YRC 36 by Experiences & Experiments

Building the Next Generation of Thinkers & Writers

Young Reader Club ISSUE 36 / SGD 8.00 ISSN: 2010 - 1376

Wong Zi Ling, all grown up, tells us about life, joy, and passion TOP 10 – Tips to spot your fellow Singaporean when overseas! Featured Stories – two exciting tales of magic, adventure, and love

Scan here to know 3about YRC!

Young Reader Club / Issuemore 36

THE YRC TEAM Managing Editor / Publisher Catherine Khoo Editor Natalya Thangamany

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Lim Soo Yong Illustrator

Spark Tan Contributor

Theresa Ellsworth For advertising and sales enquiries

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Natalya Thangamany

Dear readers, Welcome back to school! Hope your holidays went well, with much fun and relaxation, but it’s now time to get back to work. School can be stressful for most of us, so we at YRC aim to help you beat the school blues. Our Featured Author for this issue is Wong Zi Ling, a familiar face to you readers; not only was she a former Young Author, but she had also contributed her wit and insight to YRC through her articles. This time, the spotlight’s on her, so we speak to her about not just her passion in writing (especially for us) but also on what influences and inspires her as a person. Not only does she have a chirpy side, but also an introspective side as well. We do not have the usual three stories for this issue; instead, we have two amazing stories, newly plucked from this year’s Young Author Awards! Check out what these two fine lads from Anglo-Chinese School Primary have written; first, there’s Jeremy Kek’s El And I, a touching tale about an eagle and his gigantic guardian from the depths of the Loch Ness. Then, journey with the plucky magical maiden Maria in John Lagman’s The Red Swan, as she overcomes obstacles to end a centuries-long feud between her family and the family of the man she loves. We got a special treat for you here — John’s story spans twenty pages. That’s twenty pages of non-stop adventure and magic! Another familiar face you will see in this issue is Theresa Ellsworth, also a former Young Author and YRC contributor. For this Top 10, Theresa is getting in tune with both the National Day spirit and her experiences as an international student by giving you tips on ‘How To Spot A Singaporean Overseas’. So, enjoy reading, and Happy National Day in advance!

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Young Reader Club / Issue 36

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4 Wong Zi Ling Since writing The Magic Prophecy four years old, Zi Ling has been popping up

numerous times in YRC and our other projects. Chirpy, playful and very insightful, this petite ball of energy shares with us about what she has learned about life and people through reading. With a never-say-die attitude, Zi Ling aspires to ‘see the world’ and mold herself into the best person she can be.

12 El and I by Jeremy Kek The famous Loch Ness monster develops a maternal side in this story; when an

eaglet loses its parents, a certain creature calling herself ‘El’ takes on the role of foster mother. The bond between beast and bird becomes so strong that when El is taken by humans, the eaglet has to race against time and the elements to save his guardian.

22 The Red Swan by John Lagman What do you get when you cross star-crossed lovers with magic powers, rebel

fighters, and demon lords? You get The Red Swan! Maria of the Red Rose family is in love with Theodore of the White Swan clan, which is unfortunately the enemy of the Red Rose. When Maria discovers that she has magical powers, she and Theodore embark on a dangerous journey to reconcile their families.

40 Top 10 Ways to Spot a Singaporean Abroad

Do you travel frequently? Ever bump into a Singaporean during a holiday overseas? More Singaporeans are venturing out into the world, and if you ever feel a little homesick in a foreign country, meeting a fellow Singaporean there may lift your spirits. YRC contributor Theresa Ellsworth gives you ten ways to spot a Singaporean if you are travelling.

