A Unwanted honor
Note: This story was used for the Hong Kong Young Writers Awards 2015 Competition. It was shortlisted in the Fiction category.
“Run for your lives! ” Kang shouted. “The Pearl River is flooding! Everyone to your homes!” It was too late. Xue had been sitting on the shore when he was engulfed by a huge wave from the river.
“Help!” He cried.
Xue felt something pulling him towards the shore. It was Zhong! Zhong had bitten the back of Xue’s shirt and pulled him from the water. Dripping, they ran to the fortuneteller’s red house with its 8 stone dragons guarding the roof. The house had a chipped fence that he and Zhong could climb. Xue let Zhong run in front of him, making sure he didn’t fall. They reached the roof, exhausted. Xue patted Zhong’s head. It was raining, but Xue and Zhong didn’t mind. They lay, staring at the stormy sky, while the villages ran back to their homes, trying to escape the flood of the Pearl River.
Zhong was Xue’s best friend. He never argued, but always followed Xue. Xue had been left on a wealthy family’s doorstep as a baby. They had called him Xue, because his skin was naturally white as snow. The family took care of him, but when their own children were born, they neglected him, so Xue ran away. At the age of 14, Xue had found Zhong as a puppy, abandoned by an animal trader, because he was a runt. Xue took care of him, and after a few years, Zhong grew up to be a strong and loyal dog. That was what his name meant. Loyalty. Slowly, the exhausted duo fell asleep.
“Is he alive?” Xue woke to a man’s hand poking his face. He had been carried off the roof and laid on the dusty village floor.
“I’m alive! Stop poking me!”
“ Why were you on Sang’s roof? Why was there a dog with you? Who are you?” The man’s face started turning red. “Did you steal anything?”
“Stop it Kang! Can’t you see he’s scared?” There was a young woman beside him.
”I didn’t steal anything!”
“Be quiet. They are coming... ” The fortune teller was standing in the corner. His eyes clouded. He started talking in a scratchy, deep voice.
“As the river of pearl storms the banks,
Mortals shall distress,
But there is no fear because,
A flurry of snow and loyalty,
Will prevail the pearl storm,
And fight fire with fire ”
He collapsed.
“Father! Are you all right?” the woman crouched down.
Kang looked at Xue. “What is your name?”
“Xue”
“Xue as in snow?”
“Yes...”
Kang exchanged glances with the woman. “Li Hua, he’s...”
“What am I? ” He thought for a minute. It made sense. Zhong whimpered.
“No. You people are insane! I don’t save people!”
Xue sprinted away. Zhong followed. Li Hua stared at her father’s sleeping face. “What are we going to do?”
Xue had run to the expanding Pearl River. The villagers had started calling it the Pearl Sea, for it really was flooding as big as a lake now. He walked along the shore. Zhong bolted in front of him, and stopped, then started to dig. When Xue caught up to him, he had unearthed an oyster shell. Xue knelt down and opened the shell. There was a huge pearl, the size of his fist. Carefully, he held the oyster shell without touching the pearl; he followed Zhong to the riverbank. Zhong jumped around in the water, and he seemed to want Xue to get in the water. Then he yelped. Xue checked his paws. There was a bloody gash where a tile from the village that had fallen in the water. “Curse the river!” Xue swore. If there was one thing he cared more about than himself, it was Zhong. Zhong nosed the oyster shell. Xue opened it again to throw the pearl in the river.
“Stop!” He turned his head. It was the fortuneteller. “Don’t touch it!” It was too late. Xue and Zhong had touched the pearl at the same time. It started shining, as bright as the sun, and everything went white.
Clutching the pearl, Xue looked around. He and Zhong seemed to be standing on clouds. In front of him, a hole appeared in the clouds. He could see the Pearl River, and the fortuneteller at the river. Where he and Zhong had been standing minutes before was a shining white light. It seemed to be vaporizing the Pearl River. Slowly, the flooded river was receding. The hole in the clouds disappeared. A woman appeared in front of Xue. “Greetings, young one. I am Lo Shen, goddess of rivers. You have been rewarded, , for your life of hardships. You shall be the pearl, forever more. You shall rule under my guidance. But don’t worry, loyalty, will also forever be at your side.”
Xue and Zhong were back on earth. Well, more like, on water. They had been transformed. He was wearing rich, expensive robes. They were a deep blue, with fish, waves, gems, and storms embroidered on them. He had a staff in one hand. It had the same pearl in it that Zhong had found on the beach; instead it was a brilliant dark blue. Xue felt taller, cleaner and stronger. Zhong was next to him. His fur shone like it had been washed every day for years, and he wasn’t limping, with his wound healed. Xue realized that they were glowing. A soft golden glow outlined their bodies. They were standing on a huge wave, which was solid under their feet. The villagers were all at the bank of the river. They were cheering, every single one of them. The Pearl River had been shrunk to its normal size again. That was what the prophecy meant. Xue had fought the Pearl River with a pearl. Lo Shen appeared again. “Greetings again. I name you, the Xue Shui, God of The Pearl River. Your faithful friend shall forever be Zhong, the dog god of loyalty. You two shall, for the rest of time, control the Pearl River.” And the wave disappeared, and Xue Shui and Zhong fell into the river, never, to live on land again.
I guess we will never know if they were happy with their destiny. Who knows, Xue Shui’s vengeance may be flooding the river again, to show that he was not happy. But I know one thing. They are angry with the gods, as all Zhong and Xue wanted was a simple, happy life with a family. Zhong is still as loyal as can be, chasing fish, creating storms, but they are only happy together. What we have done, polluting the river and building factories have only made them even angrier. They are waiting for their vengeance on the gods. Be aware my friends, the Pearl River Delta!
“Run for your lives! ” Kang shouted. “The Pearl River is flooding! Everyone to your homes!” It was too late. Xue had been sitting on the shore when he was engulfed by a huge wave from the river.
“Help!” He cried.
