Issuu V: Listen Jr

VOLUME V SPRING 2024

Listen Magazine isabiannualliteraryjournalbythestudentsat StatesboroHighSchoolinStatesboro,Georgia. Listen offersa platformforcreativestudentvoicesandencouragesopen-mindedness throughintrospectionandlistening.Itisdedicatedtothefrontiersof experimentation,transcendingconventionalformstoencourage free-thinking.

Allgenresoforiginal,unpublishedwriting,photography,andvisual artareconsideredforpublication.

ThecontestperiodfortheminijournalListenJr. ranfromApril 15thtoMay16th.Allsubmissionsweregivenblindadjudication. Materialsandgeneralquestionscanbesubmittedtoouremail shslistenmag@gmail.com.

LogoandcoverartbyRyleeMartindale-Rushing.DesignbyCarley Peden,RyleeMartindale-Rushing,andErinShen.Coverart featuringelementsfromIslaHansen’s“RevengeoftheWild,” TimothySpencer’s“TrampolineDaze,”andBellaSalomatin’s Overshadowed.

INSTAGRAM:@shsmagazine

WEBSITE:https://shslistenmag.wixsite.com/shs-magazine

MASTHEAD

CLUB SPONSOR

Mrs.JenniferCalhoun

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ErinShen

VICE PRESIDENT

CarleyPeden

ART EDITORS

CallieBarger

RyleeMartindale-Rushing

RishiShah

IvanaCasuso

SophiaPellegrino

GabbyDevine

AnnabelleJaeckel

ClaireBurton

PHOTOGRAPHY

EDITORS

IvanaCasuso

AudreyClifton

EliCompton

WillJames

AbbySmith

STEM EDITORS

WillJames

EliCompton

SananKhairabadi

IvanaCasuso

POETRY EDITORS

GabbyDevine

AnnaliaSmall

SananKhairabadi

AnnParker

SamoriaReedy

PROSE EDITORS

AnnParker

SamoriaReedy

AnnaliaSmall

SananKhairabadi

SophiaPellegrino

EliCompton

CallieBarger

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS

CarleyPeden*

BeyoncéMoreno

Angulo

AbbySmith

Welcomeback,readers!

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

I'mthrilledtosharetheexcitingnewsthatListenhaskickedoffitsfirstliterarycontestoftheyear,andwe'reabouttolaunchthefifth issueofourmagazine.Forourcontest,weprovidedthreepromptstoinspireouryoungcontributors.Theprosepromptasked participantstowriteashortstorythatdescribesamomentfromthepast,whetherpersonal,historical,orfictional,inspiredbyTaylor Swift'squote"Holdontothememories,theywillholdontoyou.”Thepoetrypromptinvitedparticipantstowriteapoemabout somethinghappeningintheirlifeinthepresentmoment,drawingfromGeorgeHarrison'squote"Allthereisever,isthenow."Finally, theartpromptchallengedparticipantstocreateanartworkillustratingtheirvisionofthefuture,usinganymediumtheypreferred, inspiredbyPeterDrucker'squote"Theonlywaytopredictthefutureistocreateit.”It'sbeenaremarkablejourney,withadedicated teamofover15editorsworkingtirelesslytobringthisprojecttolife.Icouldn'tbeprouderofourcollaborativeeffortinmeeting deadlinesandpushingcreativeboundaries.Frommaintainingoursocialmediachannelstolaunchingauser-friendlywebsiteand organizingengagingeventsliketheschooltalentshow,2024hasbeenawhirlwindofactivity,andourclubissothankfultobegiven the platformtospreadourlovefortheliteraryartsbeyondthescopeofourschoolbygivingtheopportunityforelementaryschoolersacross BullochCountytoparticipateinthisliterarycompetitionandbeselectedforpublicationatsuchayoungage!

