Literacy

Read our stories called SCREAM! These stories were a group effort. The students were given themiddle of the story and they had to write the beginning and the end.
 * toc

= = =SCREAM by The Diamonds = The sun was up early in the morning and we were playing rugby in the back yard. We kicked the ball high, so high it went over the fence onto the pathway where an old man came along and saved it. We zoomed out of the garden to get it. When we got there the old man told us a dramatic story. He said if we went up the mountain we would find treasure. We decided to seek the treasure and thanked the old man for the treasure map. The next day it was time to get moving to find the treasure. We were all excited. Mum drove us up the rocky mountain road. We liked the bumpy drive. It was like driving at fast speed over speed bumps. Just as we got to the top weird things began to happen. The river began crashing and flashing against the rocks. We started to feel terrified. “ Don ’ t look down! ” cried Aidan. “ Quick! Look at the River, Mum ” screamed Parina. As Mum looked the river began to flood the road.

We were going crazy with fear. The streams became rivers before our very eyes. Out of nowhere there was a noise. We couldn ’ t work out where the noise was from then we saw a crowd of people at the very top of the mountain surrounding a Temple. This was where the treasure was hidden- deep in the tunnels of the temple. Clearly other people had heard about the treasure too. As rocks began to fall we began to freak out. “ Go back! ” they said. “ Go back before it ’ s too late! ” But we carried on into the gloomy Temple, we had to complete our mission. We sneaked into the temple through the back door, unseen by the anxious crowd who were in a mad panic. Strangely, the inside seemed quiet after the panic of outside. We stood quietly, listening carefully for a sound.

All was quiet … too quiet! We waited. After what seemed like a long time, we crept forward and moved between the chairs and books all over the floor. We didn ’ t make a single sound as we floated towards the tomb at the back of the temple. Parina ’ s hand was resting on the big, cold handle of the door when the crazy, blood-chilling scream ripped through the air. It sounded like the cry of death.

As we tiptoed cautiously in the direction of the scream, shivers and chills ran down our spines. Was there a monster guarding the treasure? Was that the reason for the scream? Lota took the map out of her pocket. “ We need to get to the tomb and open it to get the treasure. ” She said. Junior was in a panic about the scream. “ I want to go home, ” he said, “ lets forget the treasure I ’ m scared. “ Pull yourself together Man ” said Rourutara. “ There ’ s nothing to be afraid of ” “ Oh yeh! What was that scream then? Sounds like somebody has had their flesh ripped out. That ’ s pretty scary. ” Junior decided he was going to stand and guard the exit of the temple whilst the others searched for the treasure.

As we looked around the temple and entered the next room Tevita screamed at the top of his voice. We all jumped out of our skins. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">“ That was loud as! <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">” snapped Rourutara. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">“ What <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">’ s wrong with you? ”  Tevita wiped his nose on his sleeve as he stuttered his response. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">“ There <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">’ s something crawling on my back and its slimy and tickles. ”  We all looked down and shone the torch on his back. It was nothing more than a common garden slug. Tevita was rocking like a little baby. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">“ Go back to the exit with Junior and we will find the treasure without you. We don <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">’ t need a scaredy cat baby like you. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">” ordered Parina. We went deeper into the temple and as we did it got darker and darker. There were strange noises all around us. None of us wanted to admit it but we were scared. Our knees were shaking and knocking. You could almost hear bone against bone. Just as we decided to continue on our mission there was another high pitched scream ripping through the building. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">“ Was that Tevita? <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">” asked Lota. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">“ I don <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">’ t know <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">” replied Aidan <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">“ but it sure is scary in here. Maybe we should just leave whilst we can- in one piece- alive ” We thought Aidan was going to chicken out too but he kept up with us as we silently crept along the side of the rough walls. Lota stumbled over yet more books thrown across the floor. We wandered about the significance of the books being all over the floor. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">“ Ouch <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">! That hurt, <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">” shrieked Rourutara as he jumped up and down in pain. We shone the dim torthlight on the ground where Rourutara and banged his foot. It was the tomb we were looking for. The tomb with the treasure inside. We felt very excited with our find. Rourutara tried to open the tomb but it would not budge. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">“ We need to work together <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">” said Grayson. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">“ If we all lift it together maybe we can open it. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">” After much effort the tomb finally lifted open. We shone the torch inside the tomb. Parina let out a blood chilling scream loud enough to be heard all through the temple. We were sure the walls had vibrated from the volume. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">“ That <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">’ <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'CSI Cream Source Inside'; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: 'CSI Cream Source Inside';">s not treasure! That <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">’ s just stupid books, <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">” cried Parina in disappointment as he picked one up and threw it across the floor. Parina stormed off in anger. We decided to check further into the tomb to see if the treasure was below all the books. Then it suddenly occurred to Lota that they were holding the treasure in their hands already. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">“ This is the treasure. The books are the treasure. Look at the blurb on the back of this one. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">‘ Read this book to travel anywhere in space and time, travel anywhere in the world, be anyone. Those who learn to read have real gifts. Treasure the gift. It is yours for life <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">’ The books are the treasures taking us into another world, <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ;">” exclaimed Lota. We packed our bags with as many of the books as we could and travelled back through the temple to find our friends. Parina was lost inside the temple somewhere- no doubt still angry. We explained everything to Junior and Tevita. There was no need to be afraid of the screams- they were merely screams of disappointment from other people who had gone in search of treasure.

