Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The Bean Trees Prediction
In the story The Bean Trees, a high school graduate named Taylor hits the road and stops at a gas station. There she finds a baby inside her car, which she names Turtle, because of its strong grip. I predict that she will become attached to the child. Nick-naming the turtle shows the connection between the two, so now she won't leave the baby. I also predict that "Turtle" and Taylor will live on the road, trying to find where they really belong
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
The Angel Behind the Monster
The Maycomb Monster, is what the children of Maycomb County call him. He never comes out of his house, but when he does, he kills everyone in his path. He smells of bright red blood and lifeless creatures. A long jagged scar runs across the right side of his face, and his teeth seem as if he never learned how to clean them. According to the towns people, this is true. But really, who is Boo Radley? In the story To Kill a Mockingbird, the author introduces Boo Radley as the mysterious man down the street, but as the book goes on, you start to see the real Boo, a powerful greatness, hidden behind his sheets of evil.
Boo Radley has a big impact on the kids Jem and Scout. The first time they heard about Boo, the rumor was he was forced to stay on the inside walls of his home. But as life goes on, they start to receive gifts from him. And at the very end of the book, Boo Radley saves the two kids from Bob Ewell's attempted to kill Jem and Scout. It was then, that the two realized that the real reason Boo always stayed inside his house, was because he just wanted to be inside. As Boo Radley starts to show who he really is, Jem and Scout turn from innocent little children, to young adults that know not to judge people by the rumors they hear.
Throughout the story, Boo Radley's image changes. At first he seems to be just another average character, but then at the end he becomes more of a dynamic character who overcomes a change in society. He begins a monster, absolutely no one can be near, who then changes into a goodhearted citizen of Maycomb. As you see him change as a person, his image also changes.
The theme of innocence carries on throughout the whole book. It's first shown by Scout and Jem, two kids, not aware of the big world ahead of them. Next it's shown through Tom Robinson who was obviously innocent at his court trial, but pledge guilty. And finally, Boo Radley is an excellent example of innocence. He is introduced as the Maycomb Monster until the kids find the real him. They see the good person who can over look all the rumors and find a friend at last.
Even though Boo Radley isn’t the main focus in the book, he is always there, showing Jem and Scout write from wrong, in a hidden way. The rumors and legends were spread on until Boo became known as the monster. So who really was Boo Radley? He is always just the ordinary man, trying to find his place in the world.
Monday, February 6, 2012
If you Don't Feel that it's Right, Then Change it
Author's Note: This is my Comparative Essay on Fahrenheit 451. I am comparing the characters from the stories Harrison Bergeron and Fahrenheit 451.
There are people in our world that want things to happen, and then there are the ones that actually make things happen. In the stories Fahrenheit 451 and Harrison Bergeron, there are characters just like these. These characters both lived in a world where their government controlled them. Some characters sat back and watched, but others, such as Montag and Harrison, tried to make an impact on the world.
Fahrenheit 451 and Harrison Bergeron both have very controlling governments. Like most of the characters in these two books, Mildred and Hazel kept quiet and didn't try to change anything in the world. Hazel knows what is wrong and how to fix it, but she is to afraid to say anything. In Fahrenheit 451, instead of reading books, you have to watch T.V., so Mildred followed those directions. She isn’t happy with the world and knows there's something wrong, but she doesn't seem to care about it. These two characters are very similar because they know that the world is messed up, but they don’t want to give any effort to change it.
While Mildred and Hazel sat back and watched, Harrison and Montag did the exact opposite. They know something is wrong, and they did something to fix it. Montag realizes that he is ruining the world by burning books. Once he figured that out, he immediately tries to make a difference and gives effort into changing that. On the other hand, Harrison has always known that there was something wrong. He was smarter and stronger than any other of the citizens. He knew he had to change the government, and that’s exactly what he tried to do.
Although Montag and Harrison have very similar personalities, they are also very different. Harrison knew from the start that there was something messed up in this world and spent every day planning how to over throw the government. But Montag learned that books were good, after he met a free spirited girl. He then from that point tried his best to bring back books. Although Harrison was killed, the day he tried to over throw the government, he at least left the earth with a great impact. We will never know if Montag did help bring back books, but all we hope is the best.
