His breath rattled, her heart raced. “Where is that Manticore?” wondered Lola.

“ROOOAAARRRRR!” A deafening noise crashed through the forest.

“There he is!” Lola said, gripped with fear. She stood there pondering whether he would eat her but only for a split second because a hand grabbed her shoulder and dragged her into the bushes.

“Don’t move a muscle,” hissed Jack quietly. Everything went silent.

“Where did they go?” Lola heard in a low voice coming from the Manticore’s direction.

She sneezed loudly. “Oops,” she murmured.

“I hate you!” Jack said angrily, “If we get killed tonight Lola, just remember, it was all your fault.”

The Manticore, still puzzled as to where the children were, sat down next to a nearby tree and waited. A tear slowly trickled down his furry cheek. Watching from the bushes Jack said, “Interesting, something’s not right.” But before Lola had a chance to answer she was grabbed by a soft squishy padded paw.

“Get off me you creep!” she growled. The Manticore slowly stroked her hair and put her down, then it ran off into the trees.

“What was that?!” Jack said quizzically.

“Dad used to stroke my hair like that…” said Lola dreamily. “Hey, my hair clip is missing!”

“Which one? You have loads!” Jack sneered. Lola gave Jack a piercing look.

“The one shaped like a golden leaf.” replied Lola, lost in her own thoughts.

“You mean the one dad gave you?” Jack remembered out loud.

“Yes! He even told me how he found it. It was in a forest, a forest just like this…”

A cold shiver crawled down their spines as a gust of wind passed by. Tall, hollow trees shook and shuddered. They slowly trudged along the crispy path, autumn leaves covering the ground. Suddenly a deep voice growled; Jack and Lola clambered up a tree like squirrels being chased by a large predator. Having reached the top, they took a glimpse at the foot of the tree. There he was, the hideous Manticore circling the massive oak tree, with his tail slapping against the bark.

“Come down here Jack and Lola! I know you’re up there,” snarled the Manticore, “If you don’t come down, I’ll come up to get you.”

Startled, they were unable to answer; they did not know what to do. The vicious Manticore was cautiously prowling around the bottom of the hollow oak tree. Lola and Jack were petrified. They slowly edged further up the tree until the Manticore’s hairy head was out of sight.

Without warning, the tree was struck by the creature’s enormous, venomous tail. The branch that they had been gripping snapped. Luckily, Jack managed to grasp another as he fell, but Lola tumbled out of the tree onto the Manticore’s scaly tail. Jack was horrified. For one fleeting moment he thought the beast would devour her there and then, but unexpectedly he began to croon softly:

 “I was captured by the demon – Raymon is his name.

If you do not help me, you’ll have only yourselves to blame.

Help me, help me – I’m really not bad.

Help me, help me – I am your dad.

 

Do not be afraid, listen carefully.

Go to the den and you will see.

The demon that has captured me.

Help me, help me – set me free.

 

The den is white, green and black.

Don’t touch the clock – it will take you straight back!

Use the hair-clip; it has immense power,

But make sure you use it within the next hour.”

 

At that moment, Jack’s memories began flooding back, enveloping him in the past. He remembered being transported to this mythical land, full of strange and deadly creatures, by the enchanted spider’s web.

Dad had been missing for an entire week and the family were worried sick. To help around the house, Jack and Lola collected firewood from the forest at the bottom of their garden. While they were out they came across a magnificent spider’s web, which had been spun between two pine trees. Attracted by the glistening dewdrops suspended from the threads of the web, they reached out to touch it. That was when they found themselves plummeting down a portal, arriving in this world.

Dragging his thoughts back to the present, Jack’s instinct told him that he must save Lola. Gingerly, he climbed down the monstrous oak towards the waiting Manticore who, gripping Lola tightly in his muscular tail, scurried towards a nearby pond. Jack followed. The creature beckoned him over and Jack, perplexed, obeyed. As he approached, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the water, as well as Lola’s. However, instead of the Behemoth’s reflection, there in its place, was Dad’s!

Jack now understood that all that his father had said was true.

“Lola, it’s true! It really is Dad.”

Hearing this, the Manticore loosened his grip on Lola and she scrambled off his tail to lovingly wrap her arms around his neck. Jack and Lola beamed. That was when they realised there was one problem – how were they ever going to free him from the demon’s curse … and all within one hour?

