Tasmanian Tigers

Yo,

I guess next time is now. I wrote this story—it's actually a Greek myth—because I absolutely adore Greek myths!! It explains why Tasmanian tigers are extinct. Well, not really....


Artemis and her followers—a mix of nymphs, naiads and dogs—were walking in a wetland in Tasmania when an animal walked up. It was obviously very shy and afraid of the group. Artemis slowed down, wondering what this strange creature was. The animal looked like a tiger, with the stripes and everything, but it was built like a dog. Because of this, and because this animal was first seen in Tasmania, Artemis decided to name it the Tasmanian tiger. She decided that she would tell her relatives, the Olympians, about the tiger and then hunt one or two to add to her collection of animal furs.

Artemis started to run towards Mount Olympus, and then she noticed that the tiger was following her! She stopped, told the rest of her group to go on, and then turned to face the tiger. She pulled out one of her unlimited arrows, fit it to her bow, took aim, and shot. The tiger stood still the entire time, staring at the silver bow curiously. Artemis sighed as she turned around again, now holding a dead Tasmanian tiger in her hand, the bow strapped once more onto her back.

When she finally reached Mount Olympus, and the rest of her family, Artemis went straight to where Zeus and Poseidon were having an argument (probably about the weather).

“Father, uncle,” she said to them. Zeus glanced at her, and then, reluctantly and with a “We will continue this!” to his brother, turned to face one of his favorite children.

“Yes?” he asked, a bit annoyed. Poseidon turned to face his niece as well.

“I found a new species.”

Athena joined them immediately. “A new species? May I see the skin?”

Artemis sighed, as usual annoyed at how Athena could figure out everything, and then passed over the, yes, now removed skin that she had put into her quiver. Athena took it with a look of great happiness, then frowned. Artemis wondered at the look on her face.

“What is it?” Poseidon asked impatiently.

“The skin is of a tiger, but it is shaped like a dog, right cousin?”

Artemis nodded.

Athena smiled. “May I study this?”

Artemis nodded again, and Athena walked off to her room/study.

“Why did you shoot it?” Zeus asked. “Why didn’t you show it to us first?”

“Because it was following me. I didn’t want an animal to dirty the floors of your great hall,” said Artemis with more than a hint of sarcasm. Zeus never understood sarcasm, so his children enjoyed abusing it.

Zeus nodded, pacified.

“Where did you find the animal?” Poseidon asked.

“In Tasmania, in the wetlands. I named it the Tasmanian tiger.”

Poseidon seemed to think. “If you found it in the wetlands...” he said slowly.

Artemis winced, for she knew an argument was going to start over whose animal this was. There was always an argument over new species, but this one would be worse than usual. Because the tiger lives in the wetlands, it could be part of Poseidon’s realm, but as it was on the land, it wasn’t technically a sea animal.

Artemis slipped away, meaning to hunt some more. Unfortunately, the fight between Poseidon and Zeus got so serious that Artemis was almost fried by a lightning bolt! She turned around, furious, and then she saw that the fight had gone on to include some other gods and goddesses; Aphrodite, Athena, Ares, and Dionysus were but a few. Artemis realized that it could destroy the world and Mount Olympus, because the immortals were becoming increasingly angry, and some mortals were already feeling the wrath. She made a split second decision: she would kill all of the tigers that were the reason for this fight. She snuck back to the wetlands, and started. By the time she was almost done, the gods had stopped fighting and were begging her to stop. Artemis hesitated in killing the last tiger, and then agreed to this:

The tiger would be kept at Mount Olympus forever, and the gods would make sure that it doesn’t breed, but Tasmanian tigers wouldn’t be extinct. And, as an afterthought, Artemis made her family agree that the tiger would be part of her realm.

So that is why there are no more Tasmanian tigers. At least, not on Earth.

Writing Contest

Hey guys!!

Thanks for all of your support!!—it encouraged me to enter two of my posts in the Echoes Writing Contest. Somehow, "The Theft That Colleges Do" and "A Memory" managed to win first and runner-up respectively!!! You can read the other winning pieces here.

Until next time!!!

Another World

Hey guys!

