mum, Crystal ate..."
"CRYSTAL?" Asked mum. I had to look away to stop myself laughing.
"Yeah, who else? I wouldn't eat...."
"Sit down and listen to this tape I got last night." said mum, coldly.
I turned on the tape-recorder and there was some crackling, then---"I
want to eat every packet of HARIBO STARMIX...."
Angelica froze as her voice issued out of the speakers.
"Yes, Angelica.You. A couple of days before I went out with Jackson last
night, Crystal came to me and told me about what you were doing to her
when I was out. She told me about the blackmailing. She told me that all
the things that had happened was your fault. I didn't believe her at first,
but she told me that if she could borrow a small microphone from Jackson's
train-spotting kit then she would have proof of your doings. So I did.
She came back to me and gave me the tape of you and said that she hadn't
moved any of the things that you had done, I matched the proof to the
sounds and found that Crystal was telling the truth, not you. For punishment,
I will tell you something. I am not going to tolerate this bad behavior.
I will give you to your evil dad. I knew one of you two would be more
like him than me. So, now I have found out who, you will be given to him.
Too many a time has Crystal proved that you are not like me in many ways,
so pack your bags and I will phone your dad and tell him to come and get
you."
Angelica looked at mum with total shock in her eyes, then she looked at
me with pure evil. She stomped upstairs and was back down in half an hour
with everything small enough to pack. Dad was standing in the drive way.
Mum wouldn't let him in the house. Angelica ran to him and they both got
in the car and drove off without a second glance back.
"I'm so glad they are gone. Now we need to sort everything out and get
into a routine without bending over backwards for her every two seconds."
said mum in relief.
"Come on, fried breakfast and i'm pulling out all stops from now on."
declared mum. I whooped and smiled. Life was going to be better without
the dark child hanging round my neck. Yep, I was looking forward to the
rest of my life without Angelica. I ran into the house and shouted " We're
free!!!!!"
Mum smiled.
The
View
By Josh, 13, Year
8, Witchford Village College, Witchford, Ely, Cambridge, UK
The feeling of death
and lonely ghosts fill the air,
From here where I stand, the focus, twin and stare,
The dark orange clouds fill the sky with a bright ray,
The sad presence of death will not get in my way,
Dry crusty grass, drained of colour, crunch under feet,
And the warm, wild winds fill my cold body with heat,
The thick swirling grey fog rolls around by my leg,
Lost souls cry in the field, and for freedom they beg.
The Killer Cousin
By Bonnie, 10, Grade
4, Hawthorne PEARLS School, Bronxville, New York, USA
As I run at full
speed with the wind in my hair,
I dare not look back for I am scared to see,
My little cousin chasing after me,
With a wooden spoon in one hand and a rock in the other,
I hope she doesn't hurt me like she did to my brother,
Running as fast as I can,
Because Gaby The Hurricane is stronger than any man,
She knows karate and is insane,
I hope I run fast enough or I'll be in pain,
Running and running will my lungs pop?
Running and running will she ever stop?
Wait!!!!!!!
She was chasing the ice cream truck!
THE SENSE THAT SMELLS TROUBLE
By Nicole, 14, IHS
School, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
There was an awful
girl we knew, she was a mighty pain
Cause she was always turning up her nose in sheer disdain
She’d a nose that could smell trouble,it could smell another’s dirt
Until one day she found a foul smell right beneath her shirt
She held her breath with potent strength, till she nearly turned blue
Yet all her efforts were in vain, she didn’t know what do
She scrubbed herself, she washed until her skin turned wrinkly pink
But nothing that she tried to do would rid her of the stink
I warn you don’t attempt to try enhance your sense of smell
For things will hardly ever, rather NEVER turn out well.
Moonlight Owl Dance
By Danica, 10, Grade
5, Vancouver, Washington, USA
One night, when
I was in bed safe and tucked away, I heard a soft, almost like moaning
sound. It was tempting, tantalizing. I jerked up in bed, listening,
waiting, and watching. My dark hair flew into my eyes and my maple-sugar
colored skin glimmered in the ghostly moonlight streaming from the dark
window. Then I heard it again. “Emma!” I whispered fiercely. My older
sister yawned.
“Lizzie, this is the fourth time you woke me up! I'm going to tell Mom
if you keep it up,” she complained.
“Emma, this time I know I heard something,” I insisted, “and we are
going to find whoever or whatever is making that sound.”
“Elizabeth, I'm not going to help you,” she said. “Ever since we moved
here, you've let your imagination run away with you. Now go back sleep!”