At YRC Magazine, we ensure that stories are kept at their most original form, yet there are times that content is abridged to suit the magazine’s readership. Stories featured in YRC Magazine are abridged as necessary, to fit page constraints. The YRC is a literary magazine that conforms to the reading palate of 10 – 16 year olds. Once a story is featured in the magazine, it is at the discretion of the editor to copyedit articles to a certain extent, to suit the target audience. Young Reader Club / Issue 36

Featured Author

he sound of piano music greeted us as we stepped through the glass doors leading to the rooftop of the Esplanade. There sat our Featured Author for this issue, Wong Zi Ling, skillfully flitting her fingers over the keys of a piano. “I used to take piano lessons when I was younger,” she explains as we took photos of her playing. “But not anymore. So I just play for fun.” Now 15 years old and in Secondary 3 at Nanyang Girls’ School, Zi Ling has matured since we first met her in 2011, having traded her teeny-bopper twin tails for a single ponytail at the back of her head. Then a Primary 4 student at Innova Primary School, her love for reading and curiosity in writing led her to join the Young Author Scheme. Through the course, Zi Ling wrote The Magic Prophecy, which earned her a spot as finalist in the Young Author Awards 2011/2012. It is currently featured in our Tales of Magic & Fantasy anthology.

EAG E R B E AVE R Conducting this interview with Zi Ling was akin to catching up with an old friend. After all, for the past four years, she had been actively helping us in various ways; her stints include being emcee (alongside former radio presenter Larry Lai) for the Young Author Awards 2013/2014, contributing her story to one of our anthologies, writing for our book Heritage Journeys: No Place Like Serangoon Gardens, and being a junior writer for Young Reader Club. Recently, on May 29 this year, Zi Ling was part of a panel of former Young Authors for a workshop called ‘My Child Can Write Well! Can He/She Write a Book?’, where she graciously answered questions posed by parents, teachers, and Channel News Asia’s Suzanne Jung. “It was an interesting experience,” she said. She explained that helping us at every given opportunity was an expression of gratitude for guiding her to explore her literary prowess, and a chance to do something new. “Every opportunity I take is a learning opportunity,” she said. “There are things I

can work on and things I can improve from all the projects, like YRC and Serangoon Gardens. I really like to improve myself in all aspects of my life.”

Young Reader Club / Issue 36

Animal Tales

I l l u s t r a t i o n s b y S p a r k Ta n

El and I

he day I hatched, I saw her. She was blue, cerulean-sea blue, and long-necked with floppy ‘wings.’ She fed me delicious freshwater bass. I thought she was my mama. When I was eighty days old, I began to notice our differences. responsibility to take care of you from then on. It is the least I can do to repay your I was covered with fluffy darkmother’s sacrifice.” coloured feathers with a gigantic, “I am an Elasmosaurus, a plesiosaur that hooked, protruding beak — my gob. survived the deadly blast that sealed the She had skin that looked rough and she fate of the dinosaurs about 65 million years had no beak. I realized she wasn’t my ago. My parents died many years ago and I mother. have been alone ever since.” After two solid years, I was fully The Elasmosaurus gave me a gentle fledged. My wings were larger than I smile. “You’ve been my company, though. expected, brobdingnagian-like to me. Just call me El.” They were tapered. My body flashed the I was kind of gob-smacked. My gob colours brown and white. The feathers wasn’t actually smacked. I was just caused this effect. With them, I looked surprised. majestic. Flapping my wings for the “How old are you?” I asked. first time, I skipped to the edge of my nest and took flight. My strong pectoral “One hundred and one years old,” came muscles began to work. I flapped the reply. furiously, trying to keep aloft. At last, I I was now literally gob-smacked as I finally caught the wind, and drifted down smacked my gob. I went berserk, flying to the water’s edge. What an exhilarating around in circles. Nobody could live that experience! long! I never heard of anything like it Something pestered me. I cautiously before. approached the sea creature that had Survival been faithfully taking care of me. El stunned me out of my disbelief by Hungry for knowledge, I enquired, splashing water at me. Looking around “Why have you been feeding me? Who to make sure it was safe, she exclaimed, are you? Who am I?” “Snap out of that trance! We have work to I detected a musty smell. “Rotten do.” bass,” I thought. The sea creature lifted Bowled over by curiosity, I yelped, its anguilliform neck towards me. “What are you talking about?” “You are an endangered white-tailed El screeched impatiently, “You need to sea eagle, and the offspring of my dear learn how to catch fish, use your talons and friend. She died trying to save me, and master your flight. Let’s get going.” shortly after, you hatched. Your father El compiled the training plan — she had been shot down earlier. I made it my Young Reader Club / Issue 36