Guess what? I just got won my first writing competition!! My submission will be published in Poetic Power's 6-8 Grade Essay Book. You will probably know right away which scene in which book it's describing!

I stare at the world below me, at the flashes of light and the yells and screams. I watch as three people run towards a large tree that is shaking in the wind - but wait. There is no wind! The tree is moving by itself, slashing and hitting anything that gets near. I watch in horror and anticipation as those three people reach the tree, waiting for the branch to come crashing down on their heads. But no, they're too fast, and they slip down a hole at the base of the tree. I follow, hiding with them behind a crate, watching the two people walking and talking in the room. I look closer and see that one of them has the face of a snake, and that a snake is in a floating box near his - her, it's? - head. The other man seems terrified of the snake, but more of the man with the snake face. I listen closely and hear 'My Lord' repeated over and over, as if this 'lord' is a high and mighty being. I gasp as I hear the words, spoken in a slithering tongue: Kill him. I wait in anticipation - and am jerked back to reality by my dad standing near my bed, where I am curled up. “Megha,” he says, “It’s time to go to sleep.” I groan, because I was at one of the most exciting parts. I reluctantly put Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows on my bedside table and close my eyes, already impatient for tomorrow so I can go back to the book. I sigh, rolling over, and think of Lord Voldemort and Severus Snape and Harry Potter and Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley and....

Dear Anne Frank

Sorry for the wait. Here's my first not really a story draft which is perhaps fitting as it's about one of the first not really a story books I loved.


Dear Anne Frank,

Your diary is the only nonfiction book I have ever read written by and entirely about a kid my age, instead of just another adult. Plus, it was the first nonfiction book I ever read that wasn’t toned down and presented the real world to kids. Before, I never realized how horrible the Holocaust was beyond a big, bad thing that targeted Jews. I never thought people my age like me would ever be forced into hiding, encounter death, or face other horrors. You may think I’m naive, or something else along that line, but I always believed that, sure, these things do happen, but only to adults. Your diary made me feel really sorry and sad for other kids, kids like you, who were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it made me fully appreciate my luck not to be born at such a time. I’m really glad that a war isn’t going on, especially a World War (World War III would be awful!).

You know, I think the reason your words and your story struck me so deeply is because we’re kind of similar! Well, okay, I never lived during a major war, I never had to hide, I never wrote constantly in a diary (although I have written in one), and so on, but I have felt some of the things you felt. For example, I sometimes feel lonely, just like you, although my loneliness is different than yours. I feel lonely because my sister and brother, who have lived with me since I was born, have left for college. You, on the other hand, have a much more lonely loneliness, if that makes sense, because you don’t have any really good friends, except for Kitty. I think feeling lonely is unfortunate, because it makes it harder to stay happy and look on the bright side. But it is also sort of good, because, like for me, when your sister and brother come visit, you feel so much happier than you would feel if they had never left, and, like for you, when you do find a friend, it feels so much better.

I’m a chatterbox too, and, just like you, I’ve gotten in trouble because of it. But really, I don’t get why we have to get in trouble for it. Well, yes, we would get distracted, but, sooner or later, we always get back to work. But if people stop us from talking, we keep on trying to talk, to finish our discussion, or we learn not to talk to people. We learn to keep things to ourselves, and then we never share things, and friends slowly drift apart, because nobody will talk or confide in anyone, because we don’t know how to talk properly anymore!

I have also lived in many place, as I was born in Texas, moved to California when I was a year old, and then moved to Oregon just before 1st grade. My family has never lived in one place for more than 5 years, although I think we might break that record now. I think it’s fun to keep on moving, although every time you do, you have to make new friends and go to a new school and the first few weeks are crazy, ‘cause everyone is unpacking and you’re meeting all your neighbors, and you’re getting used to your new school, and it’s just insane! But it’s fun, afterwards.

I really want to be a writer too! I adore writing, and I have loads of unfinished stories just waiting to be finished. I am kind of jealous of you, because you got a book published when you were only 14. Despite the fact that its publication came about partially because of your misfortune, your book taught me that kids can write as powerfully, if not more powerfully, than adults. It taught me that books can change the world, and those books can be written by kids like me. You’re one of my role models. I want to change the world with my writing, like you changed people’s view of the Holocaust with your diary. And you have given me the inspiration, the push, to do it. If I am lucky enough to change the world even a little bit with my writing, it will be because you did it first, and I am very thankful for that one day that you decided to start a diary.

