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Earthquake
By: Scott H., 8th
One day the god Quakius checked upon the humans. All was well, as it had been for the past millennia. He checked upon the humans every century to make sure they weren’t destroying the earth.
But he overlooked something. The humans were polluting the Earth with smoke and ash. They were building things by destroying whole forests and species of animals. Quakius became enraged. He ranted about how dumb humans were. He decided to punish the humans by wiping them out of existence.
Just before unleashing his wrath, the smoke in the atmosphere made him sneeze. Instead of killing all the humans, it released a bolt of lightning, crashing down upon Earth with a boom.
The shockwave destroyed towns and parts of cities. Quakius returned to Earth. The Earth was even more polluted, and the humans had killed even more. He punished the humans again with the same technique. To this very day, he continues to punish the humans with what we call “earthquakes.”
How did Appaloosa’s get their spots?
By: Cayla N., 8th
One day, long ago wild horses roamed the hills of Mount Olympus as the king Zeus reined over the kingdom of Olympia. The horses loved to gallop, and jump, and chase each other across the hillside. The horses were magnificently colored with blacks, bays, roans, and even grays. Zeus loved the horses, but even more than he loved them he loved to watch them play.
Later one evening, Zeus decided that he wanted to paint his castle walls different colors. He went into his kingdom to retrieve the several enormous pails of paint. The paint pails were very heavy and despite Zeus’ strength even he stumbled under the heavy weight.
As he was nearing his castle, he stumbled hard and fell. The paint pails were thrown up into the air and were strewn everywhere! The paint went flying down the hillside. The horses also happened to be romping and playing on the hillside. When Zeus looked over the hill he could see that the horses were covered with spots of paint. Ever since they have had spots and Zeus named them Appaloosas because of their spotted coats.
Beach Memories
by Whitney M., 8th
I walked out on a cold, windy beach. I bit into my sea taffy. I could just remember that summer when I had walked out on this same sand. Then it was much, much warmer! I picked up a shell. I remembered collecting shells and exploring tidal pools. I kneel and touch the water and the sand near it. Gosh, it’s cold! I remember at summer camp when I had made a sand wall on the edge of the lake. I named it and when it fell down, I tried to save it. I unwrapped another piece of sea taffy and looked back at the calm town. A few couples were walking with a few cars driving by occasionally. The sun started to come out from behind the clouds. I saw someone walking my way.
“Ready for lunch?” he asked. I gave him a kiss.
“Yeah,” I said, so we walked toward the town.
“What were you doing?” he asked me. I smiled to myself.
“Just reliving my beach memories.”
Why Fire and Water Will Never Mix
By Melissa B., 8th
One day, many years ago, the goddess of fire was born. She was named Fiery. It took her just a few weeks to reach the full capacity of her ability. But to her great dismay, two years passed and another little girl was born. Her name was Hydra, and she was the goddess of water.
Hydra also had great powers, although it took her longer to acquire them. It took nine years for her to finally reach the height of her power.
Fiery was quite prideful that she had accomplished so much so young. Hydra was somewhat disappointed that it took her so long. Fiery thought herself above Hydra and refused to be the friend and loving sister Hydra longed for. She took every chance she could to make Hydra disappear so that she could be most powerful.
Years passed. Not much changed with the sisters. Fiery was still desperately trying to eliminate Hydra. The night of her nineteenth birthday, she hatched a plan. She forced the volcanoes to bubble over into the seas, burning where they touched. Hydra cried out in anguish. “What treachery is this?” she yelped.
Hydra and Fiery fought for days, for the gods never tire. They used all their strength. They tried everything they could, but neither could win. Finally Zeus had had enough. Being the god of all the gods he had to keep the peace at least some of the time. He went to the sisters and demanded a change. They refused, saying the other deserved it. Zeus was required to take matters into his own hands. “From now on, water will extinguish fire. When the volcanoes bubble over into the seas, t he lava will harden into a rock. Water must bear that weight in islands,” Zeus decided at last. “You shall never see each other again, although your elements may live in close proximity with the other, but not you.
That is why fire and water will never mix.
The Reason Why Stars Only Come Out at Night
By Kristin M., 8th
A long time ago, before there were fish in the sea and animals on the land, there was this goddess named Mrs. Cloud, her husband Mr. Sky, and there beautiful children the stars. Now, Mr. Sky and Mrs. Cloud were deeply in love. Well, there was also the most beautiful goddess in the whole world. Her name was Miss Sun. All the other gods wanted to marry her, but she was only interested in Mr. Sky. Miss Sun knew that Mr. Sky and Mrs. Cloud were in love, but she wanted to think of a way to get Mr. Sky not to love her anymore. She thought and thought until finally she thought of a plan.
