WRiting Contest #4

Intermediate Category Winning SUbmissions

To Cure A Generation
By Henry Zhang
First Place, Intermediate Category

[The CONCEPT OF KNOWLEDGE appears in ANDREW’S bedroom, blocking ANDREW’s view of his iPad.]

CONCEPT OF KNOWLEDGE: Are you the kid named Andrew who watches filth and eats cheetos while being oblivious to the fact you are failing in all of your classes? Well, I’m KNOWLEDGE! That’s right–metaphorically, categorically, philosophically–KNOWLEDGE!

[The CONCEPT OF KNOWLEDGE shows Andrew his report card and it’s not pretty.]

You’re failing all of your classes. Even art! How are you failing at art?

Well this thing says otherwise. Your teacher said you’re proof that we can go backwards in evolution. Dang, he got you there, and then filled the entire report card with stuff explaining why you are [coughs] ‘emerging.’ There is so much that he stapled another paper just to continue to roast the life out of you.

And you have no future. The only thing I see is a dumpster on fire. You will become nothing. No one will be able to remember you. And if they did they would already drown in the empty abyss of your brain. Seriously, it’s like the Mariana Trench in there!

Hey, don’t cry, it’s not your fault… Who am I kidding? Of course it’s your fault! So are you ready to get good? No? Well, I don’t care because the whole point I am here is to change you, so you can cure everyone’s mind with knowledge. Yeah you’re kinda right I could have told you from the start. Oh well! Why’d I pick you? Believe it or not, everyone else’s brains are so rotted you’re somehow the most sane! Yeah and I have a plan. Did you think I just came here to roast you? No of course not! I’m here to fix everything. I am going to give you the knowledge of everything.

Yeah you’re kinda right your grades kinda suck beyond cure, so I am just going to times you by zero. When I times you by zero it will basically reset your entire life, sort of like returning to zero. Do you get it now? Well I don’t care! You have a generation to save!

[The CONCEPT OF KNOWLEDGE snaps his fingers and the boy disappears!]

Cinderelitor
By Catherine Zhu
Second Place, Intermediate Category

A Kid walks out of the classroom door, decides to steal some toilet paper from the janitor’s room when she sees…

JULIANA:

I’m sorry Miss um… Ella janitor. Please don’t tell my homeroom teacher that I… HEY! Why are you wearing a whole dress? You’re seriously gonna trip on that you know? And you know you're violating the school code right? And why are you wearing glass slippers? Aren’t you supposed to clean the second floor toilets? Those are nasty… Why is your hair in a french braid? Now look who isn’t working …

(notice the slippers then dress then hair → connect the dots) Wait, Wait, wait..(closes door behind her) glass slipper, gown, fancy hair-doo, you can’t be who I think you are right? You and I both know that fairytales aren’t real, or maybe…

Cinderella? Get Out! Wait, no not literally, because you’re not going anywhere until you tell me the truth, not the “oh it's halloween today” truth "...

What do you mean you just time traveled? That's physically impossible! If you don’t tell me, I got my phone right here and waited until everybody on Insta sees this…

Wait, you don’t know what a phone is? Or Instagram? That is ridiculous. You cannot be joking right now. Are there no phones in the fairytale world? Wait, get yourself together Juliana.

Ok, I’ve got three questions, if you don’t answer truthfully, not only will the whole world see this, but I will tell Miss Haddock, the principal, and don’t tell me I have no proof. Cause I do right now (snaps photo of her).

(beat) Actually, nevermind. Everybody already thinks I’m a weirdo, with anger management issues and my parents divorced and my brother… What will they think of me after sending this picture? A kindergartner who still believes in fairytale characters? And worst of all, even if I do send this picture to the principal, she’ll just tell me I have an over imaginative mind and send me to the counselor's office. I ‘ve been there way to many times

(sits down on the ground next to Cinderella) I guess I do understand how you feel. Misunderstood, a weirdo. Well I’ll just take my toilet paper and leave you in peace. In peace… (Cnderalla disappears) Maybe time travel does exist then.

A Monologue Between a Vampire and Me
By Emma Shen
Third Place, Intermediate Category

I never believed in Myths and Fairytales, because they were just not logical. Which was why I spent almost an hour arguing with my friends about whether or not vampires were true. However, I have many hobbies such as reading and biking, but my favourite, Hiking. But, hiking was also the reason I believed that vampires are true. Actually I know that vampires are true.