I know now that the world isn’t as perfect as I imagined. I know now that it can be cruel to kids like me, along with adults, but I also know that kids, like adults, can overcome misfortune and actually use it to change the world. I know, because you opened my eyes.

So thanks,

Megha Dalal

The Booke of Vane

My first completely fiction draft!! It's a bit long...


She could hear the footsteps getting closer. Allie stopped walking and looked over her shoulder. Caleb was heading towards her, his cropped brown-black-and-blonde hair swaying in the slight breeze.

“What do you want now?” Allie asked, turning to face him, a frown darkening her usually bright face. Caleb stopped a few feet from her, and tilted his head as if to say ‘don’t you know?’. Of course, Allie could guess. She shook her head. “No. You can’t have the book.”

Caleb sighed. “Why not?”

Allie stepped back a little, then scolded herself. Why was she afraid of him? “I found it. It’s mine by right.”

Caleb scowled. “So what if you found it? That doesn’t mean it’s yours. It just means you found something that belongs to my family. It means you’re a thief if you keep it.”

“No! Leave me alone, Caleb!” Allie turned and ran as fast as she could. Unfortunately, Caleb was faster, and easily caught up to her.

“Allie. Listen to yourself.” He took her hand. “We’re best friends. I can find you,” It wasn’t a threat, just something they both knew. Allie could find him too.

She yanked her hand from his. “I don’t care. I’ll keep on running until I lose you, or you get tired and leave me alone,” said Allie as Caleb looked at her steadily.

“You know that will never happen,” Allie bit back an angry retort. She did know. Caleb would never stop trying to find her, never stop trying to get the book. He would never give up. Allie took a deep breath.

“Caleb, please! I don’t want trouble. Please, just leave me alone!” she begged. She was scared (or pretending to be scared), because she knew Caleb’s powerful family could cause a lot of trouble for her not so powerful family, and he really did believe that the book was his. Caleb seemed to be thinking.

“I can’t. My family needs the book. Just give it to me!” Allie shook her head.

“No!” she said as she ran away.... Allie woke up. She sat up, gasping, then fell back on her bed. “I’m sorry Caleb,” she moaned. It had all started this summer, when she and Caleb were still best friends. They had gone on a walk near the tiny lake right next to Caleb’s house. There were rumors of ghosts in the lake, so naturally two eleven-year-olds would want to explore. They had played and played until Allie, always the more careless and adventurous one, had hit on the amazing idea of playing ‘Who Can Push The Other Into The Lake First?’. Caleb didn’t really want to play, until Allie pushed him in. Then he got angry, as Allie knew he would, and pushed her in too. They were both laughing, and then Allie, while she was getting up, felt a hard, cool, smooth thing. She had picked it up, and found that it was a book, a very thick book.

Allie had looked up at Caleb, and had noticed that there was a very odd look on his face, one she had never seen before. She later realized that it was longing, and amazement, and awe. Caleb, who had never shown surprise or awe, ever, was showing it for a book? And then, Allie had remembered, after staring at the book for a while, the story Caleb had once told her of a lost relic of his ancestors. According to the story, Caleb’s great-great-great-grandparents had written a book telling about everything that had happened in the family so far, so it was very thick (kind of like the book from the lake). They had hidden the book, no one knows where, and ever since then, every generation, the book reveals itself to someone in the Vane family, and that family member has the task of documenting every single event that happens in their time. Then, when they feel it is complete, the person hides the book again.

No one had found it in this generation yet, according to Caleb. Allie had realized that Caleb thought the lake book was the book! He had demanded Allie to give it to him, and of course Allie had said no, being the stubborn cat that she is. Caleb had, of course, gotten mad, and had tried to grab the book. Allie had taken off running, and ever since, she and Caleb hadn’t been best friends. Allie sometimes wished that she had never found the book in the first place. It had just brought trouble.