Years later we still talk about the day we lost Parina and the day we discovered that true treasure is close to us. And still today we read the books we collected from the temple. =SCREAM BY THE HEARTS= Viliami was excited. It wasn’t often he got to invite his friends home but today was extra special because not only was I going to his house, I was sleeping over. To be honest we were both excited and looking forward to being spoilt with chocolate, popcorn, chips and chocolate fudge ice-cream. Every boys’ idea of heaven. We had a great time and Viliami’s Mum and Dad left us pretty much alone. They didn’t do the normal nagging and moaning that most parents do. But that’s when the fun ended. We had gone to bed happily and as I tried to sleep I heard Viliami softly snoring. Then there was silence except for the clicking of the cicadas outside the open window. It was one of New Zealand’s hottest nights- far too hot to close the doors and windows. Eventually I drifted off into a deep sleep dreaming of the candy we had eaten earlier. The alarm woke me up to a beautifully hot morning, but where was Viliami? All that was left in his room was a spot of blood on the window sill. As I looked outside I saw gigantic footprints deep in the soil with the occasional splatter of ruby red blood. Viliami’s parents were worried and panicking after the shock of discovering that Viliami had disappeared. Nervously, they phone the police who quickly put together a search party. As I was the first to uncover the footprints I joined in the search and led the team to an eerie temple which had been abandoned many years ago. No-one could get inside the temple. The noise outside started to escalate as the panic grew. I noticed a small broken window that I would be able to crawl through being the smallest in the crowd. I would go in it was decided. My job was to rescue my best friend Viliami. After much twisting and wriggling I managed to squeeze through into darkness of the temple. Strangely, the inside seemed quiet after the panic of outside. I stood quietly, listening carefully for a sound. All was quiet…too quiet! I waited. After what seemed like a long time, I crept forward and moved between the chairs and books all over the floor. I didn’t make a single sound as we floated towards the tomb at the back of the temple. My hand was resting on the big, cold handle of the door when the crazy, blood-chilling scream ripped through the air. It sounded like the cry of death. I took out a torch from my rescue pack. ready to search for clues that would lead me to Viliami. Did the scream scare me? No, it terrified me but I had to look for him. Just as I started to creep forward the battery in my torch went flat and I was in the middle of a spooky darkness. What should I do now? Should I go back or should I carry on and be a hero? What would Viliami do in my shoes? He would save me. <span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Blackadder ITC'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">I stood against the slimy wall not liking the cold damp feel of it but it was the only way to find where the doorway was. As I slowly moved around the room I felt things crunch and smash under my feet. I stumbled over books and upturned chairs. What had happened in this room? __ = __ SCREAM by the spades __=__

