Lee House House Writing 2024

M e s s a g e s Lee House

esprit de corps

Arya Lee 11

A Note From The Editors:

Hello and welcome to the masterpiece that is Lee House’s House Writing Magazine. We would like to thank all those who have put forward a submission this year (unless your piece involved an acrostic poem), with a special congratulations to all who’s pieces made it into our final submission. An extra special mention of course goes to Mrs Harris, who sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears in an attempt to get her own message across that Lee should still care about the Watson trophy this year, and that we can’t declare ourselves ‘Brodie-specialists’ (even though we are). In this magazine, we hope to showcase some of the best, the quirky, and everything in between interpretations of messages that Lee House has to offer.

This year, we have encouraged everyone in the House to explore the broader and deeper meaning of messages in a creative and thought provoking manner Every student, whether their piece was selected or not, managed to explore the theme of messages in a completely different way than they would do in everyday school life. However, this may be largely down to the fact that the messages they were talking about were not written on their lap, under the table, during a lesson. We hope.

By being lucky enough to be part of the editorial team, we have had the chance to read some of the most provocative pieces regarding the theme of messages, in a range of different structures and styles, which we hope we have done justice to in the creation of this magazine.

Brace yourselves as we enter the world of Lee House's interpretation of messages (don’t worry most of them are vaguely normal). Thank you and we hope you enjoy the marvel that is Lee House

Kind Regards from the Lee House Editorial Team:

Emre, Gaurav, Arnav, James, Ben, Kevin, Kaushik, Ayaan, Oliver, Ismail, Krishanu

Contents:

The House Newspaper

Breaking News: Virus - Leon; pg.4……………………………………

Unfortunate Tragedy - Ihsaan; pg.4…………………………………

Scrabblegram - Benjamin; pg.5…………………………………………

The Great Comeback - Louis; pg.5……………………………………

Daily Lee Weather Report - Kaushik; pg.6………………………

Biography of Jameson Fawkes - Thomas; pg.6………………

Evolution of Messages - Oliver Fennel; pg.6……………………

Is ‘Messaging’ Worth it? - Sheyon; pg.7……………………………

House Bulletin - Robin; pg 7......................…………………………

Enigma Code Challenge - Archie; pg.5,7...............……………

Uncensored Feelings

Hate or Kindness - Asjad; pg.8……………………………………………

Messages - Henry; pg.8…………………………………………………………

Instructions for a Proposal - Kaushik & Oliver; pg.8………

Mixed Messages - Jaiden; pg.9……………………………………………

First Ensemble - Kevin; pg.9………………………………………………

The Misunderstanding - Zachariah; pg.10………………………

Communication - Ben; pg.10………………………………………………

A Lesson from my Father - Harish; pg.11…………………………

An Unfortunate Event! - Alistair; pg.12……………………………

A Message from my Mother - Muhammed; pg.13……………

Loneliness - Walter; pg.14……………………………………………………

Dear Reggie - Daniel; pg.14…………………………………………………

The Message that Wouldn’t Go Away - Oliver; pg.15……

Contents:

The Voyage into Messages

Fickle Nature - Ayaan; pg.16……………………………………………

Bottled Message - Anthony; pg.16…………………………………

Younger Self - Fredrik; pg.16……………………………………………

Talking to Your Friends - Joshua; pg.17…………………………

Resonation - Joshua; pg.17………………………………………………

Our Legacy Speech - Felix; pg.17……………………………………

Return - Krishanu; pg.18……………………………………………………

The Secrets of the Walls - Arnav; pg.19…………………………

The Old Man and Death - Daniel; pg.20………………………

The Mysterious Ants of London - Lucas; pg.20……………

Write me a Message - Munachimo; pg.21………………………

Bittersweet - Lee 9 Form; pg.22 23…………………………………

The House’s Warnings

I Wanna Send a Message - Oluwatomiwa; pg.24…………

Whispers of Connection - William; pg.24………………………

A Word of Warning - Emre; pg.25……………………………………

Earth - Kesara; pg.26…………………………………………………………

Blissful Ignorance - Krishanu; pg. 27………………………………

Beware - Samuel; pg 27….....................................……………

Other Headlines:

Controversy and suspicion

rise as Kate Middleton’s photoshopped Mother’s Day picture spirals out of control

A new virus has been confirmed by the authorities It seems to be a new version of rabies The only difference is that this one is a lot more serious. Once caught, in a matter of 2 days when the virus has spread throughout your body, it will do unspeakable things to your body parts. Scientists are developing a cure, it is said that they have found a solution but they need to test it first. We are entering quarantine so do not leave your house unless for supplies.

Leon - Lee 8

‘Unfortunate tragedy occurs as boy takes his own life due to hateful messages’

Today, we have suffered the loss of a young boy in our community, who unfortunately took his own life due to cyberbullying and hateful messages aimed towards him. Out of respect for his and his family’s privacy, we will not be disclosing his name. Insulting people online is one thing, but causing them to take their own life is not fair at all. These toxic messages had taken a severe toll on his psychological and mental health, leading to this heartbreaking outcome. All had seemed fine with his health and, visibly, he had shown no signs of considering such a route. He was a boy with a bright future ahead of him; he had best grades in his class, always behaved, always made his parents proud and did not deserve such a cruel fate. With this, to all parents out there with children, it is crucial for you to educate your children to be responsible on the internet, to block anyone cruel and cold-hearted enough to do something like that. Most of all, you must ensure their safety. And to all users of the internet of this generation, please think twice before you message something online, because you never know what you could cause with just a few words.

Competition of the week: Scrabblegram

This poem is a Scrabblegram - a piece of writing in which you must use all 100 letters in an English Scrabble set, and no other letters (blank tiles must be used as well, I have marked them in brackets), ie it must contain exactly 12 Es, 9 As, etc

Example: I, a note, bob at sea I meddle, a vexing cipher lurking

I sing of lazy war, a joyous queen, Mettle and virtue [A] ship rot[s]

Email: hnpcompetition@leecom

Benjamin - Lee 9

Enigma Code Challenge

qqoem fnpaf vsclg

qrzda qmeea latkm pfjmr

wlzbm djwcm hhbjr vtvjp

ddvrg gfjea pdtdp qfonp dpnfs gzrnj owfuy gbmxt rpbws mcqrt sobaw ayyhy

yhamb ztopq meijb ufjhf auzez nryvo byvgq dqxvm yblho xuzqq ajvuo cfxgd xasav jvukv rswyl zykql gvpqj qtcct iazcv slaia bapfz qtooz axebj xtmbn ysgye rxedz uvleq mrwpk panoy tnpsx dugmt qqeuo pzyry alvqc xsehm ptyos erpgq vfwes yhteg nydso aqwmq fnpks pvbkn lrzua lxesr bjpuv kpbus kkkpc rmdze idogg rkkar yaacq fonpt tvvpp elmzk iiveq fpxny seqvc yjvrx ipelk yawjy dcfzn kcsca mrpws xanxn cfhfr hmcrb sbvan gmmiq naopo gkhvi ljdle gnvtx zwolh zlopv mojhi thsqj qlzhj kvxah inkaz ndzzw vlzyx bjapm cmyai vbqyz pvx

Turn to page 7

The Lee House Newspaper

Lee Sports Review: The Great Comeback

It was an awful night so far for the whole of England It was the World Cup final between England and France. I'm sure you can assume what's going to happen next. England was suffering a treacherous start to the game with the first half finishing 4-0 to France. Once England got down to the changing room their manager had a stern talking with each player who wasn't able to perform in that first half. This did not motivate a single player. Although, after this strict speaking to, James Milner decided to take the game into his hands When they got on the field, France were smiling to themselves, thinking this would be an easy half as they could see the English team dejected Except one player

The second half began England started with the ball and instantly passed it to James Milner who worked his magic on France's whole team First, he did an elastico past Mbappe; next a rainbow flick over the top of Kante before finding himself against Upamecano He dribbled to the edge of the box and took a shot to curl it right into the top corner, making the score 4-1 and getting England's hopes back up Immediately, England won the ball from a horrible mistake from Rabiot, causing James Milner to go on another wonder run and chip the keeper to make it 4-2. At this point, the fans were going wild with their hopes slowly rising. Somehow, Milner stole the ball off kickoff again. Spotting the keeper off his line, Milner let a wild shot fly, which dipped and dipped, before going in.

