2 minute read
The Mystery of the Elven World
from Glimpses of Magic: 2021–22 Writing from 826michigan's After-school Writing Lab Students
by 826michigan
Noémie Wurster-Dillard
Age 11
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The Mystery of the Elven World
Prologue
“Hi, I’m Willow. I’m an elf, and I live in Hollow Grove, the east part, of course. I’m eleven. I can’t go out until I’m twelve and pass The Test*. I can’t wait to get out because the five-year-olds drive me crazy. In the meantime, I’m in school learning how to write, read, archery, hunt, weave, plant, and the history of Hollow Grove. In all, school is boring and annoying. When I go back to the cabin, which is a Willow tree, I’m there with five other girls: Baobab, Lotic, Chary, Pine, and Maple. We are best friends and all so different.”
Chapter 1
“Willow, where are you?” Baobab yelled across the school playground. We were playing hide-and-seek. I was the hider. I was always the second one to be found. “Aha!” Baobab exclaimed. “I found you! Come on, let’s go before Miss Halgus (Hal-a-gou)’s class starts archery.”
“OK, OK,” I said.
“Come, let’s go get a green tea shake,” Chary said as she caught up with us.
“Six green tea shakes, please,” I asked Miss Humpulgord. Miss H.G. is our lunch lady.
Miss H.G. asked, “Where are Lotic, Pine, and Maple?”
“Funny you ask, Miss H.G., we got enough points to get a new cabin.”
“Well, isn’t that nice! Here you go, girls. Enjoy!”
We walked toward the cabin site. Our stuff was already being brought into our new tree, a strong blue Willow.
“Nice place!” Pine said.
“Yup,” Baobab replied.
We all walked into our new home. We all smiled and started calling dibs on our new rooms.
I chose the spire: it had a beautiful view and a balcony. It was perfect.
I was so happy to finally have my own room.
Chapter 2
The next morning, I went downstairs to find Pine and Maple making nutmeg cinnamon pancakes.
They were so good.
Afterwards, we headed out to go to the east ceremony. The twelve-yearolds had all passed the test.
Next year, I will take the test and go to the northern quadrant. I hope that we can sign-up for the outdoors wilderness survival camp that lasts one month! But first, we must pass the standard requirements. So, we all headed toward the sign-up stand.
“Good morning girls! Are you here to sign up?” asked Head Counselor Live.
“Yes!” we all laughed.
“OK,” she responded. We all signed-up on the sign-up sheet.
After the bell rang, it was the Elven Pointing Bell. On our way, we bumped into the principal.
“Willow Leaf, the elders have been looking for you,” the principal said in a hurry.
“OK, let’s go.”
We met with the elders:
“Willow Leaf, we would like to give you and your friends The Honor of becoming Blades.”
*The Elven Official East to North Test All twelve-year-olds must pass this test with at least a ninety-five percent: — At archery, you must hit an Ace bush to make it fall. — And recite the Elven anthem. — Recite the three most prosperous moments in Elven history. — You must weave a weather tight, flamboyant-style basket with Muchahabra leaves that is sturdy enough to carry twelve Prucata fruits from a Pluscana tree.