|| The sleepover was finally here. We had been playing hide and seek for two hours or more and it had been great fun but now we were worried because one of us was missing. How could this happen? The house isn’t that big that someone can vanish for more than ten minutes or so. Where was she? Where was Maria? We had almost given up looking when Leoni found a mysterious note. It floated gently from the letterbox and landed at her feet. She reached down to pick it up and read it aloud. “ This is your cute unknown love of your life. I have your friend. If you want to see her again you need to meet me at the temple at 7pm tonight. Don’t be late or she will be gone forever, for life!! Signed ??????” Who would do such a thing? Which one of us is brave enough to go and meet at the temple? Everyone backed out so it was left to me as this was my sleepover and I felt I should be in charge and responsible. Afterall Maria is my friend. At 6.30pm the sun had already set and I had to travel fast to reach the Temple in time. I hoped and prayed I would be ok and that Maria would be ok. I had brought the dog, Bruno, with me. He would protect me. If nothing else he was company on the journey. As the Temple came into view in the distance I began to panic. My heart was pounding hard like a rhinoceros stomping the ground. I thought it would pop out of my chest. I was shaking like an earthquake, fear bubbling up inside me like a volcano. Before I knew it I was at the gateway to the temple and I was no longer alone.

Surrounding the Temple was a crowd of worried people making a loud fuss. Why was everyone there? Where was Maria? Where could she be? Where was the mysterious man? What was he doing to my friend? The noise grew louder and louder until I could stand it no more. I had to get away from the crowds and find a way to get to Maria without wasting more time. I slipped past the angry citizens to the front door of the Temple. Pinned to the door was another note, once again on pink paper. I read it in anticipation and dread. “ I hope you had a disastrous trip- its going to get worse!” I heard a sudden click and the ground below me opened up and I dropped down, down, down.

The inside seemed quiet after the panic of outside. I stood quietly, listening carefully for a sound. All was quiet…too quiet! I waited. After what seemed like a long time, I crept forward and moved between the chairs and books all over the floor. I didn’t make a single sound as I floated towards the tomb at the back of the temple. My hand was resting on the big, cold handle of the door when the crazy, blood-chilling scream ripped through the air. It was the cry of death. Where oh where was Maria and how was I going to save her now? Maybe it was too late. I had a choice to make. I could stay and rescue my friend or I could make my escape now and save myself. I could be a hero or I could chicken out. I shivered as my enemy came into view in the dimly lit room. His razor sharp teeth clamped together with dribble oozing from his bloodsucking mouth. I tried to run but was frozen to the spot. I was too panicked. My feet were paralysed. I fainted. I do not know how long I had lain on the floor but I came to to the stench of foul, deadly breath warm on my cheeks and a hot tongue licking my face. Slowly I opened my eyes fearing for the worst. How lucky could I be? It was Bruno trying to bring me back to the land of the living. The monster had not been a monster at all but a trick of the light had made Bruno seemed monstrous and demonic. I wondered what the scream had been and what had happened to Maria. I still had to find her. I cautiously tiptoed through the temple with Bruno at my side sniffing out trouble. All of a sudden he began to get agitated by the large metal door. Could Maria be on the other side? Warily I tried the handle. It turned with a squeak and opened with a loud creek. I peered around the door. There was Maria. She was sitting in a chair with tears falling from her large brown eyes like a waterfall tumbling from the cliffs. Just behind her stood a stranger. Was this the mystery writer? He looked normal to me. Not scary at all. Could this be where the scream had come from? As I crept forward Maria spotted me. “Hi there. Fancy seeing you here. You found me then? “ I pretty cool hiding place don’t you think?” I looked at Maria as she introduced her brother who was in on the trick. Maria thought it would be funny to see how long it would take to find her. Her brother had left the mystery notes for us as clues. I sat down with relief. Did Maria know how frightened I had been? Did she know how close I had come to leaving her in the temple by herself to perish? I told Maria and her brother Mano the whole long story about her rescue. “Oh my gosh! Did you really brave all this thinking I was in danger?” asked Maria. I silently nodded too exhausted to speak. “What a true friend you are. You are my hero even though I wasn’t in danger” said Maria. “True friends are there no matter what.”