The excitement from the English fans was immense But, it was the 83rd minute with seven minutes left to go, and England still needed a goal

Following a corner, it was simply relentless

press from the Lions whilst France tried to hang on to the win. Yet, when the ball came to James Milner, who was standing on the edge of the box, he volleyed it straight into the back of the net to equalise the game! A massive roar was heard, shirts were flying, but James Milner didn't celebrate too soon as they had not won yet.

In the last minute of extra time, James Milner had a freekick on the edge of the box and knew that he had to produce something special He inhaled a deep breath before shooting a Roberto Carlos-esque goal into the top right corner The fans stormed the pitch whilst the whole of England erupted into chaos James Milner was unsurprisingly handed the player of the match ball and we interviewed him, asking what his inspiration was behind that incredible comeback

“I just always thought to myself to never give up in the hardest times and even when things seem rough just keep on going and you will eventually succeed through it which is what happened tonight,” he replied

That is when James Milner was regarded as the best England player to ever live

Louis - Lee 8

Daily Lee

Weather Report

The prevailing wind is currently from the North West with mainly small showers dotted around midday in the South West and South of England with an average temperature of 10 degrees There will be some hail hitting Liverpool and Manchester at around three in the afternoon with heavy rainfall covering most of the north, and you shall be expecting temperatures around five degrees Celsius. In the northern Island, it is expected to be mainly a cloudy day with some small shots of sunshine in the morning around 11 o'clock. Towards the north of Scotland, there will be a cold front hitting the area and you can expect small chances of snow and hail around midday but for most of the day, it is cloudy with an average temperature of 3 degrees Around the evening, there shall be a large thunderstorm coming from the Atlantic Ocean at around 7 pm, it is recommended for those living in Scotland, Wales and Northern England to stay in their homes by that time. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for Scotland and there is a slight chance of flash floods and high winds sweeping from the north. The Met Office would suggest that residents of these areas lock all doors and windows and also be prepared to clear off snow in the morning as well. We will be back in a couple of hours.

Kaushik - Lee 12

The Lee House Newspaper

The Biography of Jameson Fawkes

Jameson Fawkes was once a boy living in a poor neighbourhood in South London, and had to grow up with a much harder life than those who were around him. This is because, at a young age, his older brother moved away from his house after his parents had a divorce. Despite these setbacks, the boy always had the dream of becoming a racing driver from a young age as it has always been one of his main interests However, motorsport is a career that is quite expensive and requires talent to do so When he was an early teenager, he found a way to make money for himself by washing other people's cars near his school and became involved in karting when he had the chance to do so This would make an impact on his ability to make that small step closer to his dreams

Throughout these next few years, the boy had a lot of help from his father, who heavily believed in the fact that he could become the best one day if he had the correct mindset This meant that he would regularly be going to the local racetrack near his dad’s house as he helped him master some of the important skills in karting such as the racing line, braking point and driving in wet weather. As time progressed, these developing skills would prove to be very important as he entered a regional rental kart championship. Within his first year, Fawkes would taste huge success as he finished second place in the overall standings. This caught the attention of a British based motorsport team with teams across many categories, including an academy connected to Formula 1 Thanks to his promising talent, at 16 years old, he was offered his first professional

contractasanacademyracingdriver

Thisshortbiographicalpiececonveysthe messagethatyoucanalwaysachieve whatyouaspiretobeifyouhavethe correctmindset

Thomas -Lee9

Opinion: Evolution of Messages

For the majority of Human history, the only form of communication was by voice Of course, this requires the conversers to physically see and hear each other, which was natural and the healthiest for the mind. Yet, in the name of efficiency, we have always strived to talk to others from afar with the first global method being the letter. People today believe it holds as much emotion as if spoken personally.

Years later, in the digital era, we have created newer, more efficient, cheaper and faster methods of communication

Now nearly every person can contact another even if they are on opposite ends of the world Certainly, this is revolutionary, offering multiple ways families and friends can connect with each other

I now wonder whether this network of sending messages and videos truly leaves a positive impact on the world Before, people would care about the other and see them as a person, not just another number liking your post This should have been a way to flush out propaganda from the media, remove biases to news topics, and yet it has only become another platform for spreading hatred and misinformation, leaving few sources of information to keep credibility when the world has dissolved into numbers of “likes” and “views”

Now, without the requirement to converse physically, people have lost the personal connection that gave them the responsibility to be respectful and truthful, since there are no consequences when hidden behind a screen 3000 miles away

Oliver - Lee 9

House Bulletin:

最後のひと押し！開催中のイベントを ご紹介します！次のイベントをお知ら せできることを嬉しく思います。

ハウステニス -4⽉22⽇開催 料理教室 -GFFood27⽇⾦曜⽇ @ 3pm

キャバレ ナイト -5⽉3⽇⾦曜⽇午後 7時

料理教室はウェブサイトからご予約く ださい。早く⼊ってください！ (Finalpush!Wehaveashowcaseofeventsgoingon!Weareexcitedto announcethefollowingevents: HouseTennis-w/c22ndApril CookingClass-GFFoodFriday27th@3pm CabaretNight-Friday3rdMay@7pm Bookthecookingclassviaourwebsite Getinquick!)

Robin -Lee13

Page 2: Decoded Enigma

What are messages?

Well, messages are in their dictionary definition either:

1. A verbal or written message left for a recipient who can not be directly contacted, or;

2 A significant political or social campaign in which a point is being conveyed

A few examples of definition #1 is when you call someone, leave a voicemail or write a letter to them

An example of #2 is Martin Luther King Jr's 'I have a dream' speech They can also come in many variations, including mixed, hidden and moral messages

There are also ways of transporting messages, with some including languages such as English or Maori There is also another way - code, with examples including morse code or enigma code.

Archie - Lee 8

Sheyon - Lee 9: Is ‘messaging’ worth it?

94.6 minutes.

This is how long the average student would take sending/receiving messages a day

In total that’s 575.5 hours a year Or 24 days 24 days that could’ve been used for studying/seeing friends or family/or just doing something enjoyable

With over half the globe using mobile messaging services, you have to ask yourself whether it is worth spending almost a month ‘messaging’

Why is this?

About half of people said that they mainly do it to keep in touch, which is understandable. But what was interesting is that 30% of people said one of the main reasons they do it is just to fill in their spare time. Surely there is something more productive, more entertaining that could be done with this spare time. Perhaps you could even go talk to these people in real life

When sending texts over the phone, how do you express your emotions? There is no way to properly read someone’s tone over messages No way to properly show facial expressions at the time of the message Without writing a very long

message, it is hard to show your emotion through the way you write and the language you use And this is often how things get misinterpreted, and bad things caused

Now you could argue that you could show your emotions through emojis However, they can easily be misinterpreted So you put a laughing emoji Are you laughing with or at them?

Emojis can easily be misinterpreted, and lead to confusion, or even upset In a normal day-to-day chat, they may be OK, in a more formal conversation they seem naïve, unprofessional ,and immature

And you may become reliant on them, hindering your ability to show people how you feel, in a normal face-to-face conversation.

What does all this mean?

In conclusion, I think that messaging is ok for a quick conversation, or just letting someone know something. However, if you want to have a conversation and make that connection with people, and be able to express emotion, you should go talk face-to-face And by cutting down on unnecessary messages, we can do more productive things with our free time

Uncensored Feelings

The absence of a message is sometimes the presence of one

Hate or Kindness

People say being kind is free

As if being a hater isn’t Yet somehow kindness find its way into our hearts

Yet somehow kindness never sets us apart

For every word of hate we speak, A wound upon the soul we sneak, But kindness is like a soothing balm It heals the hurt and repairs the tear

In a place full of evil and darkness

Kindness is like the light leading you to the right path

It may not cost anything to be a hater however does it really make one greater

So now let’s choose the path of grace, And the seeds of love in which we embrace

Kindness, like a gentle breeze, Chase away the storms we dont please.

