Year 9 Class Magazine

Travelling in Eudaimonia

Zunaira Kashif

Kinza Batool Aafiah Asadullah

Alishba Arsalan

Big Writes

The Unforgettable Journey

As we fell deeper and deeper into the darkness, I was wondering how a peaceful trip to the Asheville mountains could have turned into such a colossal adventure. Hi, my name is Ally, and I'm part of a childhood best friend’s group which includes Mike, Sarah, John and me of course. The similarity between all of us is that we all have a thirst for adventure. To take a journey around the world, even just thinking about it was thrilling and life changing. For summer vacation, we were all planning to go to Asheville mountains; well it was mostly Sarah’s idea, since she adored hiking, but she also invited us along and we thought that it would be a really nice idea.

We went to Asheville two days later on Friday. While Sarah was packing ropes and other hiking gear, me and the rest of the gang were busy with packing cameras, clothes, food and some more essentials. As we got inside the car that Sarah had rented, I felt overjoyed and ready to see that beautiful scenery, breathe the fresh air and feel the wind in my hairs.

As soon as we reached Asheville mountains, Mike immediately, without any hesitation or rest, started taking what looked like a million pictures! Although seeing so many flashes everywhere was annoying, I could not blame him. The view was not just beautiful or lovely, it was breathtaking. The sun was setting and the orangish sky mixed so nicely that I wanted this moment to last forever.

After taking some rest, the next day me, Mike and John went out to explore the mountains and to take more pictures even though Mike had taken quite a lot already. I was trying to convince Sarah to come with us, but she absolutely insisted that all she wanted to do was hiking and nothing else; everybody knows that once Sarah puts her mind to something, there is no changing it so all I did was let out a long sigh and head out with Mike and John.

The Unforgettable Journey

After 2 or 3 hours of exploring, it was lunch time and me, Mike and John were feeling hungry and called Sarah if she wanted to come meet all of us at a restaurant we found. Sarah agreed because apparently Sarah had been hiking for hours without any breaks in between, so at the moment she was feeling exhausted and famished.

After eating and paying for the delicious food, an old man came and approached us. He spoke in a croaky old tone which would send chills down someone’s spine. He said, “Beware! Beware! The mine cave below here is haunted. Beware! Beware!” After that we headed out the restaurant and we were all curious, could this be the adventure we were waiting for? “I say we go and find out if this mine is really haunted or not,” said Sarah. We all nodded our heads in agreement. We asked another visitor the directions of the mine. He may have been a bit hesitant at first but ended up telling. Sarah had found a secret entrance and a torch. She lit up the torch and we went inside. Nothing seemed unusual. At that moment, it felt like something picked us up and put us in the mine cart. It gave a hard push and off we went zooming like the wind. We could feel the air rushing past us which felt exciting and frightening at the same time. Then there was a huge crack in the rails, and before we knew it, we were plunging into darkness. It felt as if for a moment my heart stopped beating.

We all fell with a big crash on the ground. Suddenly, we started to hear eerie noises. We all felt extremely anxious. Sarah lit the torch and by the looks on my friends’ faces, I knew that I wasn’t the only one who was petrified. I could feel deep regret inside me. Are we going to die here? Would this really be the end? I got more and more nervous and I could see that my pals were feeling the exact same way. Would anyone even notice that we had gone missing? My head started to fill up with more and more questions.

The Unforgettable Journey

Then out of nowhere, John said, “we can’t give up now! Even though the situation seems hopeless it isn’t. ‘No matter how much darker the night is, the sun always comes up after every dark night,’ which means that there is always hope even if the situation seems impossible.” I wasn’t scared anymore, like the sun’s warmth was shining in me. Me and my buddies felt more determined to get out of this creepy mine.

