Young wordsmiths 4th Issue of 2020

DECEMBER 2020

YOUNG WORDSMITHS

Young Wordsmiths is the online magazine of Lekha Writing Center.

It is dedicated to publishing writing BY and FOR children.

FOUNDER: JYOTI YELAGALAWADI

Text Copyright by Lekha students as noted in the Lekha Anthologies published by Lekha Publishers LLC. Material in this magazine are drawn from student writings’ from Lekha Anthologies published over the years as well as from current student writings’ from Lekha Writing Center classes and camps.

Images Used are Copyright Free and Royalty Free.

Fonts Used: Cavolini, Adobe Devanagari.

FOUNDER’S NOTE Dear friends of Lekha, The losses of this year have been great indeed dear family and friends of Lekha. More than anything else, we have missed seeing all of you in the same room. We've missed playing with the children, writing on the board, walking among the desks, looking through sheafs of paper and, interacting with the wonderful parents of our students, sitting across the table from our invaluable instructors, enjoying the scenic outdoors of the many locations that we taught at, and even the traffic as we sat through the jammed roads that we drove through back and forth from class each day. Yes, we've missed a lot indeed but thanks to technology we've reinvented ourselves.

We continued to see each other across the clouds, we continued to tell stories to all who would listen, we continued to play games virtually, we learned how to share our whiteboards and screens, and also how to spend precious minutes building bonds across chasms. We've even learned to sit still on a chair for hours on end gaining energy from the creative ideas of each other.

This year was not a wash, it was not without learning, it was not a loss.

No, not at all! I wouldn't have believed this even when I started writing this message to you my friends, but just reading what I've written proves that I have gained much.

Financially as a company, Lekha Ink has had to ask all her staff to wait for better days. We've made nothing as sustenance and have survived on the savings of past years. Another month like this will be impossible. Yes, but we've grown in ways that I thought impossible. We have reached the very lows of the barrel and scratched the remnants of our ingenuity and passion and have survived thanks to you and your children. 2021 will see us back, that I know.

Hope you all enjoy reading this issue!

Love, Jyoti Yelagalawadi.

Founder of Lekha Ink, Corp.

YOUNG WORDSMITHS is a quarterly magazine.

ONLINE ISSN: 2691-7912 Vol 3. No 4 Price: $2.99 EDITOR: Radhika Rajesh Raikar

If you love to write and love telling stories, then please send your submissions to the following email address: submissions@lekhaink.com

Inside this issue…..

The Blue Adventure Christmas Time

...Page 7 ….Page 8-9

Ice Dragon

…Page 10-11

Clover

...Page 12-17

Mrs. Chubbs

...Page 18

Six Dogs

…Page 19

Light in Darkness

...Page 20-25

Travel into Space

...Page 26-27

The First 45

…Page 28

Word Search

…Page 29

Presidential Preferences

...Page 30

Crosswords

...Page 31

Flame

...Page 32-37

Wrapper Free Future

Secret Tree House

....Page 38

…..Page 39

Lekha kids love to write and many of our young wordsmiths submit the words created in Lekha workshops to different poetry and writing contests.

Adya’s wonderful poem “ The Blue Adventure”, which was created in a Lekha poetry workshop was selected as a top ten winner in the poetic power contest for Summer 2020.

THE ‘’BLUE’’ ADVENTURE WRITTEN BY ADYA APPASWAMY , AGE 7 IN 2020

Blue takes me on a adventure to the ocean with beautiful skies and on a hill with blue bonnets planted in a row.

Blue smells like the scent of spring and I feel leaves touching my eyebrow.

Blue sounds like the calm water in a lake while I lie down on a boat.

Blue tastes like blueberries and I feel the juice trickling down my throat.

Blue makes me feel cool and wet like dipping into an ocean wave.

The blue sky wraps me like a blanket and gives me the warmth that I crave.

Blue in nature is such a delight.

Blue jays flutter past day and night

Fluttering royally spreading their feathers, peacocks are beautiful no matter what the weather.

So, don't feel the blues when you see the color blue.

Sometimes, a blue scab, is as beautiful as you.

Click on the link to listen to the song.

CHRISTMAS TIME A SONG WRITTEN AND SUNG BY ARIA LELE, AGE 9 VIDEO PRODUCED BY ARIA LELE

Everyone gather around the fireplace Decorate your house to celebrate

Give out stockings filled with candy canes.

Give out presents to show Christmas time!!

Here comes Santa now, riding on a sleigh.

With some reindeers pulling him led by Rudolph today.

Santa lives in the North Pole, having a naughty and nice list.

Making presents in the Christmas village and a huge Christmas tree today.

Everyone gather around the fireplace, decorate your house to celebrate Having a lot of snow And ornaments to decorate.

Right now it is Christmas time

Living all alone during Christmas time Then one day something glows The glow is red and green.

I wonder what it is I wonder what it is Could it be Santa ?

Yes, it is today!

Right now on a sleigh ride with Santa.

Once I reached the North Pole He gives me a present today!

It is filled with sparkles.

Not knowing what it is,

then out of nowhere I am not alone for Christmas time again!

Everyone gather around the fireplace Decorate your house to celebrate Give out stockings filled with candy canes.

Give out presents to show Christmas time.

