A Book Report: The Bronze Bow

The Bronze Bow was written by Elizabeth George Speare. This book is about a boy who overcomes his weaknesses and learns to love his enemies. In this book, Elizabeth George Speare did not specifically tell the readers what happened at the end. She let her readers make up their own ending.

In the beginning of the story, Daniel has a passion to avenge his father’s death by killing the Roman soldiers and driving them out of Israel. Daniel joins an outlaw band living in the hills by his village. Many events cause him to return to his home and take care of his sister. The book takes place in a city in Israel near Capernaum. This book begins when Daniel is with his band up in the mountains. He meets a boy named Joel and his sister Malthace who have decided to visit the mountains, not knowing that a band of rebels lives up in the mountain caves. Later on, Daniel gets hurt and goes to live in a little room in the wall of Joel and Malthace’s house. In a nearby city, Jesus is teaching and preaching. Daniel is drawn to the rabbi and expects Jesus to join his band of outlaws, ready to strike the Romans. When Jesus declines Daniel’s invitation to join the band, Daniel is confused. In the end, he learns to trust in Jesus and love his Roman enemies. The book ends when Daniel comes back to his home to find Jesus healing his demon possessed sister. 

The main characters in The Bronze Bow are, Daniel, Joel, Malthace, Leah, and Jesus. Daniel is very insecure, angry, and bitter at the beginning of the book. As the book goes on, Daniel changes. He learns that forgiveness, not revenge, is the right answer to his inner turmoil. Daniel and Joel become very close friends. In one chapter, Joel is taken captive, and Daniel risks his life to set his friend free. By the end of the book, Daniel has also grown closer to Malthace (Thacia). Elizabeth George Speare writes, “He heard Thacia catch her breath, and turned and looked into her eyes. He knew he was not worthy of the gift he saw there, but he knew that at last he was free to offer her all that he had in return.” She makes it sound as if Daniel and Thacia have a future together, but she leaves that open for the readers to decide.

I liked how the author made it almost sounded as if the author was going to write a sequel or epilogue. I also liked how Daniel changed so much. It was amazing to see him turn from a boy bent on revenge for his parents’ death to a caring and forgiving young man.

My overall reading experience of this book was very entertaining and educational. I learned so much about the life of Jesus that I did not know before. I also learned how hard it was for the Israelites at the time that the Romans ruled over them. After reading this book, I recommended it to my grandmother and told her that it was a must read. So, yes – I would definitely recommend this book to others.

– By Leigh Collins

A Short Story: The Princess of Hearts

I slip my heart charm bracelet onto my white wrist as my servant, Elena, exits my chambers. I close the door swiftly and soundlessly as I step out of the safety of my room into the candlelit hallway containing the rooms of my father and mother, stepmother that is, and many empty rooms - empty and cold as if mourning the people that my father has thrown out of the castle . My parents have already left for the feast, so I walk to the banquet hall alone. 

The young prince of Quincy has come to stay at our palace as some sort of “truce conference.” There are whispers that my father wishes us to marry, though I have no intent in doing so. I have a secret, you see. There is this young peasant boy, James, who lives down in the village, just outside the castle walls that I met on one of my “adventures” outside of the castle walls. We have continued to see each other and have fallen desperately in love with each other. My stepmother is the only person who knows about it, and she thinks it to be something that will blow over after a time, but I know that is not true. There is nothing that can stifle our love for one another. 

As I turn the corner, I see servants bustling in and out of the rooms that have been prepared for the young prince and his father. I hear my father greeting the prince and his father in the banquet hall, and I start to run so I won’t be too late. I turn around the corner and enter the banquet hall just as my father stands to welcome the young prince.  

“Annalise, I would like to introduce you to the young prince of Quincy and his father, King Thomas.” My father says to me. 

I bow low before King Thomas, “It is an honor to meet you, my lord.” I rise and smile, though I don’t really care that he is here.  

The prince and his father are the fourth to come and stay at our castle in the past year, seeking my hand in marriage. By now it is routine, for it seems we always have a guest. 

“Princess Annalise, may I introduce my son, Prince Phillip.”  

