After the "Awesome" class completed their paragraphs and research papers on their backwards animal, it was time to write a creative story. The theme was "The Day I Met My Animal." The students story mapped the beginning, middle, and end to their day. They worked on setting, and a clear story line with a clear ending. Would their animal become their pet? Would it return to the wild where it came from? Enjoy these samples across the grades. And don't forget to quiz yourself on the name of the animal forwards!
A Mussop of a Day, by Aarav (5th grade)
The darkness was closing in.
Squeezing me.
Killing me.
No escape.
No power.
Nobody.
I closed my eyes and waited for death…
I woke up with a start, clutching my throat and gasping for breath. Sweat dripped down my face like hot fire, like I’d just ran a marathon. There was no darkness, I told myself. It was all just a nightmare. I wiped my brow clean and looked out my window. A searing light blinded me, and I shielded my face to get close enough to shut the blinds.
Now sitting upright, I blinked my mahogany brown eyes a few times to clear them, then straightened my jet-black hair. With Mom and Dad out of the house for their little excursion, I’d be home for the whole twenty-four hours, manning the house, being responsible. Which started with having a good sleep.
I already had it all planned out: First, I’d make a quick and simple breakfast. Then, an hour or so of reading. Then, I’d venture to the park and get in some exercise. Lunch and TV would follow. After an hour of story-writing, it would be time for dinner and sleep. It was time to execute that plan.
I was stumped on Numero Uno (number one). Once I’d brushed my teeth, straightened out the tangles in my hair, and hopped down the stairs to the breakfast/ kitchen room, I soon realized that—even with the added help of a small back stool, I was too short to reach any sort of food. Most of it was kept in cupboards lining closer to the ceiling, right above a large marble counter of sorts. I could probably use the aforementioned stool to climb up onto the counter, but I could fall and hurt myself, and it would show that I couldn’t take care of myself. Even if Mom and Dad never found out because it went well, I still had my conscience to worry about.
So that wasn’t an option. A pantry was located near the kitchen, and I probably could go there and find something to eat, but it certainly wouldn’t be enough to make a sustain me ‘till lunch, so that wasn’t an option. My stomach growled. I must be hungry, I thought absentmindedly.
Another growl.
This one sounded inhuman, like it didn’t come from me. But…That was impossible. I was the only one in the house. The same thing growled again, making me jump. What the…
I located the sound coming somewhere from the couch that lay just outside the perimeter of the room I was standing in, so I stumbled cautiously over, peeping over the side of it to see what was on it.
The thing that lay on the couch was like no animal I’d ever seen. It had ruffled, brown-orange fur covering the whole of its plump body and face. On its head lay a mass of multicolored curls shaped into what seemed to be a disco ball. It had a snout that would make a lying Pinocchio look at his own nose and start spouting lies like crazy to make it longer than this one’s. Its hands and feet were webbed, and large, rhinestone-studded spikes were visible jutting out of them. Its tail had feathers sticking out of it, which looked quite similar to the ones on top of its eyes, serving the purpose of eyelashes, presumably. It had three angelic wings protruding from its back, two on its sides and one down the middle. The middle one seemed to be a little shorter than the others, which was surprising.
But the fact that an unknown creature was on my couch didn’t worry me. What did worry me was: a), it was unconscious, and b), it had a huge gash running down its spine. It was definitely breathing well, since I could see its chest rising and falling at regular intervals, but it was in pain for sure.
All thoughts of breakfast dissipated, I cuddled the creature into my hands. It felt warm and fluffy, like hugging cotton candy. The nearest vet was only a minute away by walk, so that was definitely efficient. But did I really want to mess up my schedule to save this creatures’ life?
Yes.
The answer was yes.
I didn’t even know why I had to ask myself that. This thing needed my help. And I was going to give it. I bolted out the door, hastily putting on sneakers and a jacket and running down the street. I turned to the right and, without breaking stride, jogged to the other side of the road, where the vet stood, towering above me and the creature.
It was a bright silver and gold, the color contrast allowing the sun to make it even brighter. Windows were placed around the building in seemingly random places, though one never knew the architects’ thinking when making something like this. A sign was hanging from the top of it, proudly boasting the words, “Our Vets Will Help Your Pets!” A catchy slogan, if I do say so myself. The doors on the front opened and closed automatically, allowing for easy access if the pet needed immediate attention.
Like mine right know. I rushed through the doors in a flurry and placed it on the counter. Behind said counter was a young woman in her mid-twenties with azure eyes and blond hair. She looked up from her work and said, smiling, “How can I help you?”
Rapidly, I told her my situation. “This animal, it just showed up on my couch. It has this huge wound on its side, and I’d hoped that you guys could help.”
Calling the being my pet felt right, but not as right as when the lady said, “Your pet will be okay, sir. Leave it to us.” She took it in her arms and pushed through doors behind her marked, “Vets only.”
I couldn’t hold my excitement. It was going to be alright! I’d saved its life! I was definitely keeping it as a pet once it came back out.
My Day With a Yeknom, by Natalie (4th grade)
"Dad Dad Dad Dad Dad Dad! Can we go bungee jumping for my birthday? Please?"
"OK," my dad said.
"Yes! What are we waiting for?! Let's go!"
It wasn't that long until we were at the bungee jumping location. Then, I got strapped up and.... Ahhhhhhh!
The next thing I knew, I was flying in the air. I saw a cloud and a.....
YEKNOM! It was so colorful. How did I know it was a Yeknom? Back in 4th grade, I wrote a research paper on the Yeknom. It was soooo cute. And fluffy!
As soon as I was in the clouds, I said, "Hi" to the Yeknom and she invited me to dinner. Dinner with a Yeknom! So cool! I loved it. We had cloud soup and cloud bread for dinner. Next, she pushed the blankets flat on a cloud bed and said, "This is where you're going to stay tonight!"
"Do you like it?" she asked.
I quickly said, "Yes, it's perfect!"
I loved the fact that I was staying in a Yeknom house! I was so excited. After the night at the Yeknom's house, I had breakfast. She made cloud pancakes. After breakfast, I realized my dad was still waiting for me! Then I told the Yeknom the news, and she took a rope, tied it to her house, hooked me up, and said good-bye.
And next I was on the ground. My dad was down there, looking so worried. He grabbed me into his arms and hugged me tight. He said, "Let's go home now."
On the way home, I told him about my adventure. He was so amazed and interested. I loved my Yeknom adventure.
I adored spending time with the Yeknom. I almost adapted to its habitat! It was so cool!