THE ICE DRAGON WRITTEN BY ANTONIO LOPEZ, AGE 12 IN 2014 PROLOGUE The story of the Ice Dragon is a very interesting tale about a blacksmith named James. His quest was to find the legendary dragon, and slay it to save his people. He chose a team to help and guide him through this really tough journey. His story begins in Curry village where he works as a blacksmith.

The tale begins in a blacksmith shop with James and Old Man Jenkins. *** “James! Come here!” yelled Jenkins.

“I am coming!” said James.

“James, the dragon has woken!” explained Jenkins.

“What do you mean?” said James.

“The dragon is coming!! It froze Tiki village!” shouted Jenkins.

“We have to do something,” stated James.

“What do you mean?” said Jenkins.

“We have to warn the village,” explained James.

So, James and Jenkins warned the whole village about the Ice dragon.

James wanted to protect all the people in his village from the dragon.

He had the idea to make a fire sword to melt the dragon’s armor. So, James crafted the most brilliant sword he ever made.

James started using the sword against wood. The sword was made out of iron, and had a button that would spill oil all over the blade which would ignite with fire. Soon, when James was training, his friends came by and heard what he was doing to try to slay the dragon. They asked if he could make more fire swords because they wanted to help.

James made many more swords for all his friends.

James and his team trained for the final battle with the dragon. One day, while they were training, they heard a loud scream.

“What was that!?” shouted James.

His friend shouted, “Dragon!”

James quickly got his sword as the Ice Dragon attacked his village!

James and his team melted the solid armor and attacked the Dragon!

After a long battle, James ran and took the final blow to the dragon’s chest and slayed it.

James and his team became heroes for slaying the dragon. Their bravery helped the village survive.

CLOVER, THE GUARDIAN OF THE UNICORN KINGDOM WRITTEN BY AVA LELE, AGE 9 IN 2020

PROLOGUE Everyone thinks we are mythical! But, we exist! We are real and our world is real! Our world continues to exist today because one brave young girl believed in us.

A long time back, my world was in danger. We were able to heal and survive and thrive because of her help. She is my heroine! I was just a youngling at the time. But, I remember it all very well. I want the world to know about her.

So, let me tell you her story. My name is Isis. I am a star unicorn and this is the story I want to tell.

CHAPTER ONE HELLO! Once upon a time there was a bright girl named Clover. She lived in a place called The Great Kingdom Of Nothing. Clover had no friends because she was the best in her class which would be amazing if she did not have the worst sister in the world. Her sister’s name was Janie, but Clover called her Mr. Meanie. She was always making all the people in the school think that being smart is just like being a “know-it all” and everyone knows that “know-it all’s” are arrogant.

Clover had a lucky charm to get her through every day at school and it was her belief in unicorns. She did not know why she believed in unicorns, but somewhere deep inside her she believed that they did exist and she felt a strong connection with them. She did not realize that there was something true about her belief, but she was soon to find out more about her lucky charm.

CHAPTER TWO A BIG SURPRISE

One day when she was walking back from school by herself, she heard a strange noise. She was startled and realized that the noise she had heard was coming from The Bright Forbidden Forest. Then, something poked her in the back. She turned around and she spotted a fully grown unicorn.

Clover’s eyes popped! Unicorns did exist!! She had always known in her heart that it was true and now there was one standing in front of her very own eyes. It was so elegant with its star-dusted tail and mane. It had a light aqua blue horn and a yellow coat and it had something in its mouth. It was a grey dull stone. The unicorn carefully put down the stone and motioned for Clover to pick it up. When Clover touched the dull stone it broke and the unicorn’s tail glowed and the stone disappeared and reappeared around Clover’s neck.

Now, the Unicorn started to talk to her in English and said, “Hi, I am Clara.”

Clover was practically staring at Clara in amazement and then she stuttered in reply, “I-I-I am Clara- I mean Clover. How am I suddenly able to talk to you?”

“Seems like you do not know about the rainbow stone,” said Clara looking at the stone around Clover’s neck. “Well, there is so much to tell you. My world is in trouble and we need your help. First, you need to go home and pack for an amazing adventure and can you please make sure to pack a Flu Vaccine. I will wait near the edge of the north side of the Bright forest. I think humans call it the Bright Forbidden Forest. Then, I will lead you to my home where I will introduce you to my family and we will tell you how we think you can save us.”

“Okay! See you at the north side of the Bright Forest,” replied Clover.

“But, one question, What do I need to pack?”

“Please make sure to pack everything you own and a lot of food. But, most of all make sure to pack the Flu vaccine from your world,” said Clara.

“Can I meet you at midnight because my mom and dad will get suspicious if they see me packing all the food and my clothes in the house.”

“Sure,” said Clara.

CHAPTER THREE PACKING UP Once Clover got home, she went straight to her room and told her mom and dad that she was going to be doing her homework. First, she packed the Flu vaccine that Clara had insisted that she pack. Then, she started packing her clothes and by the time she was finished her entire family was sleeping. She sneaked into the kitchen and to her surprise Clara was there.

“What are you doing here?” asked Clover surprised.

“I wanted to take a look at your house. Then, I saw that you had a lot of food to pack so I stayed to help you,” replied Clara.

“Thanks, there is a lot to pack, but how are you going to help me pack?” asked Clover.

“Well”…….. her voice trailed off as Clover was staring at a room filled with food items flying in the air and then being nicely arranged and stacked into the bag that she was planning to take with her on her journey.

“Come on, we have got to go and help the hidden unicorn kingdom.”