We started to hear the spooky noises all over again. We went to investigate, where the sounds were coming from? We were perplexed and looked at each other in disbelief. There were hundreds of sacks piled up. Then, Sarah opened one of the sacks and peaked inside, it was full of gold. Suddenly, John told us that he just saw the same old man, who had warned us about the haunted mine, giving directions to some other people who looked like workers. Apparently, the mine wasn’t haunted at all! They were smugglers who didn’t want their gold taken away from them, so they started to scare away people. At first, it seemed like we won’t be able to get out alive. We waited for the smugglers to get out and secretly followed them out of the mine. We reported this to the police, and they got arrested. It felt so nice to crack that unsolved mystery, just like how a super hero would! Our adventurous dream finally came true! The lesson we learned from this is to never give up, as we know, “no matter how much darker the night is, the sun always comes up after every dark night.”

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

A young girl named Mia lived in a beautiful place in the woods with her grandmother. She was very pretty, intelligent, and inquisitive. Her mother was a single mother and couldn’t take care of Mia and so had decided to give her to Mia’s grandmother. Mia’s was given to her grandmother when she was only a few years old. That is why Mia has not had many ideas about her mother. When Mia reached the age of 11 she got curious about her mother and asked her grandmother the whereabouts of her mother and said “ Granny where are my parents and when will they come to meet me? I see a lot of parents come to school to drop and pick their kids.” The grandmother got very distressed and replied, “My sweet lovely Mia, I will speak to your mother and ask her to come soon to meet you.”

The next night when Mia was about to sleep she heard her grandmother talking on the phone and saying, “ Mia has started getting curious about you Darci, it’s about time you take her in. I am too old so I think she should go to her Aunt Mimi in the city. I think it’s time to tell her the truth, will talk soon, Goodbye.” Mia went to her grandma and asked, “ Who were you talking to grandma? Mia’s grandmother was too worried to talk so she went to bed. On the other side, Mia was thinking who Darci could be and why her grandmother did not talk about the conversation she was having on the phone?” She felt like the name Darci is a little familiar to her.

The next morning, when Mia woke up, she saw her Aunt Mimi arrive. She was extremely delighted to meet her aunt after a long period. When Mia went to her Aunt and grandmother, she saw her bags packed as if she is going to another place. Mia’s grandmother said, “ Dear Mia, I am too old to take care of you and so I will send you to the city with your aunt and I am sure you will have fun with your cousin, Liliana.”

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

. Mia went to her room crying and thought, “ Why can’t I just have a normal family, a happy one, which I can stay with…” Mia’s aunt came to Mia and asked, “ Mia are you ready to go, come out whenever you feel ready, ok?” Mia packed her leftover stuff and wrote a note for her grandmother to read. She went to her grandmother and gave a tight hug and kiss and said, “ I felt happy with you, why send me away now?” Mia ran into the car and her aunt drove off to the city.

On their way, Mia asked her aunt, “ Aunt, do you know who Darci might be?” Her aunt was shocked to hear Mia ask that, and said, “ No dear, where did you hear this name?” Mia sat quietly and did not respond. After arriving at the city side, Mia and her aunt went into the house, and then came Mia’s cousin, Liliana. Mia was upset to see Liliana, and so was Liliana to see, Mia. Liliana was angry and said “ Mom! Is this the surprise you were talking about?” Liliana then stormed into her room. Mimi sighed! Mia asked her aunt, “ Will I have a separate room?” Mimi replied, “Yes, of course! Why don’t you go and explore around the house a bit?” Later, Liliana and Mia bumped into each other, as Mia was about to rush into her room, Liliana stopped her and asked, “Hey would you like to watch a movie with me? I am kind of bored. In return, I will do anything you ask for.” Mia stooped and said, “ Anything…?” Liliana said sure and they both went to watch a movie together with lots of popcorn, and they both laughed a lot. After the movie, Mia asked Liliana about who Darci was? Liliana replied, “Darci? Yes, I know who she is, she is my mom’s best friend. Do you want to meet her?” Mia excitedly replied, “Yes please, I want to meet her!” Liliana agreed to make Mia meet Darci.

Later that evening, Darci showed up. Mia was excited and had a lot of questions to ask. When Darci came Mia was the first to greet her in.

