If I were summoned to make a treasure.

If I were summoned,

To create a treasure,

I would take:

The smell of

The lethal venom of a Black Mamba,

An old artifact from the Colosseum

And a crisp yellow page from Anne Frank’s diary.

The sight of 

The colourful beak of a majestic Toucan,

The claw of an Asian Black Bear,

and a burning star shooting towards Earth.

The touch of

A rocky crater in the glowing, yellow moon,

A crumb of a gingerbread man

And a battered gun from WWII

The sound of 

a coin from ancient Rome clattering on the ground,

Acid rain pattering on the floor

And stones crumbling from Mount Rushmore.

The taste of

Boiling water coming from a dragon’s mouth,

Expired bread from 1999

And fish soup stirring in a bowl.

Dear Mum,

Thanks for the ripe, red apple. It was very sweet. After eating it, I started playing with my solitaire cards. Then, after what felt like centuries, we arrived in Yorkshire. I got off the train and waited patiently for someone to choose me. A nice lady who was very friendly took me to her home and made me take a warm shower then gave me something to eat. Yorkshire is much better than Liverpool and the air is much fresher.

Later, I found out that the lady’s name is Sharon but I have to call her Ms. Bakewell. Her house is pretty big and it feels warmer. She has a farm at the back of her house instead of a farm and you’ll never guess but she has chickens and ducks.

I have a room next to the bathroom and it is very nice. I have a small bed but it feels very cosy and nice. Ms Bakewells bedroom looks very boring but she told me at least I’m grateful. She also has a really big kitchen with another table and chairs in it. There is also a living room with lots of nice pictures and paintings.

Every day, after school, I change my clothes and try to catch the chickens and make their bodies move without their heads moving as well. It is very funny to watch and keeps me out of the house for a bit to get fresh air. It is very fun and entertaining because when I move their bodies they look very funny.

The village is giant and there are alot of children who are about my age and I play games with them when they are allowed out. Sometimes, I show the tricks with my solitaire cards and they always seem amazed. There is a kid that I am best friends with and they also go to my school. At lunch we always trade food and we never get into a fight with each other. Although there are some bullies.

School is very good because the teachers aren’t strict and the boys and girls are very kind and funny. They play football there and that’s very good becase I can join in too. The children pass the ball to me and let me take shots. It is very fun and it always makes me happy that everyone is very kind and polite. 

I hope everything will be fine and the war will end soon so I can come back home. I will pray for you every night beside my bed.

Lots of Love

Hannah

The winter break limped by, like an old person trying to climb the stairs. Every day Joel and Steward would both sit in front of the fireplace with a blanket covering their bodies. Outside the wind was whistling, the snow was falling and the lakes turned to ice. Inside, the fireplace was on, warmth filled everyone’s bodies -even Steward’s- and food was warming up. The street was empty and everyone was inside. 

In the daytime, Steward would wander off and do what he wanted. But at night when Joel would visit him Steward randomly dissapear into the trees and come back with anything he can find. This was only when he heard something drop or fall. Joel always wondered what would happen if some found out about Steward. But given the ability to camouflage easily and his height, no one could see Steward if their eyes open wide. At night Steward would go to sleep or camouflage in the trees. In the daytime, Steward would still stay in the shadows but also wander about.

But it happened. One dark Sunday evening, one of Joel’s new friends ,Tim, was playing in the woods when he stumbled across Joel holding Steward. “Joel,” he started to say. “ Why are you here? And why do you have a lizard in your hand?!” Tim was so amazed by Steward that he ran up to him and tried to grab him.  But , fortunately, Joel quickly took him back. At home, Joel and Mrs Bakewell  had a discussion about it and agreed that they should move him somewhere else so nobody else would find out and he would be safe.

In the room of war,

Ghastly gunshots were fired, left and right.

In the room of illness,

Death was knocking on someone’s door.

In the room of rain,

Everything was as wet as an umbrella.

In the room of nature,

Roaring shrews were thumping everywhere.

In the room of money,

Everyone was rich like Elon Musk.

In the room of weapons,

Axes turned into guns

And guns turned into swords.

In the room of jewels,

Ice turned into diamonds and sapphires.