Lila The Long Tailed Cat

Once upon a time there was a cat named Lila. Lila was a very nice and cute cat but everybody laughed at her because her tail was really, really long. She was teased at school, teased at the park and basically just teased everywhere she went.

Then one day, as a birthday surprise, her mom signed her up for a basketball camp. This made Lila feel very nervous. More and more nervous day by day because she was worried that everybody at basketball camp would laugh at her too.

Her mom told her not to worry and that it would be fun. Guess what happened… she got to camp and they laughed at her. As hard as it was, Lila just ignored their laughter and tried again and again to do her best for many days.

The last day of camp finally came. This was the day of the big competition and each team had to score at least two baskets.

The game went on and on and it seemed that no team could score. So, Lila decided it was up to her. She knew that if she would just believe in herself and her long tail that she could do it.

For the first time in her life, Lila ignored all the laughter, grabbed the ball and sprang up on her long tail and threw the ball right in the basket! Score.

The crowd went wild and now Lila was laughing. Then she decided to do it again. She grabbed the ball with her tail and slam dunked the ball through the hoop and scored again.

She did it, she believed in herself and she won the game.

After that Lila and her parents were so happy and her friends never ever laughed at her again.

-By Lily Mancini
Age 7

The Magic Clock

In his vast mansion, Tyler was secluded in his bedroom. He was fooling around with his special clock, like he does every day. Concentrating, Tyler was fumbling to find the switch to turn the clock off and make everybody freeze. After everyone’s frozen, Tyler set his clock down on a nightstand to get a drink of water.
Sprinting back up the stairs to turn the clock back on he noticed something. “Oh no! The clock won’t unfreeze anyone, even if the clock is on!” Tyler shouted frightfully! Suddenly, he scrambled to the cabinet with the batteries. Triple A batteries is what the broken clock needs, Tyler decides fretfully. Opening the clock, Tyler removes the old batteries and places in the new batteries. He flips the switch to the off, then the on position. Hopefully, the boy spurted down the stairs to find his parents, who were still frozen! The clock must not need new batteries, maybe something else has to be done. “What to do…?” Tyler questions.
As Tyler stares thoughtfully at the clock, an idea forms in his head. “The clock repairman could most likely fix my clock!” The boy shouts gleefully. Blasting through the house and neighborhood, he finally reaches the shop he’s looking for. Tyler slowly enters the shop. All of the items lying in the shop: tools, clocks, springs, clock arms, and blue prints. “Hello?” Tyler calls. No response, just like nobody’s there. He suddenly realizes, everybody’s frozen, including the clock repairman!
While Tyler trudges home, he thinks, “I might as well live a lonely life.” Tyler flops onto his bed setting the clock down on a nightstand. “Wait a minute!” he exclaims. He picks up the other clock and turns it on. The buzzing of the city floods back. Tyler, as gleeful as a smiley face, he sprints to his parents, happy they’re unfrozen.

-By Nicole Lukowski
Age 10

Moon

I been to the moon. Have you? I seen Earth from space. If you have not been to the moon or seen Earth from space please keep reading. I know that not many people have even been in space but I am one of the lucky ones. It took many years of hard training but I was finally able to walk on the moon. For those of you that are over 16 driving a moon buggy is just like driving a car except the road is a little more bumpy. Well, I told you all about going to the moon and who knows maybe you will be one of the lucky ones that get to go the moon.

-By Courtney Botelho
Age 9

The Tree that Had no Name

There was a tree… only one tree that was standing so broad, tall, and looked strong. It never leaned forward and not one leave fell, but something accrued to others that past. You see, this tree was planted on a corner with rushing people. Now in days people past very slowly, just admiring the tree, the tree that had no name.