Asjad - Lee 9

Instructions for a proposal:

1) Buy a gorgeous ring; something that has leapt around your partners dreams for years now

2) Dress sophisticatedly Why not wear that stunning shirt they bought you?

3) Pick that special place Maybe it’s somewhere you ’ ve never been before: A Michelin star restaurant? A fiver-star hotel? Or maybe its a spot you visit so often Is it the place you first met? Or your favourite bench in the park?

4) Act unfazed and ordinary until time hits the right place This might be the hardest part

5) Wait for the moment Maybe its a pause in conversation, a gentle break in the wind, or simply that you can’t put it off any longer. Kneel Down Ask them the question Hold out that ring Don’t worry, it will be okay

Kaushik & Oliver - Lee 12

Messages

Messages, oh sweet messages, They travel through the air, From friend to friend, With love and care.

In a world so vast and wide, They bridge the gaps, They bring us close, With just a few taps.

They can make us smile, Or bring a tear to our eye, They hold the power, To make us feel alive

A simple “hello” or “I miss you ” , Can brighten up your day, A heartfelt message, Can take our breath away

They carry our thoughts, Our hopes and dreams, They connect us all, No matter how far it seems

So let’s cherish these messages, And the moments they create, For in this digital world, They hold a special place

Henry - Lee 8

Mixed Messages

2nd period - Our first shared lesson today, Their beautiful eyes of grey, Look at me and smile, A smile so bright it could break a sundial.

4th period - I see them across the room, But they look with disgust and gloom, And turn to talk to their friend, Was their smile just pretend?.

Lunch - They come over to me, And try to deliver an apology, But why should I listen, But in their eyes I see that same glisten

1st Enquiry

5th period - In the halls, we pass by, Their gaze meets mine, but away they shy,

Averting eyes, avoiding contact, Leaving me wondering, what did I lack?

After school - I question events of the day, Their shifting moods, like clouds in sway, Trying to decipher their mixed messages, Lost in a maze of conflicting passages

Jaiden - Lee 10

First Ensemble

Beneath the stars, a timid heart takes flight,

A garden of uncertainty in bloom, His gaze, a fleeting touch, a subtle light, Yet shyness masks the orchard's sweet perfume

In quiet corners, whispers softly wade, His words, like butterflies, in gentle play, Yet how he asks for kisses, unafraid, In awkward conversational ballet.

A labyrinth of words, a charming maze, His laughter, echoes in my cautious mind,

1st Exposition

In twilight's grace, our steps entwine with ease,

A dance of words in shadows' sweet ballet, Her eyes, a sonnet, woven line by line, Yet silence speaks where verses fade away. Experience, my guide, a knowing smile, A virtuoso of love's subtle cues, Yet in this moment, charm takes a while, For silence echoes what I can't refuse. In small talk's dance, a tangle of delight, The moonlight whispers secrets in her ear, Yet, timid tongues withhold the words in flight,

Yet, lips are prisoners in a hesitant phase,

As love's inquiry lingers undefined

Mixed signals flutter in the quiet air, Love's riddle spun in whispers, both aware.

As both in yearning, sense the moment near.

Mixed messages dance, a subtle maze ' s play, Confessions tangled, found in evening's sway

Kevin - Lee 12

The Misunderstanding

Monday 12th December 7:44 PM

I am patiently waiting for my beloved boyfriend Todd to come home

Monday 12th December 7:51 PM

I received a very familiar text message from Todd. It read, as it always does, “Working late. See you soon x ” .

Monday 12th December 9:21 PM

Todd finally stumbles home and goes straight up to his bed I couldn’t be bothered to ask “How’s work?” as I guarantee that it would be met with a sombre groan, of course with the occasional one word response of “busy” To be honest, I expected nothing more than this as I am grateful to see him at all, even if it is a quiet breakfast and a muted bedtime. I sat on my sofa wondering where the relationship went so wrong and where the romance fizzled out. Do I not pay enough attention? Was it my fault? Was there someone else? My mind is confused Nevertheless, I decided to go to bed and to try not to worry about these problems

I didn’t sleep

Friday 16th December 8:02 PM

Todd’s familiar message appears again for the fifth time this week. I have decided this is it. Called Todd's office and asked why he is always ‘working late’ The office responded with what I dreaded all this time Todd has left work every day at exactly 5 o ’clock Immediately, I concluded that he must have arranged meetings, however my guilty conscience told me to check where his phone is just to be sure His phone is at his co-worker Gloria’s house

My heart sank.

Todd is having an affair

At that moment, I didn’t know what to do I couldn’t do anything My true love, ruined Why?

Friday 16th December 8:58 PM

Todd came back home with a spring in his step. I left Todd a note so that when he opens the door to an empty home, the fragments of my sorrow would be left with him. - Maria.

In reality, every night that week, Todd had been taking Spanish lessons with Gloria so he could surprise Maria with a romantic trip to Spain He even bought paella He opened the door to an empty home with a simple message scribbled on a post-it note “Adios cheat Have fun with Gloria ” Todd couldn’t do anything, his true love was gone and his perfect ever after was ruined.

Zachariah - Lee 8

Communication

What if you are deaf? Do you hear? Or is it a message that you see?

What if you lip read?

What if you watch and absorb?

Can a message be a wave of hands? A gesture? And a twist of the wrist?

Grammar and tenses all passed on through signs, stories told and “heard” across a room or through a glass window “Message” constructed by hands and fingers, directions and facial expressions

Still, voices with emotions and time frames, accents and dialects expressed through alternate constructs of hand shapes and movements.

Yes, sign language is a message

A Lesson From My Father

“Wait up son! Don’t go too far!” I looked back and giggled as the distant figure gradually increased in size until its shadow towered over me, enveloping me against the blistering heat of the afternoon sun Two large but soft hands loomed from the shadow and slowly crawled up along my arm “Stop it, Dad! You’re tickling me!” I protested But no matter how hard I tried to push him away with my small feeble hands, he continued to tickle me After a fit of laughter, he stopped “Are you ready to buy something from the shop?” he asked I nodded with excitement, andholding my dad’s hand - wandered into the shop My mouth fell as rows of toys in front of me gleamed with their princely status It was a beautiful day

The air was rich with the fragrant scent of blossom, and the gentle winds caressed the lush green tendrils of Mother Earth whilst the beautiful winged creatures fluttered gracefully over the cerulean sky; their chirps harmonising Mother Earth’s ravaging nature with its elegance and tranquillity. But that wasn’t what made this day beautiful. As I entered the shop for the first time in my life, I was in awe with everything I saw within there: the real-size, vivid red dinosaur model, the rows of flamboyant car models with their futuristic remote-controls equipped with the latest tech, and the -

“I’m sorry son, but I already told you that you can only buy a single item from the shop ”

We were walking back home My dad was holding onto the remote-controlled car (which I decided to choose over the dinosaur toy) whilst I trudged behind, thinking, wondering will my dad find out what I did? I patted my pocket gently over the jugged shape concealed within Will he realise that I took something from the shop without telling him?

I looked up to find the sun no longer visible to my eyesight Instead, dark shapes formed across the sky, blackening more and more as seconds went by “Come on son, it looks like it’s going to rain ” My stomach growled with feelings of guilt- should I tell my dad what I did? Just as we opened the front door, a din screech exploded across the skies Blinding veils of light ruptured the dark azure sky, revealing monstrous streaks of white against the black darkness All of a sudden, the sky opened up and the windows rattled against the sky’s teardrops I gave nervous glances from the lightning to my dad, beads of sweat slowly dripping down my neck Just like the sky opening up, I felt my heart bursting from the guilt I’d been carrying from within Should I tell my dad? I felt a kaleidoscope of emotions rushing through me: guilt, betrayal, horror of what I did Will my dad be angry if I told him? Will he be disappointed in me?