Xue felt something pulling him towards the shore. It was Zhong! Zhong had bitten the back of Xue’s shirt and pulled him from the water. Dripping, they ran to the fortuneteller’s red house with its 8 stone dragons guarding the roof. The house had a chipped fence that he and Zhong could climb. Xue let Zhong run in front of him, making sure he didn’t fall. They reached the roof, exhausted. Xue patted Zhong’s head. It was raining, but Xue and Zhong didn’t mind. They lay, staring at the stormy sky, while the villages ran back to their homes, trying to escape the flood of the Pearl River.
Zhong was Xue’s best friend. He never argued, but always followed Xue. Xue had been left on a wealthy family’s doorstep as a baby. They had called him Xue, because his skin was naturally white as snow. The family took care of him, but when their own children were born, they neglected him, so Xue ran away. At the age of 14, Xue had found Zhong as a puppy, abandoned by an animal trader, because he was a runt. Xue took care of him, and after a few years, Zhong grew up to be a strong and loyal dog. That was what his name meant. Loyalty. Slowly, the exhausted duo fell asleep.
“Is he alive?” Xue woke to a man’s hand poking his face. He had been carried off the roof and laid on the dusty village floor.
“I’m alive! Stop poking me!”
“ Why were you on Sang’s roof? Why was there a dog with you? Who are you?” The man’s face started turning red. “Did you steal anything?”
“Stop it Kang! Can’t you see he’s scared?” There was a young woman beside him.
”I didn’t steal anything!”
“Be quiet. They are coming... ” The fortune teller was standing in the corner. His eyes clouded. He started talking in a scratchy, deep voice.
“As the river of pearl storms the banks,
Mortals shall distress,
But there is no fear because,
A flurry of snow and loyalty,
Will prevail the pearl storm,
And fight fire with fire ”
He collapsed.
“Father! Are you all right?” the woman crouched down.
Kang looked at Xue. “What is your name?”
“Xue”
“Xue as in snow?”
“Yes...”
Kang exchanged glances with the woman. “Li Hua, he’s...”
“What am I? ” He thought for a minute. It made sense. Zhong whimpered.
“No. You people are insane! I don’t save people!”
Xue sprinted away. Zhong followed. Li Hua stared at her father’s sleeping face. “What are we going to do?”
Xue had run to the expanding Pearl River. The villagers had started calling it the Pearl Sea, for it really was flooding as big as a lake now. He walked along the shore. Zhong bolted in front of him, and stopped, then started to dig. When Xue caught up to him, he had unearthed an oyster shell. Xue knelt down and opened the shell. There was a huge pearl, the size of his fist. Carefully, he held the oyster shell without touching the pearl; he followed Zhong to the riverbank. Zhong jumped around in the water, and he seemed to want Xue to get in the water. Then he yelped. Xue checked his paws. There was a bloody gash where a tile from the village that had fallen in the water. “Curse the river!” Xue swore. If there was one thing he cared more about than himself, it was Zhong. Zhong nosed the oyster shell. Xue opened it again to throw the pearl in the river.
“Stop!” He turned his head. It was the fortuneteller. “Don’t touch it!” It was too late. Xue and Zhong had touched the pearl at the same time. It started shining, as bright as the sun, and everything went white.
Clutching the pearl, Xue looked around. He and Zhong seemed to be standing on clouds. In front of him, a hole appeared in the clouds. He could see the Pearl River, and the fortuneteller at the river. Where he and Zhong had been standing minutes before was a shining white light. It seemed to be vaporizing the Pearl River. Slowly, the flooded river was receding. The hole in the clouds disappeared. A woman appeared in front of Xue. “Greetings, young one. I am Lo Shen, goddess of rivers. You have been rewarded, , for your life of hardships. You shall be the pearl, forever more. You shall rule under my guidance. But don’t worry, loyalty, will also forever be at your side.”
Xue and Zhong were back on earth. Well, more like, on water. They had been transformed. He was wearing rich, expensive robes. They were a deep blue, with fish, waves, gems, and storms embroidered on them. He had a staff in one hand. It had the same pearl in it that Zhong had found on the beach; instead it was a brilliant dark blue. Xue felt taller, cleaner and stronger. Zhong was next to him. His fur shone like it had been washed every day for years, and he wasn’t limping, with his wound healed. Xue realized that they were glowing. A soft golden glow outlined their bodies. They were standing on a huge wave, which was solid under their feet. The villagers were all at the bank of the river. They were cheering, every single one of them. The Pearl River had been shrunk to its normal size again. That was what the prophecy meant. Xue had fought the Pearl River with a pearl. Lo Shen appeared again. “Greetings again. I name you, the Xue Shui, God of The Pearl River. Your faithful friend shall forever be Zhong, the dog god of loyalty. You two shall, for the rest of time, control the Pearl River.” And the wave disappeared, and Xue Shui and Zhong fell into the river, never, to live on land again.
I guess we will never know if they were happy with their destiny. Who knows, Xue Shui’s vengeance may be flooding the river again, to show that he was not happy. But I know one thing. They are angry with the gods, as all Zhong and Xue wanted was a simple, happy life with a family. Zhong is still as loyal as can be, chasing fish, creating storms, but they are only happy together. What we have done, polluting the river and building factories have only made them even angrier. They are waiting for their vengeance on the gods. Be aware my friends, the Pearl River Delta!
Swooping in
Note: This story was used for a school assessment. It is supposed to be a 500 word extract from a book, describing our hero/villain, and showing how they are a hero or villain. The *'s means the story is switching to a different person's point of view.
Will always thought the world was normal, but that was before the winged woman saved his life. It started at a normal day in the office. That is, until the window smashed open, and a beeping device flew in. And exploded. In his face. Then he passed out. Gawd, he hated passing out.
***
She loved flying. She swooped through the sky, not worrying about the thousands of civilians below her. She knew that Zeus made her look like a pigeon to mortals when she was flying. She frowned. Zeus thought she looked like a pigeon, the most simple of beasts? Thats, thats just... Then she saw one. No offence to pigeons though. But why was the pigeon’s wing on fire? Thats strange… “Help! Up here! A bomb had gone off in the building!” So thats why the pigeon’s wing was on fire. Remembering her promise to to Pan, she sent a blast of water at the pigeon to put it's wing out, and dived into the building.