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

Darci was so surprised to see Mia already arrive in the city. They both talked for several minutes and while talking Darci told Mia that she is the one who gave Mia to her grandmother. Mia asked, “So who is my mother, and where is she?” Darci did not know what to say and just said that she does not know. Mia was still happy to know that Darci is the one who gave Mia to her grandmother. Mia in excitement called her aunt and said, “Aunt think I might know who my mother is!” Mini hearing that rushed out of her room and said, “ Really? How??” Mia replied, “ Of Darci is the one who gave me to my grandmother, we can find out who my mother is because you won’t tell me!” Mimi gave a big sigh and was relieved.

The next afternoon, a letter from Mia’s grandmother came in for Mia. Mia read it and it said, “Dear Mia, I cannot hide it from you anymore. You have the right to know who your mother is. You have been alone for years now; your mother is Darci. I am sorry I hid this from you. Your mother was really poor and did not want you to be on the streets with her. She is trying her best to provide for you. Those mysterious presents you had received were also for her. She loves you a lot… Lots of love, Grandma.” Hearing this Mia sobbed and had tears of happiness fall through her eyes. It was like sunlight to her heart which had been lost for years.

By Amaya Noor

Breaking the stereotypes

I’m so nervous about my dance competition today that I have butterflies in my stomach. But first, I have to deal with this science test. What is the powerhouse of the cell? And how will this help me when I grow up? Shouldn’t we learn about what are taxes and how to pay them instead? Anyways I should stop complaining and get to work. “Times up! I’ll take your papers now!”, Miss Jasmine shouts. Oh shoot, I’m not done yet, “you really need to start focusing on your studies, Debbie", Miss Jasmine tells me as she takes my paper. “As if I care", I whisper to myself as I go out of class and to the hallway. I meet James and Jackie and we start talking about the test. “Move it! That’s our spot. Oh, and I heard you have a dance competition today, Debbie? Isn’t it like your thirteenth one which you’re going to lose anyway.”, Sara says as she and her gang smirks.

“No, we"; just as I started saying that, James and Jackie started pushing me out of the school door because school is over. “Its not worth it, Debbie, you’ll only get into trouble. Also, good luck for the dance competition!! Hopefully you’ll win this one, Jackie says as she cheers me on. I get into my mums old Nissan maxima 2009 model with my annoying brother, Jason. I get ready to go to the dance competition with my Aunt Lucy. Mum’s not going to take me because she doesn’t really like the idea of me dancing. As we walk inside, the girls start laughing and smirking at me. “Ignore them”, my aunt whispers in my ear. I did so well but as usual, I lost and this was the thirteenth time, makes me lose my hope but I shouldn’t.

“Debbie Williams! We’ll be late if you don’t wake up and also come downstairs, we need to talk", Ma shouts from downstairs. You know your in trouble when you parents take your full name. “Yeah?”, I say as I make my way downstairs. “You need to start studying. I got a call yesterday from Miss Jasmine, She was telling me you have started failing her class. From Bs to Cs and now Ds?! You really need to start focusing more on studies and less on dancing", Ma shouted at me. That hurts and it ruined my morning vibe. I quietly get ready and get into the car with Jason.

Breaking the stereotypes

I meet James and Jackie and then go to my classes. Classes go by and its lunch and as I walk in the hallway, I bump into Sara and her. She starts arguing with me for no reason at all and she tells the history teacher. The third time this week!! I’m glad it’s our last day to come to school because of corona virus and we’ll have online school from now on so on the good side I won’t have to see Sara everyday. The principal called my mom and told her to pick me up. The strange thing is, when they called the dentists office where she works as a receptionist, those people there said that she no longer works with them so instead they called her phone.

I quietly get into my mums old Nissan maxima and then she starts again. “Debbie, what did I tell you today morning?! Couldn’t you behave for one day?!”, mom starts lecturing me. “You lost your job?? And it wasn’t my fault, it was Sara", I ask her. “I shouldn’t tell you this but-", she gulps, “but what??”. “I lost my job but I have two part time jobs. You don’t worry, everything will be okay”. Everything will be okay?! Our fridge is barely ever filled with food and everything will be okay?! Ever since dad left us, we have been struggling.

