How Gnocchi Came into the World

How Gnocchi Came to the World

By  Dylan Gigler

I went to sleep with the smell of the kitchen in Garga, my favorite restaurant in Italy. It made me think about all my favorite foods: pasta, potatoes, and basil combined to make one ultimate food. I would name it gnocchi.

When I woke up at the crack of dawn I was pondering if I should try to make the legendary food I dreamed about the night before. A couple seconds later the delicious smell of fresh cooking reached my nose once more. I filled my lungs with the divine scent and I knew that I should at least try to make the legendary food gnocchi. But, you can’t just buy ingredients for legendary food. It just couldn’t happen that way, no one knows why.

 I started to research about the wonderful foods of the world. In the library I spied a dusty old leather-bound book. I carefully opened the mysterious book and immediately found a section entitled: Quests for Food! This book was one in a million! It instructed that I would have to travel to the world of food and kill the legendary beast who held that special type of food. I would have to destroy all pasta, potato, and basil beasts.

My mouth hung open and I gasped. How would I ever destroy those wretched beasts? I had to find a way to get to Food World! Ahhh! I got it! My friend Marco who owns NASA, maybe he could help me.

 I went over to Marco’s house and we talked about how I would get to Food World. “Maybe I could get a rocket ship for you.” Said Marco. A couple days later Marco found a rocket ship that I could use. “Brrring.” The phone rang. “Hey, meet me at the NASA in Torino.” said Marco. “Okay.” I responded in an excited voice.

      When I got to NASA I was surprised to only see Marco no one else, Marco and I were the only souls in the building. That soon changed as NASA began buzzing with the activity of a rocket launch.

“It’s time” said Marco. “ perfect timing” I said  as I started to walk into the rocket ship.” Are you coming with me?” I asked  “Well of course.” Responded Marco in an unusual way. “You think I would just let you borrow rocket ship for free.” Do you know how much a rocket ship costs? It would of cost you thousands or millions of dollars and I want my profit back!” “Calm down, I get it, I get it. I will share the profit with you if you calm down, get in the rocket ship with me and do you mind driving the the rocket ship?” I said “Well only if you share the profit with me.” responded Marco in a more normal voice than before. “ Lets get in the rocket ship” I said  in an eager way like I was going to fall over.

 As I walked in the rocket ship I was wondering if Marco could actually drive a rocket ship or even have anybody to help him drive. ”Who is driving?” I asked “Well,” Marco said “I could drive but the truth is I really can’t so maybe one of my partners could help.” He was shivering nervously like ice had just rained on him.

Alexander

“Alexander come here!” shouted Marco. “Coming.” responded Alexander. Alexander was about nineteen he had tan skin, reddish hair and had freckles above his nose and on his cheeks. He was wearing a tie, a black buttoned up short sleeve, and khakis. “Can you drive us?” said Marco. “Yes of course.” responded Alexander in a soft voice. “Well then lets go.” I said. “Ohh sorry for the delay.” Alexander responded. We walked in the rocketship and I made sure that I had my backpack..

food world

Click click, the sounds of controls flew through the rocket ship.

 “We are there.” said Alexander. I quickly stepped out of the rocket ship with Marco and Alexander. I gasped, it looked just like earth except everything was made of food of course.

 Right in front of my very eyes there was a beautiful broth waterfall with vines of fresh grapes draping over the sides of the waterfall. It is such a beautiful sight. I sighed. “Well I’m glad you like my luxurious house.” Said a man. “Huh, who is that?” I said. Out of an orange tree came a tall man with a grey rusty beard, a couple of pimples here and there and freckles on his nose and on his chin. He was wearing an old greyish button up and jeans. I wanted to find out who the man was, but before I could ask he mysteriously went back to his house.

       I noticed that I was on a giant beautiful plain of made of grassy spinach and apple trees here and there, Ohhh no! I totally forgot why I was here. I have to destroy the beasts. There was one problem, I didn’t know where they were and where to find the beasts. “I have one suggestion.” said the man that had disappeared into the house.. He popped out of an apple tree and asked “What foods?.” “Pasta, potatoes and basil. “ I said.” “Well than thats easy just keep walking straight until you come to a broccoli forest. stop there and that's where the basil and potatoes will be.” “The pasta will be 1 mile straight from the forests until you get to wheat farms and the beast will be there.” “One more thing.” He said in a more serious voice.
“Just stir the food up and then it will turn into whatever you tell it to and don't say a number above nine as you stir.”