Phillip turns to me. It is the first time I am able to get a good look at him. He has blue eyes, blue as the sea. And a childish smile that makes you think that if you blink he’ll be gone, running off to the stables, jumping on a horse and riding away. His blond hair is swooped over to one side and combed neatly. 

I smile and curtsy then take my seat next to my father at the head of the table. King Thomas sits down at the other end of the table, his son next to him. I look over at the young prince as I sip my wine. The servants bring out our food and I’m forced to look away. I strike up a conversation with my stepmother, Lady Carissa.  

The entire meal I can’t concentrate on this room. Tonight I’m meeting James in the woods. It seems like forever before I can get away from everyone. By now it’s black as ebony outside. I walk up to my father and kiss him on the cheek. For a moment, our eyes lock, and his face shows a smile, but his eyes have no sparkle. There is no joy at my presence. Only a coldness that makes me shiver. But there is something else behind the emptiness. Something like a hidden longing for love.  He has had that look since my mother died when I was four. Even marring my stepmother, Lady Carissa didn’t change that look in his eyes. 

As I shake myself back to reality and try to forget, I walk to the door. Before I can get there, Phillip impedes and says, “Tomorrow morning would you do me the honor of joining me for breakfast in the meadow?”  

I smile and reply, “The honor is all mine, Prince.” 

“Phillip. Just Phillip.” He smiles.  

“Tomorrow morning then,” I say and walk through the door and down the hall to my room. I grip my fingers around the ice cold brass door knob and slip soundlessly through. 

Elena is sitting at the table, reading, waiting for me. As I walk in the room she rises soundlessly and curtsies. “You don’t need to do that Elena. I see you as a friend, not a servant,” I say.  

Elena giggles, and I turn around for her to unlace my silk purple party dress. It falls to the floor, revealing a simple green dress that I will wear to meet James. I look at my reflection in the mirror and smile. I’d much rather be in this comfortable dress then the silk purple dress that I can barely breathe in. I take off my earrings and purple ring but decide to keep my charm bracelet on. James gave it to me, after all. I let my hair fall around my shoulders and turn toward Elena. 

“You look beautiful,” Elena says, beaming. I smile, and Elena smiles back on her way to the door. She puts her finger to her lips and disappears into the dark hallway.  

I climb into bed and wait – wait until I am sure that the festivities are over and everyone has retired to their chambers. Then, I throw back my covers and pull my boots on. I grab my green cloak and fasten it around my neck as I emerge from my room. I run softly down the dark hallway out into the courtyard. I pull the hood around my face so the guards won’t recognize me. Once I am outside of the castle walls, I run. Run like I have only moments – seconds – to live. I reach the clearing where I am to meet James. I sit down on a rock and wait. 

I wait for what feels like hours. I stand up to stretch my legs and fall against a dark shadow.“How many times do I have to tell you? You are the clumsiest princess I have ever met.” 

I turn around and James is smiling at me like I am the most beautiful person in the whole world. We embrace. When I pull away I exclaim, “I thought you weren’t coming!” 

“You really don’t trust my word?” James says teasingly. 

I laugh; I’m just so glad to see him. We sit down and talk  until dawn.  

“I must go,” I say as I rise and start to walk away. James grabs my arm. 

“Meet me tonight, right here,” He says.  

I nod my head and break a smile. James kisses my hand and retreats into the woods. I run back to the castle, past the guards, down the hall and into my room. I close the door softly behind me, unlace my dress and hop into bed in my undergarments. I fall asleep for a little while before Elena wakes me up for my picnic with Phillip. I rush out of bed, comb my hair and put my earrings from last night back in. Elena laces up my blue dress, and I put my muddy boots back on. Elena pulls my hair up into a beautiful bun, and I slip out of my room and run down the hall toward the stables. My horse has already been saddled and bridled, so I jump on my horse and ride to the meadow. 

