500 WORDS STORY COMPETITION As has become customarywithBookWeek, the boyswere set the challenge of writing a story that did not exceed 500words. All the storieswere based around the theme of theweek, ‘Shakespeare’, and the followingwinning entries in each Year Groupwere read aloud in assembly. Enjoy reading them yourselves…
A school trip to the Globe Q When the class entered the Globe Theatre, all of the children looked around in amazement. It was unlike any theatre they had ever seen before. There were no seats and all around the edges were old, pretty wooden balconies. Strangest of all they could see the clear blue sky above them as there was no roof. But Jack was just bored, all he could think about was when he could next go on the computer to play Mario when he got home. While he was thinking, his teacher, Miss Hathaway, was giving instructions to the class, “Right children, you know what to do, here are the worksheets we looked at in class. Now go off in your pairs, and we’ll meet back here in forty five minutes.” Suddenly, Jack found himself alone. He called out, “George, Charlie, Miss Hathaway!” But there was no answer. He felt a rising sense of panic and he wished that he had been paying more attention. He walked around helplessly calling out the names of his friends. The next second he found himself on a backstage balcony, it was made of stunning wood engraved with wonderful patterns. He had a marvellous view of the stage up there. He could see the beautiful marble pillars and the incredible doors. He was astonished. All of a sudden, he heard a squeak! He listened closely and heard a high pitched “hello.” He was confused, he peered round the edge of the balcony, but no one was there. He glanced down and saw a little mouse blinking up at him. The mouse was old but adorable, he had a wise expression on his face. Even better, the mouse could speak! Jack was gobsmacked! The mouse jumped up on to the edge of the balcony and exclaimed that he was called William and he had been living in the theatre since Shakespeare’s time. All at once Jack remembered about the worksheet. Then he had an idea. He asked the mouse if he knew a lot about Shakespeare. The mouse nodded. He told Jack about Shakespeare’s plays, his early life and when the theatre broke down. He also answered all of Jack’s questions. Jack was very interested, he had definitely changed his mind about Shakespeare. He realised that it was time to meet the class, he thanked the mouse and went off. When all the class were back, Miss Hathaway checked the worksheets and was very impressed with Jack’s. She was so amazed that she gave him a commendation. Jack was thrilled After a final, quick look around the theatre and a final count of everyone by Miss Hathaway, the class walked off in pairs. As they were leaving, George asked Jack, “How did you do so well on your worksheet?” Jack looked around and he saw a little mouse on a balcony, winking. Jack smiled, he knew that he would see William the mouse again one day. Fraser Pelly, 4S
Ivy Q My pa said he and ma had fallen in love, naturally, as is customary. He always warned me not to go chasing after pretty girls. This is the story of my life after I did just that. My name is Samuel Williams, and I grew up in the town of Shaftesbury, a fine Saxon hill-top town in North Dorset. I am a good Christian and I pray each day to our Lord Jesus. I’d been raised by my family well. I could ride a horse, handle a sword and hunt a pheasant for our table. My parents were kind, loving and gentle folk. Ma worked in the local bakers, making bread, day and night. Pa was a blacksmith and worked his socks off making horseshoes the size of buns and axes so wickedly sharp it was rumoured you could cut yourself just by looking at them. And me? I worked in the local theatre; I had a job as an apprentice actor! I dreamed that one day, I would perform at Shakespeare’s Globe in London Town. When I was thirteen, I played Joseph in the Nativity in town, and a fine Joseph I was too. I had acquired a covering of downy hair like a newborn rabbit and I had a knack for winking at the audience at the end of my show; they went wild! By the age of fifteen I was on my way to London. Through bristles and thorns, over hill and dale I did go, in search of my true love, the Globe. I slept in barns on the way, and rowdy did my hair look after a night buried in the hay. The apple-faced farmers would shout, and some would set their dogs on me; “I’ll get you for that lad, you mark my words!” but I was long gone. As I approached the great city, I stopped in an old tavern on the edge of the river. An elderly man, overflowing with beer-ridden tales walked up to me, chuckled to himself and proclaimed: “A young, handsome half pint like you could do with a damsel to keep you company!” A huge cheer went up and I stormed out of the drinking house, half pleased by the attention, half enraged at the rudeness of an old man, oblivious to my talents. On I went, as the sun waned, looming in the shadows was a red brick clock tower, glaring menacingly down. I must be nearing London. It was raining now and my smile faded. I’d have to bed down under the shelter of this immense steeple. Morning. The sun was bright and the green grass fresh with dew, twinkling in its magical way. I gazed up towards the daunting tower. In the belfry was the most beautiful thing I ever did see. A girl as lovely as any other, whom no words could describe. “My name is Ivy,” she said softly. “I am the daughter of one Edward Alleyn; I can make you famous.” Robin Choudhury-Collins, 5M
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