“Emma, I have to know what that sound is,” I pleaded.
“Well, all right, but don't wake Mom and Dad,” she warned, looking at
me sternly.
We crept into the hallway. The thick green carpet tickled our feet and
reminded us where we were headed. In the daytime rays of golden sunbeams
danced on the windows and the whole house was overflowing with light,
but now there wasn't a shred of light anywhere, and the house seemed
haunted and deadly, with the silver shadows hiding secret and spooky
corners..
“I think it came from the study,” I barely whispered. We slowly approached
the door, waiting for a hideous bloodthirsty monster to jump out at
us. Just the thought made my skin crawl and goose bumps prickle. We
opened the door and the strange moaning sound shot through the glittering
window. We shrieked, almost bolting from the room.
Regaining our courage, we edged slowly towards the window. Our feet
made the slightest shuffling noises as we An eerie moonbeam jitterbugged
on the floor. It seemed to be taunting us, “You’re too scared.”
I became more determined to stay and I think Emma did too. Just as we
reached the window ........................we froze. There, in front
of our eyes, two snow owls were mating. Their colors perfectly matched
the thin layer of snow falling peacefully outside. The remaining moonlight
shimmered on their glowing white feathers.
They looked as if they were dancing. Emma carefully pushed the crystallized
frosty window open and we stared at them for what seemed like forever.
Then I sneezed somewhat violently and we caught the owls attention.
They looked at us and the female cocked her head. Emma and I giggled.
“Jewel,” I said suddenly.
“What?” Emma asked, puzzled.
“Her name should be Jewel,” I announced. Emma smiled.
“I'll call him Snowy,” she said, pointing. Then Jewel hopped daintily
on my finger, and I was so surprised I nearly fainted! Snowy then followed
her example and flew gracefully onto Emma's shoulder. They stood there
for several minutes gazing at us, then slowly lifted their wings, let
out an extended gentle hoot, and glided swiftly into the dark, lonely
night.
We stood at the window listening to the owls' hooting threading through
the piney trees back to us. I’ll never forget that night, the fear,
the owls, the strong smell of pine trees and the delight of the snow.
Yes, I’ll always remember the night of the Moonlight Owl Dance.
The Carsons' Mansion
By Becky, 11, Year
6, St Luke's Primary School, Sway, Hampshire, UK
"Hurry up, it'll
be fun," Ginger whispered.
We were outside the old Carsons mansion, the tale is that while old
Mr Carson was sleeping, his wife chopped off his head and she got £1,000,000
life insurance.
Mr Carson's ghost came back to haunt her, she fled and the ghost still
remained there, unable to leave, waiting for her to return.
We went in, Ginger split us up into two groups, and we started to explore.
Suddenly we heard a blood curdling scream and Ginger's group
was being chased down the old orchard by a silvery shadow. We all ran
and didn't look back.
No-one ever went back again, certainly not Ginger anyway.
The Lost Boy
By Megan, 11, 5th
grade, Tri-Valley (Adamsville Elementry) School, Adamsville, Ohio, USA
There once was a
boy named Nathen Townith. Nathen's parents had died in an airplane crash
when Nathen was only 3 years old. Nathen lived with his grandmother
Agathia Smale. Nathen had a very BIG problem. Nathen was planing to
kill himself. Nobody knew about his secret, but his girlfriend Sabrina.
Sabrina felt that it was wrong to keep his secret bottled up inside
of her. Every night Sabrina would cry herself to sleep thinking what
might her boyfriend try next to hurt himself.
On Thursday the month of January on the day of the 18 Sabrina could
not take the guilt anymore so she called the suicide hotline for Nathen.
The girl that was supervising the hotline spread the secret about Nathen,
and when Nathen got wind of it he went ballistic. He went off on Sabrina,
luckily the Police Officers were already there for a D.A.R.E. program
and herd the LOUD yelling and took Nathen to the Juvenile Detention
Center.
One year later when Nathen got out he was a changed man. He went over
to Sabrina's house and apologized to her face to face. Nathen was a
changed man the rest of his life. He lived Happily ever after!
You Think You're Cool...
By Brittney, 14,
8th grade, Nebraska City Middle School, Nebraska City, USA
You think you're
cool,
I think you're wrong.
Just because you're hott,
But not for long.
You may be popular now.
But you won't always be.
So enjoy it while you can,
Soon you'll pay the fee.
All that make up and all,
Hides the true you.
But that is probably good,
Because you belong in a zoo.
Popularity won't stay,
It won't be there forever.
