I couldn’t believe it! It couldn’t be true. How could someone you love just be gone? Grandpa seemed invincible to me, and I was shocked when he died suddenly of a heart attack. Just a few short days ago I was sitting next to him in the park. I feel empty now, like a part of me is missing. No more amazing stories, no more silly jokes, no more bird-watching. After all, he was the only grandpa I had. Now all I can do is sit here in my bed and mourn his death. “Benjamin Michael Anderson! Open this door and get your homework done!” my mom yelled. I don’t think she realized it, but she sounded angry. When she’s depressed or frustrated, like me, she yells. I didn’t go. I vividly remember one time with Grandpa when we were bird-watching in the park. We were sitting on the bench when I spotted a penny. Grandpa watched as I picked up the penny and showed it to him. “When you found the penny, it was heads up. That means it’s a lucky penny!” Grandpa had said. “Did I ever tell you about the lucky penny that my mom gave to me?” I had said no to his question, but he ignored me and went on. “It was heads up when she found it, so she put it in a case and gave it to me when I was five years old.” He reached into his pocket and took out his wallet and said, “Here I’ll show it to you.” He took out a small, thin, stainless-steel case no bigger than the palm of my hand. He pushed it into my hand and I looked at the penny closer. The penny was dirty and partly black from old age. Right next to the profile of Abraham Lincoln was the date, 1951. “Did I ever tell you about the lucky penny that my mom gave to me?” “Back then this coin was new and shiny, but now it’s worn down. That’s why it’s special to me. I’ve had it for fifty-eight years,” Grandpa stated after he saw me studying the date. I gave it back to him, realizing that I never looked at the back of the case. But that was just a memory now and it didn’t bring him back. It was getting late, so I went downstairs to find my mom looking through some of Grandpa’s things. “Look, Bennie,” Mom said when she noticed me. “I found Grandpa’s old wallet. The hospital gave it to me with his other possessions after he died.” She appeared to be in a better mood now. Mom handed me the wallet and I took it curiously. Remembering that one bird-watching day in the park, I wondered if the special penny was still there. I looked in the wallet and I was surprised to see the steel case holding the lucky penny. I took the case out of the wallet, and as much as I wanted to take the penny out of the case and touch it, I didn’t. I thought that since this is the only thing I have to remember Grandpa by, I’d better take good care of it. Then I thought about how I had never gotten to look at the back of the case. I carefully turned the case over and read the inscription on the back: Dear Bennie, I hope you’ll always remember me with this token and that it may bring you good luck at any task that you might encounter. I love you, Bennie! Love, Mom Obviously, that Bennie wasn’t referring to me and that mom was my great-grandmother. I was named after my grandpa. Other people might think that note was addressed to me. No wonder this penny was so special to him, and now to me. I went upstairs and put the penny in the drawer on my nightstand. Then I went down to the table for dinner. * * * The next morning was a Saturday. I got out of bed and looked out the window. It was sunny outside, so I decided to take a walk and think about Grandpa some more. Thirty minutes later I was ready and I walked outside, not forgetting to take the penny with me; I wanted to look at it some more and to be alone with my thoughts. As I turned the corner of our block, I encountered Mike, Billy and Joe, three kids from my school who act tough and like to bully me when they get together but otherwise ignore me when they are alone. Today, they were on their bikes, making jokes and laughing. “Awe, look, what does little Bennie have in his hand?” Mike teased. “Oh, it’s an old and dirty penny. Why would you want that?” Joe said. And they all laughed hysterically. “Be quiet and leave me alone!” I shouted. “Woo, little Bennie is in a bad mood today, we don’t want to interrupt your precious time with that dirty old penny. Why don’t you put it in the bank and you’ll be rich. Ha, ha, ha! Let’s get out of here! Have fun with your penny,” Billy said sarcastically. They rode away still laughing and joking. At least they were gone. I kept on walking until I saw a new donut shop across the street. On the window in big orange letters there was a sign that read, GRAND OPENING!!! FREE DONUTS FOR EVERYONE!!! I rushed in and soon found my place in line. With a full and satisfied belly, I walked out of the shop. I reached into my pocket to take another look at the penny, when I realized that there was a hole in my pocket! The penny was gone, and it must have fallen out somewhere! As I was searching frantically, Mike, Billy and Joe showed up. “Is this what you’re looking for?” Mike held up the penny. “What do you want with it?” I
January/February 2010
The Beginning
I watch them Each face unknown Their eyes move back and forth I walk to my desk In the corner, alone The teacher begins I sit there Watching Each face wondering Whispering Who is she? As if I’m not there I glance up At the girl in front I see a smile appear And she laughs Quietly Pointing at me My face burns crimson I stare down At my desk Out of the corner of my eye I see Someone toss A paper On my desk I grab it, and read “Don’t mind her,” it says, “She’s just being unkind, Welcome to school” I look at her A quiet, red-haired girl She smiles at me And I know I’ve found a friend. Devorah Malka Reisner, 12 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
King of the Forest
The forest was still. The birds had ceased their songs, the squirrels their chattering. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath as the woods prepared for the night. Rabbits had long since crept to their warrens, and mice were scampering to their burrows as owls shook out their wings to go hunt in the night air. Only one figure was still awake under the trees, standing in a small clearing near the edge of the woods. It was the king of the forest, a magnificent buck, his huge antlers rising like a menacing crown around him as he stood silhouetted against the dying sun, his eyes piercing the gloom of the forest. What exactly the buck was waiting for, he was not yet sure. Perhaps it was the quietness of the forest this night, or perhaps the instinct that told him that danger was lurking nearby. A sudden change of the wind confirmed his suspicions, and from the bushes at the edge of the glade he could smell life—living, breathing, hungry life. Cougar. The buck’s mind flew to other parts of the forest, where does and fawns lay asleep in the wood, so vulnerable and innocent. Without the buck to protect them they would be helpless, easy prey. Yes, the king was old, but if he did go down it would not be without a fight. Only one figure was still awake under the trees Slowly and cleverly he turned away from the bushes and pretended to graze along the ground, looking for all the world like unsuspecting prey. The trick appeared to work, for with a terrible snarl a huge mountain lion erupted from the bushes, his face distorted as he leaped for his prey. But the king was ready. Easily he sprang aside and the cougar crashed to the ground, where the buck’s sharp hooves rained down blows on him. But the cat was hungry. It had not eaten for a while. It would not let go so easily. Almost too quick to be seen its paw flashed out, knocking the deer’s feet out from under him. The buck toppled and the cat leaped up, going for the neck. For a moment it was flailing hooves and claws, a blur of tawny and soft brown fur. But somehow the buck was back on his hooves before the cougar could pin him, and he rammed his great antlers into the cougar’s side. That was enough. Yowling and screaming, the cat scrambled to his feet and fled from the woods, both hungry and beaten, never to be seen again. The buck stood again at the center of the clearing. Once again, he was victorious. Silently, looking around the glade once more, the king passed into the darkening forest at last. The sun set. Josepha Natzke, 13Newberg, Oregon Dominic Nedzelskyi, 11Keller, Texas