Weeks go by and mum still hasn’t gotten a proper job. Online school is quite easy. Mum gave us a dreadful news today that she sold the car but she didn’t get much money because its old and so we have to shift into a smaller house. I recently heard about the black lives matter protests online and I’m glad that at least some people care but how does it help us? I recently stumbled upon this app called tiktok. I love dancing so I get addicted to the app. In some days I got a few thousand followers and likes. I wanted to help people so first I told them my own story and then I ask them if they want advice for anything then they can ask me online. Boom! It blasted, people were motivated by what I was saying. My dream came true, not in the way I wanted to but it did.

By: Eshaal Falak

Whip Hand

“Push!” erupted from the midwifes mouth, as Beryl Grace writhed on the pastel mattress in agony, and finally, the child entered the world. The midwife held her pale arms to the mother, and she finally held her baby. The boy had ice blue eyes, pale skin and his most distinctive feature, a tentacle the size of his other arm, replacing his left arm until his shoulder. Despite his blood red tentacle anomaly, Beryl gazed at him with nothing but love in her eyes. “You will be named…” she mulled it over in her head, ultimately deciding to honor her late husband, “Drake.” She finished, smiling lovingly at her son.

I walked down the halls of the 5-room condo that my mother and I lived in. Fantastic view of the coast, easy access to the mall and school, homey feel. I meandered through the halls of the condo, absent mindedly noticing that the cracks in the wall were gone, Mom must’ve repainted them, eh? I love my mom, I really do, its just that her job takes her all over the world. She owns a large business firm and makes deals in Germany, New Zealand, India even the UAE! I stretched letting the tip of my left fingers touch the wall, and mt tentacle bounced off the white, pristine wall and lay on the floor. I moved it close to my face, skimming my eyes over the smooth red skin, with yellow spots decorating the surface of the skin. I heard a knock on the door. To my surprise, my mom was standing there with a smug smirk on her face, “Come on Drake, you’re applying for school.”

I was sitting in the shotgun of my mom’s bright red Nissan X-trail, I bounced around, super excited. The second Mom told me, I rushed down to my room, shoved on a shirt, and leapt into the car. My mom began to explain the school to me; “I know that you’ve been homeschooled your whole life, and due to your-” she glanced at my arm/tentacle, “it will make it hard to adjust, but since it’s the start of Year 6 aka the beginning of middle school, there are going to be a lot of new students, but if you don-”

“Mom,” I cut in, “I want to go.”

Whip Hand

I stood at the mirror, straightening my tie with my hand, and tightening my buttons whit my tentacle. I was wearing the uniform of Lynview Private School, the crisp white blending with my skin, the navy blue of my tie complimented my eyes, the pants were jet black and smart. All in all, perfecting the figure of a school uniform. As I turned to my mom for a ride, hers was a firm answer, “Oh hell naw, it’s a 5-minute walk, do it yourself.” I walked to the school, looking around. You see, I’ve lived here for five years, so I knew practically everybody in the neighborhood, but still there are some rather unsavory characters. “Hola, Drake!” I spun around and was engulfed in a hug “Hola, tia Maria.” Maria was one of my mom’s closest friends and an aunt figure to me. She and my mom had struck it off immediately, showing us which vending machines don’t eat your quarters, which public bathrooms weren’t horrific, that kind of stuff. Anyway, I waved her goodbye and continued my route to school. I quickly reached the town square; I stood and absorbed the smells and feels of the area. The cobbled stones beneath my feet, the musky smell of the perfume shop, the shoes store waxy smell and the hustle and bustle of the area. I smiled and continued my way.

