1st Place
Regan Caruthers
Davis Middle School
Not-So Normal Gym Teacher
The new coach seemed peculiar, and it wasn't just because of that third eye. I'm Chris Ellsworth, and I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I go to P.S. 1417, and I am 13 years old. Things are getting very weird as of now. We recently got a new gym teacher at our school. His name is Jamsxix (I think it's pronounced yam-icks), what kind of name is that? Anyway, he has three eyes! Yep, you heard that right, three darn eyes. Everyone thinks it's some sort of birth defect, but I suspect something much worse, but then, this happened.
It was any normal school day, tests, study guides, notes, and all that good stuff. I was the first one to enter the gym, and Jamsxix was nowhere in sight. I didn't think too much of it, but then I looked at his office. Jamsxix was inside his office, just staring at the wall, when I saw something that sent chills down my spine. A long, purple tail, seeming to come from Jamsxix, was waving around. He then looked at me, and then the tail was gone. That was my first red flag.
The bell was about to ring, and my friend Jimmy Peccolo hadn't shown up yet. The bell rung, and Jimmy rushed in about five seconds later. Then, something crazy happened. Jamsxix basically HOPPED towards Jimmy and went completely psycho on him. He was yelling at the top of his lungs, and hit Jimmy a couple of times, and almost gave him ISS! (in school suspension) Jimmy walked over to me, wide-eyed.
"What the heck was that?" I asked him.
"I want to switch classes, ASAP," declared Jimmy.
He was shaken up by this and so was I. That was my second red flag. The rest of the gym class was VERY weird. He was going psycho on some more kids and even let out this scream that sounded like some sort of alien frog.
"Something is DEFINITELY wrong with this guy," Jimmy said.
"No kidding," I replied, "I even saw him with some sort of purple tail in his office!"
"Liar," Jimmy stated, "probably just new gym equipment."
My best friend wouldn't even believe me! I kept telling people about it, but nobody believed me. Either I was going insane, or something fishy is going on here. All I know is, I have to get to the bottom of it.
Next gym class, I was prepared. I made sure I stayed out of his way, and observed him very closely. If he was some sort of mutant creature, he was doing a good job of hiding it. Not to mention, he is EXTREMELY strict about drinks in the gym. But, I did see one thing. He took his drink, put his finger on the straw, and drank it with his finger! With his finger! I told everyone about it, but once again, nobody believed me.
The next gym class, I was out of there as quick as I could. No way I was facing him again. I waited for Jimmy outside the gym door. When he came out, I was shocked. He had looked like he had just seen a ghost.
"I believe you now," Jimmy mumbled.
"What happened?" I questioned.
"You know his office? Well, I was leaving, and I glanced over there. I saw something terrifying. It was some sort of purple tail thingy. Jimmy replied.
My heart sank. I couldn't believe a single word that he said; I nearly fainted. I just needed to find out if anyone else had seen what I saw. Witnesses. I prepared for an experiment. It was going to be weird.
I decided to risk getting in trouble to find out more about Jamsxix. I would see what pushes his buttons and what doesn't. I found out this; he hates it if you're late, likes when you help him, picks favorites (and despises most kids), and finally, he will go NUTS if you so as bring any drink near him. We learned that the hard way.
Jimmy had snuck in his coke from our good behavior reward party. This was a BIG mistake. We needed to ask Mr. Jamsxix a question and so we did. When he saw Jimmy's coke, something unexpected happened. He fell so the ground and let out this ear drum cracking scream that you likely hear in a horror movie. Then, he picked up Jimmy and THREW him about 20 feet away. Out of instinct, I used my karate skills to try to stop him.
I noticed that his skin had COMPLETELY changed color. It was some sort of bright purple. Sort of like the tail, which was also there too. I was freaking out, so I ran, grabbed my phone, and dialed 911. There was a complete catastrophe in the gym.
