The Citizen is pleased to introduced up-and-coming writing talent from Prince George Secondary School in a new weekly column sharing work from English creative writing classes.
Assignment: Personify an object near your home, and write a story from that object's perspective.
Based on the short story Afrika Road by Don Mattera, in which Afrika Road tells what it has seen, heard, and felt.
Rock on Corner of Oak Street
By Withney Trowers
English 9
There are many rocks on the corner of Oak Street, but none quite like me, the Mighty Rock.
I have been here for thousands of years and witnessed terrible things. My sisters and brothers were killed by a strange machine; they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I have been alone for so long and kept my secrets, until today.
I have seen a car stop and a girl thrown out onto the side of the road, and people pass by and act like she wasn't there.
Only the two black kids and the one white kid sitting on me called the police. Then another older person went to check up on the girl who was lying on the side of the road.
The older person's face looked scared and worried. In no time, the police came. They didn't question me, so I didn't say anything.
In the end, they took the girl to the hospital, and I heard them say she was going to be alright.
Thank God.
When the sun goes down, I hear drunken people talking to each other. I can't understand their words.
I am so sad for these poor people, so weak and small, unlike me, who is big and strong. I hear fireworks as they fly into the sky like shooting stars. I hear car engines as they race.
I hear teens kissing, but I close my eyes to give them privacy.
I have smelled a lot of things: curry, fried fish, rice, peas, red pea soup, and hot chocolate.
Good thing I don't have feet because if I did I would go to homes for dinner every night. But I think I can roll, if I try hard.
I have felt a lot of things, like when the rain pours down on me and the sun burns me hot.
I have felt the limbs of children who play, jump and sit on me.
I have felt the stickiness of gum on my grey skin.
I have felt insects making their way on me, without even a polite "Hello."
They act like I do not exist. I was hurt by what they did not say.
I am strong on the outside, but sad on the inside.
So you see how my life is lonely, yet fun. I feel much better now that I have told you my story. Maybe you will tell your children.
In no time, I will be famous, and when you see me on television, you can say, "I know that rock."