***
“Wake up Will! We need to get out of here!” A blurred face came into view. Then, looking astonished, it was lifted up and away. He screamed. No, it couldn’t be possible. But the look of terror of one of his colleagues told him wrong. What? No, that was the wimpy one. Harris. Will groaned, and sat up. The office was in a devastating state. Paper littered the floor, and several windows were smashed. A lot of it was burning. A grey figure with wings was gradually plucking the workers off the floor, most of them crying out in terror as the figure swooped in. It was hard to tell who or what the figure was, because of the smoke from the fire. He noticed he was the last one in the burning building. The whole structure groaned, as if it would collapse any minute. He saw the winged figure flying his way. He had a glimpse of a jade pendant and a silvery sword before he passed out. Again. Seriously, this was getting annoying.
***
She was starting to tire. The other gods should be helping too. It seemed like she was the only one helping mortals these days. She sighed. Only one mortal left. She made sure to use her chaos magic to make him pass out so he wouldn’t recognise her if she ever needed to save him again. Or annoyed her by screaming. That happened often. She was sure he was the last one, because the firemen would be able to get the others on the lower floors. She had flown the mortals to different places, so the mortals wouldn’t be suspicious of her deeds. When they arrived, he woke up. “What… who are you?” “Duh. A lifesaver.” “My name is... Will. Whats your name? ” He seemed a bit disoriented at the time so she figured it wouldn’t do any harm to tell him. “My name is Spira.”
Will always thought the world was normal, but that was before the winged woman saved his life. It started at a normal day in the office. That is, until the window smashed open, and a beeping device flew in. And exploded. In his face. Then he passed out. Gawd, he hated passing out.
***
She loved flying. She swooped through the sky, not worrying about the thousands of civilians below her. She knew that Zeus made her look like a pigeon to mortals when she was flying. She frowned. Zeus thought she looked like a pigeon, the most simple of beasts? Thats, thats just... Then she saw one. No offence to pigeons though. But why was the pigeon’s wing on fire? Thats strange… “Help! Up here! A bomb had gone off in the building!” So thats why the pigeon’s wing was on fire. Remembering her promise to to Pan, she sent a blast of water at the pigeon to put it's wing out, and dived into the building.
***
“Wake up Will! We need to get out of here!” A blurred face came into view. Then, looking astonished, it was lifted up and away. He screamed. No, it couldn’t be possible. But the look of terror of one of his colleagues told him wrong. What? No, that was the wimpy one. Harris. Will groaned, and sat up. The office was in a devastating state. Paper littered the floor, and several windows were smashed. A lot of it was burning. A grey figure with wings was gradually plucking the workers off the floor, most of them crying out in terror as the figure swooped in. It was hard to tell who or what the figure was, because of the smoke from the fire. He noticed he was the last one in the burning building. The whole structure groaned, as if it would collapse any minute. He saw the winged figure flying his way. He had a glimpse of a jade pendant and a silvery sword before he passed out. Again. Seriously, this was getting annoying.
***
She was starting to tire. The other gods should be helping too. It seemed like she was the only one helping mortals these days. She sighed. Only one mortal left. She made sure to use her chaos magic to make him pass out so he wouldn’t recognise her if she ever needed to save him again. Or annoyed her by screaming. That happened often. She was sure he was the last one, because the firemen would be able to get the others on the lower floors. She had flown the mortals to different places, so the mortals wouldn’t be suspicious of her deeds. When they arrived, he woke up. “What… who are you?” “Duh. A lifesaver.” “My name is... Will. Whats your name? ” He seemed a bit disoriented at the time so she figured it wouldn’t do any harm to tell him. “My name is Spira.”
Captain Nasty
“Oh no! Captain Nasty was back in town.
He was a bad guy with no weapons. His superpower was to be REALLY mean to people. He would go into banks or other places and say nasty things until everyone’s eyes were full of tears. When they couldn’t see, he would steal the money.
Jeremiah Lee and his friend Merry Weather were in the supermarket when Captain Nasty burst in.
The bad guy pointed to the supermarket manager. “You are a Poopy-Head,” he said. “And your feet smell.”
“They don’t,” said the manager, his face turning red, and his eyes going damp.
Jeremiah Lee, alias non-violent superhero Jeri Telstar, knew that he had to save the day. But how?”
Jeremiah couldn’t go and change because then it would be obvious that he was Jeri Telstar. He watched in horror as Captain Nasty stole $100,000 and 2 packs of coke. Next time, I’ll be ready, Jeremiah thought.
The next day, Jeremiah was at the park with Merry. They saw Captain Nasty sneaking up to the park! Jeremiah sneaked away to change. When he ran back, he saw Captain Nasty saying mean things to the ice cream man so he could have the ice cream to himself, (the ice cream was really cheap, but you know bad guys, they never do things fairly).
“Stinky Hands! Smelly Man! No wonder nobody buys your stinky ice cream.” The ice cream man started to cry.
“No.... that's not true...... Everybody likes my ice cream.....there was a time when.......WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!”
Jeri Telstar shouted to the ice cream man, “No, you’re right! You make the BEST ice cream in this town! All the little kids love you because you always smell like sugar! Isn’t that right kids?”
The little kids who were watching shouted: “GO ICE CREAM MAN!!! BOO NASTY MAN!!! ”
Jeri Telstar suddenly thought of something. “Why are you harassing the ice cream man? For his ice cream? I thought you said it was stinky?” Captain Nasty turned pale. “I... want his money, not stupid ice cream!! You little...! You’re all just tiny kids!”
As Captain Nasty started calling kids names, Merry Weather called the police.
“Captain Nasty! You’re coming with us!” The police were here! They came forward, putting Captain in hand cuffs.
“Thanks Jeri, we’ll wear ear muffs so that we can’t hear Captain Nasty’s mean words.”
Being taken to jail, Captain Nasty shouted “You stinky big fat loonies! I’ll get you for this Jeri Telstar! Just wait.......”
He was a bad guy with no weapons. His superpower was to be REALLY mean to people. He would go into banks or other places and say nasty things until everyone’s eyes were full of tears. When they couldn’t see, he would steal the money.