Just remember, you snot,
I AM better.
This is about how popularity fades and true inner beauty is always
there and always better.
Different
By Hannah, 13, Grade
8, Custer County Middle School, Westcliffe, Custer County, USA
There's this girl
I know,
She's different from everyone else I know,
The way she looks,
The clothes she wears,
Even the way she wears her hair,
It's different,
It's all different,
She gets teased,
She gets bullied,
But, they don't know what it's like to be different,
I know this girl very well,
She's more than a friend to me,
Because-
That girl is me.
Mother
and Dad
By Courtney, 12,
Grade 5, South Wellington School, Nanimo, NZ
I love my Mother
I love my Dad.
I even love them when I'm mad.
And when I'm sad
they come and get me make me glad.
And when I'm frightend when I'm scared
they come and get me and they care.
And when theres something I can't do
they come and say I'll help you!
now I'm doing something for you
I hope you like it I really do!
Space Race
By Liam, 13, Year
8, Witchford Village College, Witchford, Ely, Cambridge, UK
Inside the gas giant,
a wormhole had formed,
Absorbing and destroying everything.
The multi-coloured spiral slowly spinning,
It spun calmly on a sea of dusty orange.
All the ships tried to flee, but most overheated,
Only the tarnished-golden Mother Ship escaped.
The sight was of overwhelming awe and yet sad,
The last colossal meteor was devoured.
The lady at the lake
By Cassie, 10, 4th
grade, Centennial Elementary School, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
Once upon a time......
John, Cassie, and Justin were playing cards in the bunkhouse on Mantrap
lake. All of a sudden, they heard a tap on the window.
"What was that?" Cassie stammered.
"I don't know. Probably just a tree branch or something. It is pretty
windy and dark out there." replied John.
"Oh." Cassie said.
They continued their game.
They heard the noise again but it was louder and Justin saw what it
was.
"Did you see that?" asked Justin nervously.
"See what?" asked John.
" That finger on the window." replied Justin.
"What do you mean?" Cassie asked.
"The bony finger on the window. It couldn't have been any of our parents,
they're sleeping." said Justin.
"I'll go check." said John and looked out the window.
"Hide!!" He yelled.
Cassie scrambled under the blankets and Justin ran under the bed and
John went between two mattresses. A hooded figure came into the room.
She came so close to John he didn't even breathe.
"Where are the three kids?" demanded the figure. She must have been
a woman. She sure sounded like one.
"Come out!" she yelled again.
Justin got out.
"What do you want?" he asked bravely.
"I want you!" she screamed and the next thing they knew the lights flashed
and when they turned on again the door slammed.
John and Cassie got out from their hidding places.
"Where's Justin?" Cassie stammered.
"I don't know," replied John, just as scared.
"Oh no!" they screamed and ran out to their parents' cabin.
As for Justin, he was never seen again.
Smiling
By Carley, 10, Year
5, St Stephens Primary School, Banks, UK
I smiled all over
Britain
I smiled all over France
I smiled all over the USA
And it started to be a dance
I smiled around a corner
I smiled around a house
I smiled all over the Earth
And I turned out as a mouse!
P.S. Hi everyone in class 6
Friendship
By Dominick, 11,
Grade 5, Harold Sheppard School, Canada (Quebec)
One day in second grade
a girl who came from a French school changed to English school. Her mother
was there with her for her first day at school. Her name was Chloe and
she was all alone watching me and my friends play. My friends were Jenny,
Stephanie, Marie-Christine and Vanessa. I went up to her and her mother
to ask if she would like to come play tag with us. Chloe did not answer
me. She was still watching my other friends. Her mother told me that she
would be okay and that I could go along and play and not worry about her.
Ever since that day i was her BEST friend!
Well at the beginning of grade five me her and Marie-Christine and Melissa
were all so good friends but then came the trouble we started arguing
on the simplest things.
We would have to talk with special people about that and we would always
hate one of us wetherit would be me, Chloe, Melissa, Marie-Christine.
But we kept on having problems because we were not compatible with the
ladies because we did not know them and then they would go tell the teacher.
Then Chloe's aunt came to work at our school and she hated her aunt, so
we tried to talk with her but if we were to get one problem fixed then
another one stared. It never ended, the crying in the bathrooms during
class, going to the office instead of working! Now we are not all friends
any more. The first one to leave was Melissa because she kept going home
and falling apart. Then we just decided to be normal friends.
