BLOSSOMING LOVE
In the heart of a bustling city, amidst the noisy chaos and hurried footsteps, there was a man named Oscar. He was not your typical city dweller; he was a flower merchant with a heart full of dreams. Contrastingly, on an isolated island in the middle of a turbulent river that split the city in two, there lived a sick girl named Olivia. Her life was a stark contrast to the bustling city just a stone's throw away. Suffering from a rare illness, she was confined to her small cottage, unable to experience the vibrant world beyond her window.
Despite the difference between the two beings, they found their paths merging. Oscar's purpose was clear, he wanted to bring a glimmer of joy into Olivia's confined world. The city's hustle and bustle seemed worlds apart from her quiet, secluded life, and that's why he wanted to bridge that gap with his daily boat journeys.
Day by day, the purpose behind Oscar's visits grew stronger. He wasn't just a flower merchant; he was a storyteller, and his stories were Olivia's lifeline to the outside world. His presence and words provided her solace, a temporary escape from her pain and isolation and, as a result, Olivia's heart began to melt for Oscar.
Despite her illness,her once-pale cheeks started to flush with color, and her eyes sparkled with newfound life. All of that as a result of Oscar's presence. Oscar had been falling in love with Olivia all this time too, consequently he gained the courage and told her all about his feelings. Olivia was over the moon after that and without even thinking she accepted his feelings with open arms. As a result of the confession, Oscar decided to move in with Olivia to see her even more than he used to. And this was only the begining of a long love story. Eva and Rita S. 11-8
PETALS LIKE WATER
In a boat that danced on ripples, light as air,
With petals of colors, a fragrant bouquet,
He set forth on waters, at dawn's first ray.
His vessel, a canvas of blooms and leaves,
A floating garden, where beauty weaves.
Roses and lilies, in delicate array,
They whispered their secrets, along the way.
Through winding rivers and shimmering streams,
He drifted, following his radiant dreams.
Each petal a story, each bud a song,
As the river gently carried him along.
The sun painted skies in hues of gold,
As his boat, like a tale, began to unfold.
He traded in blossoms, like treasures untold,
A flower merchant's journey, so gracefully bold.
He shared his blooms with the river's shore,
As he sailed to places he'd never seen before.
A nomadic merchant, with heart and soul,
In the boat of petals, he found his goal.
With every bloom, a story to tell,
In the boat that he loved, he sailed so well.
A flower merchant, on waters wide,
In nature's embrace, forever to glide. Eva 11-8
KAIRO'S BOAT
Water sounds are all so relaxing, but there's a certain lake that is very unique to a lad. Somewhere across the universe, we came upon a boy, whose name was Kairo. Kairo was raised in an evenhanded household, with nothing flowery. Despite his genuine life, Kairo had only two things that mattered to him, a very delightful lake and his wood-crafted, handmade, boat. The boat was being handcrafted by his dad, who had passed away a long time ago when Kairo was only 6 years old.
Arturo, Kairo's dad, loved the sea, or anything related to water. Despite their financial struggle, Kairo's dad wasn't going to give up on that dream, so he took matters into his own hands and started building a boat. Arturo was suffering from a disease that affected his breathing, which made him more fragile to diseases that were transmitted by air. Therefore, it didn't take long for Arturo to pass away, shortly before finishing his boat. Despite being sad, Kairo thought to himself that he should accomplish his father's wish. However, Kairo, was too young for that, he didn't have his father's manly hands or arms to accomplish his dad's vision.
--- 9 Years---- Went by -----
It's a special day for Kairo as it's his 15th birthday. Kairo spent his birthday with his mom and his mom only. He didn't need anyone else, apart from his father. Kairo went to the garage, and he came across his dad's unfinished boat, Kairo thought to himself that he had to finish that boat and now all grown up, he thought that he might as well give it a try. And that's exactly what he did for three months straight, every day after working at the market with his mom, he would come home and continue building his dad's craft.
