PUTNAM COUNTY -- Fourth-grade Buffalo Elementary student Rachel Martin has achieved third place at state level competition, in the third and fourth grade category, of the West Virginia Young Writer's contest. Rachel Hull is Martin's teacher.
The judging took place in April.
In addition to Martin's winning entry, the following entries won at the county level:
Grades 1-2: Ashley Cline of Hurricane Town Elementary for "The Missing Car." Teacher: Nancy Fellure.
Grades 5-6: Margaret Coppola of Scott Teays Elementary for "A Tale of Two Hamsters." Teacher: Phyllis Payne.
Grades 7-8: Brooke Miller of Winfield Middle for "Saving Zane." Teachers: Kara Brown and Kathy Gordon.
All of these students and teachers will be recognized at a ceremony May 9 at the University of Charleston.
Following is the text of Martin's winning entry:
"Why Crocodiles have Sharp Teeth"
By Rachel Martin
A long time ago, in the Lagoon of Animals where the water shimmers and has that blue-green look, all the great animals lived in peace. The monkeys swung, the birds flew, and the animals lived near the gleaming waters. All was calm; all was peaceful.
One day, it seemed to be the sunniest, most gorgeous day in all the lagoon. Crocodile was swimming and eating the luscious green moss off rocks. You may ask why a crocodile is eating the moss, but before something incredible happened that's how it was. Right near the edge of the waters Crocodile saw Bird. So, Crocodile scampered up on land like a little mouse after left-over cheese. He went up to Bird, opened his mouth and said, "Hello there Bird. How are you today?"
"Hello. I'm fine, but...."
"What is it, Bird?"
"Well, we need more vicious animals. As you know, we are so peaceful. The Water God is as sweet as a peach and doesn't make violence. Not to mess up the order of things, but we are growing so rapidly!"
"I'm sorry to hear that. I wish I could help."
"Maybe you can," Bird whispered in a mischievous voice.
The next day, the sky seemed dull and discouraging. The clouds looked as if they were going to cry. Bird thought it was very peculiar, but he also knew that the peaceful paradise had never had animals use other animals for their own being.
"I mean, why should I suffer while Crocodile can just lie on his back without a care in the world?" mumbled Bird.
Bird went to The Great Water God and said in the most pitiful voice "Great Water God, we need vicious animals because we are multiplying. If you need a volunteer, Crocodile said he would do it."
The Great Water God knew what Bird was up to. He also knew Crocodile did not say what Bird had said, so he devised a plan.
One day as Crocodile was swimming he came upon a rock that had the greenest moss he had ever seen. He opened his mouth wide and CHOMP!! It was gone. Some of Crocodile's teeth were hurting, so he looked in the shimmering waters. Half of his teeth were jagged! He thought it would be fine, but as time went on it didn't-it got worse. By the end of the week all his teeth were sharp and he couldn't eat any moss.
Crocodile was starved and had to eat something. When he saw Bird he didn't say, "Hi!" He didn't say, "How do you do?" He darted on shore and gobbled Bird up.
The Great Water God's plan worked. He taught Bird a lesson, and the animals never became over populated again. The Great Water God knew it would work.
Today we know this story is true because crocodiles do have sharp teeth, they do dart up on land and eat animals at the water's edge.
The End
7-day Archive