Prince Phillip has laid out a beautiful breakfast for us. I jump own from my horse, and Phillip hands me a plate. I pile it high with fruits and cakes. We begin an awkward conversation about the matters of state and etiquette for princes and princesses. After breakfast, we take a ride through the countryside. Around dinnertime, we head back to the castle. All afternoon my father and King Thomas have some sort of meeting that Prince Phillip and I have to listen too. As soon as it is over, I go to my room and stay there until supper.  

When supper arrives, I walk quietly to the banquet hall where I sit in silence, my heart yearning for the moment when I can see my beloved James again. Lady Carissa, my stepmother, tries to talk to me during dinner but gives up after a while. 

I run to my room as soon as dinner is over. Again I wait until dark to leave for the woods. I pull my cloak around my neck and rush off into the woods. James is already waiting in the clearing, and we embrace. He kisses my check. Suddenly, I hear a clang of metal ringing through the trees.  

“The palace guards! How did they find me here?” I exclaim as I bury my head in James’s chest, knowing it is no use to run. 

The guards surround us, grab my arm, and pull me away from James. “I love you, James!” I scream as they continue to pull me away from him toward the palace.  

“I will come for you! I will always find you!” James yells after me. 

The guards carry me away into the dungeons. I fall limply onto the dungeon floor and weep bitterly. After a short time, my father and stepmother run into my cell. Lady Carissa embraces me and starts talking fast, “How could you do this? We thought you were ill, considering the way you acted at supper so we came to check on you earlier. When you were gone we thought you had run away!” She exclaimed.  

“Lady Carissa, I’m very sorry for not telling you about meeting him.” I say sullenly, knowing that my stepmother will be forgiving, while my father will not pardon me so easily. 

“Leave us,” My father says to Lady Carissa. She rises and walks away, back up the stairs and around the corner to her room.  

“Get up, you filthy traitor.” My father says as he yanks me up from my space on the floor, where I have not moved since I had been thrown there. I stand, not bothering to wipe the dirt off my dress. 

“What makes me a traitor?” I ask.  

“The Prince of Quincy has asked for your hand in marriage. And I have accepted.” 

I stare at my father blankly, “I have no obligation to marry him!” I say, stomping my muddy boot on the stone floor in defiance.  

“You will marry him or die,” my father says, staring at me with his cold brown eyes. 

“I will die,” I say. “If I can’t be with James, then I die.”  

“Very well, you have forced my hand,” My father looks away, sad. I believe that my father even shed a tear.

“Have the guards start building a platform, she will die by fire.” My father’s face looks pained, but he masks his pain with anger. My father glares at me and walks out of my cell. The door swings closed behind him, and I fall on the cot in the corner and cry myself to sleep.  

Next thing I know the guards are waking me up and carrying me away. I don’t fight it; I just walk along softly into the courtyard, where the whole kingdom has gathered. One of the knights grabs my hands and leads me up the steps to my death. As my hands are being tied, my father stands and begins a speech. 

“Citizens of the Ninth Realm, let this serve as an example for you a-” My father is cut off by the sight of a villager running up through the crowd toward me, just as the fire is standing next to me, ready to light me ablaze.  

“Wait!” 

It’s James’s voice! “Don’t kill her please! I’m begging you!”  

Lady Carissa stands next to my father and whispers something in his ear. My father glares at Lady Carissa, but she stands her ground. My father turns toward the knights and says, “Let her go.” The knights cut me loose and I run to James’s outstretched arms. 

“Will you marry me?” James whispers in my ear.  

“What?” I exclaim. 

“I realized how close I was to losing you and I knew I couldn’t live without you.” 

I smile and nod my head and James slips a silver band onto my finger. I hold my hand up to the sun and smile. I turn back to James. 

“We will be together forever,” I say, smiling.  

“Forever.” James agrees.

---

After two weeks of wedding planning, I sit down on my bed and sigh. I glace at my ring and can’t help but smile. I get up, walk over to my window, and look out into the summer twilight. I notice Lady Carissa standing out on a hill just outside the city walls. 