I only talked with the operator for a minute or two, because I needed to help everyone; Jamsxix was going ballistic. I put the phone down and charged towards Jamsxix, who was trying to attack everyone. WHOOP! His tail had spun around and had grabbed me. The next thing I know, I was chucked across the gym. Then, everything went black.
I woke up being attended to by a medic. I was fine, just a minor concussion; I had hit the gym wall head first and was knocked out. The rest of the details were filled out by Jimmy and some other people. Apparently, Jamsxix was throwing EVERYONE across the gym. Someone came in and apprehended him. Then, nobody knew where he had gone to; Jimmy suggested Area 51.
After that, I became one of the most popular kids in the school. Everyone believed me after that, and my grades have gone up. Also, our school was WAY more careful about who they hired after all of that. Everyone is fine, and now we have this epic new gym teacher. Life has been great here at P.S 1417. But then, we found out that our new gym teacher has six extra fingers.
2nd Place
Ellie Wingate
North Hall Middle School
Walk Off Win
"Batter up!" The blue's voice rings out through the stadium. I snap out of my own little world, going back to the nerve-racking-reality of a Big League Baseball Championship game, which was the highest level of baseball there was- Big League Baseball was the professional team. My favorite team, the Georgia Gold, was finally in the final two. You know what makes it better? I was our starting catcher and the cleanup batter.
I realized I was shaking as I walked up to the batter's box. I skimmed the bottom of my right cleat over the chalk on the front of the box, which was a ritual I'd been doing since 6th grade when I started playing baseball instead of softball. I planted my feet apart, and raised my right hand, signaling for the umpire to wait on the pitch. My left hand gripped my bat as I twisted my wrist enough for it to naturally fall over, turning my wrist with it. I turned my waist and watched my coach give me the same signal I got every first pitch: to take it.
"Okay, Hutson, let's do this thing," I murmur to myself under my breath.
This was nothing new. I'd grown up swinging a bat. What really freaked me out was the score; we were down by one in the bottom of the ninth inning of the last BLBC game. We won the first game, Impact won the second. It went back and forth through the games, us winning one game and the Alabama Impact winning the next. We had won 3 games and so had they, so this game would determine who the Champion was. But heck, I'd hit off of this pitcher a bazillion times.
I finally shifted my weight to the balls of my feet and back, lowering my hand in the process. I was ready to hit. Josh Douglas, their pitcher, was already on the mound. In a flash, the pitch came, and I turned in like I was going to let it hit me. The pitch was barely inside, but it was enough to distract the catcher. Bradley Montgomery, who had an outfield hit resulting with him standing on second, had just enough time to steal second.
"C'mon Patterson. Please tell me you're gonna let your cleanup swing the bat once or twice," I muttered with my thick southern drawl.
With a runner on third and two outs? He'd have to be crazy not to let me make contact with that little, white cowhide covered, red stitched gift from God.
Sure enough, in between all of the fake signals, he hit his right ear with his left hand, and I knew what I had to do.
I was an eighteen-year-old girl that was playing Big League Baseball. I had overcome so much in the last year that not only would I be letting down teammates, coaches, and fans, I'd be letting down myself. That is, if I struck out.
Everything went in a blur for a second. Dragging my foot across the smooth chalk, rolling my wrist around, staring down the pitcher, I knew I had done it, but I couldn't actually remember doing it. However, time slowed down as Douglas lifted his left leg high above his knee. I turned and loaded as he, in one swift motion, fell and released the ball.
I recognized the pitch almost immediately. He turned his wrist just enough to keep it inside -but still a strike- and released it a fourth of a second late. Inside and low, just like I liked it. My body was moving before I even thought to swing, and I should have hit a homerun.
But, I didn't. I brought my hands up too far -"You're trying to force a hit," my coach had told me a million times- and it hit the top of the baseball.
I took off to first with only one thought in my mind -"You should have sent that over. Now you get to run as fast as you ever have to make up for it."
My strides were long and quick, but I was only 5'9". Biology wasn't on my side however and, statistically speaking, there was no way I could make it in time. But I pushed harder, tucked my arms, and pumped my elbows. I wasn't going to lose the Big League Baseball Championships because of a crappy hit, especially to the Alabama Impact.