I trudged down the hallway to class 6-F. When I reached there, I saw the door covered in crinkly brown paper with the words “Respect, Raise, Follow” inscripted in bright green letters on the door. I groaned mentally and pushed the door open. Luckily, I knew most of my classmates, but then my eyes landed on someone too well known around here. My tentacle rose to block the paper ball I knew was coming. “Well, if it isn’t Whip Hand.” drawled a cold voice. In an equally cold voice, I replied, “Hello Josh.”

By Waleed Qureshi

My Journey to Becoming an Actor

Do your parents support you in what you want to become? Well, my parents were strictly against my choice of what I wanted to become – an actor! My name is Emily, and it's been my wish since the day I came into this world to become an actor.

When I finished my studies and the time came to choose my career, I faced many problems, struggles and challenges against my choice. "Acting is not a stable job!!! What if you stop getting good offers?! You should do a job like a doctor or an engineer," declared my mom. My father said furiously "Acting is for UNEDUCATED people! You have such a good degree, and still, you are choosing acting!!! Anyways, the acting industry is a 'bad' industry with 'bad' people. Girls from good families don't become actors!!!" Even my friends and relatives opposed me. My best friend, Julia, sent me a letter:

Dear Emily,

It has always been your dream to become an actor, but the acting industry has an appalling environment. Also, you don't have any relatives in this field, so it will be difficult for you to become known by people. Only those people are famous actors, who have their relatives already in this field. I would prefer that you choose another career.

Do think about it twice.

Your best friend, Julia

My Journey to Becoming an Actor

I was amazed and startled when I read this letter from my best friend. Julia always supports me in everything from participating in competitions to making excuses to my parents like why I can’t go to school. I felt despondent.

For continuous days, my parents and I received messages, calls, letters from my relatives, friends, and even people who hadn't contacted us in 10 years. Everyone was against me!

For a few days, I completely ignored thinking about acting. I was hopeless. A few days later, my sister was watching "Ugly Dolls” movie, so I also sat with her and watched.

After watching the movie, an adrenaline rush of optimism rushed through my body. I felt so encouraged and hopeful. I started writing the possible ‘pros and cons’ of becoming an actor. This was the time I was serious regarding my career. Sometimes I was perturbed, befuddled and flummoxed. My situation was vexed.

Anyways, a week later it was the wedding of my aunt, Alexie. She’s my most favourite aunt, so I was very excited about her wedding. I love to get ready, especially at functions like weddings, plus it was my most favourite aunt’s wedding! Of course, I bought a beautiful, heavily embellished and embroidered dress. I went to the best parlour in my town and got my makeup and hair done from there.

My Journey to Becoming an Actor

It was the luckiest and best day of my life! The owner of the most famous drama channel that my mom always watches all of the dramas airing on the channel very joyfully, Ms. Mariam Ansari was there! I noticed that she was gazing at me. Moments later, she approached me and asked “Darling, what is your name and do you have an interest in acting?” I couldn’t believe what I had just heard! For a few seconds, I was dumbstruck and astounded. “Dear, are you there?” she questioned.

“Ma’am, my name is Emily Jackson, and it's my biggest dream to become an actor, but my parents are strictly against it,” I said with a sigh. “Dear, where are your parents? I want to talk to them,” she asked. I was wowed and, in a millisecond, pointed to my mom. “Was this the way I was going to become an actor?” I thought joyfully.

They talked for quite a long time. I was thinking about how my mother would be feeling about Ms. Mariam talking to her about me coming into the acting industry.

“Congratulations, Emily! I have successfully convinced your mom. Five days after is your audition at Ivy Station,” Ms. Mariam apprised. I was euphoric. This was the time; I was going to prove everyone wrong.

My Journey to Becoming an Actor

This was the time; I was going to prove everyone wrong.

Fast forward six months – I had given my audition and luckily got selected but, the drama didn't go well as expected. I still didn't lose hope, but my parents were enraged. The next phase in my life was pure struggles.

First, I needed to lose weight. I was chubby and overweight. "To succeed, I will need to lose some kilos,” I thought.