CHAPTER FOUR PREPARATION Once they arrived at The Forbidden Forest it was blocked with a tall metal gate and then something amazing happened. The gate disappeared! When they entered, Clover braced for the ripping of claws of dangerous forest monsters but she felt cotton candy leaves. They got to the middle of the forest where there was a wide opening. Clover saw a big brick house. Looking out of one of the window’s was a cute baby unicorn. As soon as the unicorn saw Clover, it ran away.

”That is my son, Jimmy,” said Clara.

Clara went up to the huge front door.

“Stand back. I have to use the secret password for the door to unlock,” said Clara.

She swished her tail three times and knocked on the door with her horn once. The door opened revealing a tall male unicorn. Clover guessed that the unicorn was Clara’s mate.

“Hello Clover. I am Mr. Pumpkin. I have a son named Jimmy and a daughter named Isis. I was the one to plan your visit to our magnificent forest. I called you because there is a problem in our world. Unicorns are almost going extinct. The unicorn world has a special connection with your world. We reached out to you, because we could sense that you believe in us. We are star unicorns which make the stars glow so bright.

There are nine more types of unicorns. They are the ice unicorns, water unicorns, plant unicorns, land animal unicorns, royal unicorns, doctor unicorns, food unicorns, ocean animal unicorns, and also fire unicorns.

The reason why the unicorns are going extinct is the royal unicorns.

They are very sick and we don’t know why.

The doctor unicorns are doing their very best to help them, but it is not working. We think that the royal unicorns have been put under a dark spell. I think there is a way to help them. The Flu Vaccine from your world which Clara told you to get might help us all. We will need to go into the Royal Palace and give it to the Queen of the Royal unicorns.”

Clara agreed to help. She started to form a plan and told Mr Pumpkin, “To get into the palace and give the Flu vaccine to the royal unicorns, we will need to make sure to lure the doctors currently attending to the royal unicorns away from them. In order to do that, I will need your help. Maybe Isis can pretend to be sick and Jimmy can stay at home pretending to attend to her. Mr Pumpkin, you can then ask the doctors in the palace that you desperately need help for your daughter Isis who is very sick and needs urgent care. Once, the doctors come back with you, then Clara and I will sneak into the palace in their absence and give the Flu vaccine to the royal unicorns.”

“That’s a great plan,” said Mr. Pumpkin.

Isis agreed to help as long as she got to learn how to fly. Mr Pumpkin promised to teach her to fly.

They all prepared the plan to the last detail and by the end of the week, they were ready to visit the royal palace. Isis and Jimmy had never stayed at home alone before. They were very anxious, but Mr Pumpkin reassured them that he would be back within the hour.

Clara agreed to help.

She started to form a plan and told Mr Pumpkin, “To get into the palace and give the Flu vaccine to the royal unicorns, we will need to make sure to lure the doctors currently attending to the royal unicorns away from them. To do that, I will need your help. Maybe Isis can pretend to be sick and Jimmy can stay at home pretending to attend to her. Mr Pumpkin, you can then ask the doctors in the palace that you desperately need help for your daughter Isis, who is very sick and needs urgent care. Once, the doctors come back with you, then Clara and I will sneak into the palace in their absence and give the Flu vaccine to the royal unicorns.”

“That’s a great plan,” said Mr. Pumpkin.

Isis agreed to help as long as she got to learn how to fly.

Mr Pumpkin promised to teach her to fly.

They all prepared the plan to the last detail and by the end of the week, they were ready to visit the royal palace. Isis and Jimmy had never stayed at home alone before. They were very anxious, but Mr Pumpkin reassured them that he would be back within the hour.

CHAPTER FIVE THE MISSION At 10.00 am, Mr. Pumpkin went to go get the doctors to see what was wrong with Isis. Once they were at the unicorn’s home, Clara made sure that Clover packed her Flu Vaccine.

Clover assumed that they would be walking to the palace through the Dark Forbidden Forest, but Clara had made other plans for their travel.

“We are going to travel through space. Star unicorns control the stars and can breathe in space. Just hold on nice and tight to me and you will be able to breathe in space,” said Clara.

When they arrived in space, Clover had expected it would look lifeless and dull, but it was full of Star unicorns. The Star unicorns were traveling in space and making sure that the stars were in perfect condition. The earth looked very beautiful from the skies. It was a breathtaking experience for Clover.

When they arrived at the location of the palace from above Earth, Clara and Clover took a deep dive down at the speed of light and arrived thirty yards from the palace so they could sneak in and carry out their plan.

Clara said that Clover had to be invisible and give the vaccine to the queen.

Clara placed an invisibility spell on Clover. Then they quickly sneaked into the palace.

When they reached the doors Clara said, “I need to speak to the queen this instant.”

“Your wish will be granted,” said the guard gruffly.

Five minutes later, after getting permission from the queen, the same guard said, “You can go to the queen’s royal quarters now.”

“Thanks,” said Clara steadily. Clover who was invisible to the guard sneaked in quietly with Clara.

CHAPTER SIX THE GRAND FINALE When they reached the Royal Quarters, Clara quickly scanned the room to make sure that no doctor unicorns were in the room. After she finished scanning the room, she signaled to Clover to give the vaccine to the Queen.

Clover sneaked over to the queen’s bedside and saw that the queen looked very sick. Clover administered the Flu vaccine into the Queen’s arm.