After three months of hard work and effort, the boat was completed, Kairo's excitement was on the moon, he wanted to go for a test drive, to see if it really floated. So he rushed to his favorite lake that contained a tiny dock. With the boat in his hands and with the help of his mom, they placed the boat on the water, and to their surprise, it floated. One thing that they didn't know about Arturo is that he loved physics and wondered how things work. That's why Arturo was so assured that the boat was not going to drown. With excitement Kairo stepped onto the boat and picked up some paddles that his father had built. And there he went, exploring some things that he didn't even know existed, passing through other docks, and even houses, he fulfilled his old man's dream, I'm pretty sure Arturo was really proud of Kairo.
And the minute that his mom saw Kairo going on his way on the boat, she said: "His enjoyment, really reminds me of his father". Gonçalo, 11-10
THE FLOWER SHOP
This story takes place in a small village. In this village lives one of the most powerful business men in the country. Ava is his daughter and although her father has high expectations for her life and her future marriage, she has other plans.
Christopher is the son of a good and honest man, who doesn't have much but gives everything to provide an easier and better life for his son.
Christopher works as a delivery man for the village flower shop, owned by Ava's father. Due to his work, Christopher met part of the owner’s family, and he was instantly attracted to Ava's charisma.
Ava usually helps her dad manage the flower shop and has become very fond of Christopher. After three years working together Ava and Christopher developed a strong friendship, and as time went by, they both realized that they had feelings for each other, and the only thing standing in their way was Ava's father.
As Christopher and Ava soon realized they would never have his blessing, they came to a conclusion; they had to leave the village.
After fleeing the country Ava cut all contact with her father, but as a consequence, years later she had to find out about her father’s death from the newspaper.
As they received the news the couple went back to their hometown, and that’s when Ava realized to what extent her father hadn't accepted their relationship. She wished they had had the opportunity to talk again. Christopher saw Ava's sadness, so he took it upon himself to organize a small ceremony to honor her father’s life. After the ceremony they learned that her father had left them his house as well as his flower business. So they stayed in their hometown and created the good and stable life that they had always dreamed of. Teresa, Matilde, Madalena C. 11-10
THE FLORIST RIVERMAN
Down in a river, near a small village, somewhere in southeast Asia lived a humble riverman who had a passion for cruising along the river by himself and to look at the beauty of nature. Everyone in the village knew about him as he would greet everyone he’d find while passing by, always cheerful and with a smile on his face.
One day while on one of his expeditions, the riverman found an interesting shore full of flowers that caught his attention. The riverman then decided to take a short break from cruising as he was also quite tired to take a closer look at the shore. Taking a closer look into said shore, the riverman had found a mesmerizing view of flowers that came in all shapes and colors. He had never witnessed such a thing in his 2 years of cruising the river everyday, even if he thought that he knew it like the back of his hand.
It was then that the riverman had an idea. Since the flowers were so pretty and unique, he thought he could perhaps sell them as he cruised down the river everyday and get some money from it. The riverman’s family was poor and had a lot of debts that they couldn’t pay, so he saw this as a chance to help his family as well.
In the following day the riverman brought the flowers he had collected and put them in vases that his mom had made and he then proceeded to go on his usual daily trip through the river. As people saw him, they greeted him and shortly after they started to get curious about the flowers he was carrying, asking what he was carrying them for. The riverman then told them that he had found a treasure trove full of beautiful flowers and was selling them in hopes he could get some money to pay for his family’s debt. It was then that people started offering small donations along the river in trade for the vases with beautiful flowers the riverman carried.
One week after starting this small business the riverman had sold his entire stock out and had collected more than enough money from donations he had received. It was then that he went to his parents’ house and told them about the donations he had gathered. The riverman’s family was happily surprised and thanked him for his generosity, and so a few days after his family had paid all of their debts. Moreover, they could use the leftover money to start a little flower shop that everyone in the family worked at as a family business. Daniel, 11-10
IN A FARAWAY TOWN
In a far away town, there was a cabine near a river which was very famous for their meatpie. At that cabine worked a mysterious woman whose husband was the best florist in town.