ThissemesterwehavedecidedtodedicateourIssueVpublicationtoaminipublicationjournalcalled Listen Jr., toshowcasethe incredibletalentsof15elementaryschoolstudents.It'sbeenheartwarmingtoseetheenthusiasmandcreativitytheybringtothetable. IssueVhasbeenatruetestamenttothetalentwithinourcommunity.Wereceivedsubmissionsfrombothpublicandprivateschools, spanninggrades3-5,andthequalityofartwork,prose,andpoetryhasbeennothingshortofimpressive.Ourtheme,"Past,Present,and Future,"sparkedadiverserangeofsubmissionsthatleftmeinaweofthecreativityandimaginationofourcontributors.Intheprose section,pieceslikeDavineChen's"FlyingHome"andBellaSalomatin's"TheDaytheQueenWasGone"tookreadersoncaptivating journeysthroughtimeandspace.Thesestoriesbeautifullycapturedtheessenceoftravel,culturaldiscovery,andhistoricalevents, showcasingthedepthoftalentamongourcontributors.Inthepoetrysection,TimothySpencer's"TrampolineDaze"offeredapoignant reflectiononthecomplexitiesofmodernlife,touchingonthemesofsocietalexpectationsandpersonalstruggles.Hisevocative languageandimageryleftalastingimpressiononmeandourreaders.Let'snotforgetthestunningartworkthatgracesourpages!From flyingcarstofuturisticlandscapes,thecreativityandvisionofourcontributorsneverceasetoamazeme.Eachpiecetellsastoryofits own,offeringaglimpseintotheboundlesspossibilitiesofthefuture.

AswegearupforthereleaseofIssueV,Iwanttoextendmyheartfeltthankstoallourcontributors,editors,andreaders.Iwanttogive specialthankstomyrighthandwomen,clubsponsorMrs.JenCalhoun(thebest)forallofthepastyearsofhelpingthisclubimpactand reachsomanypeople,Ryleefordesigningthecoverartandbranding Listen Jr.,andmywonderfulCarleyPedenforco-leadingthisclub withmethisschoolyear.Icouldn’taskforabetterSocialMediaManager,andtheamountoftimeyouspentbrainstorming/planning everythingfromscratchforthiscompetitionistrulyinspiring.AlltheStarbuckstripswereworthit,andteamworkreallymakesthe dreamwork!Thismagazinewouldn’tbethewayitiswithoutyouguys!Yoursupportandcreativityarewhatmake Listen trulyspecial, andIcan'twaittoseewhatthefutureholdsforus.Untilnexttime!

Sincerely,

ErinShen

3RD GRADE

MY PET DRAGON KITTY

TinaSotoGuzman

SAMMY’S VISION OF THE FUTURE

SammyLenny

OREO’S NEW LIFE

SisleyWang

TRANSPORTATION STATION

AbigailMikell

4TH GRADE

REVENGE OF THE WILD

IslaHansen

ALIENS VS HUMANS–THE FUTURE IS AT STAKE

BrooklynChavers

DREAMY DIMENSIONS

AnabiaRahman

THE DAY THE QUEEN WAS GONE

BellaSalomatin

FUTURE GOALS

HankHartman

A TRAIN RIDE TO TYBEE BEACH

JasonFan

PRESIDENT L.P.

LeightonParrish

THE NEW UNIVERSE

AkiraHagan

THE EXECUTION OF QUEEN BOLEYN

AnabiaRahman

GRAELYN’S VISION OF THE FUTURE

GraelynPrice

TRAMPOLINE DAZE

TimothySpencer

OVERSHADOWED

BellaSalomatin

5TH GRADE

FLYING HOME

DavineChen

3RD

GRADE

My Pet Dragon Kitty

Tina Soto Guzman SallieZetterower

TRANSPORTATION STATION

Abigail Mikell SallieZetterower

Oreo’s New Life

forlong,untiltheonedaywhenonegirlnamedSisleyandaboynamed Wesleywenttoschool.

Butlet’sjustcallhimlittle,okay?Sothelittlecatslippedthroughthedoorjust beforeanyonecouldcatchhim.Hewouldwandereverywhere.Hewouldgo whereonedayhecametoabuildingandwhenthedooropened,heslipped throughinside.Therewasahall,andhewalkedinthehalltryingnottobe seen.Peoplewouldwalkby.Hecametoadoor.Hewaitedthereforaminute justbeforehewasgoingtogiveupwaitingandgotothenextdoor.Thedoor opened--ItwasSisley!