Immediately, there was a transformation in the Queen and the dark spell she was under started to wear off. She started feeling and looking better.

She could see Clover too. Clara and Clover were worried that the Queen would be upset as they had sneaked into her palace. But, the queen was happy that she was better again and was overjoyed when she heard the entire story from Clara about the Flu vaccine which helped save her life.

Clara and Clover had braced for a shouting from the queen, but instead of shouting at them, she thanked them and gave them rich rewards. Then, she called a big meeting of all the different unicorns in the world and made sure that everyone knew how a brave young girl from the human world had helped save the unicorn kingdom. The Queen also made sure that Clara and her family were also thanked and known all over the unicorn kingdom for their service to the Queen.

Clover never went back home to her human world. The Unicorn Kingdom was her home now and she chose to stay there and become the guardian of the unicorn kingdom.

THE END

MRS. CHUBS WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY ANABELLA WEISGERBER, AGE 10 IN 2015

One day, Mrs. Chubs walked out of her house and greeted all of her friends - Fluffy, Chubby, Coco, Snowball, Mr. Snow, and Puffy.

As she was walking down the street, she saw a sign that said, “Cooking Competition.”

Mrs. Chubs thought to herself, “That is a very new competition. I better sign up.”

But, the only problem was that Mrs. Chubs was afraid of fire and heat.

The next day, the competition was in place. All of Mrs. Chub’s friends and her archenemy Mrs. Poof Pans were present there at the competition. Their first challenge was baking cakes.

Halfway into the competition, Mrs. Poof Pans set the temperature too high. So, when the cake was done, Mrs. Chubs would not go near the oven as she was afraid of the heat.

Her friends came over, and they wanted to help but the rules said “No touching people’s food.”

Then, they told the Judge, and he said, “I am sorry, but everybody has to do their own baking.”

So, they came up with a plan to give her a spatula. Mrs Chubs was able to turn down the temperature with the spatula and she did not have to bake another cake.

THE SIX DOGS WRITTEN BY AGE 5, DAVIS YE IN 2014

Six dogs were on their way to the supermarket on a motorcycle to buy cabbage and corn. Then, they went to the school to learn. Then, they went home to play video games and watch TV. Then, they went to camp to build things.

Then, they went to their bedroom to have a sleep as it was nighttime. Then, the six dogs went to the bathroom to brush their teeth and went to bed. They dreamed about eating cats and cats eating mice and mice eating cheese.

THE END

LIGHT IN DARKNESS WRITTEN BY AUDREY IM, AGE 11 IN 2013 The breeze blew everything around it, whirling around like a busy street.

Anywhere you would look, you would see a flourish. The green shook down, falling into someone’s eyes, once in a while, as the person sneezed in the sun’s rays. Colorful specks of white, pink, and purple tickled one’s mind as they smiled, looking up at the bright blue sky, filling themselves with the golden warmth. A caw shook the air as everyone laughed and pointed up at the bird.

The fields waved in a dancing motion up at the green and the bloom went in a slow waltz.

April breathed in heavily, the grass tickling her with an unpleasant scent.

Petals stuck to her arms, wrapping around her like a silk blanket. The breeze whooshed in next to her playing with her silk brown curls, tossing them up into a mess.

Beams of light fell on people in happiness, glowing around as if each tiny speck was a star. Leaves covered the floor and took over feet of any kind - babies, adults, animals, dancing untouched. Chimes started to sing and the last of the rays shined on the streets and started to melt into the sky. The crowded streets slowly became empty as the ringing bells started to whisper. April, sitting on a bench in the light, furiously wrote on her paper.

April was always doing something furiously. She hurriedly wrote down: • • • •

Flowers blowing towards me Annoying bell sounds Petals are tickling and bothering me Don’t like being around so many people

Frustrated, she crumpled up her paper and with her teeth, crushed the wood and threw it along with the street’s woodchips.

“Stupid homework,” April sneered to herself. “Who cares about how the world looks around us. There’s nothing interesting about it.” Picking up her crumpled paper, she stamped away from the street, thinking about how her life would be if she wasn’t her.

Nothing had been easy since April was adopted. She had always broken things, pushed people around, and bossed them around. But, the Xyezomes were a whole different story; they were the boss. From washing the dishes, making wet towels dry, and sweeping up dead spiders, April’s hands never stopped. She was always taking deep breaths when, finally, Mr. Xyezomes, let her out for the rest of the day. Then, she started to do something furiously.

The girl wanted to get out of her life forever. There was only one problem: it was easier said than done.

As soon as she arrived at the Xyezomes’ house, the door swung open, and Mr. Xyezomes’ plump face and tomato cheeks popped out of the wall; his mouth in the shape of a squished French fry.

“Go clean up my Darling’s room! It is quite a mess, and you’re already late!

Chop, chop! Get on with it!” The man’s devil-egg eyes were already popping.

April glared at him and walked in, throwing her homework at a photograph of the ungrateful family.

Mrs. Xyezomes, or “Darling,” was a very pretty lady with a toothy smile and a bad attitude. Her gossiping mouth just never closed and was used for too much of the day. It was an honor to be able to go in her room. Maybe, she would turn on the faucet and flood the house.

April entered the room and started to work furiously, but not what she was supposed to do; she did everything to make the room a mess. Running through every closet, she took everything out and threw it onto the floor.