There are two different kinds of people in this world, ones that want things to happen, and ones that make things happen. So think to yourself, which one are you?
There are people in our world that want things to happen, and then there are the ones that actually make things happen. In the stories Fahrenheit 451 and Harrison Bergeron, there are characters just like these. These characters both lived in a world where their government controlled them. Some characters sat back and watched, but others, such as Montag and Harrison, tried to make an impact on the world.
Fahrenheit 451 and Harrison Bergeron both have very controlling governments. Like most of the characters in these two books, Mildred and Hazel kept quiet and didn't try to change anything in the world. Hazel knows what is wrong and how to fix it, but she is to afraid to say anything. In Fahrenheit 451, instead of reading books, you have to watch T.V., so Mildred followed those directions. She isn’t happy with the world and knows there's something wrong, but she doesn't seem to care about it. These two characters are very similar because they know that the world is messed up, but they don’t want to give any effort to change it.
While Mildred and Hazel sat back and watched, Harrison and Montag did the exact opposite. They know something is wrong, and they did something to fix it. Montag realizes that he is ruining the world by burning books. Once he figured that out, he immediately tries to make a difference and gives effort into changing that. On the other hand, Harrison has always known that there was something wrong. He was smarter and stronger than any other of the citizens. He knew he had to change the government, and that’s exactly what he tried to do.
Although Montag and Harrison have very similar personalities, they are also very different. Harrison knew from the start that there was something messed up in this world and spent every day planning how to over throw the government. But Montag learned that books were good, after he met a free spirited girl. He then from that point tried his best to bring back books. Although Harrison was killed, the day he tried to over throw the government, he at least left the earth with a great impact. We will never know if Montag did help bring back books, but all we hope is the best.
There are two different kinds of people in this world, ones that want things to happen, and ones that make things happen. So think to yourself, which one are you?
Friday, February 3, 2012
Fahrenheit 451 Quote
During any story, authors like to add interesting idioms to make the people reading the book think. In the book Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury did this. The idioms are what make you want to continue reading and that’s what the one I chose did.
I chose an idiom where Faber is talking to Montag and stated "Not if you start talking the sort of talk that might get me burnt for my trouble." This quote really made me think because literally it means that Faber will get burnt to death for the mistakes he has made, which kind of seems ridiculous, but then again that’s what really would happen during this time period. You would actually get hurt the mistakes he made! Another way to look at this quote would be that Faber is going to be in a huge amount of trouble if people find out that he is trying to get rid of the book burning. This is the way I took the quote. For example, when people say "That was a piece of cake," they don’t actually mean that it was like a piece of cake, they mean "That was easy." That’s the same thing going on in my quote.
Unlike a lot of idioms, Ray Bradbury likes to change it up. Just like my example, the idiom was detailed so that made you think more about what he was trying to say. In the end you realize Faber was just trying to say that he will get in a lot of trouble if someone finds out.
I chose an idiom where Faber is talking to Montag and stated "Not if you start talking the sort of talk that might get me burnt for my trouble." This quote really made me think because literally it means that Faber will get burnt to death for the mistakes he has made, which kind of seems ridiculous, but then again that’s what really would happen during this time period. You would actually get hurt the mistakes he made! Another way to look at this quote would be that Faber is going to be in a huge amount of trouble if people find out that he is trying to get rid of the book burning. This is the way I took the quote. For example, when people say "That was a piece of cake," they don’t actually mean that it was like a piece of cake, they mean "That was easy." That’s the same thing going on in my quote.
Unlike a lot of idioms, Ray Bradbury likes to change it up. Just like my example, the idiom was detailed so that made you think more about what he was trying to say. In the end you realize Faber was just trying to say that he will get in a lot of trouble if someone finds out.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Taco Bell
Author's note: In this piece, my table was given a character, a setting, and a theme. We had to create a short story hook, and this is what I came up with!