I grab my cloak and slip out of my room. As I walk quietly down the long hall I see closed doors, of the numerous rooms, that where only weeks before, dark and empty. Now they are filled with light and the quiet sounds of sleeping occupants who have retired for the night. I turn the corner and see an open door. As I pass it I see James carrying his nine year old sister to her bed. His twelve year old brother is playing on the floor with a wooden plane. James walks over and picks up a second plane and tussles his brother’s hair. I smile and walk past the open door and walk into the courtyard. I swing my cloak around my shoulders and walk up to Lady Carissa.  

“Lady Carissa, shouldn’t you be getting some rest for the wedding tomorrow?” I say. 

“I could say the same about you,” Lady Carissa says to me with a smile.  

“I haven’t got a chance,” I say as I laugh, “I don’t think I could sleep if I wanted to.” 

“I felt the same way on my wedding night,” Lady Carissa says. 

“Can I ask you something?” I ask. 

“Of course, my daughter.” Lady Carissa turns to me, interested. 

“What was it that you said to my father that made him change his mind about killing me?” I ask, truly interested. 

“I simply reminded him that I was a peasant once,” Lady Carissa turns toward the sunset as she replies. 

“I never knew this!” I exclaim, bewildered. 

“Yes, it’s true,” Lady Carissa responds as she turns toward back toward me, “Nobody deserves to be without love, Annalise.”  

I smile and hug Lady Carissa, “Why don’t we head to bed? We have a big day tomorrow.” 

“Yes, it will be a day to remember.” Lady Carissa takes one last look at the sunset and turns back to the castle. We walk hand in hand back to the castle. This is the first time in my life that I’ve been able to let my mother go and except Lady Carissa as my new mother. I love you, Mother, but it’s time to move on, I think to myself and smile. I feel a peace wash over me, as if my mother is agreeing with me. It’s a wonderful feeling.

– By Colleen Cooper Cook

A Letter: Dear Lucy Maud Montgomery...

I have read your book, Anne of Green Gables, many times, and each time I saw the book from a different point of view. While reading your book, I realized something about myself. I realized that I, like Anne, have a free will. I can have hopes, dreams, and ambitions. I think your book really enables me to exhibit the same characteristics that I share with Anne. Your book makes me feel special because it makes me feel not hidden but out and free in the world. Being confident in the world, I feel everyone can enjoy and appreciate my talents. For example, when I dance or play piano on stage, I am reminded of the time Anne walked the ridgepole. She did it fearlessly, and I admire her courage. Reading your book shows me that I can have that courage too.                              
This book also showed me something different about my world. Anne describes everything so beautifully. She calls places by different names to make places seem more fantastic. Anne of Green Gables made me see how awesome the world really is and how wonderful it is to live in a place where life flourishes and plants sprout. It made me realize and appreciate my home and planet even more. I am now even more aware of my surroundings. Just as Anne named an ordinary lake the “lake of shining waters,” I think that everyone should see beauty in their environment. I think this different viewpoint would help preserve our planet.  

Your book was very meaningful to me because your book had many life lessons. I really enjoyed reading how Anne persisted through her challenges and how she fought through adoption and being different. I know I’m different and I know it takes strength to get through being different. Reading Anne of Green Gables and learning about how Anne survives her differences really helps by providing me an example to follow. Anne also undergoes change. I’m going through change in my family and my life because I’m moving to a different state. Reading this book makes me feel that Anne is helping me through the change. The book, Anne of Green Gables, develops my self-confidence, strengthens my appreciation for the world around me, and helps me deal with the changes in my life. Thank you for the opportunity to be inspired by your book.