Satisfied, she started to scrape the walls. Her fingers ran at the speed of light, scratching off all of the paint possible, even when she felt something that felt like metal. Confused, she pulled at it. Miraculously, something opened.

April looked inside whatever it was. The metal thing had been a doorknob leading to a secret passageway.

But to where? The girl was incredibly frustrated. But wait; this could be her chance to escape! Her hope was rising, and so was her pulse. Feeling her face grin widely, she went in.

The last thing she heard was a laugh before she blacked out.

April found herself face down in something that she couldn’t grasp at.

Groaning, she got up, about to scream of anger. But instead, she froze.

Something was familiar about the place: dark and gloomy. It was the only place where she was actually scared, a place in her dream.

However, it was clear that she was not in a dream.

“Hello?” April shouted, wandering around nowhere. “Hello?”

“Shut it,” a voice said. “You really should.”

April whirled around her hands in a punching position. “Who are you?” she yelled furiously. “Because you’re about to get punched in the nose!”

A fierce wind slapped the girl in the nose, sucking the life all out of her for a split second. Without explanation, April fell to the ground. The voice cackled.

“Mission accomplished,” said the voice, “Anything else?”

“Close your mouth with a piece of duct tape, or I will!” April bellowed. “I will immediately!”

Immediately, a piece of duct tape closed the girl’s mouth. The voice seemed to step backward, somewhat approvingly.

“There you go! Your next wish?”

As “Mmmmm, mmmmmm, mrfph!” April tried to scream.

“Okay, fine” the voice said. Fingers came up to her cheeks as they ripped off the duct tape, and April could breathe once more.

“Who are you?” April stammered, getting back up from whatever ground.

“And why do you copy my words?”

The voice laughed. “Why, if you were April, you would see me.”

And suddenly she could. A girl about her age was wearing a shawl and black tights that covered her legs. Something about the girl made April wonder why she felt so empty.

“You feel empty because I am you,” the girl said as if reading her thoughts.

“Aren’t you a little more subtle now?”

April was about to holler furiously, when she was stopped by a force. She felt different; calm. Something wasn’t right.

“Why did you lead me here?” April asked slowly.

“I did no such thing,” the girl replied. “Your curiosity did. Or rather, our.”

“You see, that door leads to many other things. It could’ve led us to our real family. But instead—” the girl cleared her throat, “—you came here.”

“Who are you to call yourself me?” April demanded. “I need no lies!”

“But this isn’t a lie,” so-called April replied. “And what I’m about to do isn’t either!”

A pain shot up from her leg to everywhere. April, with no choice, fell to the ground.

The so-called April was sharpening her rose thrown. “I know your funny bone, girl,” she said. She turned around, her shawl banging against her. “See you when you’re dead.”

April bit her lip as hard as she could to keep from squealing in pain.

As the footsteps got farther away, she let out a screech. Looking for the brightest spot in wherever, she checked her leg.

It was a bloody mess. Most of the running had stopped, and April could see the gash that caused the blood. It was deep, quite deep.

How did the girl know that her funny bone was a problem for her? What had really happened? Her head felt large and, as her vision began to get better, it got worse.

April was standing in a pile of skeletons. They weren’t fake, either. There were probably at least one hundred boney bodies around.

She wasn’t scared, but she realized how close she had come to dying.

Looking for the nearest exit, she stepped forward, trying to be careful not to step on anything.

It seemed that there was nowhere to go but forward. Sighing, April went ahead.

Skulls seemed to stare at her as she walked by, bewildered.

Slowly, all of the skeletons seem to disappear. April felt that she had stepped into a different room, which she hadn’t. Now, in front of her was a chair and a stick.

April walked forward, sat down in the chair, and picked up the stick.

“So, you came, huh?”

The girl whirled around, pat off her seat, and put the stick against the person’s neck.

So-called April cheered as she clapped her hands, which were covered by pitchblack leather gloves. “Ooh, you’re already regaining your ferocity!” Without even seeing her move, the girl was in the chair.

“Honestly, I didn’t know if you would survive that. But, apparently, thorn let me down.”

April lowered her arm and turned around, walking over to the chair. She faced the gothic girl, “Is there something important that you have to tell me?”

“My weapon was a total let down,” so-called April continued. Then she looked April straight in the eye. “You, us, we aren’t supposed to be like this. I escaped from you to kill you. You’d be happier that way, without a life.”

If anything, April was glad to see a real light.

“Who are you?” April asked. “Because you can’t be me. There’s only one me!”

The goth sighed. Her head lowered. “You see, that’s where you’re wrong.”

“You’re the furious side of me, Fury, has slipped out of you. I am a part of you. I know what’s right.”

The girl, Fury, looked up, not a smile showing on her face. “We know what’s right.”

“I don’t know who are you, but you’re not me,” April stammered. “And I know what’s best for me, not YOU.” Fury got up. “Fair enough,” she said.

Then, she tackled April to the ground. The girl felt a sharp pain in her head as she hit the floor, and more fierce winds attacked as Fury’s fist punched the life out of her.

“YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD!” Fury shouted as her fists switched jobs each second. “You aren’t supposed to be here. So, GET OUT!” A final blow sent April’s nose bleeding and a few teeth—luckily, baby teeth—fly. Fury stood up from her wrestling, wiping off the blood on her hands.

“Come when you’re ready,” she said to the body next to her feet. “Then I’ll kill you.” With a final kick to her own stomach, she vanished away.