These four months, I did a lot of hard work – avoiding junk food, eating healthy and in smaller portions and going to the gym every day were some of the changes I brought in my life.

After coming in shape, I had to groom myself. I took some grooming courses and watched videos on YouTube about etiquettes for eating, sitting, talking and likewise.

I was going to production houses, different channels and directors regularly, and begging them to give me some drama offer. I would always be on calls talking to different drama writers and directors, pleading them to take me in their next project but, no response was given. “We will let you know,” was always the last sentence.

My Journey to Becoming an Actor

I remained hopeful, but there was always the thought – "What if everyone was saying right? What if I don’t get any offer?!”

On a fine day, I got a call from a production house; they had chosen me as their lead role in their upcoming drama! I felt as if I was on cloud nine!!!

The drama was a big hit! I went to many shows and gave many interviews. I got many offers for commercials, dramas and even films!

I learnt all throughout my life to always be optimistic and hopeful. Believe in yourself.

By Kinza Batool

Hallucinations

On the busy streets of LA, a woman named Katy was going to buy groceries along with her children Jill and Ben, when suddenly a tiny sphere thing quickly rushed to the Earth. Chaos happened and people were going in any near-by store their human eye could see to take shelter, Katy and her kids also quickly went inside a salon. After about 5 minutes, everyone went out, but it was dead silent. None could hear anyone and there was a huge hole due to the sphere thing which was later revealed in the news that it was a meteoroid, and it produced a huge soundwave beyond a human ear’s ability. Now, the only way they could communicate was with their phones or with sign language (which most people didn’t know).

With no human voice on the streets after the magnitude 10 earthquake which came several hours later after the meteoroid,LA began to desert as many people died and huge buildings were destroyed. Katy had no choice but to take her kids to her mother’s house. While they were in the car driving, the electricity power cut out in the whole country, but suddenly Katy lost control of the car and it fell in a lake. Luckily, Katy and her son Ben were saved but Jill drowned and then was taken out by her brother who performed CPR on her, and she survived. After about 10 minutes, Katy’s mom came rushing towards them and told them about the power cut, then they all went back home.

The sun sets and the night approaches, but Katy and her family can’t seem to fall asleep except her daughter Jill, who was peacefully sleeping in her room. Katy tried to fall asleep for about 3 hours but then gave up like the other people in the city. Katy decides to go to her neighbors to ask whether they can sleep or not, but to Katy’s surprise when she went out everyone was awake and partying. Ben then came to Katy and asked her she can go and ask her friend Andy, who is a doctor to find out what happened.

Hallucinations

Katy goes to Andy’s clinic, and he tells her that the meteoroid has taken away their ability to sleep, and that after 42 hours of sleep deprivation people are going to start to lose their common senses, and after 62 hours, people are going to see or hear hallucinations. The most dangerous stage, hysteria (in which people start to harm themselves and others). Katy is shocked to hear this and immediately goes home after remembering Jill could sleep.

The next morning, Jill and her grandma went to the church and there her grandma revealed that Jill could sleep. It had been 42 hours and people started losing their senses. Back in the church, everyone was now debating whether to sacrifice Jill to make the vaccine or not, and most of the people said to sacrifice her. Later, Katy came while they all were still debating, and Katy sneakily took her daughter out. Ben was also thinking it would be right to take her for the vaccine trials, and after about 30 minutes of dispute Katy finally agreed. Katy went to Andy’s clinic to get her car, but he was lying dead, and clinic was in ashes as the people destroyed his clinic to get a rumored drug which was the cure for this curse. Katy quickly took her car and they started their journey with heavy emotions.