I had my foot up in the air on my last step when Eric Rodgers caught the ball in his mitt. He had to stretch to catch it though. A puff of dirt and chalk came from the base as I hit it. I took a few steps through the base to slow down, but I returned immediately.
The first base umpire looked at both of us and grinned. I'll never forget what happened next. He took one arm and swung it forward, his hands in a fist. I was out.
The Impacts all run out, jumping over the fence onto the field, when we heard a voice. It was the home plate ump, the one I'd been joking around with the whole tournament.
"She's safe!" He bellows out, to be greeted by cheering fans.
What the heck am I supposed to do now? I stayed on top of the bag as they conferenced. Aaron Franklin, their General Manager, came over yelling.
"I challenge it! She was out!" he yells, swinging his arms and throwing a fit.
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the giant screen showing the play. After I make contact with the ball, it goes straight to Corey Ford, the third baseman. He's grinning as he goes to field the simple ground ball, thinking he's got me out. He bobbles the ball for half a second, but enough to give me time to get to first and Bradley to take off for home.
"A pure miracle is what that was Girl," Matt Bryan says to me. He's my favorite coach, including Kurt Black, the catching coach. I nod awkwardly, not really knowing what to say.
We turn back around to see the umpires with headsets on. They are nodding to the person on the other side of the call and say something right before taking them off.
This right here was going to determine the results of the game. Montgomery had scored, but if I was the third out, it wouldn't matter. I stood, splitting the base with my feet, and my hands on my back. I was stiff with nerves and anticipation for the call. This was it.
"Ruling on the field stands. She was safe." He calls out to be met with cheers and boos from the crowd.
I guess there were perks to being friends with the umpire.
All of the sudden, the score was tied at 4, and the pressure is on me and Mack.
Whoever made the lineup was pretty much genius- The first two batters -Peter Johnson and Jordan Lynch- were good, but Montgomery would hit them in. He'd get to second or third, and I could drive him in from there. Mack Mitchell would then come and lay down a simple hit or bunt, letting me advance.
I got ready to run as Paterson gave Mack his signal. I smirked as I realized he was going to lay down a bunt. I was also supposed to steal second, whether or not he made contact.
I got my lead off as Douglas got on the rubber.
He wound up, and I left as soon as he released the pitch.
As I was rounding second, I saw Corey Ford pick up the successfully bunted ball and throw it to first.
Without slowing down, I hit second and turned for third.
When I was three-fourths of the way to third, I saw the throw go over Douglas's head, into the outfield. I made a wide turn and booked it home. Mack stood safely on first when I was almost to home plate.
I reached out with my foot and hit home.
Waves of excitement and relief hit me. I was the winning run, right then. We had won.
We won the BLB Championship! The whole team was coming out on the field as I just laughed.
All of Georgia Gold jumped on me and pushed me to the ground.
Bradley finally picked me up and put me on his shoulders. Everybody was cheering, and I'm pretty sure I felt a few tears of joy slide down my face.
We had won. I felt like I was floating. I had dreamed of this my whole life.
We won the Championships, and I couldn't be happier.
3rd Place
Marissa Severns
South Hall Middle School
Amana’s Walk To Water
Twelve-year-old Amana Odili woke to the sound of a rooster in the far distance, and she realized that it was time to start her daily journey. Most people would think that Amana was going off to school or to work, but in Namibia, the country that Amana lived, she had to wake up early every morning to go fetch water for her mother to make breakfast. Since Amana was six-years-old, she had been going on this journey with her mother, but now that Amana is older she can now go on the journey alone. She had no idea that her typical walk to the watering hole that day would become the greatest adventure of her life.
As Amana was headed out for her walk, she heard a loud sound far off in the distance. At first Amana thought that it was just the wind, but as she approached the mysterious sound she found it to be more normal than she expected. She realized that it was not the wind, but just a girl swinging a bucket back and forth letting the bucket hit the back of her leg. As Amana approached this mystery girl, she asked her where she was going.