Allie got up from her bed and opened the drawer where the book was hidden. She pulled it out, studying the intricate designs on the front. Once again, Allie tried to open it, with no luck. The lock, not unlike a lock on one of those diaries that you can buy at the store that come with keys that seem to be the exact same and are amazingly easy to pick...that’s it! Allie jumped up and, still clutching the book, ran across the room. In her Lego house was a paperclip already twisted into shape from when she had been bored earlier. She grabbed it and fit it into the book’s lock. Then, holding her breath, Allie turned it.

It worked! The lock opened, and Allie let it fall to the ground, taking the time to put the paper clip back safely. Then she walked slowly back to her bed.

“I wouldn’t get my hopes up if I were you,” a voice called from her doorway. Allie jumped, dropping the book on her bed.

“Caleb!” she gasped. Caleb was leaning across the doorway, his eyes dull.

“Hi Allie,” he whispered. Allie slowly walked towards him.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

“Yes,” Caleb sighed. “Eric found the book,” Allie raised an eyebrow.

“You mean Eric, your brother, found the book you thought this was?” She held up the book she was about to open. Caleb nodded.

“Poor Cal!” Allie said, using Caleb’s old nickname. “You had wanted to find it so badly!”

“Yeah,” Caleb seemed to sag under the disappointment. Allie put a reassuring hand on his arm.

“Maybe you’re just too cool to have been chosen,” she suggested. Caleb smiled.

“Thanks,” And then his smile turned mischievous. “Which obviously means I’m cooler than you are!” he teased. Allie sighed.

“Aren’t we getting too old for this?” she asked sadly. Caleb looked at her in amazement.

“My best friend Allie Pinson thinks we’re too old to have fun?!” Allie suddenly smiled, secretly happy at how quickly they became friends again.

“I was kidding! Which means I am cooler than you, ‘cause you believed me,” She stuck her tongue out at her friend, then ran outside. “Race y-” she called, but Caleb had already passed her.

“I know you too well Allie,” he said to her surprised face. “You can never beat me!”

“Caleb!” she scolded, half laughing, half annoyed. He grinned at her. Then Allie remembered something. “So what was the book we found?” she asked. Caleb shrugged.

“Let’s go see. Maybe it’s a diary,” Allie and Caleb headed back into Allie’s room. Allie picked up the book, and studied the cover.

“Look!” she said in excitement. There was faded writing on the cover.

“The Booke of Vane,” Allie and Caleb read aloud. Caleb suddenly grinned.

“That’s it! The Booke of Vane, that’s the book!”

Allie gasped. “So this really is the book you thought it was..” she said, lost in thought. Caleb’s grin disappeared as he saw her face.

“Yeah. It is,” he began slowly.

“And your family would want it,” Allie continued.

“So I need it,” Caleb finished. The two friends looked at each other for a very long time, both thinking different things.

‘I wonder what it says?’ Allie thought. ‘I will never be able to read it if Caleb takes it. He wouldn’t let me. But I want to! What harm would it do?’

‘It’s the book!’ Caleb was thinking. ‘The book of my family! I can’t let Allie keep it, I have to bring it home.’ Caleb opened his mouth, determined to convince Allie to give him the book, but Allie, knowing what he was going to do, clutched the book, decided.

“No,” she said. “I’m sorry Cal, but I can’t give you the book yet! I’ll die of curiosity if I can’t read it.”

Caleb blinked and frowned. “Allie, you can’t read it. There are secrets in there, secrets only a Vane can know!”

Allie glared at him. “I don’t believe you,” she declared. Caleb tried to grab the book, but Allie avoided him. “Get out of my room, Cal. It’s not nice to steal something that isn’t yours.”

Caleb was shocked. “Allie....?”

She turned away. “Go away!” Caleb looked at her in complete surprise. No words would come. He just left, letting the door close behind him. He walked, not noticing where he was going, letting his feet lead him where they wanted to. Now what would he do?!

Allie waited until she heard the downstairs door close, then sat on her bed. She couldn’t believe she did that! The look on Caleb’s face... Allie shook her head. She glanced at the book that was the subject of their argument. She did want to read it, but now she couldn’t without feeling guilty. She briefly considered the idea of going to Caleb’s house and apologizing, but quickly dismissed it. What would Cal say? Allie was a little cheered by thinking of all the fights she and Cal had gotten into. Maybe this was like those ones, and they would forgive each other soon? No, no, this seemed different. Allie made a decision.