Hallucinations

During their journey, Katy stopped at the library to get a map and teach Jill how to use a gun so she can survive even if her mom and Ben die, but Jill refused and ran back to the car. It had been 62 hours now, many prisoners were seeing hallucinations and they were coming to kill Katy and her kids when suddenly Tom, also a prisoner came with their car. They managed to escape, but Katy didn’t trust Tom at all, and her gut sense was right as Tom also started seeing hallucinations and was about to kill Ben, but at that right moment scared Katy shoot Tom in the head to save her children. It had been 92 hours, all that lay now were corpses with only a handful of people who were also about die after 8 hours as they cannot survive more than 100 hours. They reached the military camp where they were producing vaccines, Katy went in but all she could see there were also corpses except one soldier, who was breathing his last. He told Katy that the vaccine trials were in another place which would take 4 hours to reach, without thinking much Katy went back in the car and started to drive to the place which the soldier told. After another long 4 hours, they finally found some human residence. They all went in and told the doctors that Jill could sleep, they took Jill to a room to start the vaccine trials, but just seconds before that they all started hitting each other with whatever they could find. Meanwhile, Katy and Ben where locked in a room but when they heard loud noises outside, they tried to break the door and managed to do it. Katy went running to find Jill and she found her hiding in a cupboard, then they both went to save Ben, but he gave himself an electric shock and died, Katy and Jill heartbroken started crying.

Hallucinations

Jill woke the next morning by the shining sunlight and was amazed to find Ben was alive, but their mom died. It was at this moment Jill realized that she could sleep because she was about to die once, then she told this to Ben. They both took Katy to a near-by river to drown her, they then performed CPR on her, and unexpectedly she started breathing. There actually was no vaccine for this mysterious disease.

By Haleema Faizan

I lost my Dream, Not my Life

“I have lost everything” I said as I tear fell from my eye

My name is Davina Cruise. I am one of the most well known students in my university of Arts, and people call me the next Niccolo Paganini because I play violin very well. My biggest dream is to become a well known violinist in my country. “Come on Davina, it’s time” shouted my teacher. “Okay, I got this. I heard many people came to this competition. Don’t embarrass yourself, Davina” I said while calming myself.

I saw a thousand spotlights as I walked towards the stage. I was nervous, but deep down in my heart I was happy and excited. I stood in the middle of the stage and started playing La Campanella by Paganini. I was really happy while playing this piecebecause I felt it in my heart. My goal right now isn’t to win this competition, it is to enjoy and let my emotions out.

Some time passed and I was done playing and was resting backstage until a stranger approached me and I realized he was one of the best violent teachers in my country. I got up and greeted him happily. “Ms Davina, I saw you play on that stage, and I admit that I was deeply touched with how you played with emotions” he said. “Really thank you so much!” I replied. “ I was wondering if you could come and play in a festival we are hosting” he said, I got really happy and accepted his offer. He then smiled and said “great, I hope to see you play there” As soon as he left. I started jumping in excitement. “Is this a chance to start my dreams?” I exclaimed.

I lost my Dream, Not my Life

Two days have passed and today is the day of the festival. I dressed up in Fancy clothes and wore pretty accessories. “Davina,today is an opportunity for you to start your dream career, go on that stage and enjoy!” I said while looking in the mirror “Davina the car arrived, it’s time for you to go” said my teacher excitedly. I smiled at her and left to sit in the car.

It suddenly started raining heavily and the car started slipping. “Is everything alright?” I asked my driver. “Ah, yes, ma’ameveryth” before he could complete his words, our car crashed and everything became just black.

24 hours passed and I woke up only to find myself in a hospital room. I was terrified and confused. Suddenly the doctor came in and said, “oh Davina, you’re finally awake.” I was scared and asked him what happened. The doctor suddenly became sad and said “you were in a car accident and I’m sorry but you got. Polymyositis.” I was confused and replied “Polymyositis? What is that? It’s not something serious, right?” The doctor was upset and said “because of this disease, you can never play the violin again.” He left as soon as he said that leaving me in shock.

“I have lost everything” I said as a tear fell from my left eye. I realized that violin was the most important thing to me in life, but I lost it. I lost everything. I spent days and nights watching my violin performances while crying. “There’s nothing left for me in life. Why did this happen to me? Why not anyone else?” I cried “That’s not true” said the teacher. I met three days ago.