When we walk into the Taco Bell bathroom I noticed that there was a perfectly clean sink, so I thought, why not take a bath? "Now kids don't worry I got myself a Speedo on." Out them windows I see some youngsters dresses up as them coloring crayons riding on a wagon. I look the other way and notice that them darn wipper snappers are gone faster than a dill pickle. I get myselfers out of that darn sink and walk out to catch them little sonnies before they reach that wagon and go down that hill bigger than a Halloween pumpkin. "Hey kids you don’t wanna go down that hill, or you'll die faster than I can say bean sprout." They start rolling down that hill, quicker than a kentucky durby hourse. Man that made wanna go get some of that fried chicken, that stuff's better than a reindeer pecan pie.
When we walk into the Taco Bell bathroom I noticed that there was a perfectly clean sink, so I thought, why not take a bath? "Now kids don't worry I got myself a Speedo on." Out them windows I see some youngsters dresses up as them coloring crayons riding on a wagon. I look the other way and notice that them darn wipper snappers are gone faster than a dill pickle. I get myselfers out of that darn sink and walk out to catch them little sonnies before they reach that wagon and go down that hill bigger than a Halloween pumpkin. "Hey kids you don’t wanna go down that hill, or you'll die faster than I can say bean sprout." They start rolling down that hill, quicker than a kentucky durby hourse. Man that made wanna go get some of that fried chicken, that stuff's better than a reindeer pecan pie.
Character Analysis
In the novel Number the Stars, there is one character that really stuck out to me, Annemarie. A young girl who is a shy and weak character that is afraid of the Nazi's and doesn't want to be known. However, at the end of the book, she changes. She is set on an important mission to save her best friends life, and at this part becomes… brave.
Annemarie affects the entire story because she is one of the main characters. She is definitely a dynamic character. In one of the scenes, Annemarie and her family hide Annemarie's best friend, Ellen because her family is Jewish, but Annemarie and Ellen think that they are just having a bunch of sleepover together. One day a German soldier came to her families door asking where Ellen's family was because they haven't been checking their mail. Annemarie then responds that Ellen's family ran away! This changes the whole story because they were trying to keep them hidden, so they would not be sent to the conservation camp. Annemarie is without a doubt a dynamic character.
Annemarie is a very young girl, that doesn't like to be heard. But in this story, she does things that she would never had done, before the Holocaust came into play. Annemarie is a very dynamic character, so she affects the entire story.
Annemarie affects the entire story because she is one of the main characters. She is definitely a dynamic character. In one of the scenes, Annemarie and her family hide Annemarie's best friend, Ellen because her family is Jewish, but Annemarie and Ellen think that they are just having a bunch of sleepover together. One day a German soldier came to her families door asking where Ellen's family was because they haven't been checking their mail. Annemarie then responds that Ellen's family ran away! This changes the whole story because they were trying to keep them hidden, so they would not be sent to the conservation camp. Annemarie is without a doubt a dynamic character.
Annemarie is a very young girl, that doesn't like to be heard. But in this story, she does things that she would never had done, before the Holocaust came into play. Annemarie is a very dynamic character, so she affects the entire story.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Predicting
In the story Number the Stars there are three children (girls) who are living in the Holocaust. One of the girls, Ellen, is living with her best friend's family to keep her self hidden because she is Jewish. Having brown hair with a family of all blonds is not a very good choice. In that case, believe that the German soldiers will find Ellen and ask her friend's family, Annemarrie, where her parents are hiding, and take them to the concentration camp. However, having heard about the book Milkweed, Annemaries family could run away and hide with Ellen, until it is safe for them to go back to their homes.
Point of View
In the book Number the Stars, the point of view is written through the mind of the author. Although this may help you understand what is going on throughout every little detail in the book, you don't know how each character is actually feeling. That's why I believe that this story should be written in Ellen's point of view.
Ellen is a 12 year old girl, that is living in the time period of the Holocaust. She has a lot of emotions rushing within her. If the story was written in her point of view, the readers would be able understand what it would have been like to live in Germany during this time period. Also during the Holocaust all people had to be in their beds by a specific time, and if they weren't, who knew what would happen to them. Ellen's point of view would tell the reader what kind of fear the children were living in during the Holocaust.