As usual, when he finished work he went to her cafe and gave her flowers. Everything went normally, until something weird happened. He noticed something about her behavior was off, she was looking all around with a nervous look on her face. He didn’t know what was going on but he also didn’t ask, giving how tired he was. So he approached her and asked for one of her famous pies.
While he was eating, he felt something strange in the food and when he went to look at it, he realized it was a fingernail. Surprised, he went to his wife to ask her about it. But he didn’t find her, and before he knew, he was getting hit in the head. He passed out and when he woke up, he was in a room he didn’t recognise. Startled, he gasped when he saw all the other dead bodies in there. As he realized what was happening, his wife heard the noise and came rushing in as she became aware that he was still alive. Due to his injuries he wasn’t able to defend himself, and as a result he was quickly killed and was also turned into one of her famous meatpies. Emília, Mafalda 11-10
In a small town in Afghanistan I was born with my four brothers. It was a miracle: my mother was really young, so people didn’t believe she would be able to take care of all of us. I’ve never met my father. From what my mom told me, he was her boyfriend at the time but since we were 5 babies, he ran away and never came back. Despite not having a present father, my mom is the best and does a great job at both parent roles.
One day, an international TV came to our town. Because of our rare situation, they wanted to interview us. As a result, people around the world started to know us. Owing to that fame, money wasn’t a problem anymore. Now we were able to afford what we needed and have a better life.
However, money wasn’t what made us happy since the connection between all of us has always been rich with love. Clara H. and Catarina, 11-10
DISTANCE DOESN'T MATTER
In a rainy and gloomy morning, Pedro found himself faced with a difficult decision. His life in his native country was far from ideal as the living conditions were precarious, and the scarce work barely allowed him to support his family. Thus, he made the decision to emigrate in search of a better life.
While the cold drops of rain fell incessantly, Pedro said goodbye to his wife, Maria, with his baby in his arms. Tears mixed with the rain, running down Maria's face as she watched Peter's car move away. It was an emotional farewell, full of hope and fear. Pedro embarked on an uncertain journey, guided by the desire to provide a brighter future for his family. He would face unknown challenges in a foreign country, but his determination was unbreakable.
Maria was determined to wait for his return. She would face loneliness, financial difficulties and emotional storms. Nevertheless, the promise of a better future kept her strong. Time went by slowly. Pedro worked hard abroad, saving every penny he could. Besides, he sent letters and made frequent calls to Maria and her son, keeping the flame of hope alive.
After years of sacrifices and efforts, Pedro finally managed to build a stable and prosperous life. He returned home to rejoin Maria and his now much older son. The rain that had once symbolized their farewell now celebrated their reunification. This story is a reminder that sometimes we need to face storms to achieve our dreams. In addition, love, persistence, and determination can overcome adversity, guiding us to a better future. Rita A. and Matilde 11-8
THE LAST TRIP
A young couple of photographers, the English Kate and John from a rich family, set out on an adventure in search of discovering other realities different from the reality they were used to. With their sad story they ended up revealing to the world the reality of condemned human beings. Upon leaving the airport, they were confirmed that the situation in the country was worse than what they had imagined.
On the second day they went on a tour around the city of Kabul where they found themselves in the midst of chaos where poverty, hunger and poor quality of life prevailed. They were present in an unpleasant way that forever marked the hearts of the photographers. That's when they made a decision. They felt determined to make a difference at all costs. From that moment onwards, in a strong storm, they witnessed gunshots and running. When trying to provide help to a woman with a child who was asking for help, they were stopped by terrorists from the Taliban extremist group. As they were caught capturing images that could incriminate the group, they were killed by them. The Taliban had found compromising images including the image of the fugitive fiancée of the leader of the terrorist group with her young son asking for help.
As the photos had already been sent, they were published in the English newspaper THE TIMES. They managed to attract the attention of the authorities and the UN who managed to rescue the bride with her son and their bodies imprisoned by the Taliban. Joana O., Ana Júlia, Mª Inês 11-9
SURVIVAL
It was winter and the war had just started. Aarush and Bhavin where at home when they started hearing screams. Scared, Aarush picked up his sister and looked for his mom, when a bomb dropped. Thankfully it didn’t hit him nor his sister. As the house was destroyed, his only option was to go out to the street. As soon as he came out of the house he saw his mom lying down on the street with the grocery bags next to her. Desperate, he went to look for help but as he couldn’t find anyone, he went back to the house to spend his mum's last minutes with her.