Circling the Manticore, the children pondered over what to do next. “Let’s find the beast that did this to me,” growled the man-eating predator. The wind howled as Jack and Lola raced over the vast mountains and lakes of the mythical land, heading for the demon. They came across a graceful, golden Griffin.

“I can help you on your journey as long as you turn me back into a human too. First we need to go to the witch’s cabin in the middle of the forest,” he explained eagerly.

Exhausted, they reached the mysterious cabin and peered inside. The warty witch was creating bubbling potions. She spotted them through the cracked window and cackled, “It’s not me you’re after. You need to travel two hundred steps to the west in order to discover the demon’s lair. But be prepared, for Raymon is clever with many traps.”

Two hundred steps later, Lola noticed the entrance to an enchanted cave. Gingerly, Jack, Lola and the manticore, who the children believed to be their father, crept deep into the mysterious cave. As they apprehensively turned a corner, they saw a shadow. The mysterious shadow was moving closer. Blinded by a dazzling white light, the Griffin was the first to identify the glistening pattern of a spider’s web. Dangling off the end of one fine thread was a stealthy spider. Without warning, he hurled a silk thread towards Lola, imprisoning her within his woven creation and they both dissolved into the darkness. All that they heard was a whisper echoing around the cave:

 

If you want sweet Lola back,

You must follow my uneasy track.

 

For I have so many webs,

But you have two tiny legs.

 

Join my world and you will see,

It is not easy being me.

 

Quivering with fear, Jack looked hopelessly towards his lion-like father.

“What is this hair clip that the hairy beast spoke of?” asked the Griffin curiously.

“Lola’s hair clip that father discovered in this magical forest,” Jack replied.

“I saw a shining golden leaf-shaped hair clip on a rusty shelf in the witch’s cabin!” insisted the griffin.

“Our only chance to break the demon’s curse and liberate father and Lola is to return to the witch’s cabin and reclaim what is rightfully ours!”

Jack, the Griffin and the Manticore, which they believed was their father raced off to the hag’s cabin to claim what was rightfully theirs, the golden hairclip!

“Come on guys we really need to finish this job before time runs out!” Jack exclaimed.

They ran as fast as they could back to the hag’s shack. As they arrived, they heard the witch cackle loudly. She had a potion brewing on the stove which smelt of dead rats, toenails and putrid fares.  Outside her crumbling house, the Manticore peered through the dusty window.

“Look!” screeched the Manticore.

“Shhh! She might hear us,” said Jack angrily.

“I’ve got plan” hissed Jack.

When the plan was finally decided, they put it to the test. Jack scrambled across the crispy golden leaves towards the mould encrusted window. He then began to bang loudly against cracked glass. At that moment, the glistening Griffin smashed his huge clawed paws straight through the ancient door.

“STOP!” yelled the Griffin.

“NEVER!” cackled the evil hag, in a voice that sent electrical prickles down Jack’s back.

Suddenly, as if from nowhere, Jack barged through the inadequate window. As he did so, the hag wobbled, and then fell backwards, unable to sustain her balance. Unluckily, she fell in to an enormous pot of boiling liquid. There was a big splash and a bloodcurdling scream emerged from the bottom. Then there was silence. No one moved, no one dared to speak. Jack arose from the ground shocked and bewildered at what he had just done. He went to collect the golden leaf shaped hair clip from the extremely dusty shelf. Still no one spoke. They were dumbstruck.

“We’d better go,” murmured the Griffin at last.

And so they set off to the deep dark woods.

They hurried back to the enchanted cave so they could trade the hair clip for Lola and change the manticore and the griffin back into humans. The three of them entered the dark, damp cave looking for the spider. “Where is the spider and Lola?” whispered Jack

“I have no idea but maybe we should follow the silk thread” the Griffin replied.

The Manticore and Griffin strode forward, Jack always staying behind. When they arrived at the enormous twinkling spider web, a voice seemed to speak out to them from behind the seemingly never-ending walls. It said,

 

You must place the leaf on the web

And your friend will be free of the dread

But this is not an easy job

As my spider will make you sob.

 

Suddenly a spider leapt down from the dripping ceiling.