In one part of the book, Ellen is being hidden safely by her best friend's family because she is Jewish. The author explains what is happening, but doesn’t say what Ellen's emotions were in that situation. On the other hand, if it was told by Ellen, we would have been able to see what she was feeling since she had no idea where her parents were and if they were safe.
My judgment about this book was that it was a great read, but if the story was told in Ellen's point of view, it would have been easier to understand. Although that may be harder to write, the author should always consider writing in a main characters point of view.
Ellen is a 12 year old girl, that is living in the time period of the Holocaust. She has a lot of emotions rushing within her. If the story was written in her point of view, the readers would be able understand what it would have been like to live in Germany during this time period. Also during the Holocaust all people had to be in their beds by a specific time, and if they weren't, who knew what would happen to them. Ellen's point of view would tell the reader what kind of fear the children were living in during the Holocaust.
In one part of the book, Ellen is being hidden safely by her best friend's family because she is Jewish. The author explains what is happening, but doesn’t say what Ellen's emotions were in that situation. On the other hand, if it was told by Ellen, we would have been able to see what she was feeling since she had no idea where her parents were and if they were safe.
My judgment about this book was that it was a great read, but if the story was told in Ellen's point of view, it would have been easier to understand. Although that may be harder to write, the author should always consider writing in a main characters point of view.
Retelling of Harrison Bergeron
Authors Note: In this piece I was told to work on my retelling skills on a short story called Harrison Bergeron. Please comment and tell me how I did.
Harrison Bergeron takes place in the year 2081, a dark time in the world, where people were forced to be the same, no matter what condition. A young boy names Harrison broke those rules and was sent to jail. Years later, he broke out and traveled to a near by dance studio and made an announcement on live television. He was going to overthrow the government and become the new emperor with his fellow empress, but right then and there, he and the empress were shot and killed.
Harrison Bergeron takes place in the year 2081, a dark time in the world, where people were forced to be the same, no matter what condition. A young boy names Harrison broke those rules and was sent to jail. Years later, he broke out and traveled to a near by dance studio and made an announcement on live television. He was going to overthrow the government and become the new emperor with his fellow empress, but right then and there, he and the empress were shot and killed.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Taming the Tiger
Author's Note: This is my essay response to Life of Pi.
Author's Note: This is my essay response to Life of Pi. Rocking back and forth, alone, on a small lifeboat, feeling hungry, thirsty, and weak. A fierce 450 pound Bengal Tiger by my side, or so I thought. This is what Pi Patel, a sixteen year old boy, was forced to live with for the past 277 days in the middle of the ocean. But what really made me think was, is it true that Richard Parker (the tiger) was on the boat, or was this Pi's conscience? It may seem that Pi has company, but he actually doesn't, physically at least. Throughout the story there are characters that come along, such as Richard Parker and a mysterious blind man, but the question that came to mind was, were these characters actually Pi's conscience? At first when Pi meets the blind man, he seems friendly, until suddenly, 'The blind man landed upon Pi forcing them both to slam their bodies onto the cold boat floor. The blind man trying so hard to reach Pi's throat!' You may think this is just an accident because this man is blind, but then 'Richard Parker leaps out from under the tarpaulin and attacks the blind man.' If my theory is correct, that means there are two sides to Pi's mind. The blind man seems to be the more vicious mind, that would do any thing to survive, even if it means hurting himself. On the other hand, Richard Parker is the more sympathetic side to Pi, staying out of others way unless it has to. If it weren't for 'Richard Parker,' Pi would have killed himself, in a way. Throughout all the hardships, the toughest one Pi had to face was taming Richard Parker, who I believed was himself, the more sympathetic side. Pi had to learn how to control his anger and thoughts, to save him from turning to his evil side(aka The blind man.) In the beginning of the book Pi's father showed him how dangerous animals in the zoo really are. The most viscous one, the Bengal tiger ferociously attacked a young helpless goat after not being fed for days. I think this was just a lesson in disguise to Pi saying that you can't let your dark side overcome the good in you. From beginning to end of Pi's experience, he had to overcome all different parts of himself, good and evil. He was not accompanied by an Adult Bengal tiger or a blind man, but all in all, trying to survive by himself is just the same. It is hard to imagine a sixteen year old boy surviving on a lifeboat for 277 days, but some how, by perhaps taming the tiger, Pi found a way.
