Tate's World
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Meredith Kariuki, Grade 7
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Short Story
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2014
As Tate slid down her branch, the enthusiastic forest fluttered in the morning breeze. She waved hello to the blushing vine-flowers, smiled at the emerald dragonfly, and bowed gratefully at the golden sun. Tate tiptoed to the water’s edge. She stared down at her reflection, wondering what was to come. To her, every day seemed like an adventure. A wavelet lapped to the sand, challenging her reflection. She squinted up at the sky, watching the bright rays weave their magic throughout the lush foliage. Smiling scornfully at the wave, she reprimanded him,
“Aquarius, I’ve told you before, don’t be naughty.” A small ripple opened like a mouth, moving in the clear pond.
“Sorry, Tate, come to have a play today?”
“Yes thanks, Aquarius.”
Tate stood back a little, and leapt into the cool water. Cheery bubbles streamed past her face, whispering, Hello, Tate! Each time one burst. A lonely reed tugged at her leg aimlessly, hoping she would come and talk. She swam down to the murky bottom, nimble like ocean tuna. She said quietly,
“Oh dear, little one, feeling sad today?”
“Yes, the sun is pompous, too lazy to reach an unimportant reed like me.”
“Oh Mudbank, you mustn’t speak like that,” Tate stroked the desolate reed, “Come with me.”
She drew a small map on the ponds’ floor. Gesturing slightly, she explained herself. Mudbank looked happier, and moved his roots, but withdrew when a heron came flying past the pond. “I’ll get eaten,” he cowered. “They’ll make a feast out of me.”
Swiftfin, the goldfish, flashed by, almost careering out of control when she saw how rejected Mudbank was feeling. “Don’t worry, I know a place where the sun is so bright it can reach the deepest ocean!” Swiftfin smiled reassuringly.
Mudbank smiled gratefully and moved ahead.