As the tree it self, can’t talk like others, or really, have no mind of its own, it has a personality, of which nobody figured out. The tree with no name was much different than other trees. Like when seasons come and go… Spring, the tree with no name blooms flowers that you never seen before, people are so speechless when it is this time of year. It’s because of the golden flowers that the tree blooms. Summer, the tree sways with a hot summer wind. Everyone quickly hops under it for cool shelter from the blazing sun. Fall, the unnamed tree’s leaves turn brown, but just don’t fall to the ground. They stay there, with no help, just looking like any minute they will fall to the ground. The people watch to see if one of them falls, but not one of them fall. Some of them wait for hours. Winter, pretty soon all the leaves fall with ease. It’s a big site. Everyone watches as all of them fall. When all of them are fallen, the tree looks bare with just the branches and they look tough too. The people walk away with sadness in their eyes.

Right now it’s summer. So most of the people walk under the tree for cool shelter. Some just don’t care and walk to and fro. One summer day, an older kid, named Lexie, came along. Lexie herd about the tree with no name and wanted to see it. Lexie was 12 years old and can walk around the city be her self. When Lexie reached the tree, she stood, just in shocked like never before. She like a statue for a second then snapped out of it and without hesitation she climbed up it so steady she didn’t even have to stop. When Lexie reached the top, she was so very tired, but used the rest of her strength to stand up. She stood up with all her strength and was amazed by what she did and could see the city from above.

The tree with no name felt good to have company all the time. Just there was always one thing missing, no name. It’s like the tree felt lonely in side and hollow too. The tree had all the parts expect one, no name. How come all of these people are staring, but not giving the tree a name? Just how come? Since the tree couldn’t talk, it showed it by shaking its branches and leaves. Everyone ran with scared faces, not relaxed at all. Lexie was still climbing down the tree when this all happened, she was just about to put her foot on the ground when the tree shook and Lexie was pushed backwards and cut her knee a little bit. Some people’s attention was on her. Others were on the tree. They couldn’t believe what was happening. Half of the people were gone. Only some stayed in shocked. It was so hot. They wanted to go under the tree but were afraid to. Then someone spoke up.

There was a younger kid, Manny. He was only 7 years old. Manny walked right under the tree. His mom was there and let him go. He spoke in his loudest voice he could get out. Manny was the one who spoke up the everyone, “Please you guys, don’t walk away, it’s just a tree that wants a name.” All the people’s mouths went down. Then the whispers started. Manny spoke up again, “Can any one think of a name for this tree that helps us?” Someone yelled out” WHAT ABOUT, TREE OF PRESONLITYS?”

Most of the crowd agreed. Then that was that. Everyone went back over the tree and told the boy how thrilled they were of his speaking up. A year later the community came and put a little stand up that had the techniques of the tree. The best part though, was the letters, the name of the tree in the big, bold solid black letters that read, TREE OF PRESONLITYS. Everyone was happy and full of glee. They all celebrated. The tree with no name came to be the tree with a name.

-The End-

-By Alaska

Age 10

My Temporary Pet Dragon

There I was, sitting frustrated on a bench in Tokyo, Japan.” The park is as silent as a mouse that has lost its ability to squeak,” I though to myself. My mom commanded me not to step back into my house until I picked up ten pieces of trash in the park. The problem was that there was no garbage. I sighed, “It’s almost as if all the junk that is normally on the ground was scorched to ashes.” Then a bright light appeared in the corner of my eye. “What is it?" I whispered to myself. I peered closer and discovered the most terrifying, yet peculiar sight I had ever seen. A baby dragon was snuggled close to a little Bonn fire, staring up at me with immense, round eyes. I guess that it fell out of Dragon land in the sky. That was the most reasonable answer I could come up with. The creature looked like a rhino with a tail and crimson spikes all the way down its back. It had two flaring nostrils, but it didn’t appear to be angry. It looks like it’s begging me, “Take me home with you, PLEASE!” I thought. I ended up adopting the baby dragon,( if that’s possible) not knowing if it would make me die a long and painful death or not. I tried not to think about that. After I thought it over, I knew my mom wouldn't let me keep the dragon, so I decided to keep her a secret. Suddenly I heard voices from a distance getting closer. I knew it was the Park Patrol. I started to run, but the patrol had already spotted me. "HEY!" The three men screamed. Once the males approached, the creature that gave me goose bumps apparently got annoyed and blew flames on them. The flames looked like a serpent’s tongue hissing at an enemy. The men screeched in pain as the fire gulped them down and left three neat piles of ash. After I finished staring, I figured out that I had conflict.