Sincerely,

Victoria Scarlett Doman

A Poem: The Worst Battle

Marching tiredly

Lee marched his men to death

Nothing could stop them

Their enemy ready to fight

With 85,000

Armed

Fighting, not stopping

Both day and night

Brothers fighting side by side

Both sides still fighting

Blue on hills and Gray below

Firing down on Meade’s men

Musket balls and canons

The glow of fire in the soul

Fighting, not stopping

Both day and night

Brothers fighting side by side

On the final day

Blue’s canons were too silent

Lee ordered a charge

All his strong and abled men

Ascended down the ridge

Fighting, not stopping

Both day and night

Brothers fighting side by side

And thus they were fooled

Again they soon glimpsed their death

 The canons groaned as it killed many

Only 100 survived

To see Union ridge

Fighting, not stopping

Both day and night

Brothers fighting side by side

Soon again the fighting will very cease

Blue against Gray

Bayonets catching the light of the morning sun

Meade’ army were fast and firm

All thought it was the gray’ s victory

Fighting, not stopping

Both day and night

Brothers fighting side by side

Nothing more to come

The great battle has buried hopes of many

Seven thousand dead

Forty four thousand wounded

The world will never be the same

Fighting, now ceased

Everything is gone

No more brothers fighting brothers

– By Victoria Scarlett Doman

A Short Story: A Hidden King

My name is Ruby. I am sixteen and from the Fifth Realm out of six that are surrounded by un-ending wilderness. People tell tales of a Seventh Realm, but none decide to search for such a thing. Once a month, the six kings have a gathering where they make plans and policies. At one of those meetings, they made a choice that would change my life forever. 

“My people are suffering!” said James, the king of the Sixth Realm. “There is not enough livestock for them to eat!”  

“My people are dying too! Is there anything we can do?” asked Thomas, the king of the Fifth Realm. 

Everyone was silent, lost in thought of what must be done. Seth, the king of the first and most wealthy realm said, “I know what we shall do.” He waited for all eyes to look at him. “There are too many people in this land. Let us change that by randomly selecting two young people from each realm and sending them into the wilderness to meet their doom.”  

James objected, “How can the death of twelve people help? Killing our people will not save us or make a difference in the population!” 

Seth had a slight smile on his face, “We won’t do it just once but two or even three times a year.” 

“This is outrageous!” James yelled. 

“Let us vote,” said Thomas, doing his best to break up the argument. “All in favor of King Seth’s idea, raise your hand.”  

The kings of the First, Second, Third and Fourth raised their hands, the Fifth and Sixth did not. 

“There we have it,” said Seth. “We shall have a gathering in one month. All children between the ages of 14 and 20 will enter their names into a box, and we will allow fate to choose the unfortunate children who will set out into the wilderness, never to be seen again.”   

That is the decision they made to lower the population of our land. Two weeks after that, they had a large gathering of people between the ages of 14 and 20. We all wrote our names on a piece of paper and put them in a box, depending on our realm. We waited and waited until they came with the results. 

I was chosen. I went home with tears in my eyes. In the morning, I said goodbye to my parents, saddled my horse, and set out to the entrance of the wilderness. Everyone was waiting for me. A solider led us into the woods for a while until we were under a shadow of a mountain. Then he said, “This is where I leave you. Survive long, but remember, we don’t want you back. May your death be swift and painless.” He quickly trotted off on his horse and left us alone. I looked at everyone, six girls and six boys: Amber and Joshua of the Sixth Realm, Jacob and I of the Fifth Realm, Jade and Peter of the Fourth, Crystal and Amos of the Third, Pearl and Nathan of the Second, and Diamond and Daniel of the First.  

“What do we do now?” asked Jacob, who was from Fifth, “Anyone have any ideas?” 

I looked around. No one said anything until Joshua broke the silence. “Let’s get closer to the mountain. I know a path there that might keep us safe.” It was hard to notice Joshua, even when he spoke. He was very plain and his voice was quiet. “There is something different about this boy,” I thought. 

So, we all followed him toward the mountain. As we got closer, the horses became uneasy and kept trying to go off in the wrong direction. We arrived at the foot of the mountain and found a winding path. We followed it and came to a door carved into the stone. Strange runes glowed in the fading sunlight. 

“What does that say?” I asked. 

Joshua answered right away. “It says ‘you may pass, but perils lay ahead.’” Suddenly, I trusted in Joshua that he would lead us to safety. It seemed that everybody did too as we all followed him without question.   

We entered. The horses started to jerk back and forth until we all fell onto hard stone floor. The horses fled. We wandered in the dark for what seemed like ages. Joshua was surprisingly resourceful during our long journey through the darkness, but he was absent some nights while we were sleeping. He helped find food and water when it seemed impossible and was a light in the dark. 