The Beasts

      I strolled through the spinach plains until I got to a stunning broccoli forest with grape vines draping along the beautiful trees. I kept walking until I found a potato bush or at least it looked like a bush.

 Just then I heard a strange rustling in the bush. “Awwwwwwww Eeeeeeeee!!” I screamed as I got scratched. Blood draped down my left arm. I knew that whatever attacked me must've died because I stabbed it with a stick I found on the ground. When I got up I saw a glowing potato well at least it looked like that. “Is that the legendary potato?” I screamed to myself.    

I picked up the potato and put in my backpack. Now I needed to find basil.

Once I finally got to the patch of dark green basil I found a big green basil monster covered in dark green basil. I tried to pick up a stick to defend myself.  I noticed that the monster would try to kill me so I whacked it with my backpack as hard as I could and basil spurted out of the basil monster and then came green juice that felt like water. Once that was over I saw the glowing basil resting on the ground and put in my backpack.

Wheat Maze

      We strode through the soft spinach grass as I noticed the wide entrance to the huge wheat maze. My mouth opened wide as a the huge maze looked inpossible.to get past. We trotted into the glimmering wheat maze.  “Careful, we’ve got to get to the end of this maze but we also have to look out for the Pasta Beast.” Said Alexander with his eyes narrowed in concentration.

When we got to the end of the maze I heard a slight rustle from behind the sharp corn. I peaked through the corn and out emerged the beast. Marinara dripped like ketchup on a hotdog on the pasta beast. I quickly snatched about a dozen pieces of corn and stabbed the beast as if I was throwing a baseball as hard as I could.

I tried to dive and block the pasta dagger that the beast through at Marco. I was too late! Marco lay still on the ground with blood draping down his chest.

 “ Awwwwwww” cried the pasta beast as I slayed him with the corn. The pasta beast disappeared and I took the legendary piece of pasta that laid where he stood .

 Marco laid on the grassy spinach ground while me and Alexander tried to wake him up. “ Marco wake up” Alexander cried with tears drooping down his soft cheeks.

I ‘m home!

Marco limped out of the maze and to the rocket ship.

As we went in the rocket ship I knew we forgot something. I finally figured it out. How do we make the legendary food. I remembered that the weird guy said to just stir the food and say what you want it to be.

 “We are back” shouted Alexander.

As I drove back to my house my nerves were jangling. I was so excited about the food. I got home and I immediately got the foods out of the backpack and got to work.. I stirred the ingredients together and I said “gnocchi” with excitement in my voice. The ingredients spun around in a whirlwind. They then collided and formed into the small shapes we know as gnocchi.

 Once they looked done I took them out and put the basil on. “I feel like I haven’t been home for 1000’s of days.” I exclaimed. Whoops I said the number 1000!

Food for everyone

“Pfff Pfff” As soon as I said the number 1000 gnocchi duplications began to flood the house. They were everywhere! My kitchen was filled with legendary gnocchi.

 Once everything stopped the house was filled with platters of gnocchi.

I got all the platters together and invited everyone in London to come over. Everyone had a great time and me and Marco sold the gnocchi for 17$ a plater.

      From that day on gnocchi has been a famous food in Italy and around the world.

The End.

Alexander And The Lakes

Alexander And The Lakes

      A young boy looked out his window seeing only dirt and grass. It had been dry for as long as he could remember.

His mother called. “Alexander will you be a sweet-heart and get mother a glass of water?” “Yes mother.” said Alexander in an unhappy voice. As Alexander was bringing the cup of water he looked into the water imagining it being a lake. “Mother I’ve been wondering about how nice it would be to have a lake or river.” “I also think that sometimes too.” Said Alexander’s mom disappointedly.  “Mom can I go outside and play?” “Sure honey."