WhenSisleyfoundhim,shescoopedOreoupandshouted:wherehad youbeen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ShesneakedOreointoherbackpack.Itwaslike MAGICthatnobodysaw!Soshesatatherdesk.Suddenly,MEOW!Sisley heardsomething.Soshepretendedlikeshewascoughingweirdly.Theteacher askedher,“doyouwantacoughdrop?”Sisleysaid,“no.”“Okay,”saidthe teacher.Soshekeptonteaching.“CanIhaveearlydismissal?”askedSisley afterawhile.”“Yes,”saidtheteacher,“gogetyourstuffandgototheoffice.”

So,Sisleygotherbackpack,prerenderingitwasn’theavybecauseOreo wasinthere. Shewenttotheofficeandhermomwasinthere.Thenthey wenttothecartogetWesley.AftertheygotWesley,Sisleyshowedhimwhat’s inherbackpack.“Wow!”Wesleysaid,“Let’sbringhimhome!”

Thentheywenthometogether,andgoodnews!Daddywelcomedthem there,andOreobecameahousecateversince!

Theend.

4TH

GRADE

Revenge of the Wild

Isla Hansen MillCreek

Thefamilyofwolvesstepontothestage.Theystopattheblanketcontainingthehuman.

Otto: What is it brother?

Jasper: I think it's a human child.

Otto: Can we eat it?

Jasper: I think so.

Narrator 1:The 2 brothers approach the infant.

Mother: Stop!

Jasper: Why?

Otto: But I’m hungry!

Mother: We don’t eat what can’t even run. Besides, if the human left it, it must not be that tasty.

Jasper and Otto: Oh, right.

Jasper: So what do we do with it? Do we throw it in the river?

Otto: Or leave it here?

Mother: No and no. We will take it with us. She’ll be one of our pack-mates. She’ll be my daughter and your sister.

Jasper and Otto: But mother.

Otto: She will not understand our language!

Mother: We will teach her.

Jasper: She will slow us down when hunting!

Mother: (Laughs) Now Jasper, that’s the same thing you said when Otto was born, but look at him now! He’s sped up the hunting!

Narrator 1: Otto sighed, defeated. But Jasper would not have it.

Jasper: Mother!

Mother: (Snarls) Enough! We are taking her and that is final!

Jasper and Otto: (Cower in fear) O-okay.

TheMotherpicksupthechild,andtheyallexit.

14

Years Later..

Maplethrewthespearatthedeer,killingit.

Jasper: Nice one, sis!

Otto: (Licks lips) We’ll have fresh deer for breakfast!

Maple: Can you pick it up Jasper?

Jasper: Of course!

Maple: Did you guys hear that?

Otto: How couldn't we?!

Jasper: Mhm-hmhmm-mm.

Maple: What was that?

Jasper: Mhm-hmhmm-mm

Maple: Put the deer down.

Jasper: (Drops doe) Sounds like someone’s trying to break through the guardian’s shield!

Mapleshookherhead.

Maple: No, it’s too loud. When the humans try to break in, it’s normally not this loud!

Narrator:The brothers nodded and followed her toward home.

Maple: Hey Jasper, what’s the difference between us protectors and the Guardian?

Jasper:That’s simple. We protectors protect and the Guardian guards.

Maple: Well yeah, duh. But what’s the difference between protecting and guarding?

Jasper: Well…The Guardian guards because his force field guards the forest and we protect because whenever someone gets past the force field, we protect by stopping them.

Maple: So, how do we stop them?

Jasper: We KILLthem then EATthem.

Maple: Cool.

Otto: Hey guys, I hate to interrupt, but did you hear that?

Maple and Jasper: Hear what?

Otto:That.. sound.

Maple: What sound? I hear the birds and the bugs and you. So like, what are you talking about?

Otto:You guys don’t hear that?

Jasper and Maple: Nope.

Otto: (Frowns) Come on, it’s louder over here.

Maple:Alright, but can you tell us what this.. Sound sounds like?