On the fourth day in the mountain, we were walking slowly through the dim tunnels. The tunnel became smaller and smaller. Before we knew it, we were walking in single file, and then we were forced to crawl. 

“Let’s turn back now,” said Jacob. 

Joshua stopped and turned to Jacob, “We cannot turn back now. I know this path, and I promise you will come out of this.”  

After that, we kept going until we were able to crawl out of the small tunnel and into a large hall. Clearly, it had been crafted by the great kings of old. At the end of the hall, there was a door that led out of the mountain, but a large chasm lay between us and the door. The only way to get across was a small foot bridge with no railing. 

All of a sudden, the whole room was lit up by fire. I grabbed the hunting knife from my belt and turned around. There was a dragon, big as a castle, with talons of fire. My fellow tributes and I ran to the bridge, except Joshua, who walked towards the dragon. He drew a sword that we had never seen before. I wanted to go back to him, but just kept running with everyone else. We started to cross the bridge, but it was so small that we had to slowly walk single file as we tried to escape.  

Joshua fought valiantly. He slashed at the dragon. It swiped Joshua off the edge and he disappeared into the chasm. His last word was simply, “Run!” 

We did. We ran for our lives out of the mountain and into a thick forest. We stopped and sat on the ground with tears rolling down our cheeks. We stayed there for I don’t know how long, until a small, narrow path appeared in front of us.  

“Let’s follow it,” I said. 

We got up and started walking. The path was crooked, with many bumps and steep hills along the way. After three days, we came to a sign that read, ‘You have now crossed the border into the Seventh Realm.’   

“It can’t be,” I mumbled to myself. I ran as fast as I could to the forest edge. What I saw made my jaw drop. The grass was covered with flowers of all colors and a small cheerful town was in the distance. A pure blue river was running through it. Tall mountains in the background touched the bright, clear sky. 

“Amazing, isn’t it?” said a familiar voice. I was stunned. It was him – Joshua. He was dressed in royal robes and had a circlet of gold on his head.  

The only words I could say were, “We thought you were dead!” 

He didn’t speak right away, but Joshua said, “I was dead, but I have risen and I am the king of the Seventh Realm. The sacrifice I made was for you. Now, we have work to do.”  

Our adventure had only just begun.

– By Shieldmaiden

A Poem: Snowflakes

They dance and twirl throughout the air,

as if they haven’t had a care.
They swirl and flurry all around,
and flutter softly to the ground.
They’re crystal clear and pure and white;
they glitter in the winter light.
Soon they all will melt away,
but then they’ll come another day.
They’ll swirl and flurry all around,
and flutter softly to the ground.

– By Clara May

A Short Story: Alissa in Wonderland

Alissa slammed her bedroom door. She couldn’t take it! Her mom was telling that stupid story about how she went to this place called “Wonderland” when she was little. Alissa sighed. Most of her friends’ parents didn’t going around telling crazy stories. But Alissa’s mom had never lost her imagination. She told that story over and over again.

Alissa went out of her house the next day to go pick some flowers. As Alissa was picking flowers, she saw a rabbit in suit. It was even more odd when the rabbit pulled out a stopwatch and started pointing at it like he was in a hurry to get somewhere. “No way,” Alissa gasped. It was just like the story her mom told over and over again.

The rabbit kept pointing at his watch and motioning to Alissa like he wanted her to follow him. Alissa took a small step toward him. As Alissa followed him, she looked around. Her surroundings had suddenly changed. She noticed that the grass wasn’t dry anymore. It was damp with dew. The once white roses were dripping with red paint. Suddenly Alissa felt the ground give way beneath her, and she began sliding down a dark, dirty hole at a frightening pace. Alissa grasped at the weeds and roots on the wall of the tunnel, but each time she caught a hold of one it slipped right through her fingers, and she continued to fall faster down the deep, dark pit. A scream caught in Alissa’s throat. It’s happening. I’m going crazy just like my mom. Just when Alissa thought the pit would never end, she unexpectedly landed with a thud on the bottom of the pit. In less than a minute, Alissa had dropped into a small room with a small door and a table upon which sat a bottle and a key.