 As Alexander stepped out the door with his head down thinking about how nice it would be to have a lake he noticed a flash of golden light. A long golden stairway leading far up into the sky appeared. “I wonder where this goes?” Alexander said turning his head. Little did Alexander know that the stairway was set down and led up to Zeus, the god of the sky and weather.

As Alexander walked up the stairs he noticed a haze growing bigger and bigger as he walked nearer and nearer to the sky. A flash of bright lightning flashed. He saw a muscular body with lightning bolt tattoos all over its arms.” Greetings young one.” Said a voice loud as thunder. “Who are you?” Alexander asked in a shaky voice. “I am Zeus god of the sky and weather. I heard you from the sky talking about lakes and how nice it would be to have one. So I let down those stairs so you could come to me and talk about giving you a lake.” “What! You could do that for me?” Alexander said his face lighting up. “Yes, but you will have to pay a price.” “Yes I’ll do anything.” Alexander said clenching his fist and jumping up and down with excitement. “Then bring me back my lightning bolt that was stolen by The Lightning Thief and then I will cause rain and lakes and rivers will be created all over the world.” “I’ll do my best to bring you back your lightning bolt.” Said Alexander strongly. “And take this shield of thunder it will help you on your quest.” “Good luck.” “Oh and you need to get to the dark forest guarded by the thunder guardians. Then you will enter the dark forest and there in the darkest part of the forest you will find the lightning thief.” “Thanks.” Said Alexander in a both an excited and nervous voice.

Alexander rushed off with a tenseness in his shoulders but an excited hop in his step.

He was walking normally through the clouds when a flash of golden light caught his eye. “Is anyone there?” “Yes there is little boy” said a  powerful yet frightful voice. Another mean voice joined. “Awww what do we have here?” the voices came from two big, strong, and mean guardians. Alexander realized that if he had fear in him he wouldn’t be able to complete the quest. Alexander replied strongly. “It’s me Alexander and I’ve come to take back the lightning bolt that Zeus lost to the lightning thief. so let me in or I will use this shield.” “That shield, that is the most pathetic shield ever. Haha.” Sneered one of the guardians. “Hm,then get ready for this!” yelled Alexander as he slashed his shield upward across the thunder Guardian’s body! “OWWWWWWWWW!” Screeched both the thunder guardians horridly. They had both been wounded extremely on their foggy gray stomachs. For the thunder shield had struck them hard. “So now will you let me in?” “Yes, ow.” One of the guardians grunted holding his gray stomach.

The golden gate swung open to reveal the darkest forest Alexander had ever seen. “No wonder they call it the Dark Forest.” Alexander said as he walked in slowly. His confidence had grown throughout his quest. And if he had found this forest before his quest had begun he wouldn’t have laid foot anywhere near it. As he walked nearer and nearer he heard the sounds of twigs snapping and trees creaking. He also felt the presence of creatures creeping all around.

Meanwhile up in the sky one of Zeus’s helpers was wondering what was going on with Alexander. “How is he doing master.” Said one of Zeus's helpers. “He is doing surprisingly well. And he has used his shield against the thunder guardians.” Zeus said impressed.

Back in the forest a flash of lightning flashed not from the sky but from the depths of the forest. “The lightning bolt!” Alexander whispered hopefully.

He walked nearer to see the lightning bolt tied up to a tree. “I see you little boy and I know what you're after.” Said a voice deep and cruel. “Then what is it?” Alexander asked trying not to let fear show. “Its the lightning bolt isn't it?” “Yes it is.” “Come and get it then.” the voice said with a chuckle. Alexander charged at the tree with the lightning bolt tied to it. Suddenly Alexander tripped on the lightning thief’s foot. “Hahaha. You think you could get it that easily.” The thief said laughing like a wild hyena. “Well you think that’s funny then try this!” Alexander charged with his shield raised. He uppercutted the lightning thief but he bounced off the thief’s armor like a bouncy ball off of a wall when he struck him.