It was a sunny Saturday so my mom and I decided to go for a hike (which we always do). I went to a harder trail than the one my mom and I normally go on. It was hard because no one at Vancouver could complete it and it was really steep, so there was just me climbing the mountain. At least I thought it was just me before I noticed a really strange looking person walking right next to me. He was wearing a black oversized hoodie, sunglasses even though there was shade, and when he smiled, his teeth looked almost too sharp to be real. Surprisingly, my head jumped to the conclusion right away that it was a vampire. “What was I thinking?” I whispered to myself. I wanted to keep walking, but I just couldn’t, the hiker next to me kept glancing at me and had this look on his face that almost looked hungry! To be honest it was freaking me out. I thought that I had had enough so I turned to the hiker ready to give him a piece of my mind when I realised that he was gone! I was confused because seconds ago he was still at my side, and now he’s gone. I slowly turned my head back and kept walking, just as I was about to take another step forward, the person suddenly appeared right in front of my eyes again! It was like he had teleported to somewhere else and came back! So this time I grabbed the person’s arm and then turned around to confront him. The first question I asked him was who are you?

“I’m a vampire and I’m about to kill you” he replied coolly.

“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, …” I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. I’ve met people who say they are kids of gods, or if they have magic powers, but a vampire!?

“Aren’t you scared”? The “vampire” asked clearly confused

Scared? Who did he think he was? An actual vampire? They don’t even exist, and even if they did, he can’t be a vampire because, well he doesn’t look like one… I think. Instead, I asked “ Can you prove to me that you are a vampire?”

“How do you want me to prove to you”? He replied back.

“Well I heard that vampires hate garlic, so how about you yell into the woods 3 times the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you, and if you don’t then you will have to eat my garlic bread that I packed for lunch?” I challenged.

“Alright, I will do that to prove to you that I’m a vampire!”He exclaimed feeling confident that he will finish this task. “I…I…I wear my socks on my hands like gloves because I thought that was how you were supposed to wear them! I wear my …” The “vampire” yelled with all his might, hoping that he will pass this test.

“Ha, ha, ha, ha…” I couldn’t believe the person fell for that! I mean who actually brings lunch while you hike when you can reach the top and buy something at the food bar? As much as I laughed I felt a bit bad for making the person say that, but again this person claimed to be a vampire!

“Why are you laughing?” The hiker asked, clearly embarrassed.

“Nothing… nothing…”I replied between gasps of breath. “On to your next challenge. Since vampires have the ability to turn into a bat, how about you climb to the top of that tree over there and jump down?” I say pointing towards the tallest oak tree on the road.

“O…O…f cour…se I can do that. But I just want to know what does turning into a bat have to do with climbing a tree?” He asked, a bit shaken by the second challenge.

“It has everything to do with becoming a bat! If you aren’t a vampire, then you can’t turn into a bat. And if you can’t turn into a bat, you won’t be brave enough to jump off that 20 meter high oak tree!”I explained

“Alright, I will begin to climb.” The “vampire” said very confident in himself

Like he said, he really did start to climb. I watched in awe as he climbed to at least 10 meters. Then I suddenly realised, this person was not kidding that he could climb to the top and jump down, which means there is a likely chance he is an actual vampire! If so, I better start running away just so I don’t end up as a dried human. I start to think. I can never outrun a vampire, so what do I do? Vampires hate the sun, that’s it! I guess my friend's vampire defense 101 talk was not so useless after all. I slowly start to back away from the oak tree, scared that I might cause a loud sound. I never got really far into the mountain, so as soon as I saw the sunlight, I ran for my life until I felt the cool metal surface of my car. Until then, I’ve totally forgotten about what to say to my mother. She must be worried sick! I quickly pulled out my phone and texted my mom that I wasn’t feeling well and I was gonna wait at the bottom of the mountain until she came back.

That was my crazy story of meeting a vampire, and you should have seen the look on my best friend’s face! She was so jealous. However I think that I am going to stay out of hiking for a while.

The Magic Book
by Ayumi Maharjan
Honourable Mention, Intermediate Category

Katie checks out a book of myths and finds a magical surprise…

KATIE:

Hi, can I please check this book out?