So one day, the stars were out arguing over what to play. Miss Sun thought this was the opportune moment. So she went over to them and said,” Now children, what is all this ruckus about,” and the stars replied,” We can not figure out what to play.” So Miss Sun said,” come with me and we can figure it out together.” The stars thought this was a good idea so they went with her thinking that she was going to help them. Then, at the right moment Miss Sun snatched the stars and hid them so that no one could ever find them.
After the stars did not come home for a while, Mr. Sky and Mrs. Cloud were getting worried. They went out and searched everywhere for their children, but they could not find them anywhere. They asked every one if they had seen their children, but no one knew where they were. Then, finally they asked Miss Sun, but she said, “Oh no! Your children are missing? What a tragedy!” But she claimed she did not know where they were. Miss Sun’s intentions were to take their children and then hope that Mr. Sky would get mad at Mrs. Cloud because she was not watching the children, but he still loved her no matter what.
And the reason why stars only come out at night is because at night when Mrs. Cloud and Mr. Sky are asleep she lets the stars go free for a couple of hours. Then, she takes them and hides them away again so that no one can ever find them.
The Tale of the Two Brothers
By Jordan G., 6th
There were two friends called Eric and Jordan. They grew up in separate places, and they had different religions. But that could not stop their friendship. Jordan and Eric grew up to be rich, grown men. One was an author, the other was an illustrator. One day Jordan found out ha had pneumonia.
“Eric I have to talk to you.” Jordan said in a sad voice.
“What’s the matter?” Eric said.
“I have pneumonia.”
“What?” Eric couldn’t believe what Jordan said. “Eric listen, the doctor said I don’t have much time.” Eric interrupted Jordan.
“Listen to me, Jordan. I’ll do anything in my power to help you.”
“You can’t. I don’t have much time.”
“Shut up. I will help you.”
Jordan was in the hospital. He was running a fever and fainting. “Please help him, he’s my brother,” Eric said, crying.
“There’s nothing we can do.”
Eric was angry. He was about to do something stupid until Jordan called him to the room. “Eric, I know what you’re going to do, don’t do it!” Eric was going to cuss out the nurses in the hospital. “Eric we don’t live for eternity.”
“But Jordan…”
Jordan interrupted “Listen to me! God thinks it’s time for me to go and I have to go!” Eric tried to understand but he couldn’t. The heart monitor stopped beeping and Jordan was gone. “Goodbye brother.” Eric said crying. “I’ll meet you at the gates of heaven brother.” Eric covered Jordan with the blanket of his bed. Eric said “You will always be with me brother.” And that’s the words Jordan used to say.
Home Alone
By Katherine C., 8th
“You see your life flash before your eyes when you’re near death.” Who ever said that, lied. Inches away from death, Tommy only saw his last few minutes.
Tommy’s parents were watching his little sister at gymnastics. He still wondered why anyone in their right mind would go to gymnastics after 10:30. Between his wondering, Tommy decided to take advantage of his situation and pig out on all the food his small house carried. This wasn’t the first time he was alone at home, so he wasn’t scared, or at least not yet.
Tommy first heard the noise after his dogs. His two Labradors usually barked at every little noise, and they seemed to enjoy the attention it gave them. There was a small creak, followed by the sound of unoiled hinges. The two dogs shrank away from the front door of the house, and then bolted up the spiral staircase leading to the upper floor.
This was an incredibly unusual act for the normally hyperactive puppies, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Tommy. He looked away from the bag of Salt and Vinegar chips, and stared at the front door, his gaze than traveled towards the clock. It wasn’t time for his parents and sister to be home yet. Tommy’s eyes then returned to the slightly open door. He swallowed his courage and held his breath. He shifted his weight off his throne, the couch, and took a few steps towards the door. A few heartbeats later and Tommy was at his destination. He felt his heart in his throat, maybe it was pushed up there by the growing pit in his stomach. Tommy held his hand out to pull the door knob farther out.
He never got the chance…
The New Born
By Tara N., 6th
One beautiful day a little girl was born! Her name was Alayna Grace Perry and she weighed three and a half pounds. Her mother’s name was Johannah Anne Mills Perry. The father’s name was Josh Kevin Perry. Her older sister’s name was Abby Michelle Perry. She was eight years old and weighed 47 pounds. They took the baby to their new two story brick house! Abby’s room was pink, and Alayna`s room was blue with pink flowers. They had a playroom with a Wii and baby toys and Abby’s toys to play with.
But one day Abby was eleven and Alayna was three. Abby asked her parents if she could take Alayna to the park. They got to the park, and there was a lake. Abby let go to Alayna just for a second. “Not too close!” Abby repeated to Alayna. Abby saw a friend and said, “Wait here, Alayna.” She went to go talk to Kenzie.
She came back, and said “Alayna???” Where could she be?????????????? She looked in the water and and…….. “I’m too late! My parents trusted me!” A few seconds later Alayna swam to the top! She was so happy! She hugged Alayna and dried her off not to tell her Mom.