The girl answered, “Water.”
Amana introduced herself and asked the girl what her name was. The girl said that her name was Masego. Excited to have someone to share her adventure with, Amana asked Masego if she wanted to join her on her journey for water. After thinking about it for a few moments, Masego smiled and agreed to join her.
As Amana and Masego were walking to get water, Masego asked Amana if she had ever gone to get water alone before. Amana replied, “Yes, I have been doing this since I was little. My mother and I would always go get water together, but for the last two years I have been doing this alone.” Amana asked Masego if she had ever been on this walk?
Masego said, “No, I have never done this before, and I am very scared. Where do I go?”
Amana stated, “There is a river about 3 miles from here and I walk there everyday to get water. On my way there I always think about what life would be like if we had water right outside our house, or if I could take a bath in my own house? Sometimes I even wish I could go to school.”
After walking for a while, Masego asked Amana, “Can you teach me how to get water? I am only nine-years-old, and I really need someone to help me.”
Amana stopped walking and thoughtfully looked into Masego’s big brown eyes. “I can’t. My mother wants me to be home early today. I can’t spend all of my time teaching you how to get water. I’m sorry.”
Masego looked quietly down at her feet and started to cry. “Please Amana, I need help. I don’t have anyone that can show me how to get the water that my family needs.”
Amana couldn’t bare to say no any longer. “Ok, Masego, I will teach you how to get water.”
Masego’s eyes lit up and she smiled, “Thank you, Amana. I am very grateful.”
As the sun started to rise higher in the sky, the girls began to tire. They were only on their first mile of three. Masego took Amana’s hand and began asking her questions about her life. “How many siblings do you have, Amana?”
Amana responded, “I have a little brother. Do you have any siblings?”
Masego answered, “Yes. I have four sisters. I am the youngest, and until now one of them would always get the water. They never asked me to come along, so that’s why I don’t know how to do it. Am I too old to learn how to do this?”
Amana smiled down at Masego and said, “No, you aren’t. I was able to go with my mother to learn from her how to do this when I was six, but when I turned ten I had to start coming on my own. You will learn quickly.”
As they continued their walk, Amana noticed that Masego was starting to look sad. “What’s wrong, Masego?” At hearing the concern in Amana’s voice, Masego set down her bucket and started to cry.
“I am so sorry, Amana. I have been lying to you. I don’t have sisters anymore. They all died. My father is gone, and now my mother is very sick. The river near our home has dirty water which has made my mother sick. I am not on this journey to find clean water. Please don’t be mad at me.”
Feeling even more sorry for Masego, Amana gripped her hand tighter and smiled down at her, “It’s ok. I am happy to show you where to get clean water. Don’t worry, I am not mad at you.” Masego picked up her bucket, and the girls continued the remainder of the journey in silence.
Masego began to smile as the girls approached the watering hole. “Why are you smiling?” asked Amana.
“This water is going to save my mother’s life. She has been sick for so long and told me that if I could find clean water to bring to her, she would be able to get stronger and feel better.”
Amana patted Masego on the back and said, “Well, we have a lot of work to do, so let’s get it done so we can get this water back to your mother.” Masego and Amana started to fill their buckets. When they were full, Amana helped Masego attach her bucket to her back with rope. Amana then strapped her own bucket on to her back.
The girls didn’t speak much on their journey home. Amana asked Masego which village she lived in, and discovered that she was in the village just north of her own. She told her that they would take the road to her home first, so Masego could learn the way back to the watering hole for her afternoon journey. They decided to sit and rest after a mile. Amana, who was used to the pain in her back, was willing to keep going, but she could see that Masego was struggling.
“Does it always hurt so much?” Masego asked.
Amana replied, “At first it is hard and it will take you a long time to get home, but after a couple of weeks, you will be able to make the whole walk without stopping.” Masego smiled and stood up to continue the walk to her home and her mother.