“Son, are you alright?” My dad watched me with a concerned look, waiting for a response. But. I didn’t answer. Seconds passed. Minutes passed.

“Dad, I took a dinosaur from the shop without telling you. I’m really sorry! Please, forgive me. ” My dad’s eyes bored into mine, and we stayed like this for a few moments until he knelt down and took my hand.

“Son, I want you to know that what you did is called stealing, and you must never steal in your life- be happy with what you have. Stealing will have consequences, just like any shortcuts you do to make your life easier. No matter how cool the toy you stole is, you will never feel happy keeping it, because you know it is not something you rightfully own. That burden will stay with you for the rest of your life. Son, I want you to remember this: never ever steal, and always appreciate what you already have.”

Feeling lighter, I watched as the sun burst through the sheets of grey, shining its glory and innocence once again From then on, I thought to myself: I will never steal again

Harish - Lee 11

An Unfortunate Event

I remember when they started The messages They were subtle at first, maybe a little drawing on cheap paper plastered to my kitchen table or a word scrawled on the wall in a language I didn’t understand You can imagine I was concerned Not understanding what was going on, not knowing what to do about the sinister messages I was receiving. I tried to contact my relatives and friends first, but they put me down and told me the messages weren’t real; it was all in my head They told me to get more sleep and they explained that fatigue was the reason why I was seeing strange things I knew otherwise

Over time, the messages became more frequent and pressing. The drawings became frustrated scribbles that depicted scenes straight from the mind of a psycho. The words became sentences and I knew that someone, something was trying to tell me something, and they seemed frustrated with my apparent ignorance. I tried to stay up once, refusing sleep in the hopes of finding whatever was trying to communicate with me; I never saw anything happen. I continued to worry, becoming more and more estranged from lack of sleep and paranoia I knew something would happen soon. Once, I tried to hire someone to help me fix my issues, but when they arrived at my dishevelled home in the middle of nowhere, they turned tail and stepped on the accelerator. I bet they thought I was crazy. I wasn’t.

Soon after, patterns started to appear in my corn fields I’m just a farmer you see, trying to make a living in an honest way, but the patterns drove me off the edge. I didn’t get sleep for many nights after that, staying up in terror of these messages I witnessed many things on those sleepless nights. I saw flashing lights outside my window and heard screams and humming noises Everyone else called me an insomniac. I remember mothers pulling their children across the street and away from me; the looks of pity strangers flashed at me.

The next night, I was desperately trying to cling to my consciousness; it was too much

I passed out.

When I woke up, strange lights were glaring at me above my head, blasting their image into the back of my skull I couldn’t move, couldn’t make a noise as a shadowy behemoth of a figure walked towards me, brandishing a tool I had never seen before and couldn’t distinguish. All I knew was that I was somewhere unforgivable. That tool was sharp

A Message from My Mother

In his home, Alex sifted through his mother's old things, feeling a mix of misery and warmth. It had been three years since she had passed away from cancer, yet her presence lingered like a soft whisper in the corners of every room Up in the attic, where dust floated in the light, Alex found a dusty chest full of memories

Within its depths lay a trove of forgotten relics: faded photographs frozen in time, delicate jewellery and letters yellowed with age Amongst them, nestled like a precious jewel, lay an envelope, its edges frayed with the passage of time

With trembling fingers, Alex unfolded the parchment and saw his mother's handwriting. It felt like she was talking to him again, even though she wasn't there. Tears welled up in his eyes as he read her words.

"My dearest Alex,

As I write these words, know that you ' re always in my thoughts and in my heart. Time may pass, but my love for you remains as strong as ever. Life is full of ups and downs, twists and turns. But through it all, remember that you ' re never alone.

Cherish the memories we ' ve shared, the laughter, the tears, and everything in between They bind us together

With all my love, Mum"

Tears welled in Alex's eyes, shimmering like stars in the twilight sky In the silence of the attic, he could almost feel her presence, her warmth wrapping around him like a comforting embrace. With each word, her love enveloped him.

In that dusty attic, surrounded by memories of the past, Alex found a treasure more precious than anything else his mother's message, shining bright like a light in the darkness

By Muhammad - Lee 11

Loneliness

Many, many years ago; I put a message in a bottle, And it floated out to sea

To this day, no one has found it

But maybe one day… one day…

One day they will

Many, many years ago; I longed for someone to see, And someone to share my thoughts with To this day, they still haven’t arrived

But maybe one day… one day…

One day they will

Many, many years ago; I wished for somewhere to call home, And a family to live with

To this day, I'm still searching

But maybe one day… one day..

One day… I'll find it.

Many, many years ago; I put a message in a bottle, And it floated out to sea

To this day, no one has found it…

But maybe one day one day

One day… they will.

Walter - Lee 7

fluffy

Dear Reggie,

You were such a good cat, for the whole 11 years I knew you Your gentle purrs comforted me throughout my whole life, even up to your final moments The stress you caused when you ran away and the relief you gave me when you returned home a month later will stay with me forever. You were a lifelong friend and such a good cat I will miss the dead mouse in the cupboard and finding the remains of a rabbit in the back garden I loved the rainy days where you would sit, snoozing on the sofa, only waking to the clattering sound of your food bowl

Your love for humans was strong as we found out when we were informed that you were hanging out with the local primary school kids Your dream career of working in an office was short-lived when you returned after two weeks from the Travelodge headquarters.

I miss you Reggie, Rest in Peace

Daniel - Lee 7

The Message That Wouldn't Go Away

I was tired I laid in bed, too exhausted from school to move, but the growls of my stomach told me to do otherwise. Giving in, I shuffled my way out of bed, limping down the stairs; taking only one stair with each step. The scent of a toasting bagel swept through the passages of my nose and a new wave of energy engulfed me “Mmm”, I thought, “ a bagel with a Biscoff spread”. The thought continued to pirouette through my mind, as my stride quickened a little

Only a mere few minutes later, I was sitting, bagel in hand, feeling the Biscoff spread oozing into my now satisfied stomach I checked my phone One new message It was George I lost to him at table tennis that afternoon

“Unlucky mate, lose some of that blubber and maybe you’ll beat me next time.” He was obviously joking

Right?

“Am I fat? No, of course not”, I told myself

“Do I need to lose weight? No he was joking.”

Insecurities raced through my mind, reaching every corner and crevice. I tried to forget the comment, but it stuck to me, like gum to a shoe: unnoticeable to everyone else, yet it wouldn’t go away.

I was tired. I laid in bed; too exhausted from school to move, but the growls of my stomach told me to do otherwise. The silk of the sheets whispered in my ear to stay As did the mellowness of the pearl-white radiator But shouting, above all, was the gum stuck to my shoe.

I stayed put

I was tired. I laid in bed; too exhausted from school to move, but the growls of my stomach told me to do otherwise These growls were a constant backdrop to my life. The bitter taste of hunger stained my throat. But I resisted the powerful urge to eat

I stayed put.

I was tired I laid in bed But this bed was different This room was different A cage of white barriers enclosed the room; piercing lights lay, embedded in the ceiling; an unvaried beeping noise bounded through the room I looked down at my chest.

A maze of tubes and wires fed from my chest I looked up and was greeted with the sight of my mother. Her face was etched with worry and pain, her eyes red and sore.

“You collapsed my boy”, she muttered Her voice was shaky, filled with anxiety This didn’t sound like the strong-minded, ever-calm mother I knew. “The doctors say you can’t have eaten for a week”, she muttered, still in that soul-crushing, shaky voice.

“Mum”, I whimpered, “I need help”. And, for the first time in years, I felt that gum on my shoe begin to loosen

The Voyage into Messages

As we delve deeper the true nature of the message seems to unveil itself, or does it?