Oh, it is about mythical creatures. Oh, of course you need my library card for that… Okay here.

Thank you. Goodbye

(walk in a circle around the stage to show you are walking home)

I can’t wait to get home to start my book.

(opens front door) Hey mom, I am home! I will be in my room!

Finally, some peace and quiet to read my book. (under breath) Just hope that there will be no explosions coming from Max's room. (Sit on a bean bag)

Okay first page, all about Phoenixes. Woah these pictures look so real. Almost as if Phoenixes exist. (looking at the book intently like you are super interested or impressed)

Let's see, a Phoenix is IMMORTAL! Whoa that’s cool.

(In a dreamy voice) I wish I was a Phoenix or at least be able to meet a Phoenix.

Anyway, if a phoenix were to die, they could be reborn from their ashes and live again making them immortal.

That is cool! (Dreamily) If only phoenixes existed. What does it say here? The print is so small. I should grab my magnifying glass. (gets magnifying glass)

(Looking through the magnifying glass and reading the words) Let’s see, it says if you wish to meet a phoenix just say these magic words below.

No, that is probably soooooo fake. (hopefully) But it is worth a shot even if I know that nothing will happen. (Put down the magnifying glass while saying)

Okay ready, set, GO -- CALLITNO MONTIO! (disappointed) I was right, nothing happened. Oh man, that was kind of anti-climactic.

(phoenix appears) OH MY GOSH! (say slowly and in a super shocked voice)

Is that…..A PHOENIX!

Who what when … where how? (confused) I mean wow, you are so beautiful!

What is your name?

Flame? I like that name.

(confused and skeptical) Wait, how did you get here?

I summoned you here from the book realm by saying the magical word? Okay that makes toootal sense. (sarcastic) He he he.

You want to take me on a ride? (excited)I would love that.

(Sit or lay on the beanbag from the beginning, which has been transformed into a phoenix)

Wow this is amazing! The view is awesome! (Turn your head around to make it look like you are looking at the view) Look over there it’s the library, that's where I found your book! Oh look, that cloud is the shape of a diamond. And there is the playground I play on every day!

I could do this all day. Your wing feathers are also sooo soft. (touch feathers) I could easily fall asleep in them.

Down? I guess so. (They land) Wow, that was fun. Thanks for the ride.

Okay how do I bring you back to your book realm? I CAN’T!? (shocked)

(nervous, scared, confused) So how are you supposed to live? Will you have all the food you need? Won’t you be lonely? How will you survive? What if someone sees you?

There is a way back to your world from this world but only the creatures from the book realm know about it? (Reassured) Okay that makes more sense.

Wait before you leave, let me take a selfie with you. (take a selfie)

( admire selfie) That was a good selfie.

(Excited) I can’t wait to show my friends.

You have to go now? (Wave goodbye to phoenix) Okay, bye! I really enjoyed meeting you!

This Guy Zeus
By Gavin Ma
Honourable Mention, Intermediate Category

*coughs* Hey Bill, git your butt over here. Bring the boys I have ‘nother story to tell y’all.

… But this time, it’s all true and I need your help. Hey wait, get back here! This story’s as legiteemae’ as the sun rising in the morning and setting in the evening! So, as most of you boys know, there may or may not be a god upstairs but I tell you there are gods amongst us lowlife fishermen. So you know on the weekends I normally like to go on a hike on the-

*Takes a gulp from the beer mug* Whitecomb mountain just for kicks. Now whatchu wouldn’t expect out of a normal hike is the fact that you meet a god on a routine trek. So while I’s hikin’ there’s this giant of a lad sittin’ on a rock by a lake, rod and line in hand.

*coughs again and hacks some mucus*

Anyways, like outta the thirties this man turns to me and he stands up to full height and my hairs suddenly stand up on end. I turn to run, but I’m halted in my tracks so I turn around and see him holding out his hand. I tell myself, *coughs again* “boyo sumthin isn’t right and you gotta get outta here or you’ll be sorry!” He pulls me using some sort of powers and next thing you know, I’m right beside the fellow.

GEORGE GIMME ANOTHER ROUND! *waving him over*

Thanks.

