The Ball Of Many Beaches

• Tom Schaap, Grade 8
• Short Story
• 2009

Blood red,
Was the beach ball that hit me in the head.
Its summer,
Hence the beach ball.
It makes a loud “poing”
As it collides with my relaxing noggin.
I swear loudly,
“What does that mean?”
I look up,
An intrigued child is looking at me.
“Never mind” I say,
As I get up to find the culprit who threw the beach ball,
But in vain.
I fall over a small unsuspecting rock.
“Ugh”
Now that I am fully awake,
I realise something.
I’m sunburnt.
Small flakes of skin reside on my beach towel,
I decide to go home soon,
But one last dip in the water first.
I step in.
It’s warmish,
But cooling.
“EEEEEEEEK!!!”
Screams a girl’s voice.
I suddenly find the reason for such a racket with a shock
There is a large fin,
Poking out of the waters smooth surface.
“Well this is just ridiculous”
I think to myself.
So I go home.