You still have until Dec 31 to vote for your favourite story in the Brentwood Gazette short story competition.
Writers had to pen a tale in 250 words with a farmyard theme. This Junior Jotters category of our competition, for under 18s, was sponsored by Brentwood-based Calcott Hall Farm Shop, off Ongar Road.
Send us an email to editorial@gazettenews.co.uk with your choice. The winner will receive a £50 book token in the new year.
Dear AmeliaBy Emily-Ann Briscoe, aged 14
I HAVEN'T opened the box yet. The box was what my late grandma left to me in her will. Today I will open it. It clearly hasn't been opened in a while and the hinges creak as I lift the lid. Inside is a note. Underneath the note there are some painted metal animals and a larger metal building. Upon further investigation I realise it is a lead farm with buildings, people, fields of crops and, of course, animals. The note has been carefully written in the curly and elegant hand of my grandma. She has used a sheet of paper with little flower petals in. It is beautiful and ought to be framed. The note reads;Dear Amelia, I am writing this in 1998, the day after your birth. Promise me you will never sell or give away any of my farm and you will put in your will that it must be given to the next girl born to the family after you. Play with it as much as you like, but be gentle, it is very old. Look after my farm and never forget me. Grandma Sylvia xxx
I read the note four times and tears *****le my eyes. I clutch the note to my chest and run to the tree we planted in grandma's memory. "Don't worry grandma, you can count on me, I promise!" I whisper. I know she heard me. I'm sure, because the tiny lead girl winked at me.
The Farm's GatewayBy Emily Guilcher, aged 14
A GLOWING green door emerged out of nowhere. The shadows formed and loomed over me. The door which stood in front of me was secluded; the engraved intricate symbols which were embedded seemed to have a word engraved upon every single symbol.The emerald swirls glistened and emitted a dull, hypnotizing light which seemed to make me only gaze at this mysterious and unique object which stood before me in mid air.The engraved patterns left me cast in a mystical pattern, this blocked my view of the room surrounding me, because the light emitted couldn't pierce the depths of darkness that loomed and hovered around me.Then when I looked around I realised, why didn't I try to move, shouldn't I? But yet when I tried – I couldn't. So I tried over and over repetitively until it appeared that an eternity had passed. So I came to a conclusion that I was in suspended animation or paralysed, either way I couldn't move.Then I thought: "How did I get here? Why?" All of these questions remained unanswered. I could never possibly think of an answer. I thought seriously for a brief moment and I pondered about some of the other possible questions. After a while I had one question left, where and what does this door lead me to?There were too many questions that I needed to be answered, then I realised. "How long had passed, it seemed it had felt like an eternity. But was it?"
The Birthday Surprise!!!By Charlotte Baker, aged 11
TODAY is Wednesday and it is 6 o'clock in the morning! I bet you're thinking why am I up early in the morning in the summer holidays? Well, it's my BIRTHDAY! And my mum's got a BRILLIANT surprise planned. I'm sooo excited!Well the big surprise is that we are going to a farm, a FARM! I'm ELEVEN, not three! I wanted to go to see JLS PREFORM or something. But a farm, we can do much better than that, my four year old brother can do better than that!I go anyway only because I didn't want to be at home ALONE, nothing to do and nothing to eat. So yeah, I went along.We left the house at 10 o'clock and got there at 11 o'clock.It looked FANTASTIC! I loved it. There were trampolines, big bouncy castle slides, and guess what, there was a gigantic ice-cream shop with a YAYA in it (that new smoothie shop in Brentwood), it was heaven but then...There was my maths teacher! The most evil teacher in the whole school, the world! MR ROSINGERS! Everyone called him the devil teacher, I had to hide so he didn't see me and drag me in to one of his dreaded conversations. My mum saved me, she said we had to go see the animals because my brother wanted to, not me.Unfortunately we saw him again, luckily it was just to say happy birthday to me and to give me five pounds. Then it started and didn't stop...