To add up, it started raining. He just started walking down the street carrying his sister until he found a warehouse, and that was his home for the next few days. Two days had passed, they were starving and didn’t have much strength left, when out of the blue, they started hearing car sounds outside. So, they went outside to check what it was. It was a rescue team who helped them and brought them to America.
Years later Aarush became a famous book writer for his masterpiece about surviving a war, and his sister, Bhavin, became a famous singer. They were happy with their life now and helped raise people's awareness about the war and the hardships faced by refugees. Maria S. and Madalena 11-9
THROUGH THE EYES OF RAHIM: KABUL'S FORGOTTEN STORIES
In the bustling streets of Kabul, amidst the whirlwind of modernization, there lived an unassuming old man named Rahim. Dressed in tattered clothes, he roamed the narrow alleys with his beloved possession: the first model of a camera ever made, weathered by time yet gleaming with pride. Rahim, the last guardian of a fading era, had spent a lifetime freezing moments in the emulsion of film.
Through the lens of his ancient camera, he had witnessed the world transform, linking the past to the present with each click. His wrinkled fingers, weathered by years of hardship, delicately adjusted the lens, capturing stories etched in the lines of his face. Rahim's photographs were portals to forgotten times, narrating tales of joy and sorrow, revolution and peace.
Despite his humble appearance, Rahim was a wealthy man in experiences. He had documented the rise and fall of empires, the laughter of children, and the tears of war. His photographs were a silent testament to the resilience of the human spirit. In a rapidly changing world, Rahim stood still, his camera capturing the essence of life's fleeting moments.
Passersby saw just a beggar on the street, oblivious to the treasure trove of history he carried. Rahim’s lens had framed the world's kaleidoscope, from the serene landscapes of the Afghan countryside to the bustling streets of distant cities. Each photograph was a link in the chain of time, connecting generations and cultures.
In the quiet corners of Kabul, Rahim continued his timeless pursuit, weaving a rich tapestry of memories. He might have been poor in material wealth, but his spirit was adorned with the jewels of countless stories. The world might have changed, but Rahim remained, a living bridge between the past and the present, his camera echoing the whispers of bygone eras. Clóvis and Tomás 11-8
HOPE AND BEAUTY
If you don't recognize the name, Steve McCurry, you will recognize his work for sure. Most famous for his December 1984 portrait Afghan Girl, he captured the image of Sharbat Gula, then aged 12 and living in a refugee camp in Pakistan.
Steve was born in Philadelphia in 1950 but the award-winning photographer has spent almost half a century working in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is now facing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The Afghan economy has no cash to pay salaries or buy food. Western aid has been suspended because the Taliban government includes designated terrorists. And millions of Afghans face acute malnutrition and starvation in the coming months.
The photograph captured by Steve McCurry featured a weathered, elderly man sitting cross-legged on a dusty street in the heart of Afghanistan. His face was etched with wrinkles that told stories of a lifetime, each line a testament to the joys and sorrows he had witnessed.
He's a man who carries the weight of a family that doesn’t know when will be their next meal, a family that sees itself without future expectations, that doesn't remember what a silent night is. But as an attempt to improve his situation, this man carries an old camera with him, takes a seat, and silently stays there every day with his legs crossed and a smile that cannot be clearly seen.
The camera becomes his silent companion, a tool through which he captures the essence of life in Afghanistan, a country marked by decades of conflict and hardship. Through his eyes, he documents, to the world, the resilience of the Afghan people, their unwavering spirit in facing adversity, and the beauty that still exists over all the chaos. He’s a powerful living testament to the human capacity to find hope and beauty even in the most challenging times. Francisco S. and Maria 11-9
UNBREAKABLE BOND
There was a guy in his mid 20s. He lived in a city and worked in an office. He was a normal guy trying to make a living. His parents passed away when he was little and ever since he struggled a lot in school and had no friends. Although he lived in a city, he was not quite happy with the life he was living. Furthermore, he was depressed.