April felt like dying. But she didn’t want to die.

April was walking towards a light, breathing in as much oxygen as she could.

Her face still felt numb, stomach aching, and her legs needed effort to hold her up after Fury’s weight on the knees.

As she got closer, she could see a shadow a little taller than her height. A girl with brown curls tossed into a mess was standing on the edge of it.

April, without any hesitation, went forward.

She wasn’t scared. She was about to kill herself.

“So you came?”

“I came,” April said. “But first, I want a favor.”

Fury lowered her eyebrows even lower than they were before. “List it.”

“You will give me your weapon.”

“Fine,” Fury said stepping closer and putting out her hand. “But I can still kill you without it.”

“I know.” Without another word, April took the rose thorn.

“Now, your life has ended,” Fury said. “Have a better death!”

With that, the girl raised her hands to grab April’s skull. When the rose thorn, her rose thorn, drove through her stomach, April expected blood from her furious clone. Instead, Fury disappeared; slowly becoming fainter and fainter each second. She opened her mouth, surprised, then vanished.

The girl gasped. Her face still felt like stone and her funny bone stung, but it was nothing compared to what she felt right now. She didn’t know if it was happiness, but for the first time ever, she wasn’t furious.

And there was still more light.

As April walked on, she saw dust particles rising, clumping together to form a figure in front of her. It slowly opened a dusty mouth.

“I thought you knew me,” said Fury.

April smiled. “I do know you,” she replied, “but not anymore.”

With that, she dropped the rose thorn at her feet and walked through the dust.

The mouth made one last attempt to speak, then disappeared completely with the rest of the body, never to come back again.

The girl grinned widely. Even with no teeth, she looked as happy as ever.

She had defeated herself! Without the furiousness inside of her, she felt empty. Still, it was way better than having that thing inside of her. And it was great, finally knowing what it felt like not being her. It was easier said than done, but apparently, it could be done.

Her foot stood up and then it stooped down again. So did her other foot.

They continued this exercise, supporting April as she walked deeper into the light. She didn’t know where the light would lead her, and nobody else did either. But surely, quite surely, the light would lead her somewhere.

The End

TRAVEL INTO SPACE WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY INDIRA DIVIJA JAYANTI, AGE 9 IN 2020

Once upon a time there was an astronaut named Camila. She was exploring space in her rocket when she saw a cave.

Curious, she went into it. Then, inside the cave she saw a bird and a butterfly.

Camila thought, “Hmm, what are a butterfly and bird doing here?”

Suddenly, she felt some force pushing her right out of the cave!

She found herself with a bird tail and butterfly wings!!!!!

Then, she fluttered away to her rocket. She couldn’t believe what had happened to her!

She heard a voice that said, “You broke the spell!”

“Oh!” Camila thought, “WOW!” Then, she flew back to earth.

When she returned, she saw her mother and everyone saying, “You broke the spell!”

Camila asked her mother why everyone was saying that?

Then, her mom said, “Long ago, there was a king and generous alien that ruled the earth. One day, the alien got captured by an evil bad robot. The robot put a spell on the alien. This spell cast on the alien would be broken only by someone who would venture into the cave in space and get butterfly wings and a bird tail. Only when the spell was broken would the generous alien get to return and rule the earth in a benevolent manner.”

Camilla had broken the spell. So, the good alien returned and resumed ruling the earth. Camila became a leader and helped the alien.

WORKING BOOK COVER

In a representative democracy, your vote is your voice. The most important choice any citizen can be involved in is the choice of who should be the President.

Learn more about the first 45 Presidents as you flip through the pages of Lekha’s upcoming publication, “The First 45”, by 9 year old Rithvik Iyer. You will know more about their positions, legacies and idiosyncrasies and much more.

PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCES WRITTEN BY DERECK EKBERO, AGE 8 IN 2013 Abraham Lincoln and George Washington were both very good presidents. Personally, I think George is better, but if you like Abe that’s cool, too.

They are very similar. They were both involved in war. They are both very famous. They were both good leaders. They were both good people before they became president.

They were also very different. George was more determined to win. George was a founding father, but Abe was a civil rights leader. Abe had a fairly good childhood, while George did not.

They are very, very different, but they have a lot of similarities.

I like George more. However, it depends on your point of view.

George is picked more consistently over Abe.

FLAME WRITTEN BY ERIKA CHEE IN 2012.

Winner of the Lekha’s Young Wordsmiths Writing Contest for Grades 4-5 in 2012.

Flame, a red filly, watched her herd sadly as they disappeared into the dust. She watched until she couldn’t see them anymore. Her sire was gone.

Her dam was dead. Her brothers and sisters were captured. She was now going to live with an eleven year-old girl named Gabby. Flame’s ears drooped once they were out of sight.

Gabby walked over to her and said, “You miss your herd, girl?”

Flame nickered in agreement. She turned and walked back to her stall. The other horses there greeted her.

“Hey, Flame,” a brown Palomino horse said, “Nice red coat you have there!”

“Thanks,” Flame said, “I miss my herd. Do you?”

A black mustang called from its far away stall, “I do! When they left me, I was literally getting all angry at Gabby.” They talked until sundown.

“Goodnight, everyone,” Flame said. The other horses replied and they all went to sleep. But, Flame couldn’t sleep. She lay awake, dreaming of her herd, having fun and galloping away together. Why would they capture her? Why not anyone else? There’s nothing special about her, just a plain, sleek, red coat, and a wavy mane, nothing else! As Flame lay thinking about this, she fell asleep, still dreaming.