As you know, I would not just toss Fiercy, my new pet, out the window because she blew fire at any boy she ever saw. I knew there was some way that I could eliminate her hate for boys. After I thought for about five minutes, I decided to see if putting a muzzle on Fiercy would prevent her despicable behavior. I walked to the Walmart thinking," This is the best idea I've ever had!" I walked in to isle three, and picked out a scarlet red muzzle for Fiercy. I purchased the muzzle for two dollars and took long strides outside to where I had tied Fiercy to a light pole. Before I untied the metal chain, I attached the muzzle to the fire breathing thing's mouth. After the rope was untied, we started walking towards home when the mailman drove by. I grinned, knowing that my plan would work. All the sudden the muzzle was gone, leaving a pitch black substance on the ground. Thankfully, the fire breathing beast was to far away from the mailman to hit him with her epic weapon. The petrified and astonished mailman sped away in terror. His face looked like me when I found a tarantula in the bathtub. I felt stupid because I had never supposed that the dragon could burn off the muzzle, but she had and that was a problem. I slowly trudged home moaning the whole way with Fiercy at my side. I decided to make a home for my new dragon in the ancient dog house that had been at my house for as long as I can remember. I tidied it up a bit and put an old ripped up blanket inside. Fiercy seemed to enjoy her new home. When I was finished creating Fiercy's home, I casually entered my house. My mom had gone to work, and the house was silent. I literally fell down on the comfortable leather couch in our living room. I thought, "There must be someway I can stop Fiercy's strange actions!"

I searched the World Wide Web on my Dell laptop for interesting ways to tame a dragon. I typed in: how to tame a dragon, and the first thing that popped up was an add about hiring a wizard to tame dragons or any mythical creatures. I clicked the add and surprisingly, a wizard formed right beside me. I never expected to have a real live wizard pop out of my own computer! He stated," I'm here to train your dragon." I explained to him the entire situation and he replied, "No problem." As the trainer and I approached the dog house very quietly, I heard growling and I knew that this wouldn't be pretty. The trainer from the Internet told me to stay back. The dragon tamer walked calmly to the hotel for the fire breathing monster. Fiercy stepped out of the mini house and stared at the wizard with eyes filled with hatred. The bizarre man who spoke like a zombie started to say what I thought must have been a spell, but Fiercy knew what he attempting. Fiercy spit fire out of her jaws and in seconds the wizard had vanished and left behind a pile of dirt. I looked at Fiercy and sighed a very deep and gloomy sigh. "How am I supposed to fix this?" I wondered aloud. "I can't just let this dragon burn all the males in the universe!"

The next day I worried endlessly that my secret pet would be the death of many males. I tried to think of more ideas to stop her, but I knew it wouldn't work. I walked sleepily outside to check on Fiercy at seven in the morning and stood frozen at the beautiful sight I saw. Fiercy and a male dragon were curled up together sleeping. Their tails had twisted together. Somehow, a boy dragon had found Fiercy and gotten her to not spit fire at him. Maybe, if she changed her mind about male dragons then she would change her mind about human men. Three hours later I peeked outside at the dragon hotel and Fiercy happened to be alone. I attached the metal leash to her neck and we started to stroll out to the front yard. We jogged together for maybe ten minutes until we found our first boy. He looked about six years old and he rode his scooter up and down his driveway. I jumped up and down in delight when Fiercy didn't even flinch as we walked by. I may not have solved the problem myself, but the problem was solved. That's all that matters to me. The next day I came outside to find that Fiercy had gone. I knew that no one would believe me if I told them my incredible story, but I would always remember my temporary pet dragon, Feircy.