Otto: Well.. it sounds like.. Voices.

Maple: Voices?

Otto: Voices.

Maple: What kind of voices?

Otto: … Well it sounds like gibberish.

Thetwolookateachother.

Otto and Maple: Humans.

To be continued…

Aliens vs. Humans–The Future is at Stake

Brooklyn Chavers SallieZetterower

Dreamy Dimensions

Anabia Rahman SallieZetterower

THE DAY THE QUEEN WAS GONE

Bella Salomatin SallieZetterower

~May191536~

AsIwaswalkingonthestreetsinmylongflowinggown,Iheard crying.Ispoketoayounggirlwithatearstainedface.“Hey,whyareyou crying?”

“Ourbeautifulqueenwillbeexecutedtoday!”sheexplained. Thesobbingcontinued.Ohdear!Itotallyforgotthatshewouldbe beheadedtoday!TearsfilledmyeyesasIhuggedthepoorgirl.“Itwillbe okay.“Godwillguideher.MayIask,wherewillIbeabletovisither beforeshedies?”

“Atthegreentower.”sherepliedasshewalkedaway. Ineededtovisitherinstantly.AsImademywaythere,Isawtonsof people,includingthegirlIsawearlier.Shewasstillcrying.Iwenttothe girl.“What'syourname?“Iasked.

“MynameisIsla.”shesaidwhilewipinghertears. Bythetimeeveryonearrived,therewereoverathousandpeople there.“Thoushallnotkillthequeen!”Iheard.LuckilyKingHenrydidn’t hearthem.

EveryonewassilentwhenAnneBoleynstartedtospeak.“Iamcome hithertoaccusenoman,nortospeakofthatwhereofIamaccusedand condemnedtodie,butIprayGodsavetheKingandsendhimlongtoreign overyou,foragentlernoramoremercifulprincewastherenever,andto mehewaseveragood,agentle,andsovereignlord.”

AllIheardwassobbing.EvenIwascrying.IsawAnnestartingto praywithaswordaboveherhead.Afewmomentslater,theychoppedher headoff!Istartedtoscreamandmourn.Islahuggedmetight.“Ican’t believethishappened!”Isaid.“Meetmeatthekingdomtomorrow morning.”Itookoffbacktomyhome.

Iwastryingtosleep,butIcouldn’tstopthinkingaboutourdead queen.IwantedtotellKingHenrywhathedidwaswrong!Thenext morning,IwaswaitingforIslatocome.

“Hey.Whydidyoutellmetocomehere?”sheasked.

“Iwanttotellthekinghedidsomethingverywrong!”Ireplied.

“Wecan’tdothat!Heisourking!”shesaid.

“Iknowthis,butIwanthimtoknow;it’snotherfaultshecouldn’t givehimasonandshealsofoughtforherlifewiththatsweatingsickness, remember?”

“Hmm.maybeweshould..”

Soonwewerestandingbeforehim..“Myking,Ithinkyouareabad man!Youkilledourqueen!”

“Sowhat?Shedidnotgivemeason!”hesaid.

“It’snotherfault!”Islasaid.

“You..!Guards!Killthemimmediately!”Theguardscameand grabbedus.“Anylastwords?Justkidding!”hesaid.

Offwithachopagain,hesentustoourdeath.Tothisday,IslaandI laynexttoeachotherinthecemetery.Wediedforagoodcause.

Future Goals

Hank Hartman

A Train Ride to Tybee Beach

TommywasquitetheordinarykidinStatesboroin1902.Hehelpedhisfather pickcotton,learnedwritingatthenewschool,andplayedbaseballwithhisfriends AbrahamandJonah.BothofthemhadbeentoTybeeBeachandsaiditwas magnificent.Tommyalsowantedtogotothebeach.HehadbeggedMamatolethim gotoTybeeIslandforalongtime.Finally,MamaandPapahadsavedenoughmoney togothereonarailwaylineforhis10 joy.“I’mfinallygoingtoseetheocean!”heshouted.“That’sthebestbirthdaygift ever!”

