Weekly Flash Contest #14: Write a poem or a story where a sudden change in the weather provides a pivotal point. The week commencing June 29th (Daily Creativity prompt #71) was our fourteenth week of flash contests–and we would not have guessed so many of you would be inspired by the weather! We had a record number of entries (more than 50 this week), and we were, as usual, very impressed. Everyone brought to life various weather events–from blizzards to rainstorms–in varying forms–from poems (including concrete poems) to prose. The judges had a hard time battling through all those changes in temperature, but in the end we emerged, windswept and drenched, into the warm sunshine of decisions made. Well done to everyone who entered, but particular congratulations to those who made it with us through the storm as Honorable Mentions and Winners. See below for all their names, and read the whole blog post to experience the weather conjured up by our top-placed winners. Winners “Cabin Catastrophe” by Isabel Bashaw, 10, Enumclaw, WA “Michi and Kieto” by Lucy Berberich, 11, Oxford, OH “Transformation” by Sofie Dardzinski, 9, Potomac, MD “A Line of Cars” by Wesley Moniz, 9, Belmont, MA “The Hotel of Angels” by Emerson Swift, 12, Mill Valley, CA Honorable Mention “The Flower’s Lesson” by Audrey Fan, 10, Cary, NC “Driftwood on the Sea” by Meleah Goldman, 10, Oakland, CA “Rain” by Misha Nasarpuri, 12, Portland, OR “Rose After Rain” by Amruta Krishnan Srinivasan, 9, San Jose, CA “The Money Rain” by Cici Zou, 11, Concord, MA Isabel Bashaw, 10Enumclaw, WA Cabin Catastrophe Isabel Bashaw, 10 ¨Dad! Where did you put my slippers?? I can’t find them!¨ Hi, my name is Bella. I live in Seal Rock, Oregon. It’s spring break, so my family went on a trip from the damp Oregon coast where we live, to even damper forests in the mountains. We were staying in the same small, cozy cabin we always did, but this year it seemed to be raining even more than usual. It was nearly time for dinner, and our family was almost done unpacking. ¨I don’t know honey!” replied my Dad. ¨Check in the bags.¨ I rolled my eyes, since obviously I already had. I gave one last glance at my bedroom before I walked out. My bed was creaky, but the rest was fine. There was an antique dresser, where I had put my clothes and my ipad, as well as an old wooden bookshelf. Each year I neatly lined up the collection of books I would read that week. Deciding that I must have left my slippers at home, I sat in an old armchair and looked out the window. The misty fog had drifted away (thank goodness), but in its place a slow drizzle showered the forest. Dull gray clouds wandered along the dark sky, but the cheerful cabin was cozy. There were radiators for heat, so I put my cold toes on one to warm up. The cabin was at least as warm as our own house in Seal Rock, but each year my little sister, Lola, still insisted on having Dad light a fire in the fireplace every day. ¨Well, time for dinner! Dish up!¨ my Mom said as I walked into the kitchen. I took a slice of sourdough bread and a bit of salad, but nothing else. Lola took the opposite: roasted potatoes, broccoli, and chicken. I despised anything roasted or burned, and I didn’t eat meat. For some reason my parents made whatever dinner they wanted to anyway. I nibbled at my bread and picked at my salad. I never really wanted to leave home to visit this small cabin. I didn’t like nature walks or rain (or worst of all, nature walks in the rain). I preferred the idea of tropical climates, five star hotels, and crystal clear oceans with white, sandy beaches. ¨Bella. You hardly have any food and you aren’t even touching that! Are you sick? Do you feel alright?¨ Mom looked at me, worried. I shrugged. ¨Can I go to bed?¨ I asked, not wanting to eat. Mom sighed. ¨Okay, go ahead. I´ll come and tuck you in after dinner.¨ As she picked up my plate I went back to my room and got into my pajamas. I clambered into my soft bed, and read until I heard Mom coming up. I turned off the lamplight and shoved my book under my pillow. Pretending to be asleep, I closed my eyes as my mom kissed me on the forehead and whispered, ¨Goodnight, Bella.¨ After she left the room, I pulled out my flashlight and read until dark. Then I put my book on top of my dresser, and laid on my back, trying to sleep. After a while my eyelids felt heavy, and I drifted off to sleep. … BOOM!! BOOM!! I shot up in bed. Was this a nightmare, or real thunder? I couldn’t tell. I rolled over on my side, trying to get back to sleep. BOOM!! BOOM!! It was louder this time. I tried to ignore the noise and just go back to sleep, but it just went on. I couldn’t sleep, and it was all nature’s fault. I bet it wasn´t thundering back at the beach, where my friends were probably hanging out at a sleepover, playing video games and having fun. I sleepily got out of my bed, and shuffled down to the kitchen, dimly lit by one light. I made myself hot cocoa to try to make myself drowsy again. As I sipped it, I looked out the window into the pouring rain. It was all blackness, but during the day we had a great view of the mountainside from here. I was startled out of my thoughts when a great white flash of lighting struck across the midnight sky. Then almost immediately came more booms of thunder. Suddenly Lola appeared in the kitchen doorway. She glanced at my cocoa. ¨I can’t sleep. Can
Stone Soup Magazine for young readers, writers, and artists
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, Reviewed by Kevin, 9
While I was skimming through the books at Barnes & Noble one weekend, I was beginning to feel restless because I couldn’t find a novel I was interested in buying. I was about to head for the Graphics section when suddenly a wide, magenta-colored book caught my eye. Its title was Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky. I reached for it and immediately noticed the bright yellow “Rick Riordan Presents” symbol on the front. Rick Riordan was one of my favorite authors at the time and had written many fantasy books about mythology. I opened the book and started reading. Tristan was a boy from Chicago who was transported into another world following two devastating events in his own life, including the death of his best friend. This book contains many of the supernatural characteristics that show up in many of Riordan’s books, but I think what sets this book apart is that there is a story behind this character: There was a terrible accident, and while Tristan is dealing with it, he gets involved in the difficulties of a group of people from a whole other world asking for his help. He has to choose between dwelling on his own loss and taking charge to help others. Bravery in battle doesn’t mean anything when you decide to help a random group of people who are in terrible danger while your best friend just died. But even though Tristan is still grieving for his friend, he is still willing to help others who need help. Tristan learned to look out for others and not just for himself. His selflessness is something that I think we can all learn from. This book made me think that even though I don’t live in a magical world of mythology, I can still give the same caring attitude to everyone and be very selfless to others. It’s not about the setting, it’s about the characteristics of the person, and he inspired me to try to be more like him. That is why I highly recommend this book to read—not just because of the events that happen, but because of the story behind this character, and the lessons that blend with the regular excitement that comes from an action-packed book. Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia. Rick Riordan Presents, 2019. Buy the book here and support Stone Soup in the process!
Outside My Window, a poem by Prisha Aswal, 7
Prisha Aswal, 7Portland, OR Outside My Window Prisha Aswal, 7 Outside my window, Are trees, And bees. No one is out, Because of coronavirus disease. No crowds, But clouds, And a big black dog I see. I miss what this place used to be. Look far away there is a house, From over here, it looks like a mouse. My other window has a different view, Squirrels running over the fence! Phew. The butterflies are dancing around the flowers, And the flowers seem happy to soak in the showers. That brings a smile on my face, As I start enjoying the days. Only hi and hello no hugs. This mask on my face does bug. But it is important so wear we must, Because doctors say that and them, we must trust. It will save lives and let us help each other, Because we are all in this together.