Feature Story

The Beginning

Story Trivia

Circus baby elephant in training

Why was El, the legendary and fearsome Loch Ness monster, afraid of humans? It was because she knew what they had done to creatures like her and what they will do to her if they catch her — they could either slice her up and sell her meat or put her in a cage. They might even subject her to potentially fatal experimentation. Animals have shared the planet with humans since both species came into existence. Co-relating with animals has not always been positive, especially for them. Every day, we come across tragic news of animals in captivity being wrongfully killed, or inhumanely treated, or confined to small suffocating spaces in the name of progress. Incidents like the killing of Harambe the gorilla, the Yulin Dog Meat Festival, the Tiger Temple scandal, and our local animal abuse cases are rampant. They make us shake our heads, clench our fists, and ask, “What is wrong with humanity?” Which thus brings us to these questions: Are we willing to sacrifice our entertainment to preserve or save the lives of others? Do we really need to experiment on lives to help humanity? Are animals really as human as we are? Can we eat some animals just because ‘that’s the way it is’? The answers are either vague or brutal. But our relations with the animal kingdom are not all woe and doom — as much as we have the capacity to destroy, we also have the capacity to heal and mend. Every day, activists in every arena of animal rights fight hard to ensure animals get a life of freedom, dignity and happiness. Social media raises awareness about the

Feature Story

PLEASE LEAVE US BE

plight of animals. Organisations act to free animals forcefully held captive in unsuited environments and cruel conditions. Laws against animal abuse are tightened. And even in our own neighbourhoods, people rally to feed and foster stray cats and dogs. Eventually, it all boils down to being aware that like us, animals have their own lives, thoughts, and feelings. Thus, it is morally correct to respect animals not just the same way we respect our fellow humans, but also in the same way we respect ourselves. So, what will you do the next time you meet an animal?

Young Reader Club / Issue 36

Magic & Fantasy

The R e d Swa n By John Junrui Lagman

I l l u s t r a t i o n s b y S p a r k Ta n

The Red Swan

Lord Fauster, head of the house of the Red Rose, Maidservant!” screamed. “It’s coming out!” the doctor said.

Meanwhile, Lady Heather of the White Swan was giving birth to a boy. She named him Theodore. No one on earth would think that these two innocent babies would one day disrupt the peace of the land.

Not Interested Twenty years later, Maria became the most beautiful person in the land. Her beautiful shining golden hair was braided with emeralds, rubies, and sapphires that made her soft fair face seemed whiter than the purest snow. She was perfect with her deep blue eyes, with a tall and slender body to complete the picture. Her beauty and intelligence attracted many suitors from all four corners of the land, asking for her hand in marriage. She refused them all. Unlike her friends, she was not interested at all in romance or marriage. She preferred a game of chess or a good book on magic and adventure. She even had a dream that she knew would not be possible owing to her status in life — becoming an inspiring heroine for all girls and women in the land. She imagined herself to be a tall, beautiful and powerful heroine. One day, her parents received an invitation from King Leonard to attend a ball to celebrate the birth of their new princess. Being the most influential king

with the biggest kingdom, many people were expected to attend this celebration, including the archenemy of the Red Rose House — the house of the White Swan. “Do I have to go, Mother?” Maria asked. She would rather stay home to play chess and read books. “Of course, my dear. Do you want to displease our king?” her mother replied.