Author's Note: This is my essay response to Life of Pi. Rocking back and forth, alone, on a small lifeboat, feeling hungry, thirsty, and weak. A fierce 450 pound Bengal Tiger by my side, or so I thought. This is what Pi Patel, a sixteen year old boy, was forced to live with for the past 277 days in the middle of the ocean. But what really made me think was, is it true that Richard Parker (the tiger) was on the boat, or was this Pi's conscience? It may seem that Pi has company, but he actually doesn't, physically at least. Throughout the story there are characters that come along, such as Richard Parker and a mysterious blind man, but the question that came to mind was, were these characters actually Pi's conscience? At first when Pi meets the blind man, he seems friendly, until suddenly, 'The blind man landed upon Pi forcing them both to slam their bodies onto the cold boat floor. The blind man trying so hard to reach Pi's throat!' You may think this is just an accident because this man is blind, but then 'Richard Parker leaps out from under the tarpaulin and attacks the blind man.' If my theory is correct, that means there are two sides to Pi's mind. The blind man seems to be the more vicious mind, that would do any thing to survive, even if it means hurting himself. On the other hand, Richard Parker is the more sympathetic side to Pi, staying out of others way unless it has to. If it weren't for 'Richard Parker,' Pi would have killed himself, in a way. Throughout all the hardships, the toughest one Pi had to face was taming Richard Parker, who I believed was himself, the more sympathetic side. Pi had to learn how to control his anger and thoughts, to save him from turning to his evil side(aka The blind man.) In the beginning of the book Pi's father showed him how dangerous animals in the zoo really are. The most viscous one, the Bengal tiger ferociously attacked a young helpless goat after not being fed for days. I think this was just a lesson in disguise to Pi saying that you can't let your dark side overcome the good in you. From beginning to end of Pi's experience, he had to overcome all different parts of himself, good and evil. He was not accompanied by an Adult Bengal tiger or a blind man, but all in all, trying to survive by himself is just the same. It is hard to imagine a sixteen year old boy surviving on a lifeboat for 277 days, but some how, by perhaps taming the tiger, Pi found a way.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Gone in a Heartbeat
Authors note: This fiction story is based off of my cousin, Ashley Danielle Navratil’s life from her 3 year old sister Amanda Rose Navratil’s point of view. Rest in Peace Ashley.
Summer is supposed to be a great season. For my sister, Ashley, summer was not a time for fun and games. Instead it was a time to fight for her life. At the age of six she was diagnosed with brainstem glioma, which is a type of brain tumor and cancer located on the brainstem. Now she is seven and is on the merge of death. The doctors had said she doesn’t have much time to live, because this cancer is completely incurable.
I am 3 years old and my name is Amanda Navratil. I don’t know much about life, or what death really is, but I do know this, my sister has a serious battle, and she must risk everything in order to win.
May 1999: Lately Ashley has been acting really weird. Yesterday when I was combing her American Girl Dolls hair, she started to scream and freak out. When I gave her the doll back, she hit me, and she never does that. I also noticed that her eyes are really funny. She became cross eyed and whenever I see her, I giggle.
My parents thought it would be a good idea to take her into the eye doctor to make sure she didn’t need glasses or anything. We all hopped in the car to go to the doctor but then my sister started crying. A six year old girl crying, I mean come on, I don’t even cry… sometimes.
Finally we arrived at the doctor. This place was like a wonderland, of glasses. So many to choose from, I just had to try them all on! My dad stayed out in the lobby with me while my mom and sister went in the back corner where there was a small room.
About 10 minutes later the doctor, Ashley, and mom all walked out of the room. “Is she going to need glasses?” said my dad.
“Oh no, her eye sight is perfect!”
“Do you have any idea on why her eyes are crossed?” questioned mom
“I’m afraid I can’t answer that question but I think you should see a specialist
because you never know what could be wrong.”
“Well thank you anyways! Bye.” spoke my dad, and we all walked out and over to the car.
On the ride home the car was dead silent, except for Ashley, she was yelling out the most random things. It got pretty annoying after awhile. When we got home, right away my mom was on the phone with some other doctor. It was getting late so we all walked upstairs to go to bed.