ThenewS&Srailwaylinewasverypopularthesedays,asitwasthequickest waytogettoTybeeBeach.PeoplealsowantedStatesborotobearailroadcenter whenthelineopenedfiveyearsago.WhenTommyandhisfamilyreachedthetrain stationonthebigday,Tommysawafreighttrainpassby.Tommywasamazedabout howitworked.“Howdoesthetrainwork?”heaskedcuriously.“Askyourteacher,” repliedanannoyedPapa.Papadidn’tlikeTommyaskingsomanyquestionsbecause hedidn’twanttoadmithedidn’tknowtheanswers.Finally,afterwhatfeltlikehours ofwaiting,Tommyboardedthetrain.Oncethetrainstarted,hebecameveryexcited. Helovedthe“choo-choo”soundthatthetrain’senginemade.Hestaredoutofthe windowforthewholetrip.Thetrainpassedfarmafterfarmandtheoccasionaltown, andTommyfeltsoadventurous.Heevenwenttothelocomotivecartoseetheengine. Theengineerwastossingcoalintoafirewhichpoweredanengine.Therewerealso manyleversthatcontrolledtheenginethattheengineerpulled.“Iwanttodothat whenIgrowup,”thoughtTommy.“Iwanttopullallthelevers.”

Whenthetrainrideended,hehadmadeuphismind.Hewantedtobeatrain engineerwhenhegrewup.Buthisattentionturnedquicklytothebeach.Helookedat theendlessoceanandsaid,“Wow!”Atthebeach,Tommyhadfunswimmingand collectingshells.Heevenfoundasanddollar.Hisfatheralsowentfishing.Hehad caughtalotofflounderandevenaredsnapper.Tommyhadagreatday.Buteven thoughhelovedthebeach,hestillthoughtthetrainridewasthebestpartofthetrip.

Leighton Parrish

President L.P

THE NEW UNIVERSE

Akira Hagan SallieZetterower

The Execution of Queen Boleyn

Istoodinfrontoftheplacewhereourdearqueen,AnneBoleyn,was beingexecuted.Talkingandchatteringechoedintheroomaswellas screaming,andsobbing.Hermother,ElizabethBoleyntriedtoconvincethe king,HenryThe8th,nottoexecuteherbeloveddaughter.Butheisahorrid person,soofcoursehedidn’tlisten.

AsIwasthinkingaboutthequeen,Irealizedthatmydresswassoaked inmywettears.Ifeltembarrassed.Soon,theymadeanannouncement, “Nowourqueen,AnneBoleynwillbeexecuted”,saidoneofthe executioners,“Pleasemakeyourwaytotheexecutionroom”.

EveryonecouldhearpeopleprotestingoutsideoftheLondonTower, gettinglouderandlouder,“QueenBoleynshallnotdie!”Iheardoneofmy friendssay.Afewguardswentoutsidetoshootheprotestersaway.Iturned myattentionbacktotheexecutionarea.QueenBoleynslowlycamein,with guardsaroundher,ofcourse.

Hermotherhadcriedsomuchthathertearsranout.Thewholeroom wentsilentasourqueen,AnneBoleyn,startedtospeak.“Iamcomehither toaccusenoman,nortospeakofthatwhereofIamaccusedand condemnedtodie,butIprayGodsavetheKingandsendhimlongtoreign overyou,foragentlernoramoremercifulprincewastherenever,andto mehewaseveragood,agentle,andsovereignlord,”shesaid.

Soon,theexecutionerloweredhissword,ashewasaskilled swordsman.Shequietlyprayed,sheprayedandprayed.Sheprayeduntil shecouldn’tanymore.Theswordwentthroughherneck.Herheadfelloff. NearlyallthepeopleintheLondonTowerweretoostunnedtotalk.

Soonafter,peoplestartedexitingthetower.Chitteringandchattering aboutthenowdeadqueenechoedeverywhere.Manypeopleweresadabout thequeen’sdeath,butafterall,everyonediesatsomepoint.

Graelyn’s Vision of the Future

Graelyn Price

TRAMPOLINE DAZE

Timothy Spencer SallieZetterower

UpanddownintheairIgo!

