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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: The Writer’s Skill/Craft (04/22/10)
The morning sun barely shined through the grayness of the foggy spring morning as the young girl made her way to school. She meandered down Norton Road scuffing her shoes on the edge of the pavement. Her bright green eyes looked but didn’t see the brick houses and tidy postage stamp yards of the homes that lined the road. Her eyes peered into a rich world of castles and kings. In her world the damsel wasn’t in need of being rescued by a knight in shining army. In her world she was the dragon rider; the protector of fairy folk.

Make-believe or not, this world enticed and enthralled in its vivid alternative reality. According to legend and in this land it was true, once a dragon egg has been touched by a human it is rejected by its mother. The dragon rider was now taking this abandoned egg to the youngest princess of the fairy folk. Time was of essence before the egg became cold. A siren’s call was heard across this fairy land.

With a jolt the young girl looked up and unbidden her feet had taken her right to the steps of Campsmount School. It wasn’t a siren, it was the school bell. Blinking her eyes she was able to bring herself back into the present. Making her way to the cloakroom, she hung up her coat and pulled out her scribblers and pens from the bottom of her satchel.

Her first class of the day was in the room right next door so quickly she darted to her desk before the clock struck 9:00. The teacher walked around the room returning the essays that had been assigned the week before, placing them face down upon each desk.

In this world, the dragon rider was not as sure of herself as in the other. She waited with bated breath as her paper was the last one to be returned.

The teacher gave the signal and with a sigh the young girl slowly turned her essay over. Her eyes saw the red writing all down the right hand column. Summoning up the courage that lay within the heart of the dragon rider, she began to read. A slow smile spread across her face as the words of her teacher settled deep within her soul. A gift, the teacher said; a gift to write, a skill to hone and a craft to learn.

As precious as the gift of a dragon egg is to the fairy folk is the gift the teacher gave to this young girl on that foggy spring morning.
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This article has been read 1305 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
AnneRene' Capp
04/29/10
Wonderful imagination, great pace, excellent descriptions and definitely on topic!

Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
04/30/10
This is a touching story. I can see it resonating with our younger readers.
Yvonne Blake 
04/30/10
What a wise teacher, to encourage the young writer to dream and to grow!
angelos2 wark
04/30/10
Great description of a young aspiring writer.
Some of your young writer's fantasy, reminded me of the book,"Eragon."
Enjoyed the ending. Good work!
Barbara Culler 
05/03/10
Lovely tale.
I did note a few spelling errors. Maybe if you told us the name of the girl and describe to us how she saw her world, this would really come to life.

Bless teachers who encourage little ones!!!
Joanna Stricker
05/03/10
As one who, at times as a child, got caught up in the 'imaginary world' of reading, I can relate to this little girl's meandering path to school (my brother's loved to tease:-). My favorite sentence is "Summoning up the courage that lay within the heart of the dragon rider, she began to read." I was grateful that her teacher saw and encouraged the gifting she saw in her student.
Catrina Bradley
05/03/10
Thank you, God, for teachers who inspire and encourage! This is a delightful story. Your comma use could use some work - check out Ann's class on the FW forums; she has some great information there. Jan also has a class that moves beyond the basics. I'd love to see what you can write after a little work on the basics. If this story is any indication, you are going to go far. I love the ending, and the young girl's attitude. :)
Jan Ackerson
05/03/10
This is lovely!

A few things that deserve second thoughts: the title really gives away your ending, and I don't know if you need the little lesson at the end. Trust your writing to get your point across, and don't feel as if you have to hammer it home to your readers.

I love the seamless way you brought us in and out of the young girl's fantasy.
Carol Slider 
05/03/10
I can relate to this very well (as I'm sure many other writers can). I other existed in my own little world as a child... and I was fortunate to have a teacher that encouraged my writing. Thanks for this beautiful story!
Virgil Youngblood 
05/04/10
The gift of encouragement is worth passing on. And you have. Good writing.
Amanda Brogan
05/04/10
This is a cute story! Just like a little kid to be lost in their own imagination and see castles rather than plain, boring buildings. :)

I think in the beginning "shone" might work better than "shined." But I'm not entirely sure that "shined" is not proper English in this sense. Maybe it's just me.

You have a gift, Dragon Writer. ;) Keep right on using it for the Master!
Patricia Turner 
05/04/10
This abounds with creativity, unfolds nicely, and is a very enjoyable read.
Cathy McKee
05/05/10
Every good, and nicely put together.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/06/10
Congratulations in placing in the top 10 in your level.