They came home and acted like nothing happened. Her parents asked, “Anything adventurous happen?”
“Oh nothing!" Abby said.
The Sacred Bridge
By Kristina M., 7th
I’m going to tell you a story about 3 courageous animals. I am a bird from the jungle. Being a bird is pretty cool. I get to see the jungle from above. I like the way the wind goes through my feathers. I have one friend. He may be a rat, but he is still pretty great. We like to talk about the strange bridge across the savanna.
They say if you try to pass over the bridge, it will bring out your worst fear. If you make it, there is supposed to be the paradise of your dreams. The plumpest fruits and many shades of leaves. A lot of rivers and streams with the cleanest water. Yet, no one has passed this sacred bridge.
Until one day when a cat entered the jungle. He was curious about the bridge so we told him about it. He dared himself and all of us to try to pass the bridge. There was nothing better to do so we all agreed to do it.
First, the rat. We watched rat approach the eerie bridge. He peered back to make sure we were there. He scurried to the bridge when the shadow of a man appeared from the fog. Rat shot straight back in to the jungle and quivered behind a rock. He was quick.
He ran up to the bridge, touched it, and clawed up the tree and hid. Out from the fog came his mom. We just laughed.
Finally it was my turn. I got there and stepped on the bridge. Suddenly the bridge crashed down to the ground. I guess my fear was not being able to enter paradise. When I think about it, this really is paradise. Friends, shelter and a happy life. This truly is paradise.
Why rain becomes snow
By: Katie S., 8th
The rain god, Drizzle, and the ice goddess, Freezetta, were great friends. They did everything together. One day, their fathers got into a huge fight with one another. The fathers were so angry that they forbid Drizzle and Freezetta from seeing each other. The two would not speak to their fathers.
As the fathers started to get older, they finally got over their feud that had gone on for fifty long years. Drizzle and Freezetta were allowed to see each other again. Though they could be friends again, they had times when they could be together and not.
One day, after the fathers of both Drizzle and Freezetta had stepped down, Drizzle made rain fall and keep falling down on the earth. Later in the day, Freezetta got mad at Drizzle for telling her what to do. She was so mad that she froze the rain that was still falling on the earth. When she froze the rain, it was no longer clear but white. Also, it was not falling in droplets anymore. Instead it was falling as flakes. Now, even if she isn’t mad she makes rain into snow. That is how snow came to be.
Where Do Colors Come From? By: Katherine C., 8th
The beginning of the world was dull and colorless, Grey ruled the Earth. Grey passed the days by lying at the top of a grey hill, watching the grey sun move across the grey horizon. As you can imagine, this was incredibly boring, but boring suited Grey perfectly. Loneliness did not though. Eventually the lone color decided he would split himself into three parts. First came Blue the oldest son, Yellow next, and the last part became Red the youngest boy. The three colors were now the rulers of Earth.
The Earth now had more colors than just a lifeless grey. Everybody seemed happier, from the yellow trees, to the red dirt, the oceans blue seemed happier too. Up on the hill where the new leaders were born, they gazed down at their colorful dominion. Red noticed that there seemed to be less red than either yellow or blue. When the color brought this up to the others, they just laughed in its face. Blue pointed out that less people liked red, so of course fewer things would be the color red. Red did not take that insult well. Blue’s world was upside down and then came the few seconds of weightlessness, followed by a hard thump on the ground. Red had pushed Blue down the hill.
The oldest of the colors defiantly would not back down from a challenge, so Blue gathered himself and prepared to fight the youngest sibling. Red charged towards Blue arms flailing around, ready to tackle him again. The element of surprise was on Blue’s side as he punched the wild Red. Something peculiar happened then, at the spot where Blue’s hand connected with Red’s body, the colors mixed. A very small Purple awoke in the wreckage and ran away to bring it’s color the world. Yellow, the most level headed of the bunch, was trying to get his brothers to quit fighting, but it was no use as soon he was dragged into the rumble also.
As each hit and blow landed, the colors always mixed and smaller shades and tints of Yellow, Red, and Blue ran off to bring the world more colors. The quarle between the brothers has been going on for centuries and it seems like it will not end any time soon. There will always be more and more new colors coming out of the reckage of the fight.
THE HIT LIST
By: Paige H. and Abigayle N., 6th
I was scared, more worried then scared, I had found a list, with names; and mine, and at first I didn’t think much of it, now I know that I was wrong…
I’m only 16.
With the list in my pocket I drove home in silence. When I got home the house was empty, but dad should be home by now. When I pulled in my dad‘s car was here but he wasn’t. With my sweaty and shacking hands I pulled the list out nervously.
- Robert
- Johnny
- Sally
- Sharon
Robert. Johnny. Sally. Sharon
Robert- My dad
Sally- My 6 year old sister
Sharon- My mom
Johnny- Me.