“AAAAGGGHHH!”  screamed Jack, almost leaping out of his muddy leather boots. The griffin lurched forward and attacked the gargantuan arachnid. As he did so, he threw the hair clip to Jack who nearly dropped it in his shock. He ran as fast as his legs would take him, he felt like he was flying. Jack leapt at the web and pinned the now bent clip to it. There was a blinding flash, and out came Lola. As he looked back to the manticore, he noticed it was changing into a handsome man with glistening brown eyes.

“Dad!” shouted Lola. Although something was wrong. Everyone looked at the Griffin expecting him to change from the creature into a human again. However, the Griffin hadn’t changed.

The Griffin opened its mouth and out came a much unexpected sound. “Ring, Ring!” It sounded like an alarm clock.

“Lola, get yourself out of bed, you have 5 minutes to get ready for school” called her bearded father.

Lola hurried down the stairs and into her father’s car. Jack was listening to his favourite music while staring out of the window. Could this have all been a dream she wondered?

As their father parked outside of the school, he stopped Lola. “Honey, I picked up something for you, I think you will like it” he said softly. It was then that their father gently passed her a beautiful, golden hairclip that was slightly bent. “Have a great day sweetheart!”

Lola gazed into the rear-view mirror, she could have sworn that she saw the reflection of the Manticore gazing back at her. Clutching her new golden hairclip, she made her way into school.

by Year 5 pupils from East Sheen, St Edmund’s, Darell and The Russell primary schools

A rumour continued to grow, it leapt from each classroom to another, going into the children’s minds and not coming out. It was no ordinary rumour, it wasn’t about anyone and it really wasn’t about anything. However we knew the truth.

There were many graveyards scattered in our area, but there was one particular one that everyone seemed to be obsessed with so I went to take a look. It was deserted. How could this graveyard cause so much fascination?

I stopped. I stared. I had just spotted something move. Stone silence covered me and everything else around. I dropped right down to my knees; my head was spinning with my mind bobbing. What was this?

I had fallen into a deep, deep trance. When I awoke, the next thing I knew was that the sky was ocean blue mixing and twirling with the blood red clouds. They were guarding the sun as if it were pure gold. I smiled to myself and that’s when I noticed water was filling my ears and then my mouth. I screamed. There was no one else around. Suddenly my screams turned to muffled cries and bubbles. I was slowly sinking. My face and all four limbs stung like hell. I shut my eyes. I could feel my body filling up with water. I reopened my eyes; I could only see rocks and blue. Struggling, I started to try and break free. It was useless; the harder I tried to break free, the faster I went down. I could have sworn to God my heart stopped for more than ten minutes under there.

Cautiously, I looked down to discover that the slimy tail of an evil serpent was dragging me down by my legs. My eyes were filled with horror, my heart filled with fear. The more I struggled, the tighter it pulled; the hideous sea creature was pulling me under. My breath got thinner and thinner as I sunk closer to the deep, dark sea bed. As my lungs overflowed with water, I managed to grab a piece of flint. I hurled it with all my might at the horrific beast of terror. Blinded, the serpent released my legs and slunk back into the watery darkness.

Everything was still. I couldn’t stop thinking about my parents, wondering what had happened to me. Was this the rumour everyone was talking about? Pulling myself together, I started swimming for survival towards dry land.

I scampered onto an island and found myself surrounded by totem poles and spears. My emotions were tangled; the euphoria of survival was overwhelmed by the thought of spears being pierced into my poor, innocent heart. However all was silent, not a soul could I see. I scurried away from these tools of terror, further into this mysterious deserted place. The palm trees shaded me like umbrellas, weird and wonderful fruit hanging from the tropical trees.

I was starving, but the only food around was figs and coconuts. Suddenly, to my amazement, the eyes of my best friend Ben greeted me with his welcome presence…
“Boy am I happy to see you!” I exclaimed, embracing him like a long-lost friend. I felt so relieved that I had company. My mind was full of urgent questions that just had to be answered; but where to start. Eventually, after a lot of thought, I went for the most obvious starting point…

“Where are we?” I managed to stutter, throwing down a palm leaf I had picked up.
With his eyebrows raised and a wide grin across his face, he replied sarcastically, “On an island, silly!”