HowdidIgetlikeso?Don’tknow.

ForeachjumpItake, Seemslikeapieceofcake.

Highupinthesky, ItotallybelievethatIcanfly!

Mymomcallsmeinfordinner. ShesaysthatI’mgettingthinner.

Dinnerisawinner!

Itisachickentender. Dinnerisablast!

Justlikeinthepast.

Nowtosleep, ForIamweak.

Overshadowed

Bella Salomatin SallieZetterower

5TH

GRADE

FLYING HOME

Davine Chen Brooklet

Iclosedmydrawingpad.“Dowereallyneedtogowithoutmypetbird, Soba?”Imoanedasmyparentspackedanddoublecheckedclothesandnecessities forourfamilytriptoChina.“Thisisourfirsttimeinsevenyears.Unfortunately,our connectingflightismorethan30hourslong.Also,it’seasierforustosendhertooneofour friends.”IthoughtforamomentandwentbacktomyroomtotakeapictureofSoba.

Aftertheplanefinallylanded,theairport’sinvitingwarmglowgrewasthetunnel connected.Asweeagerlyheadedout,Icouldfeelthatmydrawingpadweighedheavilyinmy backpack.Standingbythebaggageclaimarea,IthoughtofSoba.Suddenly,Ispiedmy grandpainthecrowd,wavinghellotous.Iwassoexcitedtohughim.Afewminuteslater,we gotintomygrandpa’scaronthewayhome,butIstillthoughtofSoba.

Itwastwoo’clockearlyinthemorningwhenweenteredourgrandparents’apartmentin Shanghai.Ourgrandparentsdidn'tsleepallnightandwaitedforus. Mygrandmahurriedover whenshesawmeandwenttohugandkissmybrother,David.“Hello!Comeandhavedinner! Yourauntandcousinareasleep,sotrynottomaketoomuchnoise.Tomorrow,we’regoingto haveabigday!” Shesaidassherushedinandouttoprepareeightdishesforus.Soonafter dinner,Itookoutmyalcoholmarkersanddrawingpad.AsIstartedtodrawquickly,thescene becamebrightandhappy:meridingonSoba’sbackinamagicalworldoffluffywhiteclouds andradiantsunlight.AsIwasfallingasleep,Sobaflewoutofthedrawingandchirped!

Inthemorning,Iwentdownstairsforbreakfastwithabigsmile,“Goodmorning!”My auntYushenggreetedme,“Goodmorning!Tohavefunwithyouall,I’veaskedfora week-longleave.DoyouwanttogototheOrientalPearlTowertoday?”Withmyone-yearold cousinstrappedtoherchestinsideababy-carrier,myauntguidedusallthewayacrossthe HuangpurivertowardtheOrientalTower.Aswearrived,themajestictoweranditspinkpearls shoneinthesun,anditwasheldupwithsturdygraypillarsthatslantedclock-wise. Myaunt askedme,“Isn'titagreatview?Let'sasksomeonetohelpustakeafamilypicturehere!”We tookapictureinfrontofthetower.IediteditusingmyfingertodrawSobaonmyshoulder.

NinedaysfeltshortinShanghai,andnowitwastimetovisitourextendedfamily membersinFuzhoucityinSoutheasternChina,butweneededtogobytrain.Thetraintickets wereverydifficulttogetduringthisholidayseason.Mygrandpawaitedforhoursjusttoget ourfirst-classticketsbecausehewantedtotreatus.Asthetrainrodeon,Ilookedoutthe windowandgaspedinamazement.Whilethetrainkeptzoominginandoutoftunnelsthrough themountains,wewereimmersedinendlesslushgreenmountainsandrivers.Itwaslike travelingthroughanancientChineselandscapehandscrollpainting!WhileIwasenjoyingmy lemonsherbet,mygrandpatookapictureofme.IediteditusingmyfingertodrawSobaon myhead.