In order to live a peaceful life he decided to leave the city and move to the countryside. At first he was not sure if he would be able to adjust to a new environment. With the little money he had saved he started farming and fishing to make a living.
He started to bond with nature and animals living there. He found peace as well as happiness. He loved the warmth of sunlight, how flowers bloomed, and how it snowed. He found beauty in small things .
He felt like he was reborn . He loved how nature and animals were there for him instead of humans when he was feeling low.
This picture taken by McCurry shows a really strong bond between humans and animals. Although the animals don't have the ability to talk like humans, unlike some of us they express their love through actions and not by words. Thus, we can say that animals are indeed human beings' best friend.
Nathalia and Rayana 11-8
TONY AND HIS NEW FRIEND
Once upon a time in Thailand, deep within the dense forest, lived an elephant named Tony. He roamed freely, the majestic ruler of his domain.
One fateful day, the tranquility of Tony's forest was shattered by the ominous presence of elephant hunters. The air filled with tension as they launched their ruthless attack. Tony, quick-witted and agile, immediately fled, charging northward with astonishing speed. In his wake, a trail of fallen trees bore witness to his desperate flight.
Hours passed, and Tony's heart raced as he pushed forward. Exhausted and wounded, he stumbled upon a humble house nestled at the base of lush plantations. There, atop a sturdy rock, a man sat engrossed in his book.
As their eyes met, the man abandoned his reading and rushed to aid the distressed elephant. With gentle care, he tended to Tony's wounds, offering solace to the weary creature.
Having received the help he needed, Tony found comfort on the same rock where the man had been reading. In a peaceful moment under the shade, Tony closed his eyes, and the man, now beside him, resumed his reading, finding solace in the simple act of storytelling. Gonçalo, Frederico, Ricardo 11-9
THE TREASURE OF A MEANINGFUL FRIENDSHIP
In a far away land, there was a boy who loved to read. That 's why he would spend every day transporting himself into different time zones, people and places through his books. As a result, sometimes he would spend so much time reading that the boy's parents would be mad at him for investing so much time in books instead of studying. Despite these comments, he didn't care because he always did well in school and as he didn't have many friends he couldn't wait to go to his imaginary world where everything was possible and he just felt happy.
So on a really sunny day he had a big surprise when he saw an elephant. From that moment in time, the elephant just stood there listening while he was reading. One day the elephant just opened its mouth and started greeting him. At first the boy was really freaked out but then he started responding to the elephant. And they started having very long conversations about the books, until they became inseparable. That is when the boy realized he had made a friend for life and he would never feel lonely again! Rita 11-9
THE ELEPHANT AND THE BOY
Kayin lived in Botswana, in a village near the Okavango River Delta. Kayin's father was a forest guard of the elephant forest that has become an animal reserve. He often took him to the reserve, where Kayin liked to observe the elephants.
For Kayin, elephants were extraordinary and intelligent animals, despite the terrible reality that many had experienced before arriving at the reserve. Some had been kept in captivity, others were used as means of transport while others were enslaved in zoos and circuses.
One of Kayin's favourite elephants was a baby elephant whom he named Tebogo. Tebogo was two years old and had lost his mother. When he arrived at the reserve, he received a special necklace made by Kayin as a symbol of his friendship and a token for integration. Kayin sometimes read adventure books to Tebogo while resting on top of a rock.
However, one day everything changed, as a result of the actions of a group of hunters in search of ivory. Tebogo was captured and was never seen again. Kayin was heartbroken, and, as a consequence, he decided to work harder to defend animal rights and alert people to the dangers that poachers represent as well as to protect the wildlife of our planet. André, 11-10
THE DANGER OF A SINGLE TALIBAN
In this picture we are seeing an old man next to a little girl. In front of them there is a table with a weapon and two cups, that we suppose are filled with alcohol, and behind them there’s a wall full of hand prints.
This man is a Taliban who murders little Christian children, fighting for islamic rights, the Jihad. Due to his massive killing we can see the hands of his victims stamped on the wall, just to remind him and look at it as an achievement.