Fickle Nature

Messages,

Such a volatile and fickle thing, Shrouded in mystery waiting to be unveiled, Some, emotions constrained, Others, so brazenly displayed,

From the mundane to the jaw clenching, The jaw dropping and gut wrenching, Yet the beauty is,

All in the eye, the perspective, Reminding ourselves to become retrospective, We meet ourselves in the beginning, The fickle nature of the message, Jewels of serendipity greeting us with warm, open arms,

Or duplicitous facades once again giving us the cold shoulder,

How can we know in this world so deceiving, A dark malicious den riddled with deceit and deception, oh so misleading!

Two faced and so often blinding us with its charisma, An unyielding paradox, its dual nature life’s bittersweet enigma.

Ayaan - Lee 12

Bottled Message

It travels in a bottle far and wide, Floating in the ocean tide full of pride.

The bottle seems lost in the vast ocean, Waiting for a chance to be found and opened.

As the storm rages on the message still concealed, The bottle guards the truth like a shield

Why was it thrown into the endless abyss?

Left all alone to suffer in darkness.

Who wrote it and why?

Maybe it’s fate that no one can defy.

As countless days pass,

It sets its sights on some landmass.

It dreams of the wonders it will discover, A wonderful world with countless places to go and adventure.

The bottle is our determination to continue to thrive, What’s inside the bottle? The journey of our lives, The message? We must keep going till our paradise arrives.

Anthony - Lee 9

Dear younger self,

Looking back in life as you navigate through the twists and turns of life I want to share some words of wisdom with you. Embrace every opportunity whether it's a success or a failure and learn from all experiences. Never be afraid to take risks and step outside of your comfort zone as these are the times you will discover who you truly are.

Ensure you cherish the relationships you have with your friends and family They are going to be there for you and support you through hard times. Make time for them, listen to their stories, and enjoy their company whilst you still can.

Lastly, remember to prioritise your health Take care of your body and do things to help your mental health. Pursue your passions to the fullest extent but don't forget to take breaks when you need to.

Most importantly trust in yourself and your abilities. You are capable of achieving great things so dream big and never give up on your aspirations. Keep moving forward and remember that the journey is just as important as the destination.

With love and encouragement, Freddie Fredrik - Lee 13

Talking To Your Friends

In a world where connections are made online, I treasure the moments spent with friends of mine.

Gathered around a table or on a cosy couch, Our conversations flowed, without a single hitch.

We share our thoughts, our fears, our dreams, Laughing together, it's never as it seems From tales of past adventures to dreams of the future, Our friendship is a bond that nothing can rupture.

We talk about love, about life, about our goals, Supporting each other through all the highs and lows.

The sound of their voices is like music to my ears, A symphony of friendship that soothes all my fears.

Resonation

In the warmth of their presence, I feel at ease, Their understanding and empathy put me at peace.

We listen, we advise, we lend a helping hand, In this circle of friends, together we stand.

With every word spoken, our bond grows stronger, A connection that'll last a lifetime, no matter the distance or longer.

So let's cherish these moments, these talks we hold dear,

For in the company of friends, there's nothing to fear.

In a world that's constantly changing and evolving, The comfort of friendship is what keeps me revolving.

So here's to the conversations, the laughter, the tears,

Talking to my friends is what I hold dear.

Joshua - Lee 7

In the morning hours a solitary individual stands at the edge of the weathered dock gazing out at the waters. The ocean, an expanse displaying shades of blue, whispers secrets carried by the salty breeze. Each wave that gently touches the posts seems to convey a distant message, written in the language of the sea. Above seagulls soar lazily across the sky their mournful cries mirroring a longing that fills the air. Below the steady rhythm of waves kissing the shore creates a soothing melody evoking a timeless dance, between land and sea. On the horizon a lone sailboat emerges from the fog, its sails billowing in the light of dawn. Approaching closer the person on the pier can almost sense stories whispered by the wind. Tales of far off lands and forgotten aspirations.

Messages both verbal and silent are intertwined in life's fabric connecting spirits across expanses of time and distance As sunlight bathes everything below in its glow with each passing moment the individual on the dock understands that, amidst life's constant changes it is often those heartfelt messages that resonate most deeply

Joshua - Lee 11

Our Legacy

“Ladies and gentlemen, here at half time in the electrifying atmosphere of this world cup final, I want each and everyone of you to take a moment to feel the purpose of this occasion. This game isn't just about the trophy, it's about the legacy we carve, the pride we uphold and the spirit of unity that defines us. Yes the first half may not have gone as well as we thought, we encountered challenges, setbacks and perhaps even moments of uncertainty! But let me remind you, champions are not forged in hiding from hardship rather they rise above it! Fuelled by the fans, team mates and the nation of France as a whole. Look around you into the eyes of your brothers in arms. See the fire, the hunger, the sheer will to win burning within! That same fire within each of us drives us forward towards greatness. History remembers not the challenges we faced but the strength with which we overcame them, our unwavering resilience in the face of adversity! Let us become the definition of Champions! So when you step back onto that field do so with your head Held High, chest puffed out and with a mind that knows no limit. This is our moment, our destiny awaits. Let's show the world the spirit of France. Let's rise above the occasion and let's etch our names into the history as champions. Now who is ready to make history let the world hear our roar?! 1 2 3 ALLEZ LE BLEUS!”

Felix - Lee 9

Return

Scene 4

(THE MAN strides in. He is an imposing figure, around 6 ft 5 inches tall, with an equally impressive physique. Alongside a sophisticated, satin-lined suit an island can be found on him: multiple chains, bracelets, earrings and more twinkle under the room's artificial light. Once he arrives by the seat, he crumples, head down and softly weeps. In his hands, he holds a simple, brown notebook with a pen.)

THE MAN: One day, it’s just one day Then life would go back to normal

(Whilst he tries to compose himself, a girl skips in She has a small stature, around 5 ft 4 inches tall with a slim frame, and wears a flowery, vibrant dress that flows as she moves. THE GIRL approaches a cupboard and strains to reach the top, before emerging with a notepad and pen. The notebook is littered with stickers of various shows and characters, and THE GIRL holds it under her arm as she skips to a seat that is directly opposite to THE MAN, who is currently writing. Once she sits down, she looks to the sky with a childlike wonder, as THE MAN gets up)

THE MAN: Zoe, what are you doing right now? I hope you haven’t been skipping school, I hope you’ve been doing your homework, I hope you haven’t given Mom a lot of trouble -

THE GIRL (oblivious to THE MAN): Dear Daddy, you come home tomorrow! I really missed you and I’m happy I get to finally spend some proper time with you, instead of doing it behind a wall in a prison…

(THE GIRL pauses)

THE GIRL: Should I mention the prison? That might be insensitive considering he just got out I don’t want him to remember any possibly bad memories after all.

(As THE GIRL resumes writing, THE MAN inches closer. He reaches out, before shrinking back and sinking back in his chair)

THE MAN: Am I even ready to face her? I’ve missed ten years of her life, practically her whole childhood What if she resents me for it? I mean, I wouldn’t blame her I was the same when my father was locked away and when he came back He wasn’t there when I needed him, and I had to watch my mother slave away trying to support me and my bro.

(He gets up again swiftly, before pacing around the chair)

THE MAN: It was so hard not having a father, and I projected the same fate onto my daughter Luckily, she has no siblings, so that part was different But still, I should’ve been there Man, I should’ve been there

(THE GIRL springs up from a chair, snapping her notebook shut, whilst THE MAN returns to his seat and continues writing)

THE GIRL: I’m so excited! I don’t know what you are doing right now, but I hope you know that I don’t hate you for going away, ‘cause I know that you had no choice but to do what you did Me and mom hung on fine, don’t worry!