Becoming OctoberBy May-Li MacKinnon, aged 16
I SIT and cradle myself in the foetal position. I'd done it again, become October: the indecisive moment of frost and downpours that turn innocent lives into smears on the highway. When I become October, I become what the world calls unhinged or demented, if you want.After my breakdown, the doctor shot drugs into my veins and half-wrestled me into the white room. White walls and white ceilings surround me. I hate the colour white. Its purity mocks me until I become October. I would change the colour but I have nothing to use, despite being the special case. My father said I was special too, back on the farm. He used to swing me on his shoulders and sprint through the orchard yelling for me to snatch as many plums as possible. He carried me everywhere on his shoulders, until I became October. At first I was just an ordinary child throwing tantrums but then I began to withdraw, stop talking, stop eating then see things…hear things. I wish I could free myself from this cage that others call a mind. My mind throws ropes over me that gag me and force me to become October where I have no control over my body. It's like I'm watching myself from inside my body turn mental. I'm not schizophrenic; I've got the special case that people can't figure out. I want to escape this mould that compels me to become October and I can feel it. I'm breaking out.
Adventures of Timmy Pickles By Honor Wilson, aged 11
"STAY underground where it's safe," said Mrs Pickles, wiping her paws on her apron.Timmy always wondered what it would be like on the surface of the Halfway House farm."But mama …?" pleaded Timmy."It's dangerous with horrible creatures like foxes, badgers and traps set by nasty farmers," she replied. "Now go to sleep" and she kissed him on the nose.But Timmy couldn't sleep; His head was full of thoughts of the fantastic things that were waiting for him up above.He couldn't wait any longer. Quietly, Timmy got out of bed and began to dig through his bedroom roof, getting dirt on his pyjamas.Breaking through to the surface, Timmy climbed out of his little mound, taking his first steps on grass and wondered where everyone was."Hello?" squeaked Timmy. A cat emerged from the shadows."Helloooooo" it purred "Are you lost?" "N-no, just exploring" answered Timmy"Like a tour?"Before he could reply, the cat placed Timmy on his back.Timmy clung on tightly as the cat sprinted across the farm and stopping suddenly, plopped Timmy onto the ground. Timmy froze. The cat had placed him in front of the farmer. Timmy had been tricked.Running as fast as his little feet could carry, he jumped back down his mole-hill, waking his mother."Timmy, what's wrong?" she said, noticing Timmy's tears."I went to the surface, and you were right mama, it's dangerous!" he sobbed."It's OK," she said, giving him a hug, "You're home now."
The barn's collapsedBy Katy Phillips, aged 9
BANG!"What's that noise?" exclaimed Molly. "It's only a thunderstorm," said her mother calmly."Are you sure mother?""Yes dear!""Father," said Robert. "Will the animals be safe in the farm barn?""Yes," said their father in a low voice. "I've made sure that the sheep on the fields and the horses in the stables are OK.""Oh, Father.""Wait a moment son. Oh, and all of the hens were in their pens." He went on and on, Robert ran up to his room in a strop and slammed the door behind him."Why didn't Father listen to me, he never does."At that moment, Molly came in; she had seen what had happened to her brother and felt sorry for him."Robert, shall I explain to Father.""No, don't talk about it and leave this room right now!""Oh, ok!"She left the room angrily and ran to her mother, who was trying to call the builders of the barn to fix the roof, a tile had fallen off."Mother," said Molly, "Can I go and see if the hens have laid any eggs?""Yes, your Father went down there after the fight he had with Robert, tell him that tea's nearly ready, and don't delay!"Her Father was on a ladder and was trying to block up the hole. A long deep crack formed in the roof, out of nowhere, CRASH! The old barn roof collapsed bit by bit. But were they late for tea?
The Monday Morning RushBy N Maynard I WOKE to the soft cooing of the cockerel. The sun casting its shadow upon my face. I gently eased myself out of bed , a shock flowing through my spine sending my body into violent spasms. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and yawned, I threw my body back on the bed and stared at the ceiling contemplating the day that would follow. It would seem that hours had passed, when in fact it had only been minutes. I rolled to my side and glanced at the clock and groaned internally, it was now 8:32 am and I was now officially late for my first day at school.