Then about two to three weeks before May 15 2001 me and Chloe had a fight
and we were separated by many things, boys, secrets, RESPECT! Then we
started speaking to this woman, she now comes in every two Tuesday's to
see how were doing.
Well that day we had to talk to Chloe and it was not a pretty picture.
We were influenced to be her friend. I said "no" Iwill not be forced if
I don't want to, but my friend Marie-Christine told me she would be her
friend.
Then the next day I went up to Chloe saying we have to talk. I said "I
would like to be your friend if we dont hang out together" she said "okay"
then we were friends "again". Then a couple of days later Marie-Christine
came to me saying that Chloe is getting on her nerves! I told this would
have happened again and told her me too.
Then Chloe did not come to school
The next day Marie-Christine and me are still, today, trying to tell her
how we felt, hoping she would understand but we will try and tell her
every day but we get plugged and cant speak and start to laugh.
The End
Retrieving From Within
By Jaide, 10, Grade
5, Mamie Towles Elementary School, Reno, Nevada, USA
As the days pass
by,
I feel as though I should and might cry,
Ashamed and filled with pride,
I cry all my tears inside.
Although I may be quite sad,
People think, from the way I act, I am glad.
It’s true sadness sometimes fills me,
People don’t know how I feel by what they see.
Maybe I should cry out loud,
Though I know shall no longer people be proud,
Maybe I should retrieve the tears from me,
And not always act the way people think I should be.
Yet over the years, many have dies,
During which my face has stayed dry.
I laughed while I cried,
I let all my tears dry inside.
I should retrieve the tears from within me,
Maybe I’ll become happier, just maybe, and that I shall see.
My Nose
By Raysa, 12, Grade
6, Mackinon Middle School, Wharton, NJ, USA
It doesn't breathe;
It doesn't smell;
It doesn't feel
So very well.
I am discouraged
With my nose;
The only thing it
Does is blow.
Weeping Willow
By Andrea, age 12,
Kelowna
Weeping Willow,
why are your branches hanging low?
And why are you shaking nakedly in the cold snow?
You're suppose to be standing proud and tall,
Don't you have any strength or courage at all?
Weeping Willow, why do you have tears running down your eyes?
Is it because someone told you lies?
Why is your bark rotting away?
Was it because no one wanted to play with you today?
Weeping Willow. . . why are your leaves falling down?
And why do you have such a big frown?
Sometimes a weeping willow reminds you of a person,
Sad and low, rotting, cold,
Lonely, cowardly, young and old.
Mad with anger, leaves in a fluster,
Or ashamed with leaves crowding in a cluster.
I don't think a Weeping Willow is very bad,
All it is, is something sad.
Poetry
By Lisa, age 15,
Brisbane, Australia
You are the flame
that keeps me alive.
You shall not be extinguished
For my life depends on your existence.
Your heat, your warmth
Laces me with pure passion.
I remain bathed in your intense light
That so beautifully preserves me.
As you sway gracefully
I reach for you,
I yearn to be a part of you.
I cherish being in your presence
You enlighten me.
You burn with a strong desire
Blazing eternally beneath my flesh,
Flickering within my soul forever,
Creating vitality and energy to my life.
I feel you so deeply.
You shall not be extinguished
For my life depends on your existence.
The News
By Emma, age 11,
Year 6, Someries Junior School, Luton, England
A newsreading lady
called Sally,
One day went completely doo-lally!
She said "people are down in the dumps,
From bad news, sad stories and grumps.
So I'll cheer them up with some stories,
Of fun, laughter and glories.
Here's news that should cheer you all up,
England have won the world cup!
And now that the fun has begun,
Price of sweets down to 2P a tonne!
Amazingly my cat called Antone,
Has joined up with popstars Boyzone!"
Said newsreader Sam in dismay,
"Sal's acting in such a strange way.
She's gone crackers, quite flipped her lid,
That's what she's just gone and did!
It seems quite good fun I suppose,"
And with that, Sam took off his clothes.
It's time we were leaving this pair
Having good fun on the air
They soon banished everyone's blues,
And that is the end of the news!!
Wouldn't it be Strange If....
By Laura, age 11,
Yucaipa
Wouldn't it be strange
if looking out the window into the front yard, we could see it transforming
into a wild jungle? Then the garden hose would emerge as a brave snake
guarding the entrance to our castle, hissing and spitting at anything
that dares to confront him. Watching carefully for uninvited guests,I
could see him curling up ready to strike. The fierce, bold look in his
eyes would scare anyone away in a heart beat. Wouldn't it be strange
if everywhere you look, the world was your imagination?