Short Short Story Contest
Here are eight winning stories by teenagers. Most of the prizewinners are in year 9 or 10. The judges were impressed by the variety of approaches adopted by the writers and the powerful impacts they created in such a restricted genre.
Before the gods sent me this present, I imagined what it would be like. Streamlined butterflies, a heavenly angel, a piece of bacon and egg pie, maybe even a plate of steak, eggs and chips. Now the great gods have sent me my present. I have found my dream. What could be better? A flat screen TV with surround sound.
Mitchell Hone
I put on a fake, excruciating voice hoping that it would convince Mum that I was too sick for school. I made my voice into a low grunting sound, sometimes breaking so low my voice was only a quiet squeak. I made faces I had no idea I could make. Today was speech day and I was safe at home.
Liana Sangster
I break out of my cocoon into the early morning sun. My beautiful new wings feel heavy and sticky. I try with all my might to pull them apart. I struggle to get to the end of my leaf and wave them about for a few minutes, finally it is time to take off. I take flight, wings spread wide.
Ellie Kerrisk
Work is overdue, yet we sit there talking. Work is overdue, yet we continue to doodle, Work is overdue, yet we walk round the school aimlessly. We pretend to work as the teacher walks by, but as soon as he is past, the talking begins again. We walk super slow to the library and super slow back. Work is overdue.
Kristen Gill
It’s a nice spring morning and the whitebaiters are lined along the edge of the water, scooping and checking their nets every so often. What really ruins the whitebaiting for the country? The lazy ones with Southland socks. All they have to do is sit in their chairs and sleep while the whitebait swim into the net and get trapped.
Cameron Fleming
I could see the vast desert clearly from the warm updrafts that held me in the air. Some small things moved around a hazy grey and pink shape. There’s always time for a feed. I silently swooped down to the hot dry sands. I landed amongst fellow vultures and stuck my head into the bloody insides of a dead zebra.
Pip Napp
“I wonder if she’s going to say yes, I hope so.”
“Dream on pal.”
“Ah I never thought that, who was that in my head? Maybe it’s my other self. But I could have sworn it was female.”
“Maybe you’re talking out loud.”
Then I realise that the girl I’m dreaming of is standing right there and laughing at me.
Caitlin Ann Agnew-Francis
Human coats are like parachutes against great gusting winds. Jamie, Kyle and Toby are lifted off the ground carrying surfboards over hills. We worked hard paddling against thundering waves. We’re waiting for the perfect wave. “There it is!” Suddenly a sleek black shape appears in the water. We think shark, but we’re surfing with seals. It’s the best sensation ever.
Jamie Mapley