He captures the children that are playing in the playground and says:
- Hey little boy! Wanna have some fun?
Usually, they all agree, because they’re just innocent children, while this creepy old man takes advantage of that. He brings them into his house and first starts playing games with them, but then he pushes them into a room and tortures them before killing them.
The girl, despite loving her grandfather, is scared and wants to stop that appaling violence. She tries hard to find a solution, even though she knows her grandfather isn’t going to change, being as patriotic as he is.
- Please grandpa, stop with the suffering, it’s not their fault, they’re just innocent children with families too!
- I have to do this, it’s the way things are. I won’t stop until every single one of them is dead!
While they were talking, they saw something on TV:
- “Twenty-five children are missing and the police has started an international search.”
It was at that moment that they heard a knock on the door. Maria João, Mariana, Luciana 11-9
THE OVERSEAS TRAVELLER
Traveling was always a priority for Jack, he was never in the same place for too long. However, since he had received a letter he had been forced to stop for indeterminate time. That letter said that his grandmother had passed away and that was the only thing that was able to bring Jack back to his country, Cuba. Jack always said to people that asked him why he would never go there: «Don´t get me wrong , I love my country but I already know it well , and Cuba doesn't give me that adventurous and adrenaline feeling that the rest of the world gives me anymore». But there he was again , in the small little island that he calls home.
The first thing he thought when he landed was that he should meet his family to give them support. However, there was a small little voice in his head that led him to the docks. So there he did go. When he got there, he stopped to observe all the familiar little boats. But he noticed something or, in other words, someone different. There was an anchored boat with a girl in front of it staring at the horizon . He thought that he should leave but the way she was admiring the boats, the sea, the seagulls and the sky intrigued him. So, he went there to check on her. He walked carefully until he slowly approached her.
«Hi»- he said, trying to start a conversation. She looked at him but didn't answer. «Is everything okay ? I´ve never seen you here.»- he asked, a little bit confused. «I could say the same thing but yes everything is okay.» - she said without looking at him. «I´m Jack! I´m actually from here but I spent the past 3 years traveling the world and it's my first time here after I left.»-Jack added. « Good to know » - the girl answered. « Aren't you going to introduce yourself??» - Jack asked. « I don't need to »- And with that being said , the mysterious girl left without looking back leaving Jack there confused, staring at the horizon.
He never saw her again , and he really tried to. She left him curious and he spent the whole time he was on the island looking for her and asking around if people knew who she was or where she was but he didn't have much information. Now every single summer Jack goes back to Cuba hoping he will see her again. Some of the members of his family believe that the girl was actually sent by Jack´s grandma so he would go back to Cuba more often, and if that's true, it worked. Joana R. 11-8
LIFE AT SEA
Since when I was little, I've been in love with the sea, with the way waves form and how sea creatures move. As my father was a fisherman, he always showed me the wonders of the sea. We fished together and, sometimes, we remained in silence enjoying the view of the horizon. I remember every day how happy I was.
However, the night my father went fishing, so we could have dinner that night, he didn't come back. I still waited for him for two days on the pier just waiting for some miracle. But he never returned. I felt angry with the sea for taking my father away from me, and leaving me like I had never felt before, as if I were in a deep well, from which no one else could take me.
As I was the eldest daughter, I felt a responsibility to somehow find food and feed my mother and my two little brothers. So, still hurt by the sea, I refused to even set foot on a boat and walked to the city center every day to buy whatever food I could afford with the money I had. We lived off the small salary my mother received as a seamstress. It was little to pay for the house and almost nothing to pay for food.
I held on for three years, until I went to college and actually found a job that could support my family. We moved to the city and sold that old house near the sea where my best and worst memories were kept. My two brothers grew up and became successful entrepreneurs. I'm proud of them.
As years went by, my anger diminished and my passion for the sea resurfaced. In this period of my life, I went surfing every weekend and took my young children with me. I realized that the sea not only hurt me but also saved me. It helped me see the world the way I see it now. Better, more open-minded, real.