I hurried down the stairs, narrowly missing the dog that lay on the step. As I burst into the living room stubbing my toe on the door; I howled in pain, nursing my quickly swelling toe. The scent of frying eggs drifted through my nose and scorched my nostrils. I bolted for the front door, swiftly grabbing my school bag. My stomach moaned in protest at having been denied food. "Sophie, hurry, you're going to be late love!" I had just enough time to grab a bagel and scrape my hands through my tangled hair before running out the door.
I ran down the dirt path, my feet slipping and sliding. The animals bid me goodbye as they grazed in the neighbouring fields. It was 8:54 am. I had definitely missed the school bus and that meant detention again.
CRINGE! DISASTER!By Saffron Booker, aged 11
AS SOON as we got to the farm I rushed over to Lauren and Tyler as we started to gossip. "Oh look, Georgie's there!" Lauren said with a smirk. (By the way Georgie's my crush. And he's SO SO SO SO SOOOOOO CUTE!!!!!)
"Lauren, don't do anything stupid, PLEASE!" But she still ran over to him, so me and Tyler started to walk a bit faster. Then Simon Stuarts, (the naughtiest boy in school!) ran over to the sheep gate and took hold of the rope and started rapidly un-knotting it!
Tiger (Simon's best mate) yanked the gate open and all the sheep ran out like it was the end of the world! So I put my back to all of them and started non stop screaming! "SOPHIE" It seemed like everyone screamed my name, and I was tone death. Anyway this MASSIVE sheep ran straight into the back of me and I landed BUM FIRST IN COW POOP!!!!!!! NOT ONE PERSON HAD A STRAIGHT FACE, NOT EVEN GEORGIE! Complete cringe, RIGHT?! But that's not all…. when I went to get up Georgie offered to help, but I didn't know my hand was in poop and neither did he, so I grabbed his hand with my poopy hand and he let go and fell into the poop right next to me! So now I can never look at Georgie's face again without cringing! Oh I'm so so so sooooooooo embarrassed! Every time I think about it I cringe! But today………
It's A Dog's LifeBy Daniel Ridge, aged 10
YESTERDAY I took my golden labrador Rex to Central Park for a quick stroll, because it was a short cut to the nearby farm. I held Rex's lead tightly just in case he tried to bark at any of the animals.Suddenly I looked down and he wasn't there so I started to call his name "Rex Come here, this isn't funny!" I could hear him barking from inside an old white van with animal protection written on the side. My heart stopped. "Don't drive, that's my dog!" Tears ran down me like delicate crystals in the deep blue ocean. A muffled voice whispered "I'm sorry young man but he's with us. I then followed as the van drove around the corner to a butchers. I knew we were dealing with a mad man. The butcher sung "Your dogs going to die". I was thrown to the other end of the dark cold room. "No stop it. You're not from Animal Protection!" I screamed. "We protect animals alright by keeping them in the cooler." The boy began to cry. "What's your favourite meat sonny, bet you like hot dogs." He chuckled. Unexpectedly the police barged in and shouted "We've heard enough you're under arrest." Another policeman came through the back of the shop with Rex and announced to the boy "I believe this is ..." Swiftly Rex ran to me and gave me a cuddle. I was over the moon and couldn't thank the officers enough.
Jelly Munch (The Wibble Wobble Cow) By Sam Foster, aged 8
FARMER Broccoli (so called because of his passion for greens) assumed all cows loved vegetables like him. WRONG! Jelly Munch hated them with vengeance. One day she decided enough was enough. She really needed to discover more flavoursome food. Off she went exploring!Firstly, she discovered ice-cream. "Scrumptious! So fluffy!" she thought, and took a big bite. She choked, "too cold! I'm shivering like a rattlesnake. I don't like this one bit!" Next she came to a restaurant that specialised in 'Chilli'. "Sounds cold", she thought, "but perhaps I should give it a try!" She took an enormous spoonful and nearly exploded. "It certainly doesn't taste like it sounds! I'm on fire. I don't like this at all." There must be SOMETHING better than vegetables!Suddenly she stumbled on a sign 'The Magnificent Wibble Wobble Jelly Factory'. "How interesting." Inside she was greeted by 'Traffic Lights' – a newly-invented jelly (Strawberry, Orange and Pear flavoured). "Wow! That looks stupendous". With difficulty she scooped some up. It slipped and slithered, but what a wonderful taste! Soon she'd demolished the whole batch. "Time for home" she decided, but she could hardly walk, just wibble wobble everywhere!It was difficult getting back to the farm thanks to ALL that jelly! When she finally arrived she was shocked; it was boarded up. Young protestors stood with signs 'NO CLOSE' (one misspelt 'NO CLOTHES!'). Jelly Munch was SO sad. Suddenly, she began leaking red, amber and green milk. Farmer Broccoli was MAD but to his surprise, kids began licking it up offering him pocket money for more! A man noticed the interest and offered £1,000,000 if Jelly Munch would supply his company. Broccoli forgot his anger. The farm had been saved. He rewarded Jelly Munch with a life supply of jelly and an exercise machine!!
