THE SEED

BY RADHIKA JHAVERI, AGE 11, 2022

The seed is tiny, but it will grow

The seed will grow into a giant tree

The giant tree will have buds

The buds will turn into flowers that have soft petals

The soft petals will drift to the ground and land on a carpet of leaves

The bees will come from all over the place to drink the sweet nectar from the flowers

The fruits will grow where the buds once were

The fruit will rot and will reveal seeds like this one

But for all that to happen

This seed needs to be buried

It needs water

It needs sunlight

And it needs time

Like you

Couplets

Cute Cat

BY SWEEKRITI KULKARNI, AGE 10, 2021

That’s a cute cat,

It’s cuter wearing a hat!

It’s owner is playing with a baseball bat,

Now they’re both sitting on a mat!

Come on, finish your Kit Kat, that you see, wolves don’t actually attack unless they have a reason. Treat wolves with respect!

Then let’s go give the kitty a pat!

Wolves are not dangerous. Like every animal wolves attack only when provoked or hungry. They have been known to love kids and are playful too. They really are wonderful creatures.

Wolves have been known to rescue humans too! Once a woman was lost in a forest and a wolf found her. The wolf brought her up to the wolves den and shared the food and water supply. Later the woman was able to get home.

It is important to make sure that the number of wolves do not lessen. The number of wolves in the Yellowstone had decreased drastically. Now they are being protected and are no longer endangered.

It is important that we treat wolves with respect. Wolves also have a great sense of smell and hearing and are able to keep the food chain in order.

We have made sure that they are not endangered again. We must stop the hunting and trapping of wolves. This will help make this Earth a better place!

Powers Of The Volcano

BY RACHEL ROSENFIELD, AGE 12, 2015

I looked at the clock. Exactly 12 a.m. I snuck out my window and crept along the sidewalk. Everything was dark and quiet. Just like my life.

Finally I made it to my destination. The volcano. You might think it’s strange to go to a volcano in the middle of the night, but I think it’s calm and peaceful. Unlike my house. My parents died in a fire when I was really young. I was forced to live with my Uncle Arthur who is very evil. He has never smiled, he feeds me toast and cauliflower for every meal and never, not once has he said, “I love you.”

I sleep on a rock hard mattress with creepy dolls staring at me. The volcano has a cool little space that I put a sleeping bag on. It makes the 10 hours when I’m sleeping, the best part of my day.

I woke up the next day dreading to go back to my house. I would go to my friend Lindsey’s house, but she’s on vacation. She’s my only friend. Everyone else thinks I’m weird. I don’t know any of the songs on the Top 40 stations, I don’t see any of the popular movies (mostly because my uncle would never take me to the movies), and I’m probably the most shy person on the planet. But Lindsey gets me. We like to hang out at her house and play games. It’s the only time I have fun. But unfortunately, she is out of town. So I walk back to my house and crawl back through the window and face my usual bad day. But it turns out this wasn’t just a bad day. It was my worst day. It started in the afternoon. I was reading “Pride and Prejudice,” the only good book in my uncle’s house and he was filling out the daily crossword puzzle. We were listening to old songs on the radio, when suddenly a news report came on.

“We interrupt your regular programs to give you this special report. The former inactive Kilbow volcano is about to erupt. Please remain calm, gather everything you need and seek shelter.”

“Come on, let’s go,” said Uncle Arthur, “What are you standing around for? Let’s go.” But I could barely move. This wasn’t just any volcano. This was my volcano. The one place where I was happy. Now it’s gone.

It took three whole days to get out of the shelter where we were staying. I wasn’t able to sleep a wink. I saw the pictures of the volcano all burned. It made me so depressed. Now I would have to sleep in my uncle’s house. I wouldn’t get to be by myself again. Ever !!

When we were back at our house, I would spend my days in my room looking at the ceiling. The chipped, century’s old worn out ceiling. I couldn’t believe the volcano erupted. I thought it was supposed to stay inactive. Things like that don’t just change.

I wanted to talk to Lindsey about it but she would say that some things happen for a reason. I just don’t want to hear that. Besides she’s away and won’t get back for a week or two. The one thing I want is for things to get better.

While I was moping on my bed, Uncle Arthur knocked on my door.

“Can I come in?” he said.

“No,” I responded. But he knocked again. Harder.

“Let me in,” he practically yelled.

“Leave me alone,” I said angrily.

But he wouldn’t give up. This time he knocked with his whole fist.

“Open the door!” he yelled.

I was furious at him. With a clenched fist I yelled, “I said leave me alone,” and then the weirdest and scariest thing happened. A stream of fire flew from my fist and hit my empty bookshelf.

“What was that?” said Arthur.

“Nothing. Go away.” I responded and he actually left. I poured some water on my bookshelf to put out the flames. That was so crazy. How did I get fire power? Was it from sleeping in a volcano? It was scary and crazy. It was also great. I’m not boring old Violet. I’m actually interesting. I feel like I matter now. I have something that separates me from others.

