Thomas and the Diamonds
By Grace Ella Hartley
Once upon a time there was a boy called Thomas. He had a very miserable life working in a smelly old stuff house as a slave. One day his master came up to him and demanded, “Build me a new road!”
Thomas’ Master had once been told by fairies that there was treasure under the ground here, so of course, he had thought it was diamonds and gold.
“Ha-ha” muttered the Master under his breath, “He doesn’t know the real reason why he is building a road.”
Thomas was too stunned to speak but soon set off to the aching work ahead of him. In a few horrible days he had build a wonderful but bumpy road. He was very pleased with himself.
Soon his Master came over to him to try out the road and gave a big sigh when he saw that no diamonds had been found. “This road is too bumpy for my horse’s legs.”
Heartbroken Thomas started all his hard work all over again and in a few tiring weeks he had built another new road. It had a few small holes so he was not sure that his master would like it. Later on when his Master came to try out the road and found out there were still no diamonds he gave an even louder sigh and said, “This road has too many holes. Start again and hurry up, you!”
Thomas’s shoulders drooped, his head sagged and he walked off sadly to start the horriblest, biggest work he had ever done. He talked to himself whilst he was drooping along, “I’m so unlucky all…”
He was interrupted by his Master. “Hurry up you twit and start moving, fast, yes faster, even faster.” Poor Thomas by that time was racing along.
In the most dreadful months of digging and sawing he remembered what life was like before the terrible drought and the villagers’ crops had begun to fail. But that dark and gloomy night at last it rained.
In the morning Thomas was woken up by the delighted screams of the villagers. Puddles on the ground shone like glass. Villagers were running around madly collecting water. However from behind the horizon came a glittering light and the blood-red sun came out and sucked up all the gleaming water. The villagers’ shoulders all sagged and they drooped back home.
The next day poor Thomas set to work again. He reluctantly plunged his spade into the ground. Suddenly there was a whoosh and Thomas was knocked back. What could it be? “Water, water!” screamed a passing boy. Thomas looked confused. The boy panted, “Don’t you know you’ve just found a new spring of water?”
Soon the whole village was down there cheering and shouting. Thomas’s master came to see what all the noise was about. He shook his fist furiously and shouted, “That boy is working for me!”
The crowd ignored him. They were too excited to listen. The mayor gave Thomas a new job looking after his garden and Thomas’s whole family were moved to the wonderful place. They lived happily ever after.
A Story
By William Ross McFadyen
The doe, heavily pregnant, looked up from her grazing, a patch of heather untouched by the harsh Norwegian frost. In addition to pregnancy, she had an infected hoof, cancelling all chances of a labour-heavy canter. She was a target. The pack had been tracking her for 6 lights, and they were tired. The doe sensed eyes on her and turned towards the wood where the wolves were hiding. They tensed, SNAP! A twig broke! The sound rang through the silence, echoing like a scream in an empty church. The doe’s head snapped up, two alerts in such a fragile state was too much for her, she started to stumble up the hill towards the safety of her herd…the wolves broke cover.
Wilack, the alpha-male, led the pack forwards for the kill. The doe looked over her shoulder in time to see seven grey shapes race towards her. The momentary distraction almost cost her her life, she stumbled but somehow stayed on her hooves, the pack increased their pace, despite an alarming scent in the air…and then a sudden spurt of fear-fuelled speed galloped the doe to the safety of her herd.
‘So their plans would have to change’ thought Wilack, as he topped the hill. The rest of the pack caught up and the worrying scent grew stronger. Then Wilack noticed grey shapes charging the deer from the front! Another pack! The deer panicked, and the wolves weren’t thrilled to see each other either!
‘Ensan’ thought Wilack, seeing the opposite wolf pack. A rival alpha-male who owned the adjacent territory and was always looking for a chance to take all the Wilack owned, including his mate Faruck. The reindeer herd moved closer together, looking at their leader, a scar-ridden male with menacing antlers. With a last pitying glance at the doe, the male led he herd in a stampede into the woods. The doe limped feebly, trying to follow, with Ensan’s pack closing in. Wilack turned angrily away from the sight of the rival pack ripping the doe apart. Ensan should not be here! This was his territory! All this way we’ve come, only to see our quarry being eaten by rival wolves! ‘Faruck is not going to like this’ thought Wilack.
Luckily, the pack brought down an elk on the way back to the Den, so the famales were happy. But whn the hunting party returned, Wilack immediately sensed all was not well, and went to Faruck, whose flat ears and tail between her legs showed deep sadness. She cried to Wilack that their youngest cub had been taken in the night.
‘Lynx?’ asked Wilack, Faruck shook her beautiful head. She spoke one word, a word that angered Wilack so much because he immediately knew who was responsible, Wolves!
Wilack left the Den with eight other wolves, incuding Faruck, Jayack and Rikku. Ensan would pay for this. The wolves broke into a run, until they reached a clearing that marked the end of Wilack’s territory. Wilack howled a challenged until another pack of wolves silently appeared, far outnumbering his own…
In a moment the was just a snarling mass of wolves, biting, snapping, growling, howls of agony. Wilack fought through to find his enemy, only to see Ensan leaping as Jayack’s neck! Time seemed to slow down as Ensan flew towards Jayack. Impact. Wilack watched as the two wrestled. Then it was over. Ensan stood over Jayack’s body, blood on his snout. Wilack dived, but Ensan twisted and charged at Wilack. Wilack dodged, but crashed into another wolf, friend or foe, who knows? Then he was on the ground, with Ensan on top of him, he felt his enemy’s jaws around his throat.