I was surprised that he could be so relaxed about the situation.

We sat down and he began telling me about how he too was curious about the graveyard and how he too was almost killed by the scaly serpent. Then, with a look of confusion on his face, he turned to me and said, “Then my phone started ringing… and the hideous beast left me alone.”

“But why are we here? Who has brought us to this place?” I blurted out impatiently, unable to contain myself.

Before Ben could answer, I let my eyes wander over to the nearest palm tree and spied some deep claw marks on its trunk. Seeing what I had focused on, he looked at me knowingly, and in a low voice whispered, “Hybrid creatures!” As he said those words, his whole body shivered, from his head to his toes.

The blank expression on my face told him that I had no clue what he was talking about.

“They’re hideous creatures,” he continued, “which are half-human and half-animal. I’ve seen wolf-people, tiger-people and shark-people, with razor-sharp claws and teeth. What’s more, they smell foul; worse than a rubbish dump. From what I understand, they are catching us in order to make us like them. We’re the only two who have managed to escape. The others have been captured and are being kept in a dark cave on the other side of the island,” he explained, breathlessly.

After he had finished, I looked at him in horror; my face had turned a shade of pale, like a ghost. Finally, I composed myself, “We need a plan to save the others and get us out of here!” At that moment, from behind us, we heard an ear-piercing scream…

“Creepy, eh?” Ben joked, trying to scare me. Silently, we turned to march up the steep dunes on the beach towards a palm tree. As we trampled through the hot sand, we saw two skulls in the shade of the tree.

“Ben,” I whispered, “we have to help these poor prisoners.”

Slowly he nodded as I looked around, scanning the beach for any movement. “Let’s get out of here,” I whispered. “This place is giving me the creeps; I feel like I’m being watched…”

We headed towards the jungle, noticing a trail of skulls disappearing into the thick undergrowth. Silently we agreed to follow it. Still I felt uneasy, like we were being watched.
“Scared aren’t you, John?” Ben nudged me with his elbow but tripped over a vine covered skull.

As I watched Ben on the ground, his legs tangled in the vine, a hand appeared. I screamed in terror.

“That sounds like the one we heard earlier,” a girl remarked, appearing from the forest undergrowth. “Are you OK?” she asked me.

I looked at the girl standing in front of me; she looked like she was in her early teens. She was the same height as us, with clear blue eyes and hair as red as fire. A boy appeared behind her, dressed in black.

“Who are you?” I gasped.

“I’m Annie and he’s Tom,” said the girl, pointing to the boy behind her.

“We were prisoners,” explained the boy, “but we managed to escape.”

“You have to help us,” begged the girl, “We were lucky and got away, but our friends are still trapped. Please, oh please say you’ll help us.”

I looked at Ben feeling uneasy about the situation. He however, seemed to be more trusting. I tapped his shoulder and nodded for a private moment.

Ignoring my request, Ben snorted, “Come on John. Stop being such a baby. We haven’t got time for this!” He turned to the boy and the girl.

“You guys know where the cave is? The one they’re keeping everyone prisoner in? Can you take us there?”

“Yeah, it’s easy,” grunted the boy. “All you have to do is follow the skulls.” My stomach sank. Without a word, he started walking away. Quickly we followed.

Eventually the skulls stopped and the cave seemed to appear out of nowhere, but there was no guard or sign of the hybrids, and I wondered if it was a trap. The others ran for the entrance.

“Get some wood for a torch,” Ben called out.

I ran towards the nearest tree I could find, desperate for some twigs when I heard another scream. I ran back as quick as a flash to see Ben, unconscious, being dragged across the floor by a hybrid creature. I looked around in panic for Annie and Tom but they were nowhere to be seen. I noticed a pile of torn clothes near the mouth of the cave; I couldn’t make sense of it all. All I could hear was the never-ending pumping of my heart.

“There you are,” said a familiar voice behind me. I sighed with relief at the sound of Tom’s voice. Slowly I turned around…

….but there was nobody there. The wind whispered again, “there you are, come, come, I need you to help me.”