I tried it again on my pillow. I saw the fire come out of my arms and onto the pillow like magic. I couldn’t believe it. I grabbed some more water and threw it on the flaming pillow which was pretty much destroyed. Now I decided to destroy the things that I hate the most. Those creepy dolls that have been haunting me my whole life.

When I tried to throw the flame at the dolls, it didn’t set them on fire. I tried again, but it still didn’t work. They say that three times the charm so I tried it one last time and it worked! They caught on fire and after I threw water on them, they disintegrated.

After that a big fire started in the middle of my room even though I didn’t throw any fire. When I backed away from it, the fire dissolved and turned into a person! She was wearing a long black dress and had short bright orange hair.

She looked at me and said, “It’s so good to see you. Now give back what belongs to me,” she was saying those words with an angry voice that made me want to get away from her.

“I don’t have anything of yours,” I yelled.

“Of course you do,” she said with her angry voice. “Half of my fire power,” she shot a flame nearly missing my head.

Uncle Arthur opened the door and screamed, “What is going on! Oh, it’s you.” He was eyeing this weird lady like she was a hammer stuck in the wall.

“Oh, Arthur !” the lady exclaimed but then her words turned sour, “It looks like your niece can’t accept a house guest.”

“She would never accept you nor would I!” Uncle Arthur yelled.

“Did you destroy the dolls?” he asked.

I didn’t get what the big deal was.

“I did. But why does it matter?”

“They were protecting you from her,” he was gesturing toward this lady.

“If you don’t want me to be here, then we won’t do this here,” and she threw fire to the ceiling and it sent all three of us to a volcano. I looked around and realized it was my volcano. The volcano that gave me happiness. The volcano that was supposed to be gone.

“Wasn’t this volcano destroyed?” I yelled.

“I staged the volcano being destroyed so that you would have nowhere to hide,” said the fire lady.

“She doesn’t need to hide. I will always protect her,” screamed Uncle Arthur looking madder than ever.

“You don’t have powers,” laughed fire lady.

“Well, I do!” I screamed, “I can take you down myself.” I shot a fireball at her that landed in the bubbling lava but missed her.

“You are no match for me,” she said.

We circled each other, both about to strike when suddenly I heard someone say, “Wait! Let me help!” I turned around and looked. It was Lindsey! I knew my best friend would never let me down.

“Thank you so much. You’re the best,” I told her with a grin on my face.

“I’m not here to help you,” she said, “I’m here to help my mother,” and she walked over to the fire lady.

“She’s your mother?! Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked her.

“Because,” she said, “I have been assigned to watch you as much as possible so my mom can figure out your weaknesses and destroy you.”

I felt like the wind was knocked out of me. I couldn’t believe her. I wanted more than ever for her to leave.

“GO!” I yelled.

“How can you make me?” Lindsey said.

“Because I have powers!” I screamed. I shot a fireball at her and it sent her into the bubbling fire.

“

NO!” said the fire lady. Part of me said I had gone too far. But a bigger part said I hadn’t gone far enough.

I looked at the lady and said, “Now you have no one.”

“You don’t either,” she said menacingly. “It’s not like you have mommy and daddy to help you.”

Suddenly everything clicked in my mind.

I looked at her and screamed, “You killed my parents in that fire. You didn’t want them around.”

“You’ve finally figured it out. Now you can be burned knowing everything.” She told me with an evil and cruel grin that was heartless.

“I think you mean that you’re the one who is going to be burned,” I said having just about enough of her.

I shot two fireballs with both of my hands. She did the same. The fireballs were hitting each other and neither of us would let go. But finally she accidentally backed up into the boiling pit of lava.

“NOO!!” she screamed, “You have to save me!”

“I don’t think so,” I said practically growling. She finally sank all the way. I realized that all my fireballs took up all of my power and that was fine with me.

When I was done with all of that I looked for Uncle Arthur. He was standing away from all the lava. I ran up to him and hugged him. I finally understood why he did all that other stuff.

He fed me toast and cauliflower so I could be strong and healthy. Also he was always grumpy because he knew my fate and was mad because of it. I would have done the same thing.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” he said to me, “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

“It’s okay,” I said, “I’m just happy that you’re alright.”

“I am too,” he said, “I love you,” and then we hugged. I knew were going to be great for a change.

True Love

BY CARMEN BREGOLI, AGE 8, 2013

Once upon a time in Africa, two lions named Mimi and Bubu were in love.

But, Mimi’s father did not like Bubu. He thought that Bubu was greedy. He wished that his daughter would find someone better. He would always keep them away from each other. However, Mimi was clever and smart and would always find a way to get to Bubu.