When she woke up, she found the other horses were not in their stalls. Feeling as if everyone left her (actually, they did), she rushed out of the stable.

The other horses were outside, grazing and drinking water from troughs. Flame saw that this was new. She didn’t know how to drink like this. She was used to drinking water from a stream or a river. The food she got sometimes was in a trough also. She did like the oats she was fed, though.

The colts played happily in the fenced-in field, while the mares watched over them. The stallions watched over THEM. “Tag, you’re it!” a Lipizzaner colt poked a Pinto colt. The Pinto yelped and poked him back. Flame enjoyed watching them.

She still wasn’t used to the fenced-in area. It was like being trapped in a jail. The fence was too high to jump over. But Flame lost her train of thought when she felt a horse nudge her on her neck. It was Hannah, the blackish-red filly.

“Hey,” she said, “Do you want to play hide-and-seek?” Flame nodded and started counting. After a while, she started seeking.

“Hmmm, Hannah is SUCH a good hider!” Flame remarked.

Then she finally found her wedged between two bales of hay.

“Come on,” Flame said, “Let’s eat lunch.”

The two waited for Gabby’s dad to pour in the oats and water. After a while, no one came.

“Ugh,” Flame said, “I’m starving. When will he come?” Hannah shrugged her shoulders and went off to graze in the field. Flame thought that that was a good idea in case Gabby’s dad didn’t come. Flame trotted over to the field and started grazing also. Hannah asked Flame, “What is your brother’s name?”

“I don’t remember,” was Flame’s reply, “I only know that one of my brothers is Nathan.” Suddenly, they heard Gabby’s call from below.

“Flame? Hannah? Where are you guys?” she called.

Flame ran over to her, followed by Hannah. Their manes and tails flew back in the wind as the galloped along. When they reached her, they stopped.

“Hey girls!” Gabby said, “Sorry my dad didn’t feed you yet. You hungry?” she poured the oats into the trough. Flame started eating right away.

“Girls,” Gabby said, “My dad wants you to be racehorses!”

Flame stopped. “What does a racehorse do?” she asked Hannah.

“A race horse competes in races and may win a prize!” When Flame heard this, she jumped up happily and neighed.

Gabby chuckled. “So you want to go, girl?” she asked. Flame and Hannah nodded. “Okay then!” Gabby said, “Come with me then.”

The three walked over to the stable.

Gabby said, “Okay. If you want to go to a race and be a racehorse, you must go through some basic training. “ Flame and Hannah nodded. “Great!” Gabby said, “I’ll tell dad right now.

Dad?” she said. The two waited in the stable and after a few minutes, Gabby came running back.

“Dad said yes!” she shouted, “I can’t wait to see you ride!” The two then went through weeks of training, and once every two weeks, they’d get a break. Several times it rained and they STILL had to train. They trained every day, all day, and ate a short breakfast, lunch, and supper.

Then, Gabby said to them one day, “The next race will be the Friday after this week.”

Flame said to Hannah, “Are you excited about the race?” Hannah drooped her head and showed her scared eyes, “I’m nervous,” she said.

Then, it was the day of the big race. The two horses got to the practice area.

“Going to the turf,” Hannah said, “See you at the feeding place.” She walked to the turf practice area with her jockey on her back. Flame’s jockey said to her, “Let’s go to the dirt practice area, girl.” Flame’s flank was quivering. She was very nervous for the big race.

“Okay, girl,” her jockey said, “Let’s run!” The practice whistle blew, and Flame sprinted off. The dirt road was harder than turf, but it gave her the running power to burst off to the finish line.

After the practice, Hannah and Flame ate a small snack – a carrot. They got in the truck and were driven off to the race arena.

Hannah talked to Flame only once along the way to the arena. “Good luck,” she said nervously, “Don’t give up.”

“You too,” Flame said, “It’s you that is more nervous!” she added with a laugh.

The truck suddenly stopped. The drivers got out of the truck and opened the trailer door. Flame stepped out first, followed by Hannah.

“I’m nervous,” Hannah said.

“Don’t worry, Hannah,” Flame said to her, “Remember, don’t give up!”

The track was a dirt track. Flame had just practiced on a dirt track! Her jockey got on her, and Hannah’s jockey got on her. They went to the starting line and got ready. The other horses whinnied to their friends and family. There were eight other horses there – Lucy, Friendship, Angel, Lightning, Devil, Thunder, Thomas, and Billy.

Then the horn sounded. It alerted the other horses to get ready. Then, Flame’s jockey said to her, “Don’t worry, Flame. You’ll do fine. I promise.” Then, the whistle blew, and the horses sprinted off in a swirl of dust.

Flame wasn’t bothering to look at the swirl of dust right now, since she was traveling straight. Once she had to turn, she opened her eyes, finding the dust clearing. Hannah was in the lead, with Angel close behind. Behind Flame was Lightning, who was gaining on her. Behind her, far behind, were Thunder and Devil, who were close behind each other. At the back were Lucy, Thomas, and Friendship. The horses ran and galloped along. The crowd cheered the horses and the jockeys on. Her jockey’s whip was painless now; Flame was so used to it.

“Last lap for the horses, last lap,” the speaker sounded.