(Remembering she didn’t have the written paper in her hand, THE GIRL rips a piece of paper out of the notebook, before returning it to the same cupboard as before. As she does this, THE MAN rubs his temple, before sighing and ripping the paper out of the notebook. THE MAN and THE GIRL meet in the centre of the stage, although they aren’t directly opposite and stare past each other)

THE MAN: See you soon, Zoe

THE GIRL (overlapping): Looking forward to seeing you soon Daddy!

(Both exit as they came in)

[END SCENE]

The Secrets of the Walls

A surge of excitement and anticipation coursed through me as I entered my house. This year’s House Writing theme: "Messages." What stories, what tales did my house hide within its walls, what narratives were waiting to be unearthed? Armed with paper and pen, I began my quest to capture the messages embedded within my house

Reaching the front door, I paused momentarily: its intricate design and weathered appearance intrigued me The door appeared to protect past secrets - treating them with value and care like precious treasures in a vault. Gently pushing it open, a welcoming creak emerged from within; beckoning me into a realm where whispered stories seemed to linger in the air.

Before me, the hallway stretched: faded wallpaper and framed photographs lined its length. Each picture encased a memory – like an echo from another time – a frozen message. Pausing in front of one image – my family radiating joy and laughter, I had captured them with a simple click of a camera. In that frozen moment, a clear message emerged: Love and happiness permeated every room of this house.

Continuing forward, I entered the living room; my gaze instinctively fixed upon the fireplace The roaring fire – it had listened to many conversations over the years: some vibrant; others solemn – commanded attention. Making myself comfortable on the aged couch, I sensed echoes of previous laughter surrounding me, the flames in front of me resembling a tender, warm embrace. The messages in this room were ones of friendship, comfort, and shared experiences.

Walking ahead, I set foot into the kitchen - undoubtedly the house's heart. The scent of homecooked meals wafted towards me. It seemed to have a mystical power in conveying love and care. I took a moment to look at an aged note attached to the refrigerator door: a tender reminder from my mother written many years ago. It spoke of support and encouragement, a message that resonates within me even now

Ultimately, I arrived at the sanctuary of my personal room a space encouraging deep reflection. Upon exploring my desk, I stumbled upon an assortment of handwritten letters: some impeccably folded; others bore rushed creases. Within these correspondences lay messages from dear ones and friends words that revealed profound emotional landscapes.

Seated, pen gliding across the paper: I started writing. A realisation dawned upon me that my house was more than just bricks and mortar. It had a profound history – an abundance of messages. The unique stories and experiences each room held were not just painted on its walls but embedded in its very foundation

Setting my pen aside, a profound sense of gratitude overcame me. It became clear to me that beyond being merely a place to rest, my house served as the messenger for relationships transcending time and space. The stories whispered by the walls of my house persist, eager for those with inquisitive ears and receptive hearts to listen.

Arnav - Lee 12

My wealth is not in the number of books I have written, but in the number of hearts I have touched and the lives that have been transformed by hearing my message

TheOldManandDeath

Anoldmanhadbeentravellingfordays.Welltravellingismorethanwhathedid.Hesimplywasa cruelplace.Thepeopleofitareevenworse.Thewoodonhisbackwaswearinghisshouldersdown, ‘theweightoftheworld’ashehadreferredtoit.Hiseyesstartedforward,thoughlookingat nothing.Hewalked,andwalked,losingfocusashecontinued,whenherealisedthathewastoo tiredtokeepgoing.Heputthefirewooddownonthegroundandthen,indesperationanddespair, hecalledoutloudtoDeath.

“Death,O’Death,comeandtakeme,Icannolongerbearmyburden,thisworldiscruelandIwish tobeinitnolonger.”

Muchtotheman'ssurprise,Deathappearedbeforehim,carryingascythe.Theoldmanwas terrifiedwhenhesawDeathstandingrightinfrontofhim.NowthathecouldseeDeathwithhis owneyes,herealisedthathedidnotwanttodie!

“Ihavecome,”saidDeath,“Whatwasitthatyouweresaying?”

Theoldmanstaredatthefigureinfrontofhim,terrifiedhebegantostutter.

“N-noIwishnottodie.IcalleduponyoubecauseIneedsomehelpwithmybundleoffirewood. Wouldyoubesokindastohelpmeliftupmyload?JustplaceithereonmyshouldersandthenI willhurryhome."

Deathwasimpressedbythisbraveandcleverreply,sohepickedupthebundle,placeditontheold man'sshoulders,andvanishedassuddenlyashehadappeared.Theoldmanthenbreathedasigh ofreliefandhappilymadehiswaybackhome.

Becarefulforwhatyouwishforbecauseitcouldcometrue.

Daniel -Lee9

The Mysterious Ants of London

In the heart of London, hidden from human eye, there existed a colony of minute ants. These weren’t your typical everyday ants that mindlessly chased crumbs all day long In fact, they lived in a mysterious mail truck that roamed the streets of London, collecting letters from every post-box

In their mobile sanctuary, these ants used an ancient ritual that allowed them to harvest the emotions sealed within the envelopes The method began with a dance, each dancer ant assigned a unique emotion, and the Queen Ant, wise and proud, in the centre The ants, knowledgeable and nimble, started rhythmically tapping their tiny feet, creating pheromones that were then interpreted by the worker ants The worker ants then waved their antennas to translate the pheromones into emoticons, and then to store them in small vials Afterwards, the collection ants marched in a straight line towards the storage room: a massive safe filled to the brim with positive and happy emoticons

One day, the ants encountered a letter with a unique, electrifying blend of excitement and anticipation. This letter was immediately sent off to the Queen, and she proceeded to oversee a special dance, creating emoticons that pulsed with a vibrant glow. This caused a nearby magpie to catch sight of the shiny letter, and it flew off with the peculiar correspondence. The magpie’s unexpected theft sent the tiny ants into a flurry of confusion, and they followed the letter while continuing their rhythmic dance. The Queen Ant sensed a disruption, and decided to follow the magpie, determined to retrieve back the letter.

Once she had caught up with the magpie, it decided to return the letter after seeing her worried look. The Queen Ant, with a dignified nod, returned back and finished her ritual, in front of the eyes of the magpie.

Lucas - Lee 9

Write Me a Message

“Write a message.” Ms Literacous said. The wind swirled outside of the red classroom as the huge, daunting teacher seemed to have a close-up vision of all thirty students at once. It was so silent someone might have thought they all got shot “That is all I ask of you during this half-term break,” the teacher said coldly

“Write a message?” Little Scro thought “Can’t be asked I’ll just blow it off, and get another detention What’s it to me?”

Little Scro shrugged and he swivelled around in his chair at the back of the class, his hands behind his big afro and minding his own business.

“If you don’t…” Ms Literacous started but then stopped as her face rearranged into a vicious smile “I’ll be calling your parents for your inability to produce something as simple as this.”

“What?” Little Scro wanted to protest but knew better. He knew he couldn’t dodge this bullet. He realised that he let that thought escape from his mouth and tried to make himself scarce but Ms Literacous looked at him with a glare so sharp, Little Scro had to check for a hole in his chest. The bell rang and Little Scro bolted out of the classroom, not waiting for anyone.

He walked out of the school gates deep in thought, wondering what he could do to satisfy his teacher’s wicked needs It was a sunny but windy day as Little Scro walked down the streets at his own pace His afro caught the wind as it turned like a boat caught in a storm His puffy blue coat held the best defence it could but the wind carried the cold through the jacket and that was when it was able to attack. “A moral message? No, that’s kinda cliche. A hidden message? Too much work. Can’t decide!”. Little Scro sighed. What was he going to do? He stopped and pulled his Flohberry Fizz from his bag. “This is what’ll help. A Flo!” said Scro

Little Scro came back late and entered just in time for dinner. “What are you late for? Dummy,” said Little Scro’s older sister, Toh. She had a smirk on her face. “Did you stop to have a Flo, Scro?” asked Toh. “No, you shouldn’t be doing that, bro.” She had a grin from ear to ear.