Jeremiah Lee and his friend Merry Weather were in the supermarket when Captain Nasty burst in.
The bad guy pointed to the supermarket manager. “You are a Poopy-Head,” he said. “And your feet smell.”
“They don’t,” said the manager, his face turning red, and his eyes going damp.
Jeremiah Lee, alias non-violent superhero Jeri Telstar, knew that he had to save the day. But how?”
Jeremiah couldn’t go and change because then it would be obvious that he was Jeri Telstar. He watched in horror as Captain Nasty stole $100,000 and 2 packs of coke. Next time, I’ll be ready, Jeremiah thought.
The next day, Jeremiah was at the park with Merry. They saw Captain Nasty sneaking up to the park! Jeremiah sneaked away to change. When he ran back, he saw Captain Nasty saying mean things to the ice cream man so he could have the ice cream to himself, (the ice cream was really cheap, but you know bad guys, they never do things fairly).
“Stinky Hands! Smelly Man! No wonder nobody buys your stinky ice cream.” The ice cream man started to cry.
“No.... that's not true...... Everybody likes my ice cream.....there was a time when.......WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!”
Jeri Telstar shouted to the ice cream man, “No, you’re right! You make the BEST ice cream in this town! All the little kids love you because you always smell like sugar! Isn’t that right kids?”
The little kids who were watching shouted: “GO ICE CREAM MAN!!! BOO NASTY MAN!!! ”
Jeri Telstar suddenly thought of something. “Why are you harassing the ice cream man? For his ice cream? I thought you said it was stinky?” Captain Nasty turned pale. “I... want his money, not stupid ice cream!! You little...! You’re all just tiny kids!”
As Captain Nasty started calling kids names, Merry Weather called the police.
“Captain Nasty! You’re coming with us!” The police were here! They came forward, putting Captain in hand cuffs.
“Thanks Jeri, we’ll wear ear muffs so that we can’t hear Captain Nasty’s mean words.”
Being taken to jail, Captain Nasty shouted “You stinky big fat loonies! I’ll get you for this Jeri Telstar! Just wait.......”
Black V.S. Pink and Orange
“I’m nearly there, so close!” murmured Samantha, a bright pink, talking cat, as the red-eyed black dogs chased her like prey. “soon the dogs won’t be able to get me, a few more yards!” As she clambered up a tree. Safe now, thank Bastet. She thought.
“Honey, did you leave one of your old toys in the backyard tree or did Carrot somehow bring it up there?”
“No Mom, maybe it was Carrot. I’ll get it anyway,” said Gemina, a thirteen year old girl who loved animals.
Imagine if it is a pink cat! She thought, as she climbed up the tree. As if, but how could Carrot do such a thing? She climbed up the tree and to her amazement, a bright pink cat, bedraggled, was dozing on a strong branch. Nervously, Gemina prodded the cat, but it didn’t stir. So she brought it down, to her room. “Now Carrot, I know this is a live cat, but you’re safe in your cage so don’t worry,” as Gemina reassured her orange parrot, Carrot. He squawked, but soon settled down.
The cat slept until the next day, until Gemina prodded it again and Carrot squawked loudly. “Holy Bastet will you keep it down?” complained the cat.
“Hey! I like being annoying!” squawked back Carrot.
Gemina, in awe of the 2 animals speaking, fainted.
Gemina woke up to see the pink cat and Carrot still arguing. “Look, I just want 10 minutes of peace and quiet, but NO, you just HAVE to sit there and squawk your little head off!”
The arguing continued nonstop for the next 10 minutes. “Then give me a reason to stop,” squawked Carrot.
“Look, I have just escaped from evil, black, massive, always rabid, red and glowing eyed dogs led by a same-way described dog called Growl, who wants to take over the world starting with this town, Livingville or something,”
“Livington,” corrected Gemina.
“Wonderful. You’re awake now, please tell your little but VERY annoying feather covered carrot to be quiet?”
“Yeah, yeah but what did you say about evil dogs taking over the world?”
“Yes, that is exactly what I said but you also forgot always rabid, red eyed and glowing eyed, massive.........” As the pink cat droned on with bad adjectives to describe the dogs, “By the way, you can call me Sam even though me name is Samantha.”
“When will the dogs take over?”
“Oh, precisely, tomorrow evening,”
“WHAT? That’s horrible!” Gemina nearly screamed.
Strangely, Sam was calmly asking Gemina if she thought the story that she had just told her was true.
“I just woke up?”
“Well, I suppose you are right,” replied Sam.
Well, what should we do? Thought Gemina. I know!
While Gemina was thinking, Sam and Carrot were arguing away.
“Guys!” Gemina scolded, “Stop messing about! We have a town to save!”
“Well, technically we are not guys. We are animals,” Carrot answered. “I have a plan!”
“Ok, but first just listen to my plan. First we will.......” Gemina explained her plan to the animals.
“I agree. My plan with the robotic dog to replace Growl and control the army is way to complicated,” commented Carrot.
“Yay! Can we send a letter?” asked Sam.
“Fine,” replied Gemina.
‘From, Anonymous’ wrote Gemina. “Yes!” both Carrot and Sam cheered.
“Let’s go deliver our letter,”
‘Mail for Growl’s Soldiers only’ Growl read. Growl, Growl thought. I’ll get the men to spill the beans later. Right now I’ve got an attack to plan.
“Boys! Mail for you!” growled Growl. “Read your mail. I can’t, so work it out you dumbbells,” and with that, he stormed off.
Minutes later, the dogs were fighting. “WHATS GOING ON?” bellowed Growl.
A dog accidentally yapped, “But I wanna be the leader!”
About 10 minutes later, after an immense fight, the dogs split up, soon going to be caught and cured from their rabidness.
“We did it!” triumphed Sam, “So um, bye. I’ll send postcards,”
“Yeah, we can try keep in touch,” answered Carrot and Gemina tearfully.
And with that, they walked to their destiny.
“Honey, did you leave one of your old toys in the backyard tree or did Carrot somehow bring it up there?”