An icy chill crept down my spine. Where was this mysterious voice coming from? All of a sudden a strong gale rushed passed me like a buffalo stampede. The wind was now growling those haunting words louder and louder. I panicked. I wanted to go home; I’d even go back to school and never complain about homework again. Quickly, I covered my ears with my hands and squeezed my eyes shut. “Make it go away!” I cried repeatedly. The earth moved from below me and everything started spinning again. I was falling harder and harder, faster and faster until I was back in the graveyard.

I started to get up when suddenly I saw a swarm of ferocious hybrids lurking in the undergrowth. I wanted to hide before they spotted me but it was too late. The church bells started to chime and all of a sudden hundreds of hybrids surrounded me. “I must get away,” I thought frantically. I bolted like lightning towards the rusty gate as the decaying gravestones passed by. I looked behind me and I could just make out the shape of thousands of sinister hybrids chasing me. I started panting heavily until I lost track of where I was running to. Suddenly I tripped on a vine and it coiled itself around my leg like a green snake. I plummeted to the bottom of an unfinished grave bumping my head on the way and immediately I was plunged into darkness…….

Slowly I opened my eyes and surveyed my surroundings thinking I was alone. However I was wrong. A crowd of weeping people in black were gathered together around a coffin. I realised a funeral was taking place. As I edged over I noticed that the crowd of people were familiar. A lady in black wept mournfully, “Oh poor John he was so young.” As soon as I heard my name I realised it was my own funeral. I ran over, touched my father on his shoulder and he gently turned around. Then he froze. “Who are you? Why are you at my son’s funeral? Where are you from” he exclaimed. By now all eyes were fixed on me. I tried to speak but all that came out was a groan. What had become of me?

by Year 5 pupils from East Sheen, Trafalgar Junior, Sheen Mount, St John the Baptist and St. Osmund’s primary schools

The clouds closed together. The dark night came and the bright day passed. Silence fell. Trudging forward, slipping back into the drifts, it felt like time was paused, everything was still. The horizon was deserted I knew I was alone; I knew it, I tasted it, no other humans nearby, only nature. Carried on the wild, whistling wind I could hear the howling of wolves coming louder and louder, closer and closer, scarier and scarier.

Slowly the sun rose. The immense silence broke. I stared back at the mile long tracks…Frozen stiff from the bitter arctic cold, the blanket of snow freezing the earth slowly started to melt. Winter had been as long and as cold as the neglected, snow covered field.
Now I could see the dazzling blue sky; the blackness of shadows and glaring moon were finally gone. As far as the eye could see, pleated hills and crouching skeletal trees dominated the skyline, a sea of white extended in all directions. There was no break, no relief.

As dawn broke icicles glistened as if scattered with diamonds and sapphires. Glittery white snowflakes gently floated, harmoniously dancing pirouettes through the snow laden trees. Was it safe? Was it now time to make a move?

The darkness scattered and fell upon me as the moon mysteriously glared at me. I could feel someone, or something, breathe fiercely on my neck. My heart began to pound in my chest and my hands began to tremble. I thought I saw a dark shadow dash past me wearing a velvet cloak…. Was I mistaken? I felt the urge to begin to run, and that’s exactly what I did. I ran faster than the wind – taking no glances back at the unknown creature that I had felt. The wind wasn’t blowing; however the trees were swaying back and forth. What could it be?

The dark spruce trees leant over and stared at me with tensed leaves as I started to run. Through the snow I went with all my might, the wind howling like a wolf. I had to find shelter fast.

The snow was freezing and my lips were frosted shut. As I ran I stumbled on something shimmering in the snow. I pulled on it and dusted the snow off it and it turned out that it was a knight’s shield, well hidden in the soft snow. Within the trees and bushes I could sense that bold beady eyes were glaring at me. I could feel the shadow I had seen before seep towards me and I began to tense up! I was filled with fear.

“Hello,” whispered a dark voice. The fear gripped me tighter.

“Where are you?” I replied, not daring to raise my head.

“Right behind you,” said the voice. Slowly, cautiously I turned around. There, standing right behind me was a creature. Set within his devilish head were green, gleaming eyes and a sinister scar that linked his left chewed ear and his mouth.

I picked up the shield and held it close to me. My heart was racing. I ran as fast as I could, but stumbled and tripped. Looking down I saw a sword poking out of the snow, the markings on the sword matched that of the shield. Maybe, just maybe the sword and the shield belonged together.