Nobody DaredBy Katrina Airey, aged 11
"NOOOOO!" screamed Crystal as she fell into swirling darkness.Crystal's eyelids opened as the world swam into focus, she could hear the cries of the battle in the field beyond, she heard voices around her:"Is she awake yet?" Crystal recognised the soft tone of Perianth full of concern,"Don't think so," said another voice she didn't recognise, The conversation grew quieter as Crystal slipped out of the bed (whilst grabbing a small wooden club) and took in her surroundings. She was in a small tent with medical equipment scattered around the room, behind a curtain was where the voices were coming from. But no time for that now, only moments before she'd been in a battle against the leader of all their problems, Rosalina, such a sweet name for something so sinister. Crystal had discovered a vicious plot; Rosalina had created a deadly gas that could wipe out an entire army – not good, as there was a war going on... She ran quietly to the enemy camp – she was on her own now – suddenly she whipped round, and a woman with a strangely beautiful yet evil face stepped out from behind an old oak carrying... WAIT! That was it! The gas was inside the box! "Ah," said Rosalina, "I suspected I'd be seeing you." "Hah!" thought Crystal, her with her fancy words! Crystal ran towards her striking down her club . Rosalina stumbled and fell. "It's over," Crystal whispered...
Writers had to pen a tale in 250 words with a farmyard theme. This Junior Jotters category of our competition, for under 18s, was sponsored by Brentwood-based Calcott Hall Farm Shop, off Ongar Road.
Send us an email to editorial@gazettenews.co.uk with your choice. The winner will receive a £50 book token in the new year.
Dear AmeliaBy Emily-Ann Briscoe, aged 14
I HAVEN'T opened the box yet. The box was what my late grandma left to me in her will. Today I will open it. It clearly hasn't been opened in a while and the hinges creak as I lift the lid. Inside is a note. Underneath the note there are some painted metal animals and a larger metal building. Upon further investigation I realise it is a lead farm with buildings, people, fields of crops and, of course, animals. The note has been carefully written in the curly and elegant hand of my grandma. She has used a sheet of paper with little flower petals in. It is beautiful and ought to be framed. The note reads;Dear Amelia, I am writing this in 1998, the day after your birth. Promise me you will never sell or give away any of my farm and you will put in your will that it must be given to the next girl born to the family after you. Play with it as much as you like, but be gentle, it is very old. Look after my farm and never forget me. Grandma Sylvia xxx
I read the note four times and tears *****le my eyes. I clutch the note to my chest and run to the tree we planted in grandma's memory. "Don't worry grandma, you can count on me, I promise!" I whisper. I know she heard me. I'm sure, because the tiny lead girl winked at me.
The Farm's GatewayBy Emily Guilcher, aged 14
A GLOWING green door emerged out of nowhere. The shadows formed and loomed over me. The door which stood in front of me was secluded; the engraved intricate symbols which were embedded seemed to have a word engraved upon every single symbol.The emerald swirls glistened and emitted a dull, hypnotizing light which seemed to make me only gaze at this mysterious and unique object which stood before me in mid air.The engraved patterns left me cast in a mystical pattern, this blocked my view of the room surrounding me, because the light emitted couldn't pierce the depths of darkness that loomed and hovered around me.Then when I looked around I realised, why didn't I try to move, shouldn't I? But yet when I tried – I couldn't. So I tried over and over repetitively until it appeared that an eternity had passed. So I came to a conclusion that I was in suspended animation or paralysed, either way I couldn't move.Then I thought: "How did I get here? Why?" All of these questions remained unanswered. I could never possibly think of an answer. I thought seriously for a brief moment and I pondered about some of the other possible questions. After a while I had one question left, where and what does this door lead me to?There were too many questions that I needed to be answered, then I realised. "How long had passed, it seemed it had felt like an eternity. But was it?"