“We’vearrived!” Weknockedonthedoorofmygreataunt’sapartment.Mygreataunt openedthedoor.Thesceneimmediatelyremindedmeofthepainting‘LasMeninas’.Itwasasif thedwarfinthepaintingcametolife,asmygreatauntwasalittleperson.Davidwassoscaredto seeherandthoughtshewasanalien.ButIexplainedtohimthatintheoldtimes,peoplelikeher wouldbeinvitedtothepalacetoservetheroyalfamily.“Soit’slikewe'rearoyalfamily!”I laughed.Assoonasmygreat-auntknewIlikedbirds,sheimmediatelygavemeanoxhorncomb, witha‘Chinesehwamei’birdengraving.Itookthisdelicatecombandcarefullyputitintomyhair asanornament,andthentookaselfiewithmygreataunt.

Thenextmorning,wemetmymom’sbestfriendsincechildhood,Yuan,whohadshort raven-blackhairlikeme.AsshedroveustoTheMinRiverMouthNationalWetlandPark,Iasked her,“Mymomtoldmethatyouwereherbestchildhoodfriend.Isthatcorrect?”Shelaughed,“Of course!Sinceyourmomismybestfriend,wearesisters.You’renowmydaughtertoo.”Thewind beatthedarkbluewaterandmyfurryjacket.Iexpectedtoseeaparksign,andIsoonspottedone, butbesideitwasthemostinterestinganimalinthewetland:Afawn-coloredheifer.Aswe continuedalongthetrail,Isawthatstorks,ducks,andmigratingwaterbirdspreenedonthesmall islands,whileafewswamthroughthefreezingcoldwaterforthesilver-coloredfishand flame-coloredcrabsthatscatteredonthelakebed,andswiftlydodgedthroughthewater.Wetook apictureofusinthemarsh,andIediteditusingmyfingertodrawSobaonmyarm.

AfterninedaysinFuzhou,wewentbacktoShanghaitoprepareforourback-hometrip.We decidedtocelebratetheNewYearinafancysushirestaurantneartheNanjingRoadWalkwayin Shanghai. AsIenteredtherestaurantforaNewYearsevefamilydinner,awaitresswith chocolate-brownhairinatightbunescortedusintoourtatamiroom.Thetablelaylowtothe ground,andwehadtotakeoffourshoesandsitoncushionedwoodchairs.AsIplayedhand-slap withmyaunt,myunclewasbusyorderingfood.“Ninesalmonsushiplates,twolobstersand sushiboats,seafoodhotpot…” Myunclefedmewithmyfavoritesalmonsushi,andthenIfed myone-yearoldcousinicecream.Laterthatnight,WewalkedontheNanjingRoadWalkway, withthousandsofpeoplewalkingandchatting.“Woah!!Whatwillhappenatmidnight?”Iasked. MyAuntYusheng,carryingmylittlecousin,said,“Atmidnight,peoplewillcountdownfrom3 andmakeabigracketastheOrientalTowerlightsup.”Thebodyheatofthecrowdwarmedthe entirestreetsothatIdidn'tfeelcoldatall.Lightsweregleamingineverycolor;thesoundofloud talkingwasreachinguptothesky.WetookourfinalfamilypicturetheretobidChinagood-bye, andIusedmyfingertodrawSobasoaringinthenightsky.

Itwaslikealongdreamthatwewerehomeaftera37-hourflightfromhometohome.For beinghelpfulduringtheflight,ourparentstreatedmeandDavidtwoboxesoffreshlymadepizza. WhenIopenedthefrontporchdoor,IsawthatSobawasdeliveredbacktous.ThemomentI openedthebirdcage,achirpsoundedandSobaflewontomyshoulder.Igaveherastrandof milletandasked,“DoyouwanttoseehowImakeamemorycollageofourfamilyphotos?”She pickedupthemilletstrandandbobbeditupanddown.Iopenedmydrawingpad…

FEATURING

SISLEY WANG

ANABIA RAHMAN

JASON FAN

DAVINE CHEN

TIMOTHY SPENCER

SAMMY LENNY

BROOKLYN CHAVERS

LEIGHTON PARRISH

AKIRA HAGAN

HANK HARTMAN

GRAELYN PRICE

ABIGAIL MIKELL

TINA SOTO GUZMAN