As I reached down to pick up the sword, there was a threatening growl and the creature leapt towards me. Desperately, I held the sword and shield in front of my face. A deep hum filled the icy air and the beast, hearing it, let out an ear splitting roar and pounced. I swung the sword. All of a sudden, a fierce light pierced through the clouds above which reflected off the sword and blinded the creature. A protective, transparent bubble appeared around me; I could no longer feel the freezing cold wind against my frosted face. I rubbed my eyes. Was I dreaming?

I started floating into the air- higher and higher. Apprehensively I glanced below; the grotesque monster lay on the ground crying in agony. I was free.

Suddenly I heard a tremendous roar and the bubble shuddered. A blinding green light reflected off its transparent film. Struggling to decipher what was happening below I willed the bubble to continue its journey upwards. Horrified I realised the light was coming from the creature’s eyes – he was alive!

As I stared down at the blanket of snow below the beast rose to his clawed feet and dashed towards the tree. Clambering upwards his razor sharp claws gripped the white arms of the trembling tree. Up and up he climbed, closer and closer.

My nightmare reached out and caught the edge of the bubble with his pointed talons. I fell to the icy ground. My heart was pounding. The ground began to shake and the sky turned pitch black. In the distance I could make out mysterious outlines. Creatures came sprinting towards me. I was now surrounded. I reached for my sword- it was gone…I reached for my shield- it was gone.

Desperately, I searched for something to defend myself with. In this forsaken landscape, there was nothing. Nothing at all. Hunched over me was the despicable beast with the mysterious figures visible in the distance. I would have to act fast, as the army of creatures was quickly approaching. I rolled sideways and hauled myself up with all my remaining strength. Time to run! Struggling forwards, every step I took my feet sunk deep in to the vast sea of snow. Behind me the ravenous beast and its followers let out a hungry cry in unison! The piercing sound of jeopardy echoed.

Determination pulsed through me, as I clambered forwards. Taking a glance back, glowing with rage were the beast’s green eyes fixed upon me. Razor sharp teeth were bared in its drooling mouth. It surged forwards. All of a sudden, with its spiked talons it swiped at my ankle. Screaming in agony, I fell to the ground. Pain flowed up my leg and blood gushed, turning the once bright white snow to red.

I let out a yelp of agony. Stooped over me was the creature and the other brutes were now within metres. Accepting my inevitable fate, I closed my eyes. My last sight was of the troop of monsters advancing forwards. I squeezed my eyes tight. I clenched my fists. My body was tensed. As I braced myself for the next blow, I heard roars and yelps and then a thunderous thump, which shook the ground. I had resigned myself to the horror of death but seconds had passed and still no further attack. I peeked out of the corner of one eye. Lying dead on the ground was the despicable demon. How could this be?

Feeling weak and exhausted, my eyes fell shut. In my daze I could just make out the sound of deep, gruff voices speaking in an incomprehensible language. I felt myself gently lifted from the ground and placed on a soft, padded surface. With all the energy I could muster I squinted out of one eye to see that these monsters were preparing to pull me on a sled. I was still alive but was I safe?

by Year 5 pupils from Stanley, Trafalgar Junior, Heathfield Junior, Darell, and Buckingham primary schools

Have you ever been in a queue for so long that you feel like falling asleep? Well I have. I’ve been in this queue for 2 hours waiting to ride it – the sensational hot air balloon. As I step up to the platform, I tell myself, “This is it; this is my dream becoming a reality.”

I’m Jim and throughout my childhood I have dreamed of becoming a hot air balloon racer. I can picture myself clutching my gleaming gold medal in my scorched hands, an inferno of fireworks bursting above my head to celebrate my triumph. Could this be my chance?

My heart pounds like a drum. I put one foot into the basket and then another. I suddenly hear the roar and crackle of a raging fire above my head. My feet are no longer on the ground… I feel free but I also feel small. It is overwhelming, my stomach is churning and I am both light-headed and jubilant.

I look up but the sun and sapphire blue sky is blocked out by a vivid rainbow of airborne wonders; emerald green, ruby red, cornflower blue and amber orange spheres, which are gliding swiftly along with the breeze. Rapidly my balloon advances along with the vibrant competition into the downy white cotton-candy clouds, which waltz above us like dancing sheep.