The Birthday Surprise!!!By Charlotte Baker, aged 11
TODAY is Wednesday and it is 6 o'clock in the morning! I bet you're thinking why am I up early in the morning in the summer holidays? Well, it's my BIRTHDAY! And my mum's got a BRILLIANT surprise planned. I'm sooo excited!Well the big surprise is that we are going to a farm, a FARM! I'm ELEVEN, not three! I wanted to go to see JLS PREFORM or something. But a farm, we can do much better than that, my four year old brother can do better than that!I go anyway only because I didn't want to be at home ALONE, nothing to do and nothing to eat. So yeah, I went along.We left the house at 10 o'clock and got there at 11 o'clock.It looked FANTASTIC! I loved it. There were trampolines, big bouncy castle slides, and guess what, there was a gigantic ice-cream shop with a YAYA in it (that new smoothie shop in Brentwood), it was heaven but then...There was my maths teacher! The most evil teacher in the whole school, the world! MR ROSINGERS! Everyone called him the devil teacher, I had to hide so he didn't see me and drag me in to one of his dreaded conversations. My mum saved me, she said we had to go see the animals because my brother wanted to, not me.Unfortunately we saw him again, luckily it was just to say happy birthday to me and to give me five pounds. Then it started and didn't stop...
Becoming OctoberBy May-Li MacKinnon, aged 16
I SIT and cradle myself in the foetal position. I'd done it again, become October: the indecisive moment of frost and downpours that turn innocent lives into smears on the highway. When I become October, I become what the world calls unhinged or demented, if you want.After my breakdown, the doctor shot drugs into my veins and half-wrestled me into the white room. White walls and white ceilings surround me. I hate the colour white. Its purity mocks me until I become October. I would change the colour but I have nothing to use, despite being the special case. My father said I was special too, back on the farm. He used to swing me on his shoulders and sprint through the orchard yelling for me to snatch as many plums as possible. He carried me everywhere on his shoulders, until I became October. At first I was just an ordinary child throwing tantrums but then I began to withdraw, stop talking, stop eating then see things…hear things. I wish I could free myself from this cage that others call a mind. My mind throws ropes over me that gag me and force me to become October where I have no control over my body. It's like I'm watching myself from inside my body turn mental. I'm not schizophrenic; I've got the special case that people can't figure out. I want to escape this mould that compels me to become October and I can feel it. I'm breaking out.
Adventures of Timmy Pickles By Honor Wilson, aged 11
"STAY underground where it's safe," said Mrs Pickles, wiping her paws on her apron.Timmy always wondered what it would be like on the surface of the Halfway House farm."But mama …?" pleaded Timmy."It's dangerous with horrible creatures like foxes, badgers and traps set by nasty farmers," she replied. "Now go to sleep" and she kissed him on the nose.But Timmy couldn't sleep; His head was full of thoughts of the fantastic things that were waiting for him up above.He couldn't wait any longer. Quietly, Timmy got out of bed and began to dig through his bedroom roof, getting dirt on his pyjamas.Breaking through to the surface, Timmy climbed out of his little mound, taking his first steps on grass and wondered where everyone was."Hello?" squeaked Timmy. A cat emerged from the shadows."Helloooooo" it purred "Are you lost?" "N-no, just exploring" answered Timmy"Like a tour?"Before he could reply, the cat placed Timmy on his back.Timmy clung on tightly as the cat sprinted across the farm and stopping suddenly, plopped Timmy onto the ground. Timmy froze. The cat had placed him in front of the farmer. Timmy had been tricked.Running as fast as his little feet could carry, he jumped back down his mole-hill, waking his mother."Timmy, what's wrong?" she said, noticing Timmy's tears."I went to the surface, and you were right mama, it's dangerous!" he sobbed."It's OK," she said, giving him a hug, "You're home now."
