Standards high as young Lochaber writers put pen to paper

In a joint statement judges Mark and Fiona said:  “We were extremely impressed by the standard of entries, particularly for the Intermediate age group.

Once again there were no entries from Mallaig High or Kinlochleven High and, given the national popularity of this competition, Lochaber Rotary media convenor Ken Johnston said he is even more determined to press these important rural schools on the fringes of Lochaber, to consider taking up the challenge in 2025.

Senior Winner

Wonderful Water by Harriet Spencer

The sound of the waving trees and dancing stream whispered in my ears as the snow crystals flew gracefully to the ground.

Winter was taking its form, overpowering the autumn breeze. the frozen leaves crumbled under my feet as I walked through the woods that were carefully decorated with frost.

Ice hugged the ground tightly, a blanket of snow and ice surrounded me, frozen in time, all except the river, which thrived in its youthful prime, not yet a raging river.

My breath visible and the air thin on the tall hill the forest lay on, I looked back at the snow infested village where I came from, families lighting fires in their homes to stay warm while the smoke escaped from the chimneys into the frosty breeze.

As I began my descent, the peaceful snowflakes that used to dance and fly in the air became more aggresive and the sun began to darken.

The dimly lit street lamps flickered on as I exited the woods just by the entrance to the village. A snowy scene lay in front of me as if it was fresh out of a movie.

Carolers singing to the last few houses as the wind tried to sing louder than them, families finishing the outdoor lights and decorations and the older kids playing with the powdery snow on the sides of the roads.

It’s as if those moments created the joyful spirit that filled the frozen air with warmth. The walk back home wasn’t a long one.

The faint sounds of singing faded as I reached the frozen pond next to my house, the ice crystallised in a way that it looked like art. It was like heaven on earth.

The wreath that decorated my door was weaved carefully by its creator, dried oranges and berries made it more picturesque with extra splashes of colour. A warm hue spat out of the window, letting me know that a toasty fire was lit.

Nothing like the harsh outside wather which was definitely giving me frostbite. I pushed my way inside, a heatwave hit as I sighed and took off my winter gear - hat, gloves and coat.

I was definitely home, the cracklling of a fire, the smell of pine, the sound of festive songs and the glistening of sparkling tinsil that covered the railings of the stairs.

"What a way to end the day," I said to myself as I sat down comfortably on the seat beside the fireplace.

Had this been rain, the village would have been miserable. However, in the end, water and snow are the same yet it can change moods. That just shows how wonderful water can really be.

Intermediate Winner

The sun, the stars and Maria by Niamh Wright

Water is not a luxury.

That’s what most people think. That’s what rich people with big houses believe anyway.

"Go get a glass of water," they say.

I know water is a luxury, probably the most cherished thing. Sadly people disagree. But they are lucky.

Maria never had clean water her whole life. She was only 7 years old. Honestly, I’m surprised she lived as long as she did.

Maria was a fighter, she never gave up, even when her little sister died because she drank the polluted water Maria gave to her. She kept fighting.

Her sister would have died sooner if she didn’t drink water, her mother told her, as she wept. That’s what everyone told her.

Maria walked for miles every day to collect water for her mother, while the sun seered down at her letting all its rays hit her at once. She collected dirty water in her dirty buckets. She was a diamond among the pebbles. She really was.

Maria was never greedy. She waited until everyone else had eaten before she touched her meal, just in case anyone was still hungry. She waited until everyone else had drunk their water before she drank hers just in case they were still thirsty. They usually were.

Every day the sun still threw heated blankets over her. Maybe tomorrow the world will give her cool air to walk in. It never did.

Maria looked up at the sky one night.

"Why can’t my family have clean water?"

The little girl looked up at the biggest star she could see. She wished with all her little heart. She closed her eyes, scrunched up her nose and crossed her fingers.

"Please let us have clean water, just for one day, it will make my mother so happy. She needs water. Please."

Maria never wished for herself. Every night she hoped the universe would bring her mother water. The girl would be at peace if her family went to bed, full of food and drink.

Every night Maria looked at the stars and wished for water. And every morning she made the sweltering journey.

"Why do you hate us Mr. Sun?"

The little girl looked up at the melting sphere and felt a great sadness come over her.

"Are you sad because you don’t have water?"

Maria smiled and finished filling her buckets with water. She went back home. For the next few days, she did the same as the days before.

But she made a friend in the sun, she told him about her family, about her little sister, and about water. The sun talked back now. She understood him.

Maria died in the night while she slept, the little girl with her little wings flew up to the stars and the sun. They told her she’d be safe there.

She sat on a star and watched her mother.

"She’ll be alright, I promise, you’ll meet again," the sun said.

71% of Earth is water, equivalent to about 326 million cubic miles. We have so much water yet so little.

Maria may not be real, but there are children suffering and dehydrated, forced to walk for miles every day. Next time you get a glass of cold, clean water, remember: it is a luxury. You are the lucky one.