“Sir, I’m really sorry for disappointing you” I said sadly. He looked at me and said, “why will I be disappointed? I had many students who had to give up on violin.”

I lost my Dream, Not my Life

My eyebrows raised as I heard him talk. “Many people have to give up on what they love, but that doesn’t mean that your life just ends. There are many choices in life and you have to be brave and not give up” I was disappointed and said “but every career uses arms but I can’t” The teacher sighed and said, “what about speaking? I’m speaking, but I’m not using my arms why don’t you go and motivate people who are giving up on their lives?” In my head, I thought he was right.

Many days passed and I got discharged. I am still broken because I lost my dreams. I was walking through the city and saw a girl crying. I went and asked her what happened she replied “it was my dream to become an actor, but I failed my audition.” I comforted her and saw a drawing, it was beautiful. “Did you draw this?” I asked, she nodded her head “You have beautiful talent in art, so why don’t you try it out” I said. She looked up and smiled “You know what you’re right, I shouldn’t give up, life has many choices.” She thanked me and left.

I remembered my teacher’s words and smiled. I may have lost my dream, but I didn’t lose life so I won’t give up.

Many years have passed and now I’m a well known motivational speaker. I just want to remind people that life goes on. You may experience difficulties, but they will eventually go away. I’m glad I didn’t give up and I will continue to motivate this world.

By Zunaira Kashif

Poems

The Wise Ancient Woman

There sat an ancient woman stitching

To make her cloth enriching

She talked about battles

And complained about the hassles

Peoplelistenedtoherchatters

Andagreedonthesematters

She wanted to end these fights

And get everyone their own rights

Shehadaverywisemind

Andwasoneofakind

By Zunaira Kashif

The Magical Journey

One day, I went to a forest

Feeling a little scared and unprepared.

I saw some beautiful trees Which were the bee’s knees

I also saw an enchanting waterfall Which in my opinion was the prettiest of ‘em all.

Very soon the night came And I left with a returning aim As I got out I looked up in the sky and saw something amazing with my little eye.

The shooting stars shined so bright they almost look like dynamites

Watching the stars lit the sky watching in awe, how stars fly.

After watching in awe how stars fly

I heard a strange noise right to my side I went to investigate

Thinking “what could be up so late?”

The Magical Journey

At that moment I saw, a Pegasus! And thought, “what would such a beautiful creature be doing in a place like this?”

The poor thing was all tied up in rope And I looked into its eyes, as they were losing hope.

I untied the rope

Making the Pegasus full of hope.

The Pegasus neighed with glee I guess I made it super happy!

Later I came to know his name is Christy.

The Pegasus looked at me and said “thank you for setting me free"

Shocked I said “no prob!”, looking at the fallen tree

Then the Pegasus picked me up on its back It seemed like it was ready for a surprise attack!

To thank me the Pegasus took me to it’s home

Part of me was scared riding all alone

It turned out the Pegasus lived in a castle I admit, when we got there, I was a little baffled.

As a reward, Christy let me stay I was so happy, I wanted to shout “hooray!”

I lived like the Royals now And thinking about how I got here made me say “wow!”

The Magical Journey

To think that this all started with me going to the forest, watching the stars lit the sky

Not knowing how wonderfully time would fly. Oh and by the way, Christy has powers Which increase by the hour.

Apparently, the enchanting waterfall was made by Christy

No wonder ‘twas so pretty, It was an absolute adventure going on this journey

Wondering if it will ever happen again, was my enquiry.

By Alishba Arsalan

My Summer Holiday

Exams are over And I pull out a lucky clover

I can sense great things ahead its as if my wings spread

It’s time to explore

I see things I’ve never seen before I feel like I’m a detective

It’s a mission from my perspective

I spend time with my family And laugh with them happily

I’m having a lot of fun while looking at the setting Sun

Holidays are almost coming to an end

I will soon have school to attend

I relaxed a lot during my vacation

Now it’s time to get my education

By Zunaira Kashif

Thank you for Travelling in Eudaimonia with us!