The barn's collapsedBy Katy Phillips, aged 9
BANG!"What's that noise?" exclaimed Molly. "It's only a thunderstorm," said her mother calmly."Are you sure mother?""Yes dear!""Father," said Robert. "Will the animals be safe in the farm barn?""Yes," said their father in a low voice. "I've made sure that the sheep on the fields and the horses in the stables are OK.""Oh, Father.""Wait a moment son. Oh, and all of the hens were in their pens." He went on and on, Robert ran up to his room in a strop and slammed the door behind him."Why didn't Father listen to me, he never does."At that moment, Molly came in; she had seen what had happened to her brother and felt sorry for him."Robert, shall I explain to Father.""No, don't talk about it and leave this room right now!""Oh, ok!"She left the room angrily and ran to her mother, who was trying to call the builders of the barn to fix the roof, a tile had fallen off."Mother," said Molly, "Can I go and see if the hens have laid any eggs?""Yes, your Father went down there after the fight he had with Robert, tell him that tea's nearly ready, and don't delay!"Her Father was on a ladder and was trying to block up the hole. A long deep crack formed in the roof, out of nowhere, CRASH! The old barn roof collapsed bit by bit. But were they late for tea?
The Monday Morning RushBy N Maynard I WOKE to the soft cooing of the cockerel. The sun casting its shadow upon my face. I gently eased myself out of bed , a shock flowing through my spine sending my body into violent spasms. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and yawned, I threw my body back on the bed and stared at the ceiling contemplating the day that would follow. It would seem that hours had passed, when in fact it had only been minutes. I rolled to my side and glanced at the clock and groaned internally, it was now 8:32 am and I was now officially late for my first day at school.
I hurried down the stairs, narrowly missing the dog that lay on the step. As I burst into the living room stubbing my toe on the door; I howled in pain, nursing my quickly swelling toe. The scent of frying eggs drifted through my nose and scorched my nostrils. I bolted for the front door, swiftly grabbing my school bag. My stomach moaned in protest at having been denied food. "Sophie, hurry, you're going to be late love!" I had just enough time to grab a bagel and scrape my hands through my tangled hair before running out the door.
I ran down the dirt path, my feet slipping and sliding. The animals bid me goodbye as they grazed in the neighbouring fields. It was 8:54 am. I had definitely missed the school bus and that meant detention again.
CRINGE! DISASTER!By Saffron Booker, aged 11
AS SOON as we got to the farm I rushed over to Lauren and Tyler as we started to gossip. "Oh look, Georgie's there!" Lauren said with a smirk. (By the way Georgie's my crush. And he's SO SO SO SO SOOOOOO CUTE!!!!!)
"Lauren, don't do anything stupid, PLEASE!" But she still ran over to him, so me and Tyler started to walk a bit faster. Then Simon Stuarts, (the naughtiest boy in school!) ran over to the sheep gate and took hold of the rope and started rapidly un-knotting it!