Once, Mimi was supposed to go see Bubu. But, she did not show up. Bubu was worried. So, Bubu went to her family’s cave and found Mimi’s mom and dad panting. Mimi had gone missing earlier. Bubu loved her so much that he decided to go looking for her.

When he left on his search the next day, he started towards the jungle. He went through miles and miles of jungle.

When the jungle ended, there was a town in the desert. There were many hunters in the town. Bubu thought that maybe Mimi had gotten captured by one of the hunters.,

Bubu looked in all of the houses, but there was nothing. When he was about to give up, he saw that one house was left. When he looked inside, he saw Mimi. He jumped inside the house, roared and took Mimi. When they arrived back at the den safely, Mimi’s parents finally knew it was true love.

Fairies Are Real

BY ADRIANNA, AGE 8, 2013

Once there was a little girl named Sally who was eight years old.

She wanted to fly but no helicopters or planes had been invented yet. So, she decided to believe in fairies.

Every day when the sun went down, she stood near a little glowing tulip. One day she found a little human with wings inside of the tulip!

She was so happy and shocked. She felt her heart would burst. She ran downstairs and told her mother. But, her mother didn’t believe her.

Suddenly, she heard a cracking noise upstairs. She dashed up the stairs.

When she got there, she peeked out the window and she saw the fairy! The tiny fairy flew into the house. She was very amazed by what she saw!

The fairy flew downstairs. Sally was afraid her mother who did not believe in fairies would be scared and might hurt the fairy.

So she ran downstairs! She caught the fairy and gently set her free.

Sally fell to the floor because she was so happy!

Hearing the noise from upstairs, her mother asked her, “What’s going on up there, little Sally?”

“Nothing!” Sally shouted back.

The next day, while Sally was sleeping, the tiny fairy turned her whole family into fairies! Sally could finally fly with her own pair of wings. Sally and her family lived happy for the rest of their lives.

SARA, THE RUNAWAY DETECTIVE

BY CHAYA TONG, AGE 9, 2015

I just could not fall asleep. Through my open window, I could hear cars honking out on the busy street. I got out of bed to close the shutters.

The orphanage was crowded. All of the boys slept in one room and all the girls slept in another. There never were any babies because everybody wanted one. There was even a waiting list. I always wished I was a baby so I could be adopted and go far away from this stinking orphanage.

The headmistress said that my parents had disappeared. I was found alone in my room at the age of one.

The neighbors took me in, but after my fifth birthday, they had to move and could no longer take care of me.

Now, I was in the orphanage where everyone hated me. The headmistress was always screaming, “Sara, sit up!” or “Sara, stop daydreaming!”

Suddenly, I heard a small squeak coming from a mouse hole in the wall behind my bed. The mouse squeaked twice and then climbed into my bed. She looked at me with large brown eyes. I knew that we were going to become friends.

I whispered, “What is your name?’’ From the way she looked at me, I could tell she did not have a name.

I asked, “How about Sapphire?” She blinked once as if to say yes and then disappeared into her mouse hole.

The next morning when I woke up, all the girls were gone. I hurriedly got dressed and ran out of the room and into the breakfast room. The headmistress screamed “There you are!

You are late as usual. Why are you never on time? Everyone else came exactly at seven. It is already seven-twenty!”

“Sorry,” I replied.

“You’re always sorry. Now sit down and eat your porridge,” the headmistress ordered.

Notporridgeagain, I thought.

The porridge was mostly water with a pinch of rice and one carrot. If you were lucky (which I was not), you might even get a little bit of sugar.

During my morning classes, I planned an escape. By dinner time, I had it all planned out. I hid under the covers fully dressed and waited until everyone was asleep. Sapphire poked her head out of her mouse hole. I told her, “I am going to leave this place forever. I am running away.”

As I looked into her eyes, I felt like she was begging me to take her too. I told her to hop on. Sapphire jumped into my apron pocket.

I grabbed my bundle, in which I had wrapped a few special items: my teddy bear (Ferdinand), a blanket, a cup, and a rope. Most importantly, I took along a magnifying glass, which my mother had given me before she disappeared. The magnifying glass hung on a leather rope around my neck. I also had my red notebook and a pencil.

“Sapphire, let’s go!” I said.

I took out my rope and threw it out the window. I hooked the end of the rope around the hinges of one of the shutters and slowly lowered myself to the ground. As I pulled on the rope, it dropped down and I placed it in my bundle.

As I walked along the streets, I wondered where I could go. I had a dollar in my pocket, but there was not much I could buy with that. I looked back over my shoulder as the orphanage grew smaller and smaller.

I smiled and said, “Good bye, orphanage.”

Sapphire was curled up in a ball, sleeping. I was starting to get tired. I lay down on the soft grass under a big redwood tree, I immediately fell asleep. I thought, “Tomorrow is a big day.”