The thief revealed himself from the shadows so he was visible to Alexander. “Wow.” Said Alexander crawling back a step. The thief was covered in scars from the lightning bolt. “What are those?” Alexander asked with a shiver. “They’re nothing only lightning slashes.” “This guy is tough,” Alexander thought. “I can’t fight him but I have an idea.” He grabbed a vine, tied it to two trees, and yelled.”Hey. Over here.” The thief charged Alexander. “I hope this works, or it’s going to be really painful.” Alexander thought, closing his eyes in hope. The thief with  raging eyes charged Alexander with his fist out! Just as he thought he would grab Alexander and make him retreat he tripped over the trap. He fell with a great thud and the ground rumbled.  “You give up now?” Said Alexander. The thief was silent.  He suddenly rose like a spring and slammed Alexander's shield. Alexander responded with a shield to the face. The thief was knocked over once more but got back to his feet in seconds. “I need to keep him down for longer.” Alexander thought. But he had zero time to think. He had a punch delivered to him.

“I got it.” Said Alexander, his face lighting up like a light bulb. Once more he grabbed some vines, found stones, rolled one giant boulder as big as imaginable into place, and last made it into a trap. He needed to lure the thief into the trap by having him charge at him but the despicable thief would have to land perfectly for it to work. “Hey come and get me!” Alexander said loudly. And the thief came charging again. He was at his top speed. But froze and watched in terror as the trap sprung! The thief had stepped on a tripwire, triggering the trap to swing The boulder, big as imaginable, towards him. With a gruesome crash the thief was destroyed. A cloud of dust rose. And as Alexander fanned it away it revealed no thief, only his golden helmet rolling on the forest ground. “I did it. I did it!” Alexander screamed out with pride.

Alexander slowly approached the lightning bolt, remembering what had happened to the thief. It flashed, making Alexander jump back. Alexander approached again realizing that it only had flashed. Alexander slowed down as he neared the tree. He took a deep breath and cut the shining bolt free. He held it up sizzling with joy, as the lightning bolt’s golden bright light shone on his face revealing him as a true hero. He and the world would have lakes! His journey back to Zeus was easy. He passed out of the dark forest, strode past the golden gate looking at those guardians still holding their foggy gray stomachs, and finally to Zeus's cloud. “I’m back.” Said Alexander proud and strong. “My lightning bolt.” Zeus said almost crying. “So are you going to give me and the world  lakes?” “Oh yes!” Said Zeus, his eyes filled with joyful tears.

Splitter, splitter, splat. The sky turned dark and rain poured down. In no time Alexander's mother ran out to see if she was only dreaming. Alexander saw his mom splashing around in the shower of rain. “Can I go and see her?” Asked Alexander. “Yes, go on and thank you so much for bringing me back my lightning bolt.” “Bye.” Said Alexander softly as he walked down the golden stairs through the raining clouds. “Hey mom!” Alexander said. His mom [who was splashing in puddles.] Heard the voice and cried out “Alexander honey is that you?” Her face lighting up. “ Yes, mom. Don’t you love the rain.” Alexander said while hugging his mom. “Yes but where did it come from?” “It's a long story.”

The End

How Night And Day Came To Be

How Night And Day Came To Be

As the gleaming white carriage pulled into the sun, The Gods of Light, all dressed in bright robes, greeted a chariot full of visitors as they stepped into the Gods of Lights’ palace. Built deep into the sun, they could see everything that happened on Earth through the sun’s rays of light that shone brightly forever.

“Why have you come here?’’ asked a handsome young god. ‘’There is trouble on Earth.’’ responded another man with swords at his waist. “The small group of darkness is spreading. It seems that whenever and wherever they go darkness spreads.’’ “Interesting. Those ‘Knights of Darkness’ seem to be fulfilling their promise to destroy the world.” ’’Yes, very interesting indeed, Alex.” ‘’I would like to have a look at this problem.’’ stated a young woman.” “Now, Brenda, we don’t just rush off to a problem, do we.” “No, but Jason of swords here says that the group is spreading.”  “Aaron, please go fetch some refreshments.” Alex said to end Brenda’s protests. “Sure.” As Aaron was grabbing lemonade for Jason and Marcus, Alex asked politely, “So Marcus, how is the armor going?” “It is going fine.” said Marcus, clearly growing impatient because of all the time they were spending talking.“Then off we go.’’ said Aaron, bursting through the door holding two cups of lemonade.

