Serenity
You wake smelling last night’s campfire smouldering, burnt out by the morning dew. Creeping out of your cramped, camouflage tent, you feel the cold wind and realise the sun is barely over the horizon. Squirrels race up ancient trees to walnuts. You lie in awe watching who reaches them.
After they scurry away, you sit on your chair watching the sun rise. You stand up with more energy than you need, stumbling over a rock. Steadying yourself, you walk over to your tent and sit down to breakfast before zipping up your tent and wandering into the trees.
The sun reveals the beauty of the world. Birds chatter about hatchlings and worries (well, you think so). Coming to a river, you sit at the water’s edge. You see a fox, checking the coast is clear of predators, before wandering to the water.
It takes another cautious look and settles down for a drink. Lifting its head, it licks its lips as it laps up goodness from the river. You think the moment has ended when it turns to leave but before it goes, it looks at you as if to say, ‘I see you too’. Now you’re one with nature.
By Rachel Allen, Year 7 Chandos
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The hill was silent and unmoving, the surrounding trees slender, just brushing the stars that were tiny islands in the vast black ocean of the sky. Time slowed as the fiery sun rose over the top of the forest, looking like some celestial being had set the whole earth ablaze. Crimson light bathed the word in its glow, turning even the glass of the towers to blood. When the castle was new and the sea had only just begun to caress the mountains, you could have seen the intricate carvings in the stone that were now so beaten and worn. As the sunlight crept slowly towards the tip of the tower, a gong-like sound was heard, so deep inside the rock , yet so loud and instantly recognisable. You could hear its echo reverberating off the peaks. The inhabitants were waking up to a new day. A day that would be more than they had ever bargained for...
By Zoe Roberts
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Every step he took made his legs ache more and more. He hoped that he was almost halfway through this vast labyrinth of twisting branches that seemed to stare into him and mock his every action. He felt the tiniest warmth against his face as the heated air came out of his mouth. he saw his breath disappear into the cold night air. He screamed! ‘There are a million paths!’ He roared! Startled crows jumped and flew in all different directions; screeching like frightened children. The echo resonated through the trees and softly faded away.
Light in the forest is scarce compared to the darkness and the endless abyss of lifeless trees. Branches that curve around each other moaned and creaked in the whispering wind. Whispers that resembled a mysterious and foreign language; it brushed against his hair and numbed his ears and nose. His dog barked! Oh, did I mention, he had a dog, a small creature who loved his best friend, it followed the boy around almost everywhere. A dim beam of bright blue light shone down through the trees and exposed a silhouette of the two and the eerie thick fog. Almost attempting to make them scared.
By Hannah Weedon
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I placed my eyes at the glorious beach laying in front of me. The soft, untouched, golden sand hugging my hard toes, the shimmering, luxurious, sapphire blue water rocking carefully in perfect harmony with my beating heart. I watched the graceful seagulls propel through the calm evening air and youthful children running joyfully on the water’s edge, splashing droplets of clear ocean onto the even and smooth sand.
My eyes started drooping as I slowly lowered myself to the vast blanket of sand. The sky was lit by the burst of reds and yellows, meeting perfectly at the horizon with the calm waves. I turned my head to view the old fashioned road above the wall behind us. I gazed at the tall terraced buildings that stared back upon us, their many windows reflecting the therapeutic vision magnificently.
The huge lumps of wet sand stood tall, trying hard to represent a large, golden castle, but clearly failing miserably, their moats empty, and shells drooping. I observed the tiny scarlett crabs, as they scattered across the back of the beach, making mini markings in the smooth sand.
By Mia Swain
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As the sun shone through the trees a soft wind made the trees dance whilst the birds sang like a choir of angels. The flowers brush against your skin like a pen on a piece of paper and the sound of buzzing bees is the true sound of nature as they speed over to bring life to the plants and the sight of fresh colourful nature relaxes you in a way that nothing else can. As you look up at the blue sunny sky you spot clouds as white as marshmallows in different shapes above the lime green grass. You lie down on the velvet red blanket with your dog as she tries to lick (kiss) your face and you start laughing as butterflies come around you. Next, you go on a walk to a relaxing river and dip your feet in whilst the water trickles down through the rocks and pebbles to the end of the river.
By Amelie Fox
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It was a confined space and when you looked at the structure it looked as if it was going to collapse at any minute. The views you could get looking ahead at the evergreen trees. The cage area around the bridge was cross-patterned and made you feel like you were trapped on a never ending bridge.
By Heather Cissell
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I’ve learned my lesson: Uncle Jim told me stealing was ok. It used to be my favourite game. So the summer I turned 12 my uncle Jim invited me to stay at his flat, and I went. We had lots of fun playing my favourite game. Taking sweets and things as big as smallish paintings! We came across an antiques shop and everything was expensive. Uncle Jim said we easily get some presents for me and some extras for him, as the lady behind the counter looked quite dotty and old. So we went in, looked around not trying to look too suspicious. But when we turned the corner, the fun really began! We grabbed things. Into our pockets and under our jackets! When we’d finished we told the lady we weren’t interested in anything today, and we walked out but I was caught. A small doll fell out of my pocket and the lady caught me. But Uncle Jim ran. When the police arrived I told them the truth, but when they went to arrest Uncle Jim he was gone. Now he’s on the run, and I’m in therapy. Goodbye, good riddance Uncle Jim.
By Lisa Yarranton