“Mom!” she called, “I’m going to Cal’s house!” She grabbed the book and her jacket and tore through the house. She stopped at Cal’s house, nervously gasping. Allie knocked on the door, using Cal and her secret language for ‘I need to talk to you!’ She could hear a whispered conversation, and then a groan.

“Yes?” Cal said grumpily. Allie smiled up at him.

“Hi Cal!” she said cheerily. Cal glared at her.

“What da’ya want?”

Allie still smiled. “Can I come in? I have to give you something.” Cal’s eyebrows jumped at her last few words.

“Oh, okay then. Come in.” He quickly ushered Allie to his room. She sat on the bed, and then pulled the book out of her pocket. Cal’s eyes sparkled as soon as he looked at it. Then he looked at her. “Are you giving it to me?” he asked quietly. Allie hesitated.

Then she nodded.

“It’s your book,” she pointed out. “And, well, I looked inside...” Allie ignored the furious look Cal was giving her. “I can’t understand what it says. It’s really messily written, which means it would probably be easy for you to read.” Cal impatiently shifted weight from one foot to another. Allie almost burst out laughing. “All right, all right, I’ll give it to you,” she said.

“Thank you!” Cal burst out. Allie didn’t offer the book yet though.

“On one condition,” she added. Cal sighed. Whenever his best friend said that, he knew she was going to ask something ridiculous.

“What now?” he asked ruefully. Allie smiled mischievously.

“You have to tell me what you read.” Cal thought about it for a while. He wasn’t even going to tell his family, and now Allie wanted to know? It was supposed to be a secret! And he almost said no. But then Cal thought about it. He knew Allie, well enough to know that there was no other way to get the book. And it’s not like the world would end if his best friend, who wouldn’t tell anyone else, knew.

“Fine,” Cal said boldly, hoping that his family wouldn’t disown him when (if) they found out. It was almost worth it to see the look on Allie’s face.

“Really?!” she asked, almost literally leaping off Cal’s bedroom walls.

“Yes, really,” he confirmed. Allie handed Cal the book and motioned for him to sit on the bed next to her. Cal took the seat warily, knowing what Allie could do if she was excited enough. Then he opened the book, and started reading...

Triumph

This is an experiment with description:

I run across the field, racing after the girl in front of me. She runs hard, but I’m faster, and I catch up. I suddenly cut across her, kicking the ball that is between her feet and yelling my teammate’s name. My teammate grins and dribbles the ball toward the other side of the field, two opponents chasing her. I pause for a moment to catch my breath, and then I’m off! I exult in the feel of the wind as I run as hard as I can, trying to get into a good position for a pass. My teammate glances up, searching, searching... and sees me. She kicks the ball, and I race against the other team. I reach there first, and don’t waste any time, knowing that the slightest mistake or hesitation could cost us the game. I glance at the goal in front of me, everything else a distant memory. It seems to taunt me, as the goalie tries to block the entire goal. I rake my eyes over her, trying to find an opening. There! If I can just get it in that small space... I take a deep breath.

And then I kick, I kick with all my might. The whole field, instead of getting quiet, like you would think, erupts. The goalie sees where I’m aiming and leaps to cover it.... but it’s too late! The ball narrowly misses her hands, coming to a stop right in front of the net. I smile. That’s all I can manage, but my teammate yells my name and runs toward me. I laugh at her excitement, and then I hear her words. “We won! We won!” I gasp, not believing it. But it’s true. I hear the score, whispered from both sides of the field: 3 - 2. I still don’t believe it.

We won.

I am momentarily stunned, but my friend and teammate grabs my hand and pulls me towards the congratulations, pouring from the mouths of our families. I glance at the other team, and I remember something. I motion for my teammate to follow me and whisper something in her ear. We head toward our rivals, and then line up.

“Good game,” I say, raising my hand for a high five. The other team lines up as well, and we cheer for each other and for a great game.

The Theft that Colleges Do

Another draft of another story from my life!


