Flying Saucer Fiction

2005-04-27T22:44:00.000-07:00

2005-04-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

I am an Early Bird

2005-04-27T09:57:00.000-07:00

Theme – being a go getter, the early bird catches the worm.

I am four years old. I can swim. I swim every day. Now I am five years old. I am at school. I am the only student who can swim one length of butterfly in the 50 meter pool. Even the newspaper comes to take a picture. I train every day with my club. My club is called Bloemfontein Otters. Bloemfontein is a city where I live in South Africa. Otters are playful animals that like to swim in rivers and eat crabs and fish. I can swim as fast as an otter. I get up early in the morning and swim, and after school I swim again.
I go to swimming races called galas. I race swimmers from other clubs. I win prizes and stand on the podium.
I am 11 years old. This is my most important race. I have trained all year. I had to beat a boy who is much bigger than me. His name is Luke. I am going to swim as hard as I can.
My coach tells me to kick kick kick.
The man with the gun is the starter. He blows on his whistle, and then he says, “On your marks.”
The shot goes off.
I dive in.
I swim so fast my arms turn like windmills.
My mother and my father are watching.
Hundreds of people are watching.
I swim as hard as I can.
There are lots of bubbles.
And then I quickly throw my arm against the wall.
Luke is also there.
Who won?
No one is sure. It looks like a tie.
My mom hands me a towel and says, “Well done.”
I say “well done” to Luke.
The coach comes up to me and says, “You won. You see, the early bird gets the worm.”

I am Riding a New Bicycle

2005-04-27T09:56:00.000-07:00

Theme – dealing with fear, dealing with peers and pain.

I am 6 years old. Daddy gave me a red bicycle for my birthday. First I use extra wheels to help me balance. I ride again and again. I am ready now to take off the practice wheels.
I am afraid. I push down on the pedal and I am riding my bike. I ride in circles. I ride up hills. Going down is my favorite part. I like pulling my brakes on gravel, and making lines with my wheels. I like to go over dirt ramps.
I left my bicycle outside when mom called us to have dinner.
I can’t find my bicycle anywhere.
I think it was stolen. Dad is going to be angry.
Dad isn’t angry. He says, “You must look after your things.”
I miss my bicycle. Now I have to walk to the shop.
I can’t ride to the playground with my friends either.
On my 7th birthday dad gives me another bicycle. I am so happy. It is a BMX. It’s silver and is called a MONGOOSE. He gives me a bicycle lock too. I will take care of it and make sure it is locked whenever I am not using it. I love my new bicycle.

I am in the Hospital

2005-04-27T09:55:00.000-07:00

Theme – empathy, getting healthy, staying positive.

I am 6 years old. I am in the hospital. My mommy said I ate some bad food, and now my tummy hurts. I have a fever. I had to have a cold bath to cool down. I must stay in an oxygen tent – that’s how sick I am.
Sometimes my tummy is very sore, but I try not to cry.
The nurses are very kind. I want to look out the window, but I may not leave my bed for a few days. I may not even eat. I get fed food through a pipe in my arm. Although my mommy says my body has enough food I sometimes feel very hungry. Each day in hospital can feel very long. I talk to the nurses. They are kind to me. They read stories to me. My favorite is about three pigs. One day I will build a house made of bricks. Mommy brings me Get Well cards my school teacher and my class made for me. My teacher also gave me a storybook. I love my teacher. Mommy told me today that the person who made my food had to go home. She lost her job because she didn’t clean her hands. Mommy says this is very dangerous. Some germs that get into food can even kill you. Mommy says I got some of those bad germs. Daddy says inside my body there are tanks and soldiers fighting the germs, and the tanks are winning.
Each day in hospital is very long. I miss swimming and playing outside. When I am out of hospital I will enjoy my toys again. The doctor says I can go home tomorrow. I am so glad.
Mommy says I must sit in the wheelchair until I get to the hospital doors.
When I get to the doors I jump up and run outside. It is a beautiful day. The sun is shining out of a blue sky, and the grass is green. I’m going home.

YUCK!

2005-04-23T00:03:00.000-07:00