Shadows
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Somerset Cowen, Grade 4, Jinibara State School -
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Short Story
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2018
Excellence Award in the 'Horizon of Dreams 2018' competition
SHADOWS
Lucia sat silently on a ledge on the side of the mountain wondering why her shadow was so different to herself. The shadow had hair that was long, over its shoulders like a waterfall, whereas Lucia had her hair in short pig tails. It was disturbing and kind of bothering to Lucia. Frustrated, Lucia sighed and lay on her back on the large flat boulder behind her. She stared up at the sky and looked at the clouds for a moment before closing her eyes.
Suddenly the boulder began to tremble, Lucia opened her eyes and jumped to her feet as the boulder started to shudder. Lucia leapt backwards and without thinking stepped over the ledge! Expecting to fall, she was surprised by a soft landing on a floating cloud! “Whoa!” Lucia exclaimed as she glanced around, realising she was over a hundred meters off the ground. The cloud began to move slowly, making Lucia lose her balance and fall on to all fours on the cloud. It was softer than her mums nicest velvety cushion. The cloud kept moving, sweeping across the sky, approaching another mountain covered in shadow. As Lucia and the cloud approached the mountain the cloud suddenly rocked, turning upside down and flipping Lucia off!
She fell briefly and landed in a cave. Lucia pushed herself to her feet a little sore from her fall and looked around. The cave was covered in vivid crystals that shone with exquisite colours of all sorts of refracting light. Hypnotised by the colours Lucia gazed around until her eyes focused on a brilliant speck of light at the end of the cave. As she walked towards it she saw in a crystal seat the most vibrant thing she had ever seen. It was a spirit! “Come closer young child” The spirit called to Lucia, her voice echoing throughout the cave walls. Lucia stepped forward her mouth open in amazement. Lucia’s shadow separated itself from Lucia and glided over to stand next to the spirit in the crystal chair. “My shadow!” Lucia shouted with astonishment. The spirit laughed then explained. “This shadow is your ancestor, well at least one of them”. The spirit lifted her arms and out of nowhere a parade of spirits emerged from around her chair.
Lucia was taken back. As she watched the light refracting around the cave began to hit the shadows, revealing how they looked in real life. Most were wearing old fashioned clothes, that looked well worn. One of the shadows, an old woman with a warm smile, moved towards Lucia and squeezed her like a teddy bear, making Lucia laugh.
She spent the rest of the day with her ancestors, who told her their stories and about their lives. They all liked Lucia and told her to visit anytime she wanted.
And Lucia did just that.