Little Scro was seething but didn't show it through his actions “It seems to be none of your business” “Toh, stop it Are you all right?” Little Scro’s Mum, Jo, asked “I’m good,” said Little Scro before huffing upstairs while the wooden stairs creaked from his weight

He lay down on his bed looking up into the ceiling thinking about the assignment tomorrow. He thought and thought until he slowly raised his head like a person possessed and quietly whispered “I got it” before he went to bed and slept.

The next day, the classroom felt the same as yesterday, eerily quiet. However, Little Scro wanted to present. He needed to present otherwise he was going to burst. He imagined himself going splat on the red walls of the classroom. “Who wants to present? '' asked Mrs Literacous. Little Scro shot his hand up like a bullet. “Please may I present Miss? He knew monkey noises weren’t going to get him anywhere. “This is going to be good,” Miss Literacous murmured before declaring “You may come forth and present.”. Little Scro struggled to get to the front walking past all the chairs in his row then trying not to trip on the bags down the aisle Once he did get to the front, he spoke “Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the speech I will give to you about stress ” Everyone was in shock, he was basically calling Miss Literacous out “Stress is bad for everyone, me and you and without stress we could perform better than we do now so let me stress the importance of not having stress. Stress is bad and what causes stress?” He paused for dramatic effect as he let the audience know he was really going to call out Miss Literacous “Homework that is set the day before it is due. To get rid of most stress in this class we must nip it in the bud because by doing that, we are then able to grow. Thank you.” He went back to his seat with a smug smile on his face because he’s done what he wanted to do. Next is Phase 2…

Bittersweet

Jim, a young boy determined to help his poorly dad, set sail across the Pacific Ocean Jim’s dad used to be a sailor and from a young age, he had always dreamt of sailing with his dad. Unfortunately, his dad was extremely ill and urgently needed medication that could only be found on the Vanuatu island

As he reached the islands, he was disappointed by what he saw He was promised clear oceans, vibrant colours in nature and lovely weather. As he was sailing towards Vanuatu, he could see small islands on his way there, but he was determined to get to the main island As he sailed through the treacherous waters, he could see small figures on an island far away, but mistook them for monkeys and kept sailing As he drew closer, he saw a tribe of people with spears. They’d just seen him.

The boy was a doctor, a scientist. He had created a medicine which could cure some of the most deadly illnesses, requiring only one unique ingredient depending on the illness The search for these magical ingredients had begun And yet he had no customers. No one wanted this special cure. Perhaps they were scared, afraid of its power, or perhaps they were suspicious, denying its existence He questioned the reality of this world; everyone needed his creation, and yet no one wanted it.

The immense clouds attacked the clear skies, plunging the ocean into shadow A swirling fog, grey and sinister, filled the salty air. Now, even the end of the 3-metre boat was lost to the storm’s ghostly embrace. Sounds like screams echoed across the ocean, a result of the strong gusts of cold air Waves began to rise, like skeletons from a grave, and the white crests disappeared upwards into the thick fog. Lightning struck the rough surface intermittently, lighting up strange shapes in the air

The storm destroyed what was left of the small rowing boat. Jim thought he had seen the worst of his troubles, but he was wrong A mast, a white one, came from the horizon towards the boat The boat sailed up next to the wreckage and smashed into it. A rope was thrown down and with it, three pirates, swinging their shining blades and grimacing their scared faces, shouting in a language Jim didn’t know, and they kicked him overboard He was left to float out to sea as they shouted and threw bits of wood from his boat at him. He swam for all he could until he started to pass out. He thought it was night, but it was dark because his eyes were closed

He woke up in the sea, surrounded by sharp, jagged rocks. He thought he was drowning, and blacked out for a short while, until he was woken up by the sound of a loud chirping noise It seemed to come from inside of the rocks, and intrigued, he knelt closer inwards. Just a few metres away, he saw a large opening, and upon peering into it, he saw a picture-perfect island down below, however, he was too busy to notice the waves coming closer towards him, and he fell in. Down below, on the island, it started to rain.

He awoke again, floating on a piece of driftwood. Time passed, which seems like forever, if your surroundings consist of blue, blue, and more blue, punctured only by those jagged rocks. The azure blue that once mesmerised, now became a bitter reminder of his fate The only remainder was the sun, so bright that he was forced to look straight down. However there was hope; the island he had spotted earlier was getting closer, and soon he knew he would arrive With a soft thud, he landed He had sand in his eyes and hair As he scrambled to get up he took in his surroundings. The sea, no use, the sun, a problem, and - trees! He was overheated, fatigued, and most of all firstly. Then he began sprinting; his subconscious was fed up and had taken over in search of water He found a rock, and began smacking a coconut with such force that it split open and almost spilled everywhere. He took a sip and another, until he ran out. Next task, food, and above all, he needed help. Quickly, he jotted down a note on a leaf:

“SOS Am stuck on island near Vanuatu Send help ”

He rolled it up and placed it neatly in a bottle he found lying on the shore, before casting it off to sea He looked around. He saw a tallish hill, and he climbed it. He looked around. It's all green, green and yellow sand and -huts? He was ecstatic He slid down the mountain at full pelt He cut through the bushes and the trees and felt about 100 insects splatter on his clothes. He then led to an apparent crossroads, and was a little lost, when he saw a fire lit in the distance, and headed off that way, looking at the clean, wet natural plants trampled by his feet The perfect weather seemed to tell him to calm down but he didn’t listen Stupid weather He went into the forest and ran towards the green scenery until it enveloped him, telling him to chill out. Stupid forest. He didn’t know where he was running, he didn’t know when he was going to stop He was going to find someone on this island Stupid island He pushes past the leaves to find natives around the campfire.

He stopped

“Um… there are people here?” he said.

“Yes I’m the elder of this village Come, now, let’s feast to our hearts content ” He raised his bone up high before laughing “After all, you’ve come a long way, I expect.” He sat down with them, hesitant yet relieved.

The next day, he headed back to camp to decide what to do next

After a while of pondering, he spotted something glistening.

He blinked

Was that gold?

He jumped in the air and cheered in delight.

“Gold, gold, gold!”, he shouted, and dragged the gold back to camp He was so ecstatic, he began to hope he could get a way out of there. A thought struck him - build a boat. So simple, but he could do it. He was sure!

The boat - more of a puny raft, he thought, admiring his handiwork - was finally finished after countless hours of working hard and wrestling with vines and wooden planks It may not have been a museum-worthy piece of art but it was still enough to leave the island. Later that evening, when Jim had finished eating a hasty meal of uncooked rice and beans he returned to add the finishing touches to the boat. But the boat wasn’t there. It was missing. As he looked into the dark abyss he could just make out the figure of a boat sneaking through the sea. The tribesmen had stolen the boat. Jim called into the darkness but there was no response The tribesmen had snuck off with his only way off the island A single tear rolled down his cheek

Depression set in deeper as the days grew longer; gold was worthless in solitude, and desperation further nourished the growth of an illness A wave of melancholy crashed over him Here his mental wellbeing plummeted into such a steep decline, that if unattended, would be nothing short of madness

He ate revolting snails and slugs out of desperation. Occasionally he would get lucky and find a seawater-infested coconut. He started making people out of sand as if they were his family and singing and dancing with them. He would spot a piece of jackfruit at the top of the tree but upon climbing up the tree like a monkey, he would bite into it only to realise it was just a rock that had broken five of his teeth

He started crying just thinking about the thought of home. “What must my parents be thinking? They must be worried as hell.” Just thinking about his 2 brothers and his sister made him tear up. Home, he couldn't remember what home felt like He just wanted to go home He couldn't stay on this island anymore

As he woke, he noticed out of the corner of his eye, a bottle, bobbing onto shore. Such a bottle! It had a message in it - perhaps they were coming to save him! He cheered quietly to himself - he'd been stuck on this island for far too long and can't wait to go home “I must be dreaming”, he thought, bored, scared and worried thoughts racing through his head “I must be hallucinating This can’t be real - it's probably because I ate the wrong type of coconut. I will go to bed now and if it is still there it must be true,” he thought.