As the girls entered the village, Masego pointed out which hut was hers. “Could I come inside and meet your mother?” Amana asked.
“Oh yes, I would love that!”
The girls set their buckets down outside the hut, and Masego opened the door. Before Amana could enter, she heard Masego scream. “NO!! Mother!!” Amana rushed into the hut to find Masego sitting on the floor with her mother’s head in her lap. Her mother’s eyes were open and she was staring at nothing. Masego’s mother had died.
The scream had alerted the neighbors that there was a problem, and soon the hut was full of people. Amana’s father, who was in the village visiting a friend, was standing near the door when he saw his daughter standing over the crying girl. He walked over and asked Amana why she was there. She explained that she has befriended Masego this morning, and she was showing her how to get from the watering hole back to her home. She explained that she had come in to meet her mother and they found her dead. She told her father that Masego had no other family and she was all alone now. Amana’s father smiled at his daughter and said, “Gather her things and take her home with you. I will speak with her neighbors and find out if there is any one who can help her.”
Amana bent down and gathered Masego up in her arms. “Come on, let’s pack up your things. My father has seen me here, and I told him what happened. He told me that I should take you and your stuff back to our hut until he can find out if there is any one to help you.” Still crying, Masego handed Amana a bag and the girls gathered up everything in the hut of value. Masego bent down to kiss her mother goodbye, and left with Amana.
When the girls arrived back at Amana’s hut, her mother greeted them outside. “Who is this and where is the water?” Amana directed Masego to sit under a tree and went to speak with her mother. She explained who Masego was and what had happened that morning.
“We forgot the water at Masego’s hut, but I will go back and fetch it once father is back.” Amana’s mother led both girls inside and gave them a snack. Father arrived soon and went outside with mother.
“Amana, please join us outside.” her mother called. “Masego has no other family. There is a family in her village that is willing to take her in as a servant, but she will have to follow their rules.”
Amana got angry, “No. I told her this morning that I will help her and teach her what she needs to know, and I will not let her go be someone’s servant. I want her to stay here.”
“Do you mean you want her to become your sister?” asked Father.
“Yes. She is a good girl and she needs to know she is loved.”
After sharing a look and a little smile, mother looked at Amana and said, “Ok, Amana, we will take in Masego and be her parents. Go inside and tell her the good news.” Amana’s journey to get water that day ended up becoming her greatest adventure - it was the day she got to bring home her little sister.
Honorable Mention
McClairin Garmon
North Hall Middle School
A Heart of a Lion
I woke up to the dull roar of the plane’s engine. Soon we would be landing in Africa, my parents’ dream vacation, and the last place I wanted to be. While my friends would be enjoying leisurely strolls on the beach and sand castles, I would be stuck in sweltering heat and what would likely feel like possible danger at every turn. With a giant heave forward and the screech of brakes, we were finally on the ground after an eternal flight. As we made our way off the plane and through security, I noticed the air seemed different, not different in a cool way, but different in an eerie and unsettling way. Out of the corner of my eye, as my parents were waiting on our luggage, I saw the disturbing motioning of an old African lady. She wore an emerald green kaftan trimmed in gold with a matching head piece. It was beautiful. Could she be motioning to me? She must have been at least 100 years old. I felt panic, and my face grew intensely warm, as I slowly edged toward her so my parents would not notice. She reached a dark withered hand toward me and whispered, “Take this. It belongs to you.” She dropped a brown cord necklace with what looked like the claw of a wild beast dangling from it into my clammy hand. I accepted the gift. I couldn't speak, but instead nodded and turned back to the luggage carousel where my mom and dad had stacked luggage into a unstable tower on a rusty cart, giving the appearance of a family planning to never leave. With the necklace clutched in my hand, I turned one last time to see the old lady, but she was gone. Completely vanished.