I woke up to the smell of sweet grass. The sun was shining and the birds were chirping. I looked at Sapphire. I got up and started walking.

Two policemen ran by me. I thought to myself, Iwouldliketo knoweverythingthereistoknowabout this.

I ran after them. I was a fast runner, so I was able to catch up to them easily. I tapped one of the policemen on the shoulder. He turned around and said, “Why is a girl your age running around on the street? Go help your mama bake some bread or something.”

I told him I did not have a mother. He asked if I had a father.

“No”, I replied. He asked me where I lived, and I told him I had been living in the orphanage, escaped, and was now living in the street. He asked if I needed a job and some money. I told him I did.

He told me, “You are in luck, because it just so happens that I have a job for you. Right now, a man just punched a policeman. His name is Henry Dump and he just robbed a bank.”

The policeman asked me if I could be a detective and help to track down Henry Dump and other criminals. He would let me sleep in an empty room at the police station. He would feed me and pay me $25 a day.

I accepted and started my job immediately. First, I talked to the policeman, Officer Robby, to get a description of the thief. Next, I asked people walking by on the street if they had seen a man in a black hood carrying a brown leather briefcase in a bright green T-shirt. Then I took some notes.

I was about to go on my lunch break when I saw Henry Dump carrying a briefcase! Dump was running down the street. Like I said, I was a fast runner and easily caught up with him. I took out my cell phone and called Officer Robby. Within minutes, Officer Robby pulled up beside me.

“Over there!” I pointed. The officer ran over to the thief and handcuffed him.

“Good work,” Officer Robby said with a grin.

“We did it, Sapphire,” I whispered. She looked at me with a mousey smile, and I smiled back at her. Later, Officer Robby opened up the briefcase. We both gasped. Inside the briefcase were diamonds and gold, nestled in 500 million dollars, stolen from the bank. Officer Robby said, “These things will have to be returned to their proper owners.”

And to think, this thief would have continued to steal if it had not been for me!

I wonder what my next crime to solve will be?

A Kind Story

BY SIHAN MA, AGE 7, 2016

Once there was a kitty named Ellen. Ellen was eating a fish that she had caught the day before. Suddenly, a huge dog crashed through the fence and started chasing her, but Ellen was too fast to be caught.

The dog purposely bumped into a tree to try to knock it over onto Ellen. But instead, the tree fell on the dog. The dog was badly hurt.

Ellen called her friends to help her get the dog out from under the tree. All her cat friends helped her save the dog.

After rescuing the dog, they carried him through the broken fence and brought him back to his home.

The Old Oak

BY NEHA SHARMA, AGE 10, 2015

Once, in an unknown forest there lived a tree named Old Oak. He had a problem. A dirty mushroom was growing beside him.

Each day he tried taking it out, but it grew back again and again. Old Oak got weaker and weaker. He started turning purple and his leaves fell off.

The animals grew worried. Everyone loved Old Oak. The animals tried to help.

Dog tried to dig out the mushroom, Kangaroo jumped on it, and Snake swallowed it, but nothing worked. The mushroom grew back every time. It was hopeless.

Everybody thought Old Oak was going to die.

Then, Gopher came and ripped the mushrooms out. Old Oak was okay, and everyone was happy that the mushroom was gone.

Why Constellations Come Out At Night

BY SHAWN ANBU, AGE 7, 2016

Once there was a sky god whose daughter was the night. Their family hated seeing sunlight and they wanted to do something about it, but they didn’t know what to do.

So the sky god flew over and asked the god of wisdom for his advice.

The god of wisdom said, “Make a moon to be in the sky at night half of the time and it will be dark. Your night-powers must be strong enough to make a moon and you will have to work with the sun god to do so.”

Then the sun god and the sky god created the sun and the moon. The night god made her daughter in charge of creating the constellations.

That’s why we have constellations that come out at night.

The Lost Toucan

BY JONATHAN MA, AGE 8, 2016

Once there was a toucan named Soucan. He lived in a hole in a coastal redwood tree.

Soucan lived with a family of toucans. There were four adults and four children. The names of the children were Soucan, Litcan, Cancan, and Cutecan. The names of the adults were Bigcan, Fickan, Parcan, and Fisscan.

They all lived happily until one day, when their neighbor, a woodpecker, flew over and said, “My neighbor’s tree got cut down. I am afraid that our trees will be cut down too, so I am giving you toucans a warning.”

Bigcan, the dad, took out a map. Bigcan said, “We should move. Let’s see, I think Los Angeles would be good. We need some warm air. Everybody should have a buddy. Remember what group you’re in. Soucan with Fickan, Litcan with Parcan, Cancan with Bigcan, and Cutecan with Fisscan.”

But during the move, Soucan got lost. He headed back home to the forest, but nobody was there.

He found a squirrel and moved into a tree with it. He and the squirrel became best friends and lived together for the rest of their lives.