The crowd was cheering like crazy now. Flame’s hooves clopped against the dirt floor. Her legs hurt. Her head was dripping with sweat. But she kept on going.

“Faster, faster,” she said to herself. She sprinted to the finish line. She didn’t even bother to check if she was first or not.

When she finished, she looked to see Hannah skidding to a stop at the finish line, panting. The other horses followed in line.

The crowd was cheering, “Let’s go Fla-ame! Let’s go Fla-ame!” It was her very first win! She didn’t know what to do. She had never won a race. It was brand new to her.

She was brought up to the stands and was given a wreath of flowers, and her jockey got one too.

“Flame, wake up,” Hannah said.

She was nudging her. Flame had fallen asleep along the way home. She got up and walked out of the trailer. She forgot that she had her wreath on. Gabby ran to the trailer.

“Oh my gosh!” she shouted, jumping with joy, “You won, Flame!!!” She hugged Flame around the neck.

“Gabby,” Gabby’s dad said, “Let Flame and Hannah rest.”

Flame walked into her stall. Suddenly, she felt as if she had just rejoined her herd.

“Hannah,” she said, “Do you know any horse over here that can communicate with humans well?”

“Yes,” Hannah replied, “It’s Wilson, that Palomino horse you were talking to on the first day.”

Flame walked slowly to his stall, sore from the race. “Wilson?” she whispered, “Can you tell Gabby and her family that Hannah and I are going to leave?”

Wilson nodded and trotted out of the barn. “By the way, congratulations Flame. Say, that I congratulated Hannah also,” he said.

Hannah was standing by the stable door. “Let’s go, Flame,” she said. Flame and Hannah were about to run away when Flame got an idea. “Wait,” she said.

Flame grabbed a sharp stick outside of the stable and scraped it on her stall door. In horse language, she wrote, “Flame, winner of race, was here.”

Then, Flame’s herd burst into view.

“Come on, Hannah!” she called. Then, Flame saw her sire!

“Flame!” he said, “Nice to see you again!” Hannah stared at him for a moment.

“Flame, I think I know something that we never knew about ourselves,” She said. Flame heard her, but she didn’t reply right away.

She felt like she was re-born. It felt like she was new to the herd. Her old friends had grown up. It was now time for her to mate and get a foal. But, she knew now, as she galloped and lead the herd, she and Hannah weren’t just Best Friends, but separated sisters who were now re-united.

A WRAPPER-FREE FUTURE

BY SOPHIA MOOR The amount of waste created by wrappers we throw away each day adds up to tons. But, what if we didn’t have to throw the wrappers away?

What if the wrappers were edible? David Edwards, a biomedical engineer, has made an edible packaging which consists of chocolate shavings, dried fruit particles, and other edible foods, all held together by an electrostatic force. Edwards calls this pliable skin WikiCells.

So far, Edwards has used his invention to make what he calls a “drink stick”. A “drink stick” is like a tube made of WikiCells that’s filled with a powdered beverage. Instead of sprinkling the powder into water, and then throwing away the wrapper, consumers would drop the whole drink stick into a glass or bottle.

Edwards has also been testing his WikiCells on things like oatmeal and foods and drinks. Now, his new and edible inventions are more common in people’s homes. They are not available in stores yet, but you can have them delivered to your house.

His idea was based on Loliwares. Loliwares are edible, biodegradable cups, which are infused with different flavors. Though Loliwares may seem green, the cups still have to be put in non-edible packaging for food safety purposes.

Edwards’ unique invention is healthy for the earth. Hopefully we can start to make a difference in reducing waste by using more products like his.

SECRET TREE HOUSE

BY MICHAEL MULJADI Characters Lucas: A child Bob: A child Katey: A child The wall: A Magical being Narrator: The children are on a three-night sleepover at Lucas’s house.

Lucas: Hey guys, check out this old tree house!

Bob: Oh yeah, how come we didn’t see it?

Katey: I don’t know, but do you guys want to climb it?

Bob, Lucas: Sure!

Narrator: So all three of them climbed up the branches of the tree.

Katey: ( in a tired voice)...You need (pant) a ( (pant) ladder.

Lucas: (panting) Yeah!

Bob: Hey, we need to clean this place up.

Narrator: The children cleared up the tree house with brooms and dust pans.

Katey: That’s better.

Lucas: Hey, that wall looks like a face.

Wall: ( weakly) Help…..

All: AHHHHHHHHH Wall: What? (weakly) I need help, kids. I need three things to get normal and grant wishes. I’ll even grant one wish for each of you.

All: What?????

Wall: Yeah, bring me a dress from Golden Apple, a souvenir from the Gem of Roses, and a t-shirt from Rock of Soul. Sheesh, I am about to die in four days.

Lucas: Okay, let’s go…..

WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED NEXT???

CAN YOU CONTINUE WRITING THIS PLAY???

SEND YOUR SUBMISSIONS TO THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS:

SUBMISSIONS@LEKHAINK.COM

BUILDING CREATIVE YOUNG MINDS Young Wordsmiths is the online magazine of the Lekha Writing Center.

Lekha Writing Center is committed to developing a generation of children who think beyond the book! We do this by teaching them to write creatively, using a blend of time-tested and newly-developed methods that stir one’s IMAGINATION.

write4joy This app will help children and adults to learn the art of writing creatively.

Writing stories, poems, plays, and essays will become a joy.

Use the write4joy app and become the writer you wish to be.