After a dusty two hour ride in a beat up green jeep, we finally arrived at the Masai Mara Sopa Lodge in Kenya. The lodge was built on a game reserve with round African houses with conical roofing. While the lush hills and cool breeze on my face should have been refreshing, I was only interested in sleep. As my parents were checking in, I examined a large map posted on the wall. I looked at it for quite a while and noticed a large lake. It looked as if someone had taken a marker and marked out what the map had originally shown and instead had written the words “NORTH RAFIKI LAKE”. I rubbed my finger over the marker to see if any of it would come off, but it did not budge.
“Crystal, come on sweetheart. Our room is ready,” my dad said as he waved his hands to get my attention.
“On my way,” I said in response.
Our room was nice. It had three beds with what appeared to be a buffalo skin blanket across each one. As I changed for sleep, I remembered the strange woman and the stranger necklace. Before I feel asleep I wondered why a crazy lady would ever imagine that such a creepy necklace belonged to me.
By two a.m., the jet lag was still preventing me from rest. Tomorrow was our first wildlife safari through the savanna. Although I wasn't excited, being exhausted would make it even more unbearable. I couldn’t take it any longer. I got up and went outside, careful not to wake my parents. As I made my way into what felt like a different planet, I found a large fountain tree to rest against. I stared into the vast night sky to see that the moon seemed to be different than it was back home. It seemed to have a strange glow about it. I felt myself growing more and more tired. I rested my head on the tree, but just before my eyes closed, I felt something poke my leg. I looked down and saw nothing, but remembered I had put the large claw necklace in my pocket. I slowly put my hand into my pocket and pulled out the strange gift. Thinking nothing of it, I slipped the necklace over my head and fell asleep by the tree.
A symphony of animal sounds woke me in the wee hours of the morning. I felt my heart skip a beat as I realized that I had fallen asleep by the tree. My parents must be so worried. I have to get back to our room immediately. I pressed my hands against the earth to push myself off the ground. When I looked down, I was paralyzed by complete terror. Where I used to have two perfectly manicured hands, I only saw two giant paws! I quickly scanned the rest of my body. I saw only the body of a lion.
What is happening? I couldn't breath. I could feel my heart beating wildly in my chest. I tried to let out a scream, but what came out instead was a roar more ferocious than any other I had ever heard. I have to be dreaming. I have to wake up. What is happening? As my head spun and as full blown panic set it, I heard the voices of employees from the lodge talking amongst each other. I have got to get out of here and figure out what is going on before anyone sees me. Without any sense of direction, I began to run. I ran faster than I had ever run in my entire life, faster than I knew I could run. I ran from a place of instinctual terror that I didn’t know was possible. I was horrified and sad and had no idea where to go or what to do. I just wanted my parents, and I wanted this nightmare to be over.
My chest burned from the pace of my running. The sun had begun to inch its way into the sky, so I could see where I was going rather than blindly charging into the night. It was not long before I grew breathless and tired. I had run until the lodge was out of sight, and the only thing I could see was what appeared to be a lake with lots of different animals gathered around. I remembered the map that was posted in the lodge showed a lake. This must be the North Rafiki Lake. I made my way ever so carefully to the large lake. I looked around to see that animals of all kinds were there, but one thing that seemed strange was that the animals had sorted themselves into groups. What was even more odd was that the other animals would only hang out with their kind. The buffalo would only hang out with the buffalo, and the elephants would only hang out with the elephants and the snakes with other snakes.
I didn’t have a group. I didn’t belong here, and I had to find my way back. I feared a fierce battle would break out at any moment, but I was desperately thirsty, and the animals seems to tolerate each other for the sake of the water. I begin to drink, head down and carefully scanning my surrounding with my eyes.
How was this possible and how would I ever find my way back to me? Much to my shock, a gangly monkey pounced beside me. “Hi! I’m Carina. Are you new here?” She grabbed the necklace that still hung around my neck, giving it a tug and an uncomfortable sniff.
“You can talk? You can hear me?” I responded.
“Uh . . . yeah,” the overacted monkey said and picked something off of my fur.
“I don’t belong here. I’m not an animal” I responded.
