Dear Mother,

The turnip you gave me was unexpectedly a bit sweet but did wear me off when we hit a bump in the train.I got quite scared on the way, thinking we would die at any second.Thankfully, I managed to survive all in one piece.On the way inside the train, my shiny shoes you bought me as a goodbye gift, sadly got dipped in a pile of cow dung.I tried my best to scratch it off, I really did, but unfortunately it decided to stay on its spot not budge.The view wasn’t as beautifully clean as I thought it would be. I couldn’t see much outside the window because the train kept on coughing out smoke, as if it were choking on a wearing out fire.When we arrived, that was the time my heart started to uncontrollably thump really hard.I tried to blend in with the other kids, hoping I might get a nice guardian.I anxiously waited and waited until I started shivering with worry and cold.Why wasn’t any one coming for me? Was it maybe because of my dirty shoes? I decided to sit on a nearby bench.It kept on squeaking as I moved and rummaged around trying to find a comfy spot on it.It seemed as if I was the last kid there.I got so worried that I started sweating, until I saw it.I saw a short, fat figure, waddling towards me.For a second I thought it was a really plumpy penguin trying to adopt me.I realized all of that waddling was because of the figure’s, short lumpy legs.I sighed in despair.I thought I was going to get a nice, loving parent.I least I actually got one, it was better than nothing.I got up.The figure turned out to be a fat lady, with not a really nice welcoming smile.I didn’t do anything but stand there, hoping I might get a spark of luck.The lady struggled as she reached for my bony wrist.Suddenly, a tall, thin shadow towered over me.This one made me somehow think I was lucky enough.My eyes twinkled with joy.A lady with mid-length oak hair came over to me with a warm smile.I realized she was wearing the exact same wooly beret as mine.She gently held out her hand.The fat lady started screaming at her.The oak lady didn’t argue back.Was I supposed to choose? I knew exactly who to pick. I could easily look over the fat lady’s shoulder, and spotted a shivering little boy in a corner.I stuck out my hand to the oak lady with excitement as we marched off together.I felt really bad as I watched over my shoulder, as that little boy was surely going to have a really hard time with that blob.

It turned out, this lady’s name was Miss Levine.She took me on a wonderful tour around her fresh, clean house.Her home looked shockingly small on the outside, but was luxuriously big on the inside.She said she specially saved and hand-cleaned the room for me.She also said she was going to take great care of me, I hope she is right.

My room was up in the attic.It was bigger than I thought it would be.Not too big, not too small, perfect.It still had a few little spiders and cobwebs in the small corners, but those couldn’t bother me more.The room was made of shiny, peanut wood.It was quite creaky, but suited me fine.My bed was a basic, mattress, with a wood border around it.It had some filthy poles on each side, with a small lamp. On a black cupboard.This was like my dream room.Her room was quite the same as mine, but the bigger version and much more duller. Turns out, she had a 5 year old daughter, Carol.She was going to be my new little sister.I was quite nervous about it so, I got a  little cup of tea.I wasn’t able to eat or drink upstairs, like your rule.The kitchen was little,no bigger than my room, with only a sink and a small dining table, just like our home.Next to the rusty sink, I saw a sponge, wooden bucket and laundry stick.I was guessing that was the work for me to do.She had a little TV in her room, Carol said she always snuggled with her mum when wanting to watch TV.I was panicking, thinking I was left out as the third wheel.I let that thought go and started exploring the back and front garden.

Her back garden had loads of stuffings.First of all, 5 bags with different shades, with labels on each of them so we could distinguish the different types of crops we were going to grow.I saw an old tray heaving: carrots, potatoes, radishes, beetroots,peas,beans and parsnips.I got quite excited, knowing we were going to feast on all of these fresh vegetables.Her front garden however, had a central fountain(as they call it) as you entered from the gate.I had never seen any of these before.Were they to collect and drink water from?I try to research and ask more questions about this sort of spitting machine.

Carol said she went to her school down the road, J.O.Carter Primary, and that I would be joining soon too.I was really excited and worried at the same time, but couldn’t do anything about it.I decided not to tell Miss Levine about all my frustrations, because I didn’t want to bother her too much.We lived in the cityside, so unfortunately, I didn’t get to see any farm animals as I hoped to.Imagine all those other kids who got lucky, and got to live on the countryside.At least I got a free trial to the city.Miss Levine had a forest shade car, Cadillac Series 62, she protests.Those kind of cars seemed to be everywhere we walked. In front of her house, the pavements, near tall buildings, and everywhere else.

Carol says at her school they played all sorts of games like, hopscotch, four square, jump rope, and chess together, as well as all types of ball games.She says board games were popular too like Monopoly, Scrabble, Life, checkers, chess, backgammon, Chinese checkers, and dominoes.I was sizzling with joy, as I had never played all of these new games before.I was going to have a new life experience, this adoption was going to change my life forever.

Maybe being here isn’t too bad.Anyways,please write to me too.I promise I will try my best in school and be a brilliant daughter to you, Dad and Miss Levine, and be a wonderful older sister to Carol.I hope you don’t get too worried or jealous(sorry).Please Inform Dad that I love him from the bottom of my feet when he comes back(If he does come back in one piece, that is).I love you too Mum.I love Suzie, Robert, Sharon and James.Sadly we got separated at the station though.Make sure to write to me every, single day, like I will.I am doing great, and I hope you are too,

Your favourite child,

Cheryl

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