Going up the stairs to my dad’s room, a scream came out of nowhere and pierced my ear drums. I flinched.
Another ear piercing scream came from my dad’s room. I ran, almost flew to my dad’s room, and didn’t hesitate before opening the door. I was shocked. Nothing was there, just my old dummy, named Buppy. That was odd. Hadn’t I thrown him down the sewer when I was 10? Had he come back? Impossible. I picked him up by the neck astonished and puzzled. I had only two questions left where did the scream come from? How did Buppy get back or come back? 10:00 came fast. I jumped into my boxers and got into bed with Buppy buried my dirty clothes in the closet. I fell asleep fast but woke up quicker. I looked at the clock 1:59- odd. A loud thumping sound came from my closet, I flinched. Slowly, I got out of bed and walked cautiously towards the closet door. Another knock, loud;but not loud enough to wake somebody up. I opened the door quickly, to find Buppy standing there; he looked angry, but I knew puppets couldn’t have emotions. Buppy stood up; puppets can’t do that, can they? I found myself running. I was like flash-lighting quick. *err err err* What was that? I awoke in my bed. Only a dream.
Months of Night
by Brandon S., 6th
Here I am, four months of this darkness. But before I tell you more I’m going to tell you how we got into this mess.
It all started like this, four months ago a news cat came to my house with an important message. It said the earth stopped spinning and this was the last. Dad interrupted the message, “Pb and j or cheese?”
“Cheese.”
Anyway, this was the last day of light until complete darkness. Months went by and I found out that the news cat was not kidding. And that’s how I got here in the biggest mess I have ever been in. So me and my friend, Ian, were sitting there watching TV in the dark. “I can’t take this any more!” I yelled. “Come on, Ian.”
“Where are we going?” Ian said.
“To the NASA Space Center, we have a planet to save.”
First we had to get there. I dug a hole. Meanwhile we were almost there when Ian got lost, so I had to waste a precious 60 minutes trying to find Ian. We got back on track and we finally made it to the Space Center.
“How are we going to go to the space station?” Ian said.
“Steal a rocket,” I said.
“You are……crazy,” Ian said
“I am not crazy,” I said.
“I’m going home” Ian said.
“Wait, I need someone to come with me. I will give you 20 bucks.”
“You owe me 20 bucks,” Ian said. We snuck on the rocket before launch. We forgot about the space suits. We quickly snuck off, got space suits and got back on. Ten…nine…eight…seven…six…five…four…three…two…one…liftoff.
Next thing you know your breaking the atmosphere. “Hey, we are floating,” Ian said.
“Ian, welcome to outer space. Here we are, the NASA Space Station.” I said. “Look at the moon; you know it’s made of out cheese,” Ian said.
“Hey, Ian, you dropped something,” I said.
“What?”
“Your dignity.”
“Haha, very funny,” Ian said.
“Don’t worry about that right now. The earth is starting to ice.”
“Icing, where?”
“Let me do the talking! Quick, there is an outer space moon launcher somewhe….Someone is coming this way!”
“Why do we….”
“Shhhh! They can’t know that we’re here,” I said.
“Why not?”
“Isn’t it obvious; we’re just kids. Now we have to get to the moon before earth is a popsicle. There it is, the moon launcher. Get in!” I told him.
“Why?” Ian asked.
“Because we’re going to the moon!”
POW! A few seconds later and we were at the moon. When I turned around, I saw Ian trying to eat the moon with a spoon, so I pushed him. And that was the biggest mistake of my life. He started floating away!
“Brandon, please help me!” he cried.
So I jumped after him. I started floating away!
“This is so not worth the 20 bucks!” Ian said.
At that moment, an idea popped in my head.
“Ian, hang on!” I fired up my jet pack. WHOOSH! I caught him. Now, we fly to Pluto. Then we start rolling Pluto like a ball. BANG! We hit the Earth with Pluto. We did it! So now, Earth is back to normal.
“Let’s go home.”
We made it to Earth and finally we saw day. I looked at Ian and he was asleep. It was 10:00 at night. Something is not right.
“What?” Ian asked.
“It’s 10:00 at night and it’s still sunny. We have to go back to space. So know I owe you 40 bucks instead of 20.”
“Well, you got me back up here. Now what do we do?” Ian said.
“Look over there. It looks like an alternate Earth. That’s the only way to save the real Earth! We have to go to the second Earth.” WHOOSH!
“Here we go!” Ian said.
Next thing you know, we were in the mud.
“Here we are,” I said. I think the only person that can stop all of this is me. This is taking too long! I’m going to cut to the end! We found the power chip. We broke it. We used the jet packs to get back to real Earth. The Earth is back to normal. There, you happy?
“I think that was a little cheesy,” Ian said.
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