And here I am, finally alone, stepping onto a boat for the first time in years. And I feel like I used to in the good old childhood days.
I chose this picture because I actualy love the sea and I can say that for me the sea is a place to think, to have fun and to cry whenever you need it. Leonor 11-9
BEYOND THE HORIZON
A black-haired woman was standing on the bow of a lonely boat, looking out over a beautiful landscape. Her name was Isabella and she dreamed of exploring the world beyond the sea. Today, she finally decided it was time to set sail.
With determination in her eyes, Isabella adjusted the rudder and sailed towards the distant horizon, leaving her village behind. Her dreams guided her as she sailed into the unknown.
The sea breeze caressed her face as the boat made its way through the calm waters. Isabella felt a sense of freedom she had never experienced before. She knew the journey would be challenging, full of adventure and uncertainty, but she was determined to discover what lay beyond the horizon. As the sun rose in the sky, she knew that her destiny awaited her, waiting to reveal its secrets.
But now you wonder: what secrets? You'll only find out in the next story. Francisco 11-10
This photo shows a girl who wants to travel around the whole globe without a fixed destination. She’s alone and as a result she’s developing her skills by herself and setting her own goals like getting to know as many cultures as possible and improving her English.
So now she’s in Africa by a lake waiting to see some of the local fauna. In her adolescence she loved reading adventure books and that's why she wants to have the opportunity to make her own story. Today Marrocos, tomorrow Spain and Portugal and the next week... Who knows where fate will take her?! José 11-10
MELODY
For a long time, I was a sailor, part of a crew, working on a ship. My job was to manage the vessel's deck, I was a boatswain. We set out to sea every day, sometimes to catch fish, other times in desperation for adventure.
Although I was the only, girl me and the crew grew very close, we were like family. However, there was this one time when a girl named Merliah joined us for a few days. From the moment she got on board we became inseparable. She was quiet and mysterious, rather often made odd jokes about the ocean and fish. We were complete opposites but there was one thing we both had in common, our love for the ocean. We would talk about travelling and exploring all the five Seas together. We had everything planned.
But one day she just disappeared without a trace. I tried asking the other crew members if they had seen her but no one remembered her. They said no girl named Merliah had stepped on our ship. I moved on and buried her in my memory but my love for her never faded.
A few years later I had this one trip that completely changed my life. We went out looking for fish, as per usual, the tides were strong and the sky gray, but there was something in the atmosphere that felt different. Nevertheless, we got the ship ready and sailed far away into the Mediterranean Sea.
The first day at sea was really difficult. For some reason we were having trouble catching the fish, they were behaving differently. Although we couldn’t see anything, we could feel a presence in the water.
That same night, when everyone was asleep I heard something coming from faraway. Confused, I got up to check what it was. It was a full moon that night and the sky was filled with stars. The moonlight was striking the sea as the waves crashed onto the rocks.
In the distance a melody could be heard, someone humming a song I assumed. I got closer to the edge of the ship and was met with a striking scene. It was unlike anything I had ever seen, not even in my wildest dreams. Right before my eyes, a beautiful creature sat on a rock in the middle of the dark freezing ocean.
She sang a beautiful melody, with the most euphonious voice. Her skin was made from moonlight, pale and smooth. Her hair was long and resembled the ocean, blue and wet. She had an orange tail that reflected the luminous night light. Upon a closer look, I recognised an old friends face. Merliah. But she had a tail. I had read about mermaids before, but never truly believed them.
The music stopped, and I was met with her gaze. After getting lost in her eyes, I noticed a smile in the corner of her mouth and a hand, waving at me. I waved back not really sure of what I was seeing. We stared into each other’s lustful gaze for a little longer. It was like time had stopped in that moment her presence was everything I needed. I felt euphoric. She started singing one again, her voice music to my ears.
And as the music faded away, everything went dark. Once again I lost a piece of myself. The next day, I was woken up by one of the crew members, I lay in the middle of the ship, everyone’s confused eyes looking at me. I got up and started working on the vessels deck, wondering if what I had seen the night before was even real. Madalena M., 11-10