Alissa walked over to the table with the bottle and key. She took both in her hand and drank the bottle. Then she went over to the little door and shoved the key in the keyhole. She walked through the door. Compared to the giant flowers and mushrooms around her, she felt tiny. She walked over to one of the mushrooms and found a note that read, “Find the Queen of Hearts, chop of her head, and then you can go home. ~THE Cheshire Cat.”

Alissa dropped the note. She was supposed to chop of someone’s head? “How am I supposed to find the Queen of Hearts?” Alissa whispered to herself.

“I can help you with that!” said a voice behind her. Alissa spun around. Standing there was the weirdest looking man she had ever seen. That must be the Mad Hatter, considering the way my mother describes him, Alissa thought.

“What?” She took a small step away from the Mad Hatter.

“I said I could help you,” the Mad Hatter replied.

“Fine,” Alissa said stubbornly. “Where is the Queen of Hearts?”

“Follow me.” The Mad Hatter started walking toward a giant mushroom. He pulled open a little door in the mushroom and said, “Here you go.”

Alissa walked over to the mushroom and stepped inside. The door sealed shut behind her. There was a dim light coming from the ceiling. Alissa looked around. The colorful flowers were gone, and now everything was black and white. She stepped on something and heard a crunch. Looking down, she saw numerous bones lying on the floor. They were everywhere. Some of the bones even had flesh left on them. It was as if some sort of monster had been here, ripping apart people. The room was very narrow and turned at the end.

There was a very loud weeping sound. That must be the queen, Alissa thought. Alissa walked around the corner of the room and there was yet another sharp turn. She was in a maze, and the only way to get to the end was to find the way to the end. She walked over to a knife lying on the floor. “Just in case,” Alissa said to herself. Suddenly, she felt heat on her back like there was some sort of fire behind her.

Alissa slowly turned around and stood face to face with a large scaly dragon with seven heads. The last bit of light disappeared. Now it was just her and the dragon, one on one, in complete darkness. Alissa threw her knife at the dragon, but it just bounced off him and back onto the floor. She dove for her knife, but it was directly under the dragon. Grabbing her knife, Alissa looked up. She saw some sort of buckle. She reached up and unbuckled it. A layer of the dragons black slimy scales came off. 

Armor, Alissa thought. No wonder I couldn’t kill him. 

Alissa thrust her knife at the dragon, and it fell right over. Blood and guts spilled from it. Alissa stepped away from the dragon, but slipped on a puddle of blood.

Suddenly, a strange looking woman appeared and said, “Congratulations. You are the first to defeat Bonoface, the dragon. Many have tried, but you are the first to succeed. Now I will reward you by lighting up a path to direct you to the Queen of Hearts. Only an outsider can kill her.” The woman disappeared.

The maze started glowing. The weeping grew louder and the light grew brighter as Alissa ran through the maze. Finally, she came upon a woman sitting in a cell, weeping. Alissa opened the cell door and the Queen stood up. “I know what you’re here for. So, here, chop off my head,” the Queen said.

Alissa took her knife out of her belt and swung it across the queen’s neck. Instead of cutting off the queens head, the Cheshire cat appeared where the head should have been. “Goodie, Goodie,” the Cheshire cat said. “You received my note.”

“What do you want?” Alissa scowled at him.

“You completed my test! Just like your mother, Alice, you are very brave,”

“So you sent me down here to Wonderland just to complete a test?” Alissa snarled at him.

The Cheshire cat smiled slyly. “No, much more than that. We needed a human to kill Bonoface.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me?” Alissa asked.

“Because I knew you wouldn’t agree.” The Cheshire cat said, “Now we both get our wishes granted! You get to go home, and I get to be free of Bonoface controlling me!”

Smoke swirled around Alissa. With a flick of the Cheshire cat’s paw, Alissa was back in the garden in England right where her adventure began. 

Standing up, Alissa jogged toward her house. “You will never guess where I was!” she yelled “I was in Wonderland!”

– By Leigh Collins