Tiger (Simon's best mate) yanked the gate open and all the sheep ran out like it was the end of the world! So I put my back to all of them and started non stop screaming! "SOPHIE" It seemed like everyone screamed my name, and I was tone death. Anyway this MASSIVE sheep ran straight into the back of me and I landed BUM FIRST IN COW POOP!!!!!!! NOT ONE PERSON HAD A STRAIGHT FACE, NOT EVEN GEORGIE! Complete cringe, RIGHT?! But that's not all…. when I went to get up Georgie offered to help, but I didn't know my hand was in poop and neither did he, so I grabbed his hand with my poopy hand and he let go and fell into the poop right next to me! So now I can never look at Georgie's face again without cringing! Oh I'm so so so sooooooooo embarrassed! Every time I think about it I cringe! But today………
It's A Dog's LifeBy Daniel Ridge, aged 10
YESTERDAY I took my golden labrador Rex to Central Park for a quick stroll, because it was a short cut to the nearby farm. I held Rex's lead tightly just in case he tried to bark at any of the animals.Suddenly I looked down and he wasn't there so I started to call his name "Rex Come here, this isn't funny!" I could hear him barking from inside an old white van with animal protection written on the side. My heart stopped. "Don't drive, that's my dog!" Tears ran down me like delicate crystals in the deep blue ocean. A muffled voice whispered "I'm sorry young man but he's with us. I then followed as the van drove around the corner to a butchers. I knew we were dealing with a mad man. The butcher sung "Your dogs going to die". I was thrown to the other end of the dark cold room. "No stop it. You're not from Animal Protection!" I screamed. "We protect animals alright by keeping them in the cooler." The boy began to cry. "What's your favourite meat sonny, bet you like hot dogs." He chuckled. Unexpectedly the police barged in and shouted "We've heard enough you're under arrest." Another policeman came through the back of the shop with Rex and announced to the boy "I believe this is ..." Swiftly Rex ran to me and gave me a cuddle. I was over the moon and couldn't thank the officers enough.
Jelly Munch (The Wibble Wobble Cow) By Sam Foster, aged 8
FARMER Broccoli (so called because of his passion for greens) assumed all cows loved vegetables like him. WRONG! Jelly Munch hated them with vengeance. One day she decided enough was enough. She really needed to discover more flavoursome food. Off she went exploring!Firstly, she discovered ice-cream. "Scrumptious! So fluffy!" she thought, and took a big bite. She choked, "too cold! I'm shivering like a rattlesnake. I don't like this one bit!" Next she came to a restaurant that specialised in 'Chilli'. "Sounds cold", she thought, "but perhaps I should give it a try!" She took an enormous spoonful and nearly exploded. "It certainly doesn't taste like it sounds! I'm on fire. I don't like this at all." There must be SOMETHING better than vegetables!Suddenly she stumbled on a sign 'The Magnificent Wibble Wobble Jelly Factory'. "How interesting." Inside she was greeted by 'Traffic Lights' – a newly-invented jelly (Strawberry, Orange and Pear flavoured). "Wow! That looks stupendous". With difficulty she scooped some up. It slipped and slithered, but what a wonderful taste! Soon she'd demolished the whole batch. "Time for home" she decided, but she could hardly walk, just wibble wobble everywhere!It was difficult getting back to the farm thanks to ALL that jelly! When she finally arrived she was shocked; it was boarded up. Young protestors stood with signs 'NO CLOSE' (one misspelt 'NO CLOTHES!'). Jelly Munch was SO sad. Suddenly, she began leaking red, amber and green milk. Farmer Broccoli was MAD but to his surprise, kids began licking it up offering him pocket money for more! A man noticed the interest and offered £1,000,000 if Jelly Munch would supply his company. Broccoli forgot his anger. The farm had been saved. He rewarded Jelly Munch with a life supply of jelly and an exercise machine!!
Nobody DaredBy Katrina Airey, aged 11
"NOOOOO!" screamed Crystal as she fell into swirling darkness.Crystal's eyelids opened as the world swam into focus, she could hear the cries of the battle in the field beyond, she heard voices around her:"Is she awake yet?" Crystal recognised the soft tone of Perianth full of concern,"Don't think so," said another voice she didn't recognise, The conversation grew quieter as Crystal slipped out of the bed (whilst grabbing a small wooden club) and took in her surroundings. She was in a small tent with medical equipment scattered around the room, behind a curtain was where the voices were coming from. But no time for that now, only moments before she'd been in a battle against the leader of all their problems, Rosalina, such a sweet name for something so sinister. Crystal had discovered a vicious plot; Rosalina had created a deadly gas that could wipe out an entire army – not good, as there was a war going on... She ran quietly to the enemy camp – she was on her own now – suddenly she whipped round, and a woman with a strangely beautiful yet evil face stepped out from behind an old oak carrying... WAIT! That was it! The gas was inside the box! "Ah," said Rosalina, "I suspected I'd be seeing you." "Hah!" thought Crystal, her with her fancy words! Crystal ran towards her striking down her club . Rosalina stumbled and fell. "It's over," Crystal whispered...