“No Mom, maybe it was Carrot. I’ll get it anyway,” said Gemina, a thirteen year old girl who loved animals.
Imagine if it is a pink cat! She thought, as she climbed up the tree. As if, but how could Carrot do such a thing? She climbed up the tree and to her amazement, a bright pink cat, bedraggled, was dozing on a strong branch. Nervously, Gemina prodded the cat, but it didn’t stir. So she brought it down, to her room. “Now Carrot, I know this is a live cat, but you’re safe in your cage so don’t worry,” as Gemina reassured her orange parrot, Carrot. He squawked, but soon settled down.
The cat slept until the next day, until Gemina prodded it again and Carrot squawked loudly. “Holy Bastet will you keep it down?” complained the cat.
“Hey! I like being annoying!” squawked back Carrot.
Gemina, in awe of the 2 animals speaking, fainted.
Gemina woke up to see the pink cat and Carrot still arguing. “Look, I just want 10 minutes of peace and quiet, but NO, you just HAVE to sit there and squawk your little head off!”
The arguing continued nonstop for the next 10 minutes. “Then give me a reason to stop,” squawked Carrot.
“Look, I have just escaped from evil, black, massive, always rabid, red and glowing eyed dogs led by a same-way described dog called Growl, who wants to take over the world starting with this town, Livingville or something,”
“Livington,” corrected Gemina.
“Wonderful. You’re awake now, please tell your little but VERY annoying feather covered carrot to be quiet?”
“Yeah, yeah but what did you say about evil dogs taking over the world?”
“Yes, that is exactly what I said but you also forgot always rabid, red eyed and glowing eyed, massive.........” As the pink cat droned on with bad adjectives to describe the dogs, “By the way, you can call me Sam even though me name is Samantha.”
“When will the dogs take over?”
“Oh, precisely, tomorrow evening,”
“WHAT? That’s horrible!” Gemina nearly screamed.
Strangely, Sam was calmly asking Gemina if she thought the story that she had just told her was true.
“I just woke up?”
“Well, I suppose you are right,” replied Sam.
Well, what should we do? Thought Gemina. I know!
While Gemina was thinking, Sam and Carrot were arguing away.
“Guys!” Gemina scolded, “Stop messing about! We have a town to save!”
“Well, technically we are not guys. We are animals,” Carrot answered. “I have a plan!”
“Ok, but first just listen to my plan. First we will.......” Gemina explained her plan to the animals.
“I agree. My plan with the robotic dog to replace Growl and control the army is way to complicated,” commented Carrot.
“Yay! Can we send a letter?” asked Sam.
“Fine,” replied Gemina.
‘From, Anonymous’ wrote Gemina. “Yes!” both Carrot and Sam cheered.
“Let’s go deliver our letter,”
‘Mail for Growl’s Soldiers only’ Growl read. Growl, Growl thought. I’ll get the men to spill the beans later. Right now I’ve got an attack to plan.
“Boys! Mail for you!” growled Growl. “Read your mail. I can’t, so work it out you dumbbells,” and with that, he stormed off.
Minutes later, the dogs were fighting. “WHATS GOING ON?” bellowed Growl.
A dog accidentally yapped, “But I wanna be the leader!”
About 10 minutes later, after an immense fight, the dogs split up, soon going to be caught and cured from their rabidness.
“We did it!” triumphed Sam, “So um, bye. I’ll send postcards,”
“Yeah, we can try keep in touch,” answered Carrot and Gemina tearfully.
And with that, they walked to their destiny.
Dragon of the Wall
Hey. I'll tell you a story.
It's about a girl, a tiger, a group of runaways and the evil man who wanted to take over China.
Not many people know it. It happened in the beginnings of the Opium wars…… "Oh, come on, is that the best you can do? Come on Tin, you're a tiger and I'm just a tiny girl, how can you still not catch me?” Mei Niao was an orphan of about 15, living in the wild with a tame tiger Tin Li.
Suddenly, Mei heard a group of people coming by.
"Quick Tin, we need to hide!" Mei and Tin ducked behind some nearby bushes and watched through gaps in the leaves. They saw a man leading a group of 7.. The man with dark blue cap was walking in front, a bump pouch was wrapped, and a black book, with lots of bookmarks it was hanging out. "How much farther till the Great Wall, Dai Pei?” "Stop asking and we'll be there sooner, solider," snapped Dai Pei.
They groaned but kept walking.
"Now remember the plan, I will turn the Great Wall into a dragon with my book, and the emperor shall turn the throne over to me! We will all live in luxury for the rest of our days! Understand?" "Understand," said the soldiers in a bored way. When Mei couldn't see or hear them anymore, she sat down and thought.
Should I help China or not?
I've never really cared for the Chinese villagers, but things might go terribly wrong. If I help China, then all of those villagers might suddenly give me more attention and I wouldn't have time to do anything, like play with Tin. Maybe I should, but I just not tell anyone about what happened......it will just be like nothing happened!!! That works! While she was deep in thought, Tin had been pawing Mei. He thought she was sad and wanted to save the villagers. Thinking they understood each other, they stood up and started walking, determined to save China. Meanwhile a group of six British runaway soldiers had their own problems.
"Come on! We got a shelter to make! We got destiny to follow! "Ok Johnny, a little less exaggerating, ok? We want to go, we have to make a shelter, but we didn't need to go." The other men glared at Tom. They had escaped in Hong Kong and after 3 weeks, arrived in Beijing. They would walk to the Great Wall, dig under it and create a home
The men arrived at a stream. Upstream, they could see movement. "Hey, look!" said Charles.
"There is someone else here," groaned Tom, who was tired of walking. "No! There is a girl on the other side and a tiger!" Charles cried. "The tiger is trying to eat the girl! He is sneaking up on her, she doesn’t not know he is right behind her," said John. "We have to save her!" cried Charles. " Lets go!" shouted John.