“Did you eat bad berries? “Find your kind,” Carina snort spoke.
How was I supposed to find my kind? I was a girl, not a lion. I drink from plastic bottles and not a dirty lake. I sleep in a bed and wear clothes, and I just wanted to go home.
Carina and I began to edge toward the other groups of animals. It was soon very clear that the athletic gazelles didn’t take in outsiders. Guess Carina and I were not fast enough. Being snubbed, we move toward the snakes. Just as I was about to introduce myself and ask for help, a massive python lunged at me gashing my arm. Blood spewed onto my fur and the dirt around me, and I quickly ran to the next group of animals. “That’s going to leave a mark,” Carina said.
“Carina, what’s with the snakes?” She went on to explain that they pride themselve in being mean, in striking out at others and hissing lies and rumors to any animal that would listen. I decided that I certainly didn’t want to be part of their group anyway.
We continue around the lake. Animal after animal group refused to accept Carina and me. Just as I was about to give up, two dingos approached. They seemed friendly, or at least friendlier and offered us some food. In my normal life, I was not a vegan, but the sight of raw meat made me feel faint. I tried to be gracious, but forced down grass instead.
“Hi. We’re Caity and Tori,” the two dingos said in eerie unison.
“I’m Crystal. I’m a girl. I woke up a lion, and I have to find my way back. I’m tired. I’m hungry. None of these animals are kind or will get to know me. I need some help,” I blurted out. Although it was information overload, the dingos seemed to understand. Together, Carina, Caity and Tori decided to help me, although they secretly thought I was more than a little crazy with all the talk of being human.
As the sun’s heat grew fierce, the group traveled to other animal groups for insight on how to get to the resort. None really wanted to be involved. They hissed or looked down their unapproving noses, kicked at us and otherwise brushed our crew aside. They sniggered and threatened, and never ventured outside their own kind.
Although sad and worried and excluded from the various animal groups, especially the rhinos that had literally charged Caity, I eventually found myself enjoying the tribe of two silly dingos and one crazy monkey. I found myself enjoying the way the tall grass brushed against my face, and I appreciated the great power of my massive claws as I swiped berries from bushes when I found them. The day was horrible and terrifying and beautiful and wonderful all at the same extraordinary time. I had been lost and then found, rejected and accepted, and I felt weaker and yet stronger than I had ever been in my entire life.
Tori suggested an afternoon nap, and we all nestled down under a shade tree, exhausted from the overwhelming day. Together we formed a twisted, mix matched circle of fur and friendship. I thanked my new friends for getting to know me and believing my crazy story and trying to help me navigate my way and get back to the real me.
I woke alone to the sound of crickets and strange howls. Where had my crew gone? I sat up and noticed, in the glow of the moon that was about to give way to the sun, the pale pink of my manicured nails. It was me, Crystal. I stroked my hair and touch my mouth and leaped with joy to be me -- perfectly, imperfect, human me! The whole thing must have been a dream. I heard the motor of a car and took off running in the same direction. Soon I saw the resort and slipped into my room. My parents were still sleeping. They hadn’t noticed a thing. “What a strange and wonderful dream,” I whisper to myself just as I noticed a deep, giant gash on my right arm. I closed my eyes and touched the rare necklace that was still around my neck.
At the end of the week, the trip was over. As we packed to leave the resort, I once again visit the old map where I had first seen Lake Rafiki. This time, as I ran my finger across the handwritten words, the letters smeared off and underneath the words “Simba Malkia” were revealed. Later on the plane ride home, I looked up the words on the strange map and learned that “Simba Malkia” means “lion queen” in Swahili.
I would never know what was real and what was imagined on that trip. I only knew it had changed me forever, and I knew I now held the secret to true adventure, true strength and true friendship. I knew I would forever appreciate those that dared to reach beyond their own identity to connect with someone else. I didn’t feel sad anymore to not be the fastest, the strongest or most intimidating. I instead felt a whole lot like . . . the queen of the jungle.