About 3 days later my mom and sister left the house very early in the morning to go to the new doctor. They were gone for almost the whole day, but when they got back, things didn’t seem right.
My mom walked in with makeup all over her face. I quickly went upstairs and left my mom and dad to talk. I could hear them whispering, “Is everything alright,” asked my dad, “where’s Ashley?”
“No, are daughter…,” she stopped and took a deep breath “might have cancer. They are making her stay there for tonight. I just came home to grab a few things. My mom and dad are with her right now.”
“Ha-ha good one,” he giggle and looked back at mom, “Wait, you’re not serious are you?”
“You think I would joke about something this terrible?”
“What kind of cancer did they say?”
“The doctors aren’t sure yet but they believe it might be a type of brain cancer.”
Right then and there both of my parents broke down in tears. I was very confused, what is cancer anyway, and why would this make my parents so sad?
That night we all slept at the hospital. I had to ask my mom why they were crying early. My mom said “Sweetie, your sister is very sick, and she will be like this for a long time.”
“Will she die?”
“I don’t think you need to worry about this, let’s just go to bed.”
The next morning the doctor walked into the room. My mom and dad stepped out of the room to have a talk with the doctor while I stayed in the room with Ashley and the nurse. But right in the middle of their conversation, my mom dropped to the floor with tears. They were talking for a long time, the nurse let me play catch with a little red ball and get some free snacks.
“I’m sorry to tell you this, but your daughter Ashley Navratil has brainstem glioma.” Spoke the doctor. Once again my mom broke down in tears.
March 2000: For the past year or so, my family has gone on a bunch of vacations, but I barely get to go on any of them. The good thing is I did get to go to Disney. My sister has been really boring to play with, she doesn’t even do anything fun anymore and she’s bald. Mommy said it will make her stop being really sick. And her eyes look even weirder. Every other day I get to go to my grandma and grandpa’s house to sleepover so my sister will get better. It’s fun going to their house because they have a swimming pool and a hot tub! When I am home this woman comes to our house to make sure Ashley is okay. They pray a lot, which is weird because she’s not going to die, that’s what mommy said. The last time the lady person was here, my mom and dad were crying a lot. I tried to listen to what she was saying, but she was using really long words. The only word I heard was four, four months.
June 2000: I have been very scared lately. My mom never lets me go by her when that one woman is here to make sure Ashley’s alright. Yesterday the woman made Ashley wear this weird mask to help her breathe better. She has to wear it all the time, and believe me, it’s really scary!
Today when I was watching a T.V. show, Ashley started screaming and I couldn’t hear anything so I got really mad and hit her. Mommy made me go in a time out because she said I wasn’t going in as much pain as she is. In two days it’s my birthday but I don’t think my family is going anywhere because they all like Ashley more than me. I really want a cow for my birthday but my mom says it’s too messy.
“Amanda let’s go to bed”
“NO!” I yelled back at my mom
“Get upstairs now!”
“Fine, mean mom.” I murmured as I marched up the stairs. My mom read me a bed time story and we all went to sleep.
That night I had a scary dream that Ashley died because she had no more hair, so in the middle of the night I ran to mommy’s room and slept with her, daddy, and Ashley.
July 9 2000: “Wake up sunshine, time for breakfast.” whispered my grandma. Last night I stayed at their house because my mommy and daddy said so. I got up, and walked to the kitchen to eat. “Yummy! French toast, my favorite!” I said.
I started my breakfast and then the phone rang. My grandparent’s phone sounds funny and it rings really loud. Right after she hung up the phone, we quickly jumped in the car and drove to my house, that isn’t too far away.
When we got there, the woman who says prayers was there and a bunch of other doctors. My mom and dad were both kneeling beside my sister’s bed. I could tell something was wrong because Ashley’s breathing sounded different. My grandparents kneeled next to mommy, and my grandma Nonnie sat next to daddy. Uncle Bill and Auntie Anne came later. Uncle Nimo, Auntie Jane, my cousins Gabriella and Evan, and their family dog, Elliott had to drive all the way from Milwaukee to get here in Minnesota which is a six hour drive.