Mei, looked sideways and cried in Chinese, "Oh no!" John ran and jumped in front of the tiger, pointing his gun. Mei shouted in Chinese, "NO! He is my friend! He will listen to me!" Charles, from a rich family had learnt Chinese. He understood what Mei said, and shouted to John," The girl says the tiger is tame!" "Really?" asked John. "Show him that the tiger is tame" said Charles to Mei. "Come on Tin! Over here!" said Mei Niao shakily. Tin followed Mei. "Ok Tin, jump over this log, and the scary man won't hurt you," Tin Li jumped over the log, and sat down in front of Mei. "It's tame, but what do we do now?" asked Ken. "What were you doing?" Charles asked Mei. "Those men, camping further upstream are trying to take over China by turning the Great Wall into a dragon!" replied Mei. Charles translated and told the rest of the men what was happening. "What should we do?" asked Paul. "We have to save China. Who's with me?" said John. "Me!" So they sat down together to make a plan.
Mei peeked through the bushes. She could see Dai Pei and his men casually strolling out of their tents with weapons.
When they left, Mei crept into the clearing. She looked around, and headed for the most luxurious tent.She crept inside. There was a scroll wrapped up in a grey blanket in the corner. Mei carefully unwrapped it and saw a scroll. The title was “Dark Magic”.
Mei gasped. She could hear footsteps coming!
"What's this?" asked Dai. "Tie this thief up. She was trying to steal my scroll." Mei she screamed"HELP ME!" Charles heard her cry and called out . "Lets go! We have to save Mei and China," "Run! we've been ambushed!" screamed a soldier. John and his gang ran into the clearing. Soldier ran, screaming at the sight of the muscly British men barging in.
John & Charles untied Mei while Tom and the others searched for the scroll.
They didn't notice DaiPei crawling towards Tom, who was about to rip apart the scroll. "Aha!" yelled DaiPei, who had grabbed the scroll. “Tin!" called Charles At the sound of his name, Tin jumped down from a tree and quickly untied the up group. "Come on! we have to stop Dai!" said Mei.
They ran to the forest, where DaiPei and his men were walking to the Great Wall.
"Destroy the scroll!" Yelled John, then Charles too in Chinese. Ken grabbed it and threw it to Tin, who chewed it up and spat it into nearby stream.. "No!" yelled DaiPei. "You shall pay for this, PAY!"
And with that, he and his men retreated to the forest. Some say they were eaten by man eating plants, or died of gloom and misery. The British men continued their planned life and Mei continued hers.
How do I know this? I'm a traveller. I have gone to many places.
THE END
It's about a girl, a tiger, a group of runaways and the evil man who wanted to take over China.
Not many people know it. It happened in the beginnings of the Opium wars…… "Oh, come on, is that the best you can do? Come on Tin, you're a tiger and I'm just a tiny girl, how can you still not catch me?” Mei Niao was an orphan of about 15, living in the wild with a tame tiger Tin Li.
Suddenly, Mei heard a group of people coming by.
"Quick Tin, we need to hide!" Mei and Tin ducked behind some nearby bushes and watched through gaps in the leaves. They saw a man leading a group of 7.. The man with dark blue cap was walking in front, a bump pouch was wrapped, and a black book, with lots of bookmarks it was hanging out. "How much farther till the Great Wall, Dai Pei?” "Stop asking and we'll be there sooner, solider," snapped Dai Pei.
They groaned but kept walking.
"Now remember the plan, I will turn the Great Wall into a dragon with my book, and the emperor shall turn the throne over to me! We will all live in luxury for the rest of our days! Understand?" "Understand," said the soldiers in a bored way. When Mei couldn't see or hear them anymore, she sat down and thought.
Should I help China or not?
I've never really cared for the Chinese villagers, but things might go terribly wrong. If I help China, then all of those villagers might suddenly give me more attention and I wouldn't have time to do anything, like play with Tin. Maybe I should, but I just not tell anyone about what happened......it will just be like nothing happened!!! That works! While she was deep in thought, Tin had been pawing Mei. He thought she was sad and wanted to save the villagers. Thinking they understood each other, they stood up and started walking, determined to save China. Meanwhile a group of six British runaway soldiers had their own problems.
"Come on! We got a shelter to make! We got destiny to follow! "Ok Johnny, a little less exaggerating, ok? We want to go, we have to make a shelter, but we didn't need to go." The other men glared at Tom. They had escaped in Hong Kong and after 3 weeks, arrived in Beijing. They would walk to the Great Wall, dig under it and create a home
The men arrived at a stream. Upstream, they could see movement. "Hey, look!" said Charles.
"There is someone else here," groaned Tom, who was tired of walking. "No! There is a girl on the other side and a tiger!" Charles cried. "The tiger is trying to eat the girl! He is sneaking up on her, she doesn’t not know he is right behind her," said John. "We have to save her!" cried Charles. " Lets go!" shouted John.
Mei, looked sideways and cried in Chinese, "Oh no!" John ran and jumped in front of the tiger, pointing his gun. Mei shouted in Chinese, "NO! He is my friend! He will listen to me!" Charles, from a rich family had learnt Chinese. He understood what Mei said, and shouted to John," The girl says the tiger is tame!" "Really?" asked John. "Show him that the tiger is tame" said Charles to Mei. "Come on Tin! Over here!" said Mei Niao shakily. Tin followed Mei. "Ok Tin, jump over this log, and the scary man won't hurt you," Tin Li jumped over the log, and sat down in front of Mei. "It's tame, but what do we do now?" asked Ken. "What were you doing?" Charles asked Mei. "Those men, camping further upstream are trying to take over China by turning the Great Wall into a dragon!" replied Mei. Charles translated and told the rest of the men what was happening. "What should we do?" asked Paul. "We have to save China. Who's with me?" said John. "Me!" So they sat down together to make a plan.
Mei peeked through the bushes. She could see Dai Pei and his men casually strolling out of their tents with weapons.
When they left, Mei crept into the clearing. She looked around, and headed for the most luxurious tent.She crept inside. There was a scroll wrapped up in a grey blanket in the corner. Mei carefully unwrapped it and saw a scroll. The title was “Dark Magic”.
Mei gasped. She could hear footsteps coming!