-THE END-

-By Rachel Galindo

Age 10

Andy and the Talking Pencil

Andy is a human man, a young adult. Andy has brown hair just like his little boy, Jason. Andy is a quiet man, but he likes to put his thoughts on paper. Andy was going to write a story, but he had no ideas. He knew he was going to give the story to Jason. Andy barely searched the house looking for a pencil when Andy found a brand new number 2 pencil with an unused eraser, and sharp lead rolling across the tile floor right in front of him. Andy, not having any shoes on, picked up the pencil with his toes. Andy put the pencil in his hand and began to think.

The pencil shouted, “No!”

Andy, in complete surprise murmured, “oh my gosh. Did you just talk?”

Wanting Andy to be surprised the pencil refused to talk.

Andy, mad at the pencil, said, “I know you talked, say something.”

“Something.”

Andy yelled, “say something besides something.”

“Hi.”

Andy said, “hi” back to the pencil.

“What do you want?” the pencil asked.

“I need ideas for a story for my son Jason.” Andy said.

“I have a lot of ideas,” answered the pencil. So, the pencil began to whisper ideas to Andy about the adventures of the talking pencil.

Finally, Andy finished his story for Jason and Jason loved it.

-THE END-

-By Quinn Rassel

Age 8

The Lonely Giant

There once was a giant named rogber he was separated from his family at birth. When Rogber turned ten, he moved to a village made for little people. The village was named Pound Town but there was a problem. Rogber is a giant so he can't fit in any of the houses. All of the little people loved him so they tried their best to help him. Rogber’s imaginary friend Phill thought it was a good idea to move to the village. Phill’s dog, J-Lo, thought it was a good idea, too. One day, it was getting pretty late and he could not find anyone to play with. He was bored so he decided to invite Phill and J-Lo over for a sleepover. It was the next day and Rogber still could not find anyone. Rogber thought no one liked him. So he voiced his concerns to Phill.

“I just don’t get it,” said Rogber. “Why isn’t anyone home?”

“I think you're just overreacting. Who wouldn’t anyone like you? You're the coolest guy I know.” Replied Phill.

“I know but I’m worried,” said Rogber. “If no one likes me I might as well just move again.”

A couple of weeks passed, and Rogber had a strange dream. There was a man with a beard. The man spoke.

“Hello Robber,” he said his name incorrectly. Rogber opened his mouth to correct him but was interrupted.

“You think your friends have left you. You are lonely, I know. I can solve all of your problems. Just take this apple from my hands.” Rogber took it. “Now, take one bite. Only one.” Rogber followed the strange mans instructions. The apple was delicious! More delicious than anything he had ever tasted! He went to take another bite, when he remembered. The man said only one bite. And he wanted his friends back. Rogber handed it back to the man quickly, before he was tempted too far. The apple disappeared and the man laughed at Rogber’s expression.

“Take the pebble from my hand, grasshopper.” The man said jokingly, chuckling.

Then, the strange man was gone, and Rogber was sitting upright on his bed, panting. Almost as if he had just had a nightmare. Only Rogber knew he hadn’t. If the man in the dream really did solve his problems, his friends would be back. So, Rogber got out of bed, careful not to hit his head on the low ceiling. He traveled out of his too small cottage, to discover all of his friends gathered around! He was so excited, but then confused when one little person, Nosey, jumped on his back and pulled a scarf around his eyes. Rogber was so cofused! The little people led him away from the village, and removed the scarf. As he looked around, Rogber realized it was a bigger village, the perfect size for him.

“Will you stay here with me here?” Rogber asked his friends. They all replied, “Of course!” They decided the name of the village would be The Only Giant.

THE END

-By Carly Norris

Age 9