First Sign At the ball, Maria wore a scarlet silk dress. She preferred to be a wallflower as she watched couples dance in the center of the ballroom. Feeling bored, Maria decided to go to the sides to have some food. A tall young man, who had green dreamy eyes on a perfectly sculpted face, then approached her. “Who may you be, my lady?” asked the dark-haired young man. “I am Lady Maria of the Red Rose, and who may you be?” “I am Lord Theodore of the White Swan. Would my lady care for a dance?” “Oh, I would be pleased to dance with you,” Maria answered calmly. Maria and Theodore looked like a lovestruck couple. It was love at first sight! The world disappeared before their eyes as they danced happily in each other’s arms, twirling delightfully in their fine clothes of white and red silk. Young Reader Club / Issue 36

Feature Story

“Well, get it out!” Lord Fauster ordered. Slowly, a head emerged, bawling. “It’s a girl!’ the doctor said.

In Issue 33 of YRC, we looked at ‘hidden heroes’ — ordinary folks doing great things for humanity, yet not receiving any widespread praise. This time, we look at ‘heroines’ — women who lived and fought for the greater good. In John Lagman’s twist on the ‘Romeo & Juliet’ trope, laced with magic and adventure, the protagonist Maria battles wizards, demons, and a long-lasting family feud to find herself and true love. What defines her as a hero is her never-give-up attitude and her will to persevere against the odds. Female heroes are not just topping the written word; female protagonists have been making their rise in mainstream media. Whether it is an animated musical movie or a dystopian book series, females have taken charge of their own stories and proven they are just as strong as their male counterparts. The Star Wars franchise gave us Princess Leia, Padme Amidala, Rey, and Jyn Erso. Thanks to Hayao Miyazaki, we have Kiki, Nausicaa, San, Sophie, Ponyo, and Chihiro. And who can forget the Disney Princesses, as well as the female

characters from Disney’s less successful works (Atlantis, Treasure Planet, Hercules, etc)? All of these characters have become figures of admiration and role models for us. Plus, while researching for this trivia page, the writer of this column stumbled across a rather interesting website, Rejected Princesses. With the tagline ‘Women too Awesome, Awful, or Offbeat for Kids’ Movies’, it is an ongoing collection of powerful female figures in both history and legend (warning: slight gore, several not-very-nice characters, and coarse language here — not for the faint-hearted or the very young!). These fascinating women include sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko, tanker Sergeant Mariya Oktyabrskaya, pharaoh Hatsheput, Sita from the Ramayana, the dictatorship-defying Mirabel sisters, survivor Isabel Godin des Odonais, and DNA discoverer Rosalind Franklin. Who’s a heroine in your life? It could be a fictional character, someone in Singapore’s history, or maybe your own mother. So keep your eyes peeled — the list of heroines is definitely not dwindling anytime soon. Young Reader Club / Issue 36

Feature Story

Story Trivia

Heroines

TOP 10 WAYS to spot a INGAPOREAN abroad

You are on vacation in another country, and you are out one day surveying the sights and sounds of the place. Suddenly, you spot somebody acting and talking in a manner that seems extremely familiar. It literally hits home when you smile to yourself and say, “Oh hey, a fellow Singaporean’s here!”

Theresa Ellsworth returns to YRC to give you the Top 10 ways to spot a fellow Singaporean overseas. In recent years, more Singaporeans have been venturing abroad to either study or seek new experiences. But as they say, “You can take a Singaporean out of Singapore, but you can’t take Singapore out of a Singaporean!” Certain traits from our homeland tend to stick with us wherever we roam, and this sometimes reunites us with other Singaporeans overseas. Theresa points out ten such traits, all amusingly true, here.

(1)

The Accent

Some call it Singlish, some call it Singrish, but nevertheless, the Singaporean accent is one of the easiest ways to spot a Singaporean overseas. You can’t mistake that unique ‘walao eh’ or the countless ‘la’s people say at the ends of their sentences.

Young Reader Club / Issue 36

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