=Scream by the Clubs=

It was one of New Zealand’s hottest summer days and I was out camping in the woods on the North Shore with my friends. We had the family dog with us- a cross between a bulldog and a poodle. Have you ever seen a short fat bulldog with frizzy hair the colour of daffodils, who is as yellow bellied as the biggest scaredy cat ever. Inspite of the heat we were walking the dog through the forest. He had more energy than any of us and bolted towards a building in the distance. Naturally we ran after him not showing as much energy as he did as we were somewhat tired. Eventually we caught up with Sparky who was sniffing and digging suspiciously near the rear of the building. Out of nowhere there came a weird noise. We listened carefully to identify the mysterious sound. It was like a loud hum. We tiptoed quietly and gradually towards the sound at the front of the building. As we turned the corner of the building we saw what seemed to be hundreds of people weeping and blubbering. We could not understand what was happening. I wanted to know what had happened. I found someone who was looking sad and after much questioning I established that the children in the village had gone missing over the past year. The villagers believed that the demon had kidnapped their children. They needed a saviour to rescue them from the temple. Unfortunately no one was courageous enough. After much discussion my friends and I decided I would enter the temple to rescue the children. Cautiously I entered. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Chiller; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; msoansilanguage: EN-NZ; msospacerun: yes;"> “Go back!” they said. “Go back before it’s too late!” But I carried on into the gloomy night, I had to complete my mission. Strangely, the inside seemed quiet after the panic of outside. I stood quietly, listening carefully for a sound. All was quiet…too quiet! I waited. After what seemed like a long time, I crept forward and moved between the chairs and books all over the floor. I didn’t make a single sound as I floated towards the tomb at the back of the temple. My hand was resting on the big, cold handle of the door when the crazy, blood-chilling scream ripped through the air. It was the cry of death. As I tiptoed cautiously in the direction of the scream, shivers and chills ran down my spine. I looked back as the door slammed behind me. If only it wasn’t so lonely being the rescuer. I continued forward in the direction of the noises coming from deep in the temple. I needed to get a plan of action. I couldn’t just ask the beast to let the children go. I sat on the cold hard floor thinking what to do next. One half of me said to go on and kill the beast with my camp knife, which was in my sock. The other half was screaming for me to get out before I too became a prisoner. After some thought I decided to go on with the adventure. I held the knife in my hand ready to strike out. I felt my way along the dark room until I came to a heavy door. With all my strength I started to pull the door. You wouldn’t believe the enormous creak that echoed through the temple as a loud voice boomed in my ears. “Kids hide. The enemy is here!” I was shocked to see the beast crying as all the children scattered across the room looking for hiding places. The beast although ugly to look at with his crusty dry skin flaking everywhere did not appear frightening. How could he when he was sobbing his eyes out? I looked at his hands as he raised them to protect his eyes from the light. They were twisted and gnarled like the branches of old trees. I realised that instead of attacking me he was afraid of me. I was the monster here. He was not what I had expected. Yes he looked strange and unusual but he was not acting in a monstrous way. As I looked around I saw that the children were all circling me, telling me to leave the unfortunate creature in front of me alone. How mistaken had I been? How mistaken was the crowd outside? Suddenly one of the older children spoke out. “What do you want with us here?” I was surprised by the question. Did they not realise they had been kidnapped? Did they not see that I had come to rescue them? “We do not need to be rescued. We are not trapped. This is not a monster. This is Fred and he has looked after us well. We did not want to leave because if we did Fred would be captured by the villagers and treated unfairly because of the way he looks. We are only children but we know that just because someone looks different it does not make them bad people. The adults in the village were mean to Fred and banished him from the village. We will only return if Fred can live happily in the village too. I had not expected the roar of agreement from the children as they circled closer and closer to me. It was not the “demon’ I needed to be afraid of but the children who were forming an angry mob. I agreed that I would go and speak to the people of the village if the children agreed to come out and live normal lives. I assured the youngsters that Fred would be able to rejoin the society and live peacefully if that was the reason he had been banished to live all alone. I left the Temple feeling that I could bring the sadness and loneliness to an end for everyone. 4 days later I visited the village with my friends before we packed up the camping gear to go home. The adults in the village had been taught a valuable lesson by the younger generation. Fred was finally accepted, warts and all, and was now judged by the good content of his heart and not by his unusual looks and appearance. My adventure was over and I was the hero. I too had learnt a lesson from the children. || ||