It is a warm summer day, and I am frowning. Let me restate that: it is an unusually beautiful day, one we almost never get (as we live on a mountain in Oregon), and I am wasting it by pouting.

“Why do Didi and Bhaiya have to leave tomorrow?” I whine to my mom again. My mom looks at me.

“Megha...” she warns me. I notice that she seems a little tired--no wonder, as she’s planned a huge party! So, I heave a huge fake sigh, trying not to smile.

“Ok, ok,” I say, failing to sound annoyed. I check my watch. “Mom!” I say, my smile turning mischievous. “They’re not up yet and we have to go in one hour!” Mom sighs this time.

“Go wake them up, and tell them no delays!” I groan, my smile gone. Why do I always have to wake them up? I think while I skip and jump up the stairs.

“Didi!” I say, pushing my sister’s door open, “Wake up! You have one hour to get ready!” My sister completely ignores me. I run to her bed, then gently shake her. “Didi....You have to got to get up unless you want us to be late for the party.” She turns to look at me.

“Go away...” She says, sounding like her regular tired morning self. I shake her again. “Five more minutes...”

“Mom said no delays,” I answer. She groans.

“Get out of my room,” I frown at the demand, cringing in anticipation for what was coming next.

“But Didi, you have to wake up. Otherwise we’re going to be late for the party.”

“Go away Megha.”

“No.”

“MEGHA! GET OUT OF MY ROOM!” My sister shouts (loud enough that it was still considered a shout, but soft enough that my parents couldn’t hear her).

“Ok, ok, fine! But mom won’t be happy.” My sister goes back to sleep. I sigh, once again, and then, with one last glance at her, get out. “Bhaiya!” I say, trading my sister’s green- and mirror-wall for my brother’s dark magenta walls and small attic. I gently shake him.

“Stop Megha. Get out. Let me sleep.” I shake my head.

“Bhaiya...Mom said to get up, otherwise she’s going to come up here, and you know what happens when Mom comes up here...” I look at my brother, hoping (while knowing it won’t happen) that he will get up because of this last threat. He turns to me.

“Megha. Get out. Now.”

“Ok, fine, I’ll get out, but mom will yell at you if you make us late.” I leave the door open, knowing (and receiving) a command in return (my brother telling me to close the door). I run down the stairs after closing the door to deliver my report, and then I grab a book and bound to the couch to finish it. By the time my sister finally drags herself out of bed, gets ready, and comes downstairs, I am almost done.

“Morning,” my sister says.

“Hi Didi,” I answer, looking up for a second to wave, then going back to the book. My sister looks at me in amusement, probably thinking about the fact that she was the one who taught me how to read, and now look how much I do it. I look up again, giving her a why-are-you-looking-at-me-like-that look. My sister just smiles.

The next thing I know, we are all bundling into the car to go to the church for my brother’s graduation and my sister’s sweet sixteenth. I am, as always, in the middle of the backseat, sandwiched between my sister and my brother. We are on our way to Shiner Hall, where the party will take place.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

We all get out of the car and rush inside to start setting up. With a little help from early arrivers, we soon finish. People from Seattle and California (and Oregon, of course) are coming. The party is really fun, with performances, speeches, plays and songs. I participate, of course. Plus, a lot of my friends are here and it is exciting to listen to all the tributes to my siblings. I am sort of in the middle of things, as I am the sister of both the special, important people of this day. In the back of my mind, however, this party is also a sad reminder that one day, I will be an only child.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

That moment came too fast, and I was sorry to see it go. My brother and sister left for a camp the next day, and I next saw them when they came back right before my mom and dad dropped my brother off in Boston, to college. My sister and I were left at home for a week before my parents came back, and the next time I saw my brother was in a few months. My sister joined him almost exactly one year later.

My life would never be the same again, as I now have no one to yell at me as I wake them up, no one to teach me to play card games, or destroy me in board games like Risk or Monopoly, no one for me to play with (parents don’t count), or annoy when they’re doing work, or reading secretly in their rooms (my sister) or when they’re surfing Wikipedia to look for interesting tidbits (my brother).

However, I am happy that they are having such an amazing time, and, after all, I can steal all their books now (until they come home again)!