“This is it!” Wilack thought. But then Ensan was torn from him, whimpering in pain and thrown aside. Faruck stood there, head held high. Wilack got to his feet. He had to end this. But honour took hold of him, he just kicked Ensan, turned and walked away. Suddenly Wilack heard barked warnings, and turned to see Ensan charging, claws raised… instinct took over, Wilack dodges the attack, lept on Ensan, and tore out his throat…
Shaking, Wilack rose, and saw Ensan’s pack fleeing. He looked across the blood-soaked clearing, into the eyes of his mate. Apart from Jayack, two other of the pack were dead. With a last look at the body of their friend, Wilack and Faruck limped home, the blood-red sunset behind them.
Small Flats and Long Faces
By Jennifer Kreit
Gill:
I was 16 when Mum threw me out. I thought Stan was the one, he was tall, handsome and really sweet. I thought I loved him and he loved me. He took it hard but I suppose that’s understandable when he discovered his baby was growing inside me. Even so I thought he would stick with me. Thought. A few days later he disappeared, like snow when the sun comes out, without a word.
Eva:
Mum is really starting to get on my last nerve. Every morning she grabs her shabby black coat and leaves the flat with her head hanging. No trace of a smile. Mum’s been this way ever since I can remember. Dad walked out on her when I was born and my good-for-nothing grandparents threw us out the house. Admittedly Mum had a really hard time in my early years but now I’m 16 you’d think she’d start trying to get a life. Apparently not.
Gill:
Eva cam through the front door with a smile the size of our flat painted on her face.
“What are you so happy about then?”
“Nothin’.” She grabbed a glass of juice from our tiny fridge and was shut in her bedroom before I could blink.
I would never quite understand Eva, despite living with her for 16 years and knowing her like mothers should know their children, she always managed to keep things from me. Small things, and some would say trivial, but none the less important to me.
Eva:
Bulldozer bounded up to me as I approached Sam’s house, rubbing his furry body against my leg, begging for a scratch. I bent down and tickled his neck. I’d always wanted a dog but Mum couldn’t afford one and I don’t think she’d be bothered to walk it. To be honest I hadn’t actually asked her.
“Are we going then?” I looked up and say Sam’s freckled face. He had approached me without my noticing. I hastily stood up and brushed my hands on my grey school trousers. I gazed down at the school’s old red jumpers and silently cursed whoever designed them; they did nothing for your figure.
We started walking to school, talking about our English essay but neither of us were really concentrating; I could tell thee was something on his mind and there was definitely something on mine. I’d known Sam since I was the same height as Bulldozer. We’d always been at the same school and lived in the same street. He was in my year and my classes. I’d always liked Sam, really liked him, but he’d never feel the same way.
Gill:
We were eating dinner in silence. Spaghetti Bolognaise that’s gone cold and doesn’t taste of much. Tea was nothing special but I loved it, sitting with Eva, watching her, drinking her in. She is so beautiful, long dark hair falling in curls around shoulders. Pale skin from me and deep brown eyes, dark and searching, she gets that from Stan.
I miss him. I’d do anything to get him back.
Eva:
“Mum what is it?” Mum was sat in the middle of the tiny living room, staring at the blank TV screen, with a strange look on her face. Her bun was loose and her eyes were red and blotchy.
“Mum what’s wrong?” I hurried to her side as she turned her head to face me; it was as if she didn’t know who I was. Then she inhaled sharply and whispered.
“Aunty Jane’s dead.”
Gill:
Every morning when I wake up I listen to the birds, now I just wake up and realise she’s gone and never coming back. There’s a pit in my stomach, like and endless cavern, that feels like its never going to fill again. She was my sister and the only one who stayed by my side when Eva was born. She died of a heart attack early in the morning and the doctors couldn’t save her. When I told Eva we sat wrapt in each others arms and cried. However it made me realise I can’t just sit here and waste my life away, Eva deserves more.
Eva:
I didn’t go to school today. Mum didn’t go to work. We just sat in out stone clod flat huddled up for comfort, like terrified hedgehogs left stranded in the middle of the A10, in silence. At around midday she looked at me and said seriously.
“I’m quitting Eva.” She paused and then continued.
“I’m not going to be a nurse anymore. I’m going to train to become a doctor and get us out of this place. Eva I’m going to get us a proper house and I’m not going to let you worry about me anymore.” I gazed up into her tear-filled eyes and hugged her hard, like and infant cuddling its favourite teddy bear, I’d never let her go.
Gill:
The hospital has let me join their doctor training course. I so badly want to be one; I want to save lives, save the lives of people like Jane. They said it was short notice but as I was a nurse they’re allowing it. I think I’m as happy as when I first held Eva and gazed into her big brown eyes, she was a small as my forearm, and that was definitely the best moment of my life. I now realise I don’t need Stan, I don’t love him, he’s gone and never coming back. The best thing is that I don’t want him to. I’m free from the sadness that filled me, it’s disappeared like leaves in the wind, gone like Eva’s dad and never to return. Then it all seemed clear; Stan wasn’t the one who needed to come back, I was.
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