A GROUP of primary school pupils pitted their storytelling skills against those of adults and came out on top.
As part of their entry into BBC Radio 2’s 500 Words story-writing competition children at Forest of Teesdale Primary School also had an internal competition which was judged by Teesdale Mercury reporters. Along with the children’s entries were stories written by teachers and governors. The winner was ten-year-old Jim Anstead of year five who wrote a compelling tale with the title Captain Claws. The judges complimented Jim on his vivid story writing ability and language skills. They said they enjoyed the sprinkling of humour and the surprise twist at the end of the tale.Ten-year-old Alfie Cole was a close runner up with his stroy Max’s Adventure. “He showed tremendous creativity and imagination, and kept the reader gripped throughout,” said judge Martin Paul. Assistant headteacher Claire Tunstall came third.
The winner – Captain Claws by Jim Anstead, aged ten….
A RAINY day in a small town next to the ocean was like every other day in my cardboard box, me looking out to sea, watching the fisherman bring in their catch for the day.
I saw a lizard shoot across the path of my box. It looked at me and just ran off. Then I realised that was the most excitement I’ve had all day. I sauntered down to the harbour to have a look at all the yummy fish. My stomach started to rumble as I smelled the fishy smell. I slinked between the jungle of legs, looking and hoping for a fresh fish dinner. I sneakily climbed onto a boat, getting a kick now and then, but that’s a small price to pay because everyone knows the best fish are kept on deck.
I looked up and there in front of me was the most glorious thing I have ever seen – a plate of fish. Before I could reach it a man took it to the captain’s quarters. Before the door shut, I sneaked in with a squeeze. This was a small price to pay for what was inside.
As I walked in a man walked out of the room behind me. I crept across the old creaky floor and jumped up onto the desk. I could smell the fish.
I could not see the fish anywhere. The man must have known I was on the ship. I quickly tried to run out of the door but just before I could the door slammed in my face. As I was thinking of an idea of how to get out of there, I saw a window and my head told me to force my way out. Then the boat started to rock side to side. It stopped.
I look out the window – we are moving, faster and faster away from the shore. I’m getting very dizzy sliding side to side. I spot a key hole in the door. I look around for the key that will let me out of the room. I look down and there it is – in a bottle. How on earth am I going to get it out of there?
All of a sudden the boat rose up high into the air, the sound of the ocean was deafening. With a sudden judder the boat fell back down and the bottle rolled onto the floor smashing into a thousand pieces. The key was there in front of me, within reach. Something wasn’t right. Something smelled fishy and it wasn’t the fresh smell of fish. Peering through the key hole I could see the captain and a long metal thing sticking in his face. I knew I needed to get out, I knew I needed to help him. What I didn’t realise was the door was open all the time. I didn’t need a key. I peered around the door and with all my might I pounced on the man with the gun. BANG! Darkness!