For the next 3 hours, we all just say there, in dead silence. Ashley’s breathing started to slowly come to a stop. “Beep, Beep, BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP.”
I could feel it inside me, something missing. I could feel her leave the earth. That’s when I knew she was gone, forever.
Summer is supposed to be a great season. For my sister, Ashley, summer was not a time for fun and games. Instead it was a time to fight for her life. At the age of six she was diagnosed with brainstem glioma, which is a type of brain tumor and cancer located on the brainstem. Now she is seven and is on the merge of death. The doctors had said she doesn’t have much time to live, because this cancer is completely incurable.
I am 3 years old and my name is Amanda Navratil. I don’t know much about life, or what death really is, but I do know this, my sister has a serious battle, and she must risk everything in order to win.
May 1999: Lately Ashley has been acting really weird. Yesterday when I was combing her American Girl Dolls hair, she started to scream and freak out. When I gave her the doll back, she hit me, and she never does that. I also noticed that her eyes are really funny. She became cross eyed and whenever I see her, I giggle.
My parents thought it would be a good idea to take her into the eye doctor to make sure she didn’t need glasses or anything. We all hopped in the car to go to the doctor but then my sister started crying. A six year old girl crying, I mean come on, I don’t even cry… sometimes.
Finally we arrived at the doctor. This place was like a wonderland, of glasses. So many to choose from, I just had to try them all on! My dad stayed out in the lobby with me while my mom and sister went in the back corner where there was a small room.
About 10 minutes later the doctor, Ashley, and mom all walked out of the room. “Is she going to need glasses?” said my dad.
“Oh no, her eye sight is perfect!”
“Do you have any idea on why her eyes are crossed?” questioned mom
“I’m afraid I can’t answer that question but I think you should see a specialist
because you never know what could be wrong.”
“Well thank you anyways! Bye.” spoke my dad, and we all walked out and over to the car.
On the ride home the car was dead silent, except for Ashley, she was yelling out the most random things. It got pretty annoying after awhile. When we got home, right away my mom was on the phone with some other doctor. It was getting late so we all walked upstairs to go to bed.
About 3 days later my mom and sister left the house very early in the morning to go to the new doctor. They were gone for almost the whole day, but when they got back, things didn’t seem right.
My mom walked in with makeup all over her face. I quickly went upstairs and left my mom and dad to talk. I could hear them whispering, “Is everything alright,” asked my dad, “where’s Ashley?”
“No, are daughter…,” she stopped and took a deep breath “might have cancer. They are making her stay there for tonight. I just came home to grab a few things. My mom and dad are with her right now.”
“Ha-ha good one,” he giggle and looked back at mom, “Wait, you’re not serious are you?”
“You think I would joke about something this terrible?”
“What kind of cancer did they say?”
“The doctors aren’t sure yet but they believe it might be a type of brain cancer.”
Right then and there both of my parents broke down in tears. I was very confused, what is cancer anyway, and why would this make my parents so sad?
That night we all slept at the hospital. I had to ask my mom why they were crying early. My mom said “Sweetie, your sister is very sick, and she will be like this for a long time.”
“Will she die?”
“I don’t think you need to worry about this, let’s just go to bed.”
The next morning the doctor walked into the room. My mom and dad stepped out of the room to have a talk with the doctor while I stayed in the room with Ashley and the nurse. But right in the middle of their conversation, my mom dropped to the floor with tears. They were talking for a long time, the nurse let me play catch with a little red ball and get some free snacks.
“I’m sorry to tell you this, but your daughter Ashley Navratil has brainstem glioma.” Spoke the doctor. Once again my mom broke down in tears.
March 2000: For the past year or so, my family has gone on a bunch of vacations, but I barely get to go on any of them. The good thing is I did get to go to Disney. My sister has been really boring to play with, she doesn’t even do anything fun anymore and she’s bald. Mommy said it will make her stop being really sick. And her eyes look even weirder. Every other day I get to go to my grandma and grandpa’s house to sleepover so my sister will get better. It’s fun going to their house because they have a swimming pool and a hot tub! When I am home this woman comes to our house to make sure Ashley is okay. They pray a lot, which is weird because she’s not going to die, that’s what mommy said. The last time the lady person was here, my mom and dad were crying a lot. I tried to listen to what she was saying, but she was using really long words. The only word I heard was four, four months.