"What's this?" asked Dai. "Tie this thief up. She was trying to steal my scroll." Mei she screamed"HELP ME!" Charles heard her cry and called out . "Lets go! We have to save Mei and China," "Run! we've been ambushed!" screamed a soldier. John and his gang ran into the clearing. Soldier ran, screaming at the sight of the muscly British men barging in.
John & Charles untied Mei while Tom and the others searched for the scroll.
They didn't notice DaiPei crawling towards Tom, who was about to rip apart the scroll. "Aha!" yelled DaiPei, who had grabbed the scroll. “Tin!" called Charles At the sound of his name, Tin jumped down from a tree and quickly untied the up group. "Come on! we have to stop Dai!" said Mei.
They ran to the forest, where DaiPei and his men were walking to the Great Wall.
"Destroy the scroll!" Yelled John, then Charles too in Chinese. Ken grabbed it and threw it to Tin, who chewed it up and spat it into nearby stream.. "No!" yelled DaiPei. "You shall pay for this, PAY!"
And with that, he and his men retreated to the forest. Some say they were eaten by man eating plants, or died of gloom and misery. The British men continued their planned life and Mei continued hers.
How do I know this? I'm a traveller. I have gone to many places.
THE END
The School In the Sky
The rumbling sound grew louder. Then the floor shook! “It’s an earthquake!” said the teacher. “We need to get to safety”. Then it changed from a rumble to a loud hum, as you would get on an aircraft. “Stay calm”, said the teacher. “And we’ll file out to the playground in an orderly manner”.
However, the first child to reach the door leading to the outside stopped and squealed. Jeremiah Lee ran up to the doorway to see what was happening out in the playground. However, there was no playground. The school had shot up into the sky.
Somebody had stolen the building and everyone in it. Jeremiah Lee ran to the boy’s toilet to change into his Jeri Telstar costume.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
When do you think he’ll hand it over?’ asked Bobby.
“Dunno,” said Frank.
Frank the talking Bald Eagle and Bobby Pennypincher the wanted robber had gotten the stolen school into the sky. They had brought it up with their marvelous invention called Lightning Striker, a jet that was white with red streaks on it. They would get the principle to hand over the money that the school earned. Then they would travel all over the world to get money from schools. Next, they would get the! They would be trillionaires! They would rule the world! However, as they thought these evil thoughts, Bobby and Frank didn’t notice Jeri Telstar using his rocket boots to get to the ground.
“Well, first things first”, Jeri thought. “I must deliver food to the school. How about pies first, about everybody like pies.”
“I would like to buy 232 custard pies,” ordered Jeremiah Lee. “That’s a lot of pies, sir”, said the shopkeeper. “The cost is $100 please”. Jeremiah paid. “Please can you deliver the pies in front of St. Claire's School of Knowledge’s gate and make it quick”, Jeremiah Lee said and left.
“I feel like do’ in just a little teasing the kiddies and the teacher’s, wouldn’t you say so, Frankie?” asked Bobby. “Nice,” said Frank “I can’t wait to hear them squeal”.
“Finally the pies are here”, mumbled Jeremiah Lee. “Put them down there”. Jeremiah pointed down to the spot. The driver grunted, but did what he was told. As the driver left, Jeri Telstar looked up at the school. Suddenly something caught his eye. Bobby Pennypincher! Bobby was the most wanted robber worldwide! Bobby and his sidekick Frank, the evil talking bald eagle, were or seemed to be unstoppable. Now, to see Bobby terrorizing the pupils, and bullying the teachers, it was as if it was just all one big nightmare. But suddenly, his anger made him rise on his rocket boots with a custard pie in each hand, and throw the two custard pies at Bobby. Target hit. Frank looked at Jeri Telstar and gulped. Frank had always hated pies.
The pupils and teacher’s started cheering. Suddenly the wail of a police car filled the air. The police had been drugged! Frank suddenly called out “I surrender! I’ll do anything if you don’t throw pies on me! I hate pies!” And with that, he brought the school back to the ground. Bobby gulped once more. The police officers handcuffed Bobby. The police handcuffed Frank’s legs and led the two villains away. “Bobby will go to jail for 5 years, Frank will go to a zoo.” Announced Captain Stanhope. Jeri Telstar flew away to the nearest bathroom to change. He had saved the town with just some lunch.
THE END
However, the first child to reach the door leading to the outside stopped and squealed. Jeremiah Lee ran up to the doorway to see what was happening out in the playground. However, there was no playground. The school had shot up into the sky.
Somebody had stolen the building and everyone in it. Jeremiah Lee ran to the boy’s toilet to change into his Jeri Telstar costume.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
When do you think he’ll hand it over?’ asked Bobby.
“Dunno,” said Frank.
Frank the talking Bald Eagle and Bobby Pennypincher the wanted robber had gotten the stolen school into the sky. They had brought it up with their marvelous invention called Lightning Striker, a jet that was white with red streaks on it. They would get the principle to hand over the money that the school earned. Then they would travel all over the world to get money from schools. Next, they would get the! They would be trillionaires! They would rule the world! However, as they thought these evil thoughts, Bobby and Frank didn’t notice Jeri Telstar using his rocket boots to get to the ground.
“Well, first things first”, Jeri thought. “I must deliver food to the school. How about pies first, about everybody like pies.”
“I would like to buy 232 custard pies,” ordered Jeremiah Lee. “That’s a lot of pies, sir”, said the shopkeeper. “The cost is $100 please”. Jeremiah paid. “Please can you deliver the pies in front of St. Claire's School of Knowledge’s gate and make it quick”, Jeremiah Lee said and left.
“I feel like do’ in just a little teasing the kiddies and the teacher’s, wouldn’t you say so, Frankie?” asked Bobby. “Nice,” said Frank “I can’t wait to hear them squeal”.
“Finally the pies are here”, mumbled Jeremiah Lee. “Put them down there”. Jeremiah pointed down to the spot. The driver grunted, but did what he was told. As the driver left, Jeri Telstar looked up at the school. Suddenly something caught his eye. Bobby Pennypincher! Bobby was the most wanted robber worldwide! Bobby and his sidekick Frank, the evil talking bald eagle, were or seemed to be unstoppable. Now, to see Bobby terrorizing the pupils, and bullying the teachers, it was as if it was just all one big nightmare. But suddenly, his anger made him rise on his rocket boots with a custard pie in each hand, and throw the two custard pies at Bobby. Target hit. Frank looked at Jeri Telstar and gulped. Frank had always hated pies.