So this guy, he tells me his name’s Zeus, like the Greek god. Any sane person wouldn’t believe that, right Jim? Thing is, this guy insists and, he’s kind of stubborn if you ask me, but after a while, he proves it by summoning a lightning storm. I’m Catholic as you all know, so I believe there’s a man upstairs. But he tells me that everything the Ancient Greeks believed were true, and I can’t believe my eyes. Obviously he must be some sort of God… right? How do you hoax something like that? I’m terrified. What if God is fake, and we’ve been told lies, or both the Greek gods and God exist side by side? I really didn’t know! I didn’t have the guts to ask him out of fear that he’d smite me. He tells me that the world’s in danger, and that I gotta create a sort of team to help us out, so I’m recruiting you lads to help me. I couldn’t know, he said it’s something confidential that we’re helping with.

The legendary Hugin and Munin
By Selina Wang
Honourable Mention, Intermediate Category

Jimmy, don’t look at me like that. I know I took your book very brutally in the middle of–a very good part, too? I’m sorry, okay? But this is extremely important.

Fine. Consider this as paying the debt to ripping a page off my favourite book, then. Ha! I knew you would agree. Let’s go to the music room; it’s empty.

What is it, you ask? Well, I met the Norse god Odin’s ravens, Hugin and Munin.

Stop laughing, it’s true! And I don’t read that much Percy Jackson…and it’s not like you don’t! Shut up!

So, I was just walking home from the library by myself. And I noticed that there were two crows watching me from a tree when I came out. I dismissed them as ordinary at first, but then they flew down and landed right in front of me.

Now I was getting really creeped out. It was as though I could feel my erratic heartbeat in my head. I inspected the two birds; it was then when I realized they looked different. Their glossy, inky feathers and the intensity in their sharp eyes made me surer.

They were the legendary Hugin and Munin.

My nerves fluttered. I couldn’t stop my hands from shaking. I thought about the Norse mythology I’d read in the library moments before. Hugin and Munin are the sacred messengers of Odin, the All-Father; what are they doing here?

My voice sounded far away when I ventured, ‘Are you two Thought and Memory?

The raven on the right chuckled. When it spoke, I heard it more in my head than with my ears: ‘Indeed we are. I am Hugin, or Thought, and that is Munin–Memory.’ Hugin cocked its head, and, as though sensing my overwhelming nervousness, it said, ‘Don’t be afraid, mortal. Your world is not in trouble.’

I exhaled. That was what I feared would happen. Then I tensed again. ‘What are you doing here then? And why me? Can’t you go find my annoying friend Jimmy?’

Munin seemed to be suppressing what looked like a laugh–if ravens could laugh. ‘We were just traveling the Nine Worlds and doing our jobs when we saw you. Hugin decided that you were interesting.’

“Interesting…?’ Was that good or bad?

The ravens hopped forward. I was confused at first, but I remembered the ravens’ namesakes: if you stroked Thought, a feather would fall out, containing a thought that was just right for you; same goes for Memory.

I hesitated, but put my hand on the birds’ silky feathers. After a few strokes, two jet-black feathers fluttered to the ground gently. I picked up the memory first.

It was the ancient memory of Norse mythology: it was of gods and goddesses, of whimsical, out-of-the-world creatures, of stories once upon a time that are still being told. There was a strange feeling in my heart as I held the feather, like some sort of heaviness that told me: this memory was far more ancient, far more powerful than I could ever fathom.

Next was the thought. To my surprise, it was my own thought. A wave of emotions came over me as I took it; was it excitement? Happiness? Pride? I couldn’t describe it. I saw the adventures of characters from books I’d come to know so well. I shared their triumph, their sadness, their growth, and even if I knew they weren’t real, there was always a corner of my mind where they did exist, as real as anything else.

“I have never met someone that believed in stories so much,’ Hugin nodded approvingly.

‘All the stories are true,’ Munin added. ‘Also, that was what Hugin meant when it said you were interesting.’

‘Keep believing in stories, mortal, and one day you shall become part of one too. When you are lost, they will guide you.’ And with that, the two ravens flew away.

I think they kind of proved what I always kind of knew. But it was so weird seeing them in my dimension, too. Wow, this is so deep. I need water.

I swear that this isn’t from a book! Ugh, fine. Believe what you like. We have to go back to class anyway now.