Below me, a town in miniature; I see an array of buildings spreading across the distant landscape. Fields stretched out like patchwork rugs, surrounded by fir trees standing as still as soldiers.

Silence all around, interrupted only by the burner bursting into life like a vicious dragon’s roar.

Out of the shadowy clouds, gusty winds usher us forward. Catching the thermal waves our balloon soars powerfully higher and higher with the determination to win, sailing forward like a tuna speeding through the water. Up and up, a sudden gust of warm air blows us into second place; this must be my best race ever. I can’t believe that my dream is being fulfilled… it’s exhilarating!

Moments later, I hear a tremendous bang! Could it be thunder? Instantly, I am reminded of a time when ballooning wasn’t so easy…

I look up and realise what has happened. The bang wasn’t thunder, but my cranky, old burner has broken. The flame is out. I try to light it but it won’t work. I blow away the grey, crusty dust and I try again, but it’s no use. I’m gradually losing altitude and I feel like all hope has gone. My dream of winning the race is over. How could this happen?

I slowly drift down and the other balloons are getting further away. The sound of their roaring burners is becoming fainter and fainter. It sounds as though they are laughing at me.

I am alone, stranded in the sapphire sky, and all I can do is cry. I feel a cold, shiny tear roll down my cheek. I reach into my pocket for some tissues but I feel something else… a matchbox. Yes! I can reignite the burner. I am suddenly filled with hope.

My hand snatches the box and pulls out a match. I strike it on the box and a flicker of fire pops out. I reach up and put it to the old, rusty burner until I feel heat sweep over my face. It worked! My hand has lit a gold, glowing fire and I see the beautiful colours of amber, rose, sunflower and buttercup. I’m back in the race, although I’m last.

I sail high into the crystal-clear blue sky, flying above the clouds. Hearing the sweet tunes of the birds fills my ears with music. The air is flying into my eyes and weaving through my hair. It is truly amazing being a hot air balloon racer.

The feeling of being back in the race is overwhelming. My desire to win grows incomprehensibly stronger. I quiver at the thought of it so badly that I accidently jerk the balloon to the right. After that incident, I decide to think of something else and focus on the race ahead.

Surging forward, I glance up at the darkening sky. Night is coming. Ahead I can see the other balloons being swallowed by the enveloping gloom. Even though I am last, I know that I am gaining. They are getting closer.

I reach up and grasp the handle that controls the fire above my head. I release more flame and can hear the flames cracking and roaring. I soon find myself racing past the others. The array of colours blur past my eyes: ruby, amber, emerald and sapphire. My eyes light up. I whisper quietly to myself, “Yes, this is it. I might be able to make my dream come true.”

Taking a breath, I breathed in the hot air as I found myself in fourth place. I could feel my heart pounding. My hands, wet with sweat, grasped the matches nervously. I was gaining, I just knew it. But would I still have time?

Charging on ahead, the finish line was in sight. Like a multi-coloured bullet I darted onwards for first place.

Unexpectedly, time seemed to freeze as the enveloping gloom drew closer. My worst fears materialised. A storm was approaching. A cloak of darkness suffocated the sky around us. The once iridescent clouds violently crashed above the balloon in front. Of all days, why today? Without any warning a sickening feeling turned my stomach into knots.

A sudden flash of light descended from nowhere. It had struck my competitors balloon. Air cascaded from the inside of the balloon leaving an empty torn wreck in its place. Immediately I knew I had to act.

As I approached the balloon flashes of flames chewed on the wicker basket below. I pulled my balloon up alongside the flames. Any minute now it would give way and a fellow competitor would lose their life. Something had to be done. Tensely I dragged him to the safety of my balloon.

Suddenly a tornado swallowed up my fellow competitor basket. Rotating violently into the eye of the storm. The clouds were advancing right for us. The finish line was only in an arm’s reach. What should I do? Should I risk my life or not? Although my head was yelling go on, my heart was screaming help. The next minute was a blur.

The next moment I remember I was being awarded a medal for courage and bravery. Coincidently it was carved as a hot air balloon and coated with gold.

I guess winning isn’t everything.

by Year 5 pupils at Stanley, Trafalgar Junior, Lowther, Heathfield Junior and Buckingham primary schools