The GB Weekly’s Very Short Story Writing Competition
The GB Weekly received 250 entries in the competition so we have been busy reading, re-reading and discussing lots of them. Thank you to everyone who entered. There was an amazing range of approaches, from the satiric to the lyrical and from the cool and detached to the deeply personal.
This week we are publishing eight of the stories submitted by children up to the age of 12. Each of these writers will receive a prize.
Next week we will publish some teenagers’ entries and the following week some adults’ entries.
“Come on men, this is our last chance to beat the Barbarians’ army. It’s been advancing on Rome for four months now. We have to defeat them now.”
“Fire the catapaults, signal the cavalry to charge, let the archers loose their arrows, no time for cowards. Charge now!”
“The enemies are trapped. Slay them all now.”
Seven hours later: victory.
Hamish Foxwell (11) prizewinner
Boom, boom, boom, went Abbie’s heart. Abbie was so nervous about doing cross-country with her horse, Doc.
“Will I make it into the finals or will I mess up and fall off?” Abbie kept saying to herself.
“Well, here we go … we can do this…”
“Yes. We made it into the finals. I can’t believe it. You’re amazing Doc.”
Teagan Boyd (10) prizewinner
Back in the days Sheckler was trying to prove kick-flip 360s could be done. Not just flat, but over 12 stairs. Crowds of people came to watch. He fell off and broke one leg.
Three weeks later he was back on. He tried again and this time he nailed it. It was the first time in history that it happened.
Jaden Marama (10) prizewinner
The sea was a huge blue ice-cream soda about to be swallowed up by everyone on the beach. Seals jumped out of the water on to the shore, their skin glittering in the sunshine like sugar. Caves surrounded me, looking so much like hollow chocolate and my feet burned from the sugar sand. I swam and it tasted like salt.
Anna Mapley (8) prizewinner
I remember the first time I rode an elephant, it was like stepping onto the Eiffel Tower, it was so massive. As we set off for the tour, we were allowed to ride on its head, but after a while I wanted to get off because it was so prickly. The tour was awesome, especially the deep murky river crossing!
Marlene Schrader (11) prizewinner
When I first found out that I was getting a new baby sister, I was delighted. It was going to be so adorable.
Mum rang me up and said she was on her way home.
I wonder if it’s going to look like me.
I heard the car pull up. I ran to investigate. I froze. It was so ugly.
Jarrah Solly (12) prizewinner
The armchair was black. It was made of leather and cost three thousand, two hundred and eighty-nine dollars. It came from ‘Furniture World’ and was a recliner from LaZboy. It had sumptuous curves and squishy cushions. When reclined, it was almost a bed. It had a cup holder and a pocket for the remote control on the right arm.
Calum Lewis (12) prizewinner
It was clear winter’s morning but somehow colder than usual. I opened my eyes and stretched tiredly, then gasped as I stared at my surroundings. The room wasn’t my own! It had concrete walls, a bookcase, and a lumpy bed. I gazed out the window and I was dazzled by the beautiful, powdery, penguin-scattered snow. I was in Antarctica!
Katy Blasdale (12) prizewinner