June 2000: I have been very scared lately. My mom never lets me go by her when that one woman is here to make sure Ashley’s alright. Yesterday the woman made Ashley wear this weird mask to help her breathe better. She has to wear it all the time, and believe me, it’s really scary!
Today when I was watching a T.V. show, Ashley started screaming and I couldn’t hear anything so I got really mad and hit her. Mommy made me go in a time out because she said I wasn’t going in as much pain as she is. In two days it’s my birthday but I don’t think my family is going anywhere because they all like Ashley more than me. I really want a cow for my birthday but my mom says it’s too messy.
“Amanda let’s go to bed”
“NO!” I yelled back at my mom
“Get upstairs now!”
“Fine, mean mom.” I murmured as I marched up the stairs. My mom read me a bed time story and we all went to sleep.
That night I had a scary dream that Ashley died because she had no more hair, so in the middle of the night I ran to mommy’s room and slept with her, daddy, and Ashley.
July 9 2000: “Wake up sunshine, time for breakfast.” whispered my grandma. Last night I stayed at their house because my mommy and daddy said so. I got up, and walked to the kitchen to eat. “Yummy! French toast, my favorite!” I said.
I started my breakfast and then the phone rang. My grandparent’s phone sounds funny and it rings really loud. Right after she hung up the phone, we quickly jumped in the car and drove to my house, that isn’t too far away.
When we got there, the woman who says prayers was there and a bunch of other doctors. My mom and dad were both kneeling beside my sister’s bed. I could tell something was wrong because Ashley’s breathing sounded different. My grandparents kneeled next to mommy, and my grandma Nonnie sat next to daddy. Uncle Bill and Auntie Anne came later. Uncle Nimo, Auntie Jane, my cousins Gabriella and Evan, and their family dog, Elliott had to drive all the way from Milwaukee to get here in Minnesota which is a six hour drive.
For the next 3 hours, we all just say there, in dead silence. Ashley’s breathing started to slowly come to a stop. “Beep, Beep, BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP.”
I could feel it inside me, something missing. I could feel her leave the earth. That’s when I knew she was gone, forever.
Apple
Authors Note: In this piece I changed the ending of Snow White and wrote it in the evil witch's perspective.
Suddenly I felt my stomach start to growl, so I looked around for food. I noticed the poison apple I had been saving for the young woman. I said to myself "Since I made the poisoned apple, it won't be able to harm me!" So I took the biggest bite I had ever taken, and finished the entire apple. My legs began to shake and my heart started to beat faster, and I shivered in despair. I collapsed with a heart attack, which lead me to a slow, painful death.
Suddenly I felt my stomach start to growl, so I looked around for food. I noticed the poison apple I had been saving for the young woman. I said to myself "Since I made the poisoned apple, it won't be able to harm me!" So I took the biggest bite I had ever taken, and finished the entire apple. My legs began to shake and my heart started to beat faster, and I shivered in despair. I collapsed with a heart attack, which lead me to a slow, painful death.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Short Story Hook
When we walk into the Taco Bell bathroom I noticed that there was a perfectly clean sink, so I thought, why not take a bath? Being an 80 year old man,taking a bath is a hard process for little ol' me. "Now kids don't worry I got myself a Speedo on." "Grandpa Leeroy, can we go outside and wait for you?" "Oh, of course you can kids, be safe." I watch them leave out of them windows I see some youngster’s dresses up as them coloring crayons riding on a wagon. I look the other way and notice that them darn wipper snappers are gone faster than a dill pickle. I get myselfers out of that darn sink and walk out to catch them little sonnies before they reach that wagon and go down that hill bigger than a Halloween pumpkin. "Hey kids you don’t wanna go down that hill, or you'll die faster than I can say bean sprout." They start rolling down that hill, quicker than a Kentucky Derby horse. Man that made me wanna go get some of that fried chicken, which stuff's better than a reindeer pecan pie.
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