He collapsed back into his bed.

Oh, what a night's sleep! Much better than he had in the recent few days He went and checked if the bottle was still here, hoping it was. It's still here! He must not be hallucinating; they are actually coming to save him! FINALLY! He had been waiting for so long. “Oh, wow this is hard to open,” he muttered, “someone must have plugged the cork in deep.” POP He pulled the letter out, only to realise that it was a leaf

“SOS. I am stuck on island near Vanuatu. Send help.”

The very letter he had sent out just 2 days ago.

I Wanna Send A Message

It needs to stop

We see all of these bombs that drop

And it's all cool

‘Till we realise its schools

That has been wiped out

The rubbly wreck draws a crowd

News copters surround the site

You’re seeing blinding lights

But the kids see it at the end of the tunnel

Buried underneath all that rubble

Bad things can happen without it being visible

Sometimes the pain you leave with won’t be physical

The damage a traumatic event gives

Sometimes the way a person lives

The thing that cuts deepest won’t always be a knife

Sometimes words can forever affect a life

Insult after insult won’t resolve the situation

How about trying to exchange information

In a way that isn’t a declaration Of discontent or a lack of cooperation

Pay attention to the homeless on the streets

They have lives too, wants, needs

Can’t you spare some change

So the man on the pavement over there can change

You don’t know what a donation might do

Maybe that gives them enough to buy a pot of stew

I wanna send a message to all those suffering

I hear your cries and the prayers that I’m sending

I hope the bombs stop dropping, the words stop cutting

And the homeless can live the lives we have all been loving

Oluwatomiwa-Lee10

Whispers of Connection

In whispers, within words that fly, Messages dance beneath the sky

A language spun from thought and care Connecting souls beyond compare

Through the realms of light and day, they flow

Guiding hearts, home they go

In every stroke, in every line, A tale unfolds, a bond so divine

In Texts that flutter through the air Emotions rise, free of glare in glowing pixels, feelings bloom.

In every group chat, every room

From ancient scrolls to modern screens

Messages carry hopes and dreams

They bridge the gaps, they mend the fray

They light the path along the way.

In letters penned with ink and quill

Or typed with keys, with fervent will

Each word is a vessel, and each phrase is a key Unlocking doors to unity.

So heed the call, the messages bright

Embrace the power, the pure delight

For in each word, a story lies Connecting souls beneath the skies

William-Lee11 W A R N I N G S

A Word of Warning

“Some of you eagerly watch as others suffer and have their worlds slowly close in on them. The cameras point at only the real issues while others are forced away, unnoticed by the masses. This injustice births the desensitised state we find ourselves. Twenty-four-hour news reporting on pressing matters to make mainstream television eye-catching and gripping, like a circus for trapeze artists and dancers, for the senseless eyes that are fixated on the bloody screen

The floodgates are open and the waves are rushing through Crashing across the globe, engulfing nation after nation; deepening, settling and submerging. The waters turn murkier and caverns crack open, candid and quite frank Exploited and used to break families from one another, friends from friends and neighbour from neighbour.

Trenches are built and battles are fought on land that was once peaceful and inhabited by those from every scope of life Washed and immersed in the dark, towering waves, the trenches are drenched with the blood of the ones we thought we knew…and now we stand alone on islands, isolated and split from those we had known

Meanwhile, those up top sleep peacefully like nothing has happened below They are forgetful and whistle sweet songs oblivious to what is beneath them. They are sloth-like: slow and senile Unresponsive and blind to the cries of danger of what is to come Puppeted from above, those we are meant to trust, betray and deceive us and use us for their gain. Yet we stand here repeating the same cycle that has locked us up since the dawn of man

Smoke fills the air trees fall, fire freely roams the Earth, and fog deprives our view Blinded from those we trust and those we cannot. The fog of war prevents the fight from commencing but enables those closest to us to blindly fight those we know are not our enemies. We are blinded from reaching the final culprit, the fog of war stops our advance and the fire and smoke kill us in our attempts to finish what we started.

Observe. Action alone means nothing. Observe Banded together, it makes everything

But as a word of warning, tough times approach and we will all be in the fierce firing line.”

Earth

160,000 years ago, In a galaxy there was a solar system, With a planet called Earth, And near the peak of the planet’s girth, A specific special species sprang up; Homo sapiens, Destined to conquer…

Skipping to 150,000 years later, The Homo sapiens had become greater, Than any other human species left to resist, And so the other species’ ceased to exist, But the Homo sapiens had not finished, And the world and its creatures, Were foolish to think they were secure…

9826 years later,

The spiteful species still persists, Polluting the environments with greenhouse gases,

And profiting of the suffering, Of other sentient creatures, Without a drop of remorse, For the creatures they have killed!

Now in the present day,

The dodo and the tasmanian tiger, The golden toad and the passenger pigeon, Nowhere to be found, Banished from existence by the one species,

Constantly terrorising this world, And all without the slightest hint of anguish, No one to mourn their extinctions, Only now do the humans start to realise, The irreparable damage caused… !

In another universe far away, In the same EarthBut wait!

This Earth is littered with bodies, And the ruins of a civilization, This is a world where the humans carried on in their atrocities, And completely ignored the pleas, Of the planet, And so they were punished!

And all that was left was the scar they had left on a once beautiful world…

Back to our universe, The humans still live, But the Earth is beginning to take action, And the humans are not giving a sufficient reaction,

And so the world will turn to chaosBut wait!

Some of the humans are changing, And they are arranging, Ways to co-exist with one another, But to save the species, They must all cooperate, SO SPREAD THE MESSAGE! The planet will be saved!

Recycling and healthy eating, Empathy and care for this home!

If the humans are to live And be steered away from annihilation, Everyone must speak and LET THE SPECIES KNOW OF THE PLANET’S MESSAGE TO ITS INHABITANTS

The sky is grey and the fields are brown

Yet an oblivious couple picnic in the grass.

Clouds group in anger and the wind gains momentum

Trees protest but the leaves fall down

Relationships are certainly as fragile as glass.

Peering outside the train window I see a shop, Where slouched silhouettes stumble out of. Then suddenly a jump of ecstasy and a cry out to God

Whilst the ticket in his hand evades the raindrops

But is eventually taken by a dove.

Some remain naive to attain purity

And others choose to be ignorant to attain bliss.

They disregard the signs in exchange for security

In their happiness, just for it to be dismissed.

Krishanu - Lee 13

Blissful ignorance

A message can be hidden in every book you read, Or it could be in a speech on the news that you see, It is always in an advert where the message is you should buy, But don’t just take it from me as I’m an ordinary guy.

A message could make you aware of the struggles in our lives, It could control your emotions and make you want to fight, For a war or for a cause, You could be controlled with a well timed pause.

Beware

But within that pause the cause, Must not make you break the laws, Because if you did, Then the message you shouldn’t have read

Is in control from that speech, From that book you love to read, Or even from an advert that you see, Just down your street

From a message told by someone you know, It could just make you go, Change your actions for something right, Make you never ever fight

Except for when it's mandatory, Like in a world war, sorry, Since they are controlled by a message, Someone gave that they thought right, But that one message, Made the whole world fight.

So take away from this, A message is like a fist, If it's aimed in your direction, It can change every action,

For better or for worse

Be careful where you search, Since any news article, Could make you go through a tunnel, Or down a path, That makes you want to turn back

Samuel-Lee9

Explore the enigmatic pages of our house writing magazine to discover stories of mental health, love, cautious, and contemplative notes told through a blend of prose and poetry. Explore the mysterious meanings concealed behind each line as you decipher cryptic messages conveyed through the news. Explore the deep and enigmatic realm of our messages, where each word holding a secret yearning to be revealed. As writers create tales that linger in the air and entice readers to delve into the depths of the unspoken, join us in revealing the strands of the human experience.

we are stronger when we listen, and smarter when we share

M e s s a g e s

Arya Lee 11