00 57 Chapter 6 – Across the Border Mum started crying. Dad asked if he really had to get out of the car. The officer said that every man had a duty to help the army fight Russia. He explained that it was to support President Zelensky and all of Ukraine. Without questioning the officer any further, dad got out of the car. Even mum didn’t protest. Before dad went off towards Ukraine, we hugged and said our goodbyes. Eleven hours later... Me and mum ad reached Poland. When we arrived at my uncle’s house, I went to sleep straight away. As tiredness flowed through me, I wondered if I will ever see dad again. Jamie, Year 4 IMAGINE My name is Kit and I LOVE fact books! In fact, I love them so much that I read them whenever I can; in bed (instead of sleeping!), waiting for the school bus (missing it at times!), at home (avoiding chores!) Right now, I’m sitting in my bedroom, ready for bed (or so mum thinks!) I longingly reach out for my new fact book, excited to read it... As I open the page and eagerly look at the contents, I realise that this is going to be a good one! YAY!! Who should I pick first? Who do I admire the most? Who do I want to be like? Someone from the past; Albert Einstein, Marie Curie or someone more recent; Marcus Rashford, Sir Tom Moore? So many heroes to choose from … decisions, decisions! Decision made; I’m going to choose Isaac Newton! His legacy precedes him and I need to learn more about this amazing man. Here we go...SHHH!!! Remember, I should be sleeping! SWIRL! SWOOSH! VROOM! Words rush past as the wind whistles through my bristly brown mop-like hair. Pages flip furiously, as a storm of letters race by. In the distance, through a grimy window, I spy Albert Einstein intently formulating, could this be the moment he discovers E=mc?! What a moment! Suddenly, the wind stops howling; calm arrives. THUD! I fall sharply to the ground.. I feel really dizzy and delirious. I sit up and look around. Where am I? I trudge over to a sign, which reads: ‘Woolsthorpe Manor’. I recognise the name but from where? Which book? AHA! It’s where Isaac Newton lives! Let’s go and explore… I observe Newton reading from a tall pile of books stacked beside him. Sitting on a beautiful, intricate maroon bench, under a gnarled, old apple tree he looks happy and content. I’m in awe, wanting to know more about what he is reading and his thoughts. He doesn’t move much; he seems engrossed in his books – even more than me! I wonder if he’ll notice that I’m here? Is this the day Newton discovers gravity?! After all, the branch over him is hanging low, with ripe apples. BRRRR! It’s cold out here; the wind whistles menacingly and is chilling me to the bone. Newton wraps his arms around to protect himself from the passing gale. As he glances up; THUMP!! An apple falls and hits the bench, nearly hitting him on the head. Seconds later Isaac’s face lights up! I can see by his beaming smile, that reaches from ear to ear, that he has made the ground-breaking discovery of gravity! Hurriedly, with an excited demeanour, Newton makes a mad dash to his house, almost tripping over the scattered books. He returns, excitedly and starts writing frantically into his notebook. Feverishly he writes lines and lines of formulae; scribbling away – al gobbled- gook to me! After what seems like hours, he finally stops; exhausted but triumphant. He beams in delight. Isaac Newton really is a true role model, I think to myself in admiration. Persevering in his quest to discover and invent countless things; he is awesome! Leaving Newton to bathe in his happiness, I quietly creep back… From a distance, I hear my mother open the door and roar something about putting away my book and going to bed! EEEK…got to go! SWIRL! SWOOSH! VROOM! Swirling back through the words, I return finding myself in my bed. I quickly put my book down and sleepily sink under the covers to dream about Newton and gravity! What an adventure; another time, another place… Arun, Year 5 Another Time, Another Place 2030. I lived in a village where, each day, the walk for water grew further and further. The dusty earth shattered, bloodless veins reaching across the arid land. Crops died. The elders fearfully conferred under the angry sun. The hunger consumed us as we sheltered from the heat that stormed down from the colourless sky. It devoured by baby brother. Desperate, my parents packed our precious belongings. For days, we walked. We reached the dangerous sea, sold our things to dangerous men. We prayed for their collective mercy. I am travelling across the fathomless ocean. An endless journey, first by raft and now packed in an airless container ferrying trainers to the West. Struggling for shallow breaths, I hope for safety. 2022. The escalating tensions strangled our hearts as we waited for news. Funny how only two weeks ago, I had been giddily planning my birthday party. So blissfully unaware. So stupid. When the bombs stormed down from the blood red sky, we were wrenched from our sleep by nightmarish shadows and sirens. No time for tears. Fractured farewells as we all ran from the only place I know as home. Goodbye Lego, goodbye Xbox, goodbye childish games. We could only pack the bare essentials. The things we needed but not my dad. Our country needed him more. I am now slowly buffeting towards the Polish border, concrete bodies jostle me from all sides. I press against my mother and sister. Snow batters my aching arms, my bag grows heavier and heavier. What awaits us at the front of this endless line? I hope for peace. 1947. The news of India leaving the British Empire filled the bustling streets with patriotic cheer. Excitement ballooned and burst into riots, filling the streets with blood and broken glass. India was being split according to religious groups and we were on the wrong side. Our Sikh and Hindu friends in Delhi were kind at first. When Muslims feared leaving their homes, they brought us food every day. We hoped the fury would dampen but, each day, the flames raged louder. Looking back, it was inevitable that they would hold the door open for the mob that stormed down into our rooms. We were lucky to live. I am now in England but the religious hate followed us. I hope for acceptance. 376. I retched as I set foot on Roman soil after the terrifying journey across the Danube River, trembling at the memory of the Huns, a race savage beyond all parallel. They had stormed down from the mountain and massacred our people. Those who remained fled to the Romans, the only civilisation the Huns feared. The Romans had their price, of course but we were willing to work in their army and on their land. It was all well for the first few months but corruption seeped in like poison. The Roman officials worked us night and day. The camp smelled like faeces and corpses. Death surrounded us. News spread that there were more of us being exploited that there were more of us being exploited by a rotting empire. We are preparing to wage war. The soothsayer has divined our success: Rome will be brought to her knees. I’m ready to die for a better world. I hope for a future worth living in. Note: Quote “…a race savage beyond parallel…” – Pope Marcellinus (330-391) Max, Year 6
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker