Poems and Prose

Firestarter

Alec Minugh • 4th Grade

There once was a boy named Robin Firestarter. His father, William, was working on a mysterious machine.

“Mom,” Robin asks, “what is that smell?”

“I think it’s your father.” His mother, Sally, replies as her son is getting out of bed. He goes downstairs and finds his father.

“Dad, what is that smell?”

“I don’t know?” said William. “You should get back in the house before something bad happe…” A flash of light went out and then back inside the house, like a yo-yo, taking the family and the house with it.

“What does that machine say?” Sally asks nervously.

“It says 1000 A.D.” William answers shocked.

“Yeah right,” said Robin. “You’re gonna listen to that stupid machine. Watch, I’m gonna open that door and were gonna be at the same second, same minute, same hour and same year.” He opened the door and there were six American Indians right outside the door. “Wow!” said Robin. “I was way off.”

Within minutes, the Indians were leading Robin and his parents up a Mountain. As soon as they got to the top of the mountain, the Indians laid them down on flat boulders. Jaden’s fear was right. They were going to be sacrificed.

To be continued …

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How the Toucan Got Its Colors

Hannah Hocom • 6th Grade

Long before man was created, there was a rain forest just off the coast of Puerto Rico that teemed with wildlife. Big and small animals of the rain forest created an expansive pallet of vibrant colors, but if you looked closely, you might have noticed a single bird dressed in a bland grey coat of feathers. That bird was the first toucan.

The first toucan was never liked. She got teased about her bland feathers. Other animals attacked her when she tried to protest. After a while, she just stayed at the border of the rain forest. One day she had had enough. Apparently, she was not allowed in the rain forest because the colors of her feathers were quite boring and she just didn’t belong. As the toucan flew, she knew she had to plead for help from the powerful king lion. Fluttering down from the trees, she looked up at the king and showed every ounce of respect she could muster. She begged him to give her color. Finally, he took a shaky breath and slid her a delicate glass jar. He told her the contents of the jar could give her any color in the rain forest. She thanked the wise lion as he lumbered off into his den.

Immediately, the toucan knew what colors she wanted. She flew into the sunset to collect its amazing reds, oranges, yellows, and purples. As she flew down, she poured the trickling sunset all over her body.

Long before man was created, there lived a rain forest just off the coast of Puerto Rico. This rain forest was an expansive pallet of vibrant colors, and if you looked closely, you might have seen one of the most colorful birds of all. That bird was the first toucan.

•••

If No One Could Talk

Max Bennett • 5th Grade

If no one could talk, we would all act like a flock of birds that silently fly together

If no one could talk, it would be like putting on a lock to the insults we share forever

If no one could talk, not a chicken would ‘bock’ while spreading it’s beauty and feathers

If no one could talk, we would not mock our fellow friends whom are tender

If no one could talk, it would be more quiet than a knock on a hollow piece of timber

If no one could talk, we would all be like a hawk soaring and listening together.

•••

The Big Dipper

Houston Day • 4th Grade

One day my mom and I were going to go on the Big Dipper. We were waiting in line. The car pulls up. We get in and I see a black hole … it does not look very dark but then … ring!!! The car starts to move then we enter the hole. It is pitch black. I can’t hear anything. There is screaming and yelling everywhere. A speck of light is ahead. I think it’s over… but no, we’re going up the Big Dipper then … silence … more screaming and yelling and then click clack click clack click clack, were going up the Big Dipper. Vrroom!!! We are on the top. Ziiipppp — screaming and yelling. We take the big turn — zoooommmm more screaming and yelling and we’re swerving all over. We turn up, down, up, down, down, up, down, up and then we drop.

We drop so far down I scream. I am sweating. The ending turn comes and we go super fast, like a rocket. Through the silence, a bell rings. I get out. My mom says, “Come on let’s go on another ride.”

“No,” I responded, “I have a better idea.”

Ring… here we gooooo!!!! Whoooshsh!!!!!

•••

Aptos

By Hannah Mendoza-Mendoza • 5th Grade

Have you ever wondered if there is a town that is so peaceful and exists in real life? Well I think you know (the answer is on the top of this page).

I have lived in Aptos for about 11 years. I love it here. When I need peace and quiet from my noisy house, I like to go outside because it so quiet here. Even if I move to another place, I always think of all of my memories here. Wherever I end up in life, I will always go back to my childhood.

Aptos may seem small, but to me it is big. I cannot believe that there are people that have no clue about Aptos. Even though there aren’t famous people, a red carpet or a big huge theme park, Aptos is still very special. All of my family is here and this is my home.

Aptos may not have zoos, malls or a theme park, but it does have people that care about this small place. Aptos to me is like a friend I have never had. But most of all it has me (so that means Aptos is the number one town).

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Tales Of Blue

By Camryn Gurnee • 5th Grade

Blue, Blue, Blue

The sad times, the good times.

The funerals, the walks on the beach

The blue, blue tears of the people whom cry

The salty spray of the waves that go by.

Blue is, the sweet that melts in your mouth

The sour that make’s you pucker your lips

The blue rain, the blue, blue sky

Blue is magical

Blue is Beautiful

Blue is Blue

Blue makes me think of the past

The good times, the sad times

Blue