The pupils and teacher’s started cheering. Suddenly the wail of a police car filled the air. The police had been drugged! Frank suddenly called out “I surrender! I’ll do anything if you don’t throw pies on me! I hate pies!” And with that, he brought the school back to the ground. Bobby gulped once more. The police officers handcuffed Bobby. The police handcuffed Frank’s legs and led the two villains away. “Bobby will go to jail for 5 years, Frank will go to a zoo.” Announced Captain Stanhope. Jeri Telstar flew away to the nearest bathroom to change. He had saved the town with just some lunch.
THE END
Sammy and John Crack the Case!!
“Over here! Over here!”,Yelled John with all his might.
“We HAVE to win!”, He thought.
After losing the last 3 tournaments, they had to win. Hopefully, luck was on their side. He looked at Sammy, his German shepherd pet. Sammy was also (John's football team) the Gold Dragon's mascot. Sammy could also talk to John in his mind.
“I think we might be winning” thought Sammy.
“I hope you're right” Thought John.
Then Ben, John's best friend, with lots of power, kicked the football into the air the football and John kicked it past Colfornia East High school's goal keeper into the white tangled lose net. The crowd roared with satisfaction. They had finally won!!! John couldn't believe his luck. He cheered as loud as an elephant as his team-mates held him up while he held the shimmering, golden trophy.
“This the absolute BEST day of my life!!”Thought John.
“So far” added Sammy.
“Right” mumbled John.
Sammy was a 6 month old, strong, active, German shepherd. His shaggy coat would sway in the strong billowing wind. He would look at most people with sparkling, blue, mischievous, eyes. His one and only owner was John Hillings. John was a strong, sporty, 16 year old boy, and always ready for action. Together they made a great team. They smiled happily as they neared the spooky, lush, Calford Woods.
But when all seemed peaceful, they heard a deafening, ear-piercing scream. “Hey, I think I know that voice” said John.“It's my cousin Sally Morgan!!”
And with that, they dashed like lightning to the heart of the forest where the screams had come from. But all they saw was a glimpse of a bedraggled, dirty, bald man in black sprinting away in a rush.
“Oh well, bad luck”Said John as they trudged home sadly. Sammy thought about what he could have done if they had got there in time. “Maybe I could have had him bitten on the bottom, . . .”.
By the time they got home, red, orange and yellow lights glowed from the west. “how was football dear?” asked John's mum.
“Oh, we won.” John said, “I scored the winning score too!”. “Great! now eat your dinner and off to bed” said his mum.
“Let's go after that guy who tried to poison Sally” thought Sammy.
So that's what they did. They ran like a thunderbolt to Calford Woods. They saw the murderer and silently called the police and secretly said “ Come here to Calford Woods. There's a murderer,” By the time the stern police came, John yelled angrily “YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!”
The murderer froze. As the muscular police took the murderer, an officer said “thank you. This man is on the very top of our dangerous list.” John nodded happily.
John and Sammy dragged the poisoned Sally slowly to Dr. Thompson's Medical Care Centre. They gave her the medicine that she needed and after 3 extremely strong pills she came back to life.
“I-I'm alive?” She asked.
“Yes you are” said John softly.
So that is how Sammy and John cracked their very first case. And so, they lived happily ever after, (except the murderer).
THE END
“We HAVE to win!”, He thought.
After losing the last 3 tournaments, they had to win. Hopefully, luck was on their side. He looked at Sammy, his German shepherd pet. Sammy was also (John's football team) the Gold Dragon's mascot. Sammy could also talk to John in his mind.
“I think we might be winning” thought Sammy.
“I hope you're right” Thought John.
Then Ben, John's best friend, with lots of power, kicked the football into the air the football and John kicked it past Colfornia East High school's goal keeper into the white tangled lose net. The crowd roared with satisfaction. They had finally won!!! John couldn't believe his luck. He cheered as loud as an elephant as his team-mates held him up while he held the shimmering, golden trophy.
“This the absolute BEST day of my life!!”Thought John.
“So far” added Sammy.
“Right” mumbled John.
Sammy was a 6 month old, strong, active, German shepherd. His shaggy coat would sway in the strong billowing wind. He would look at most people with sparkling, blue, mischievous, eyes. His one and only owner was John Hillings. John was a strong, sporty, 16 year old boy, and always ready for action. Together they made a great team. They smiled happily as they neared the spooky, lush, Calford Woods.
But when all seemed peaceful, they heard a deafening, ear-piercing scream. “Hey, I think I know that voice” said John.“It's my cousin Sally Morgan!!”
And with that, they dashed like lightning to the heart of the forest where the screams had come from. But all they saw was a glimpse of a bedraggled, dirty, bald man in black sprinting away in a rush.
“Oh well, bad luck”Said John as they trudged home sadly. Sammy thought about what he could have done if they had got there in time. “Maybe I could have had him bitten on the bottom, . . .”.
By the time they got home, red, orange and yellow lights glowed from the west. “how was football dear?” asked John's mum.
“Oh, we won.” John said, “I scored the winning score too!”. “Great! now eat your dinner and off to bed” said his mum.
“Let's go after that guy who tried to poison Sally” thought Sammy.
So that's what they did. They ran like a thunderbolt to Calford Woods. They saw the murderer and silently called the police and secretly said “ Come here to Calford Woods. There's a murderer,” By the time the stern police came, John yelled angrily “YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!”
The murderer froze. As the muscular police took the murderer, an officer said “thank you. This man is on the very top of our dangerous list.” John nodded happily.
John and Sammy dragged the poisoned Sally slowly to Dr. Thompson's Medical Care Centre. They gave her the medicine that she needed and after 3 extremely strong pills she came back to life.
“I-I'm alive?” She asked.
“Yes you are” said John softly.
So that is how Sammy and John cracked their very first case. And so, they lived happily ever after, (except the murderer).
THE END