The Girl And The Magpie

• Zoe Wojtowicz, Grade 3, Rockingham Montessori School -
• Short Story
• 2018

Excellence Award in the 'Horizon of Dreams 2018' competition

Once upon a time there was a girl called Layla. Her mother and father had passed away when she was only three. So, now she lived with her grandmother near the forest and spent her life washing pink and yellow teacups (which she did not like) and feeding her grandmother's cat, Apple Pie.

On Layla's twelfth birthday morning when she was in bed, a magpie opened the window shutter and flew inside. The magpie woke Layla up by pecking her on the head and then she set her on a magic carpet that had sneakily followed the magpie in through the window.
"Who are you?" said Layla, as they flew out of the window and above the woods. "I am an ordinary magpie" said the magpie.
"I didn't know magpies could talk" said Layla, as they landed in a temple and found a green dragon locked up in gold chains. "My name is Picasso" boomed the dragon, waving his tail around. "If you promise to set me free without wounding me, I will be your best friend and travel everywhere with you." Layla thought hard and then said "I promise" and without a second to spare she unlocked the dragon's chains.Everyday they travel around the world flying on Picasso's back.Maybe you can see them today.The End