As they entered the gods carriage, they all spotted a small spot of darkness on Earth. “Peculiar, it seems that they were not lying.’’ said The Goddess Brenda. “With all due respect, we would never lie to you.’’ said Marcus, growing impatient with the Gods because of their calm attitudes.“Are you swearing your allegiance to us?’’ “You might put it that way, but we also have Teresa to deal with.’’ “Teresa of beauty, you mean?’’ “Yes, that’s the one.”

A half hour passed as the gods of light and Jason and Marcus discussed the matter on Earth. They were interrupted as they came down to their hometown. All they saw was black where there should have been bright red, white and blue.

As they descended to the streets, they saw that the usually well-mannered people were wearing dirty, black, ragged clothes, and were hissing and spitting. There was a certain man with black armor who did not spit, he just looked up at them with an evil grin on his face. The man had been transferring stares with scrunched concentration on his face, almost like he was giving the citizens information. He was completely shadow. Jason also noted that most of the buildings’ windows were shattered. But one had the glass perfectly intact and had a fenced yard with a bright recess where the carriage could land. The house door was an intricate display of mosaics and art. The front was painted with red roses and smelled of lovely perfume. While the gods took in the scene, Jason and Marcus stepped out of the carriage, went to the door, knocked, the door opened, and a woman greeted them. Jason and Marcus stood dazed for a second because of the woman’s stunning beauty. She had chiseled features and bright blue eyes. Her hazelnut hair topped off the reason why she was called Teresa of Beauty. Meanwhile, the gods of light had stood up and walked to the door, where again they were entranced by the woman.

After Jason and Marcus became aware of their surroundings they brushed past the woman as she was greeting the gods. She fazed everyone yet again with her voice. “Come inside, and have a seat.” Teresa said. There was a silky red couch on which the group, including Teresa, sat. After they issued formal greetings, they discussed about world trade and finally, just as they were getting to the point of their conversation, They heard a loud “BOOM!” and noted that many crashes and screams were heard outside. But just as quickly as the noise started, it all stopped.

An enormous black stone that looked like a skull fell through the window as chaos descended outside. They tried to get the image out of their minds. Jason went to the window to check on its condition. As he knelt by the window he glanced up and saw a horrible sight. All of the crazy people had formed a group outside ready to attack on that weird, shadowy, dark, armored man’s command.

Alex had been watching the people’s behavior, and  warned everyone to evacuate. Teresa had heard the warning and stopped the party. “Wait,” the gods paused and turned around in curiosity. “Come, I have made preparations, as I feared this would happen.” Because Jason of swords and Marcus of shields lived with her, she had shaped battle suits for all of the present gods, and humans. “Aaron, put this suit on.” “Alright,” Aaron responded with a puzzled look on his face. “It has extra protection.” Teresa clarified. The gods raised no objections as they silently slipped on their shining suits. Teresa then disappeared into her bedroom, and came back with an egg. Jason, who had been the first one to put his suit on, said “What’s the egg for?” “Our defense.” she said plainly. Teresa threw the egg out the window, and as it landed, it sent a wave of brightness and joy washing over the gods. Jason, sitting on the windowsill, watched as the hunched figures stood straight, and the last trace of craziness faded from their eyes. The gods sprawled on the floor in joy as the wave reached its climax. After the gods sprang back to their feet, another blinding aura of light came through the window. The Gods of Light, Jason, and Marcus all seeped out through the small window, and the fighting began. The dark people who had been turned light had their faces twisted into a grimace as they formed a small opening for the gods to get through the window. “Aaron, looking for an Aaron,” a light young man shouted from the crowd. “Yes what is it?” Aaron replied unkindly. “You, and only you, can strike down his dark majesty, the king of the knights. He transferred his strategy to us and said to target you, because you could only kill His Dark Majesty.” The dark had been forming a strategy, as though they had a plan. “That’s it!” Alex yelled “Kill the dark people! They have been infected, they are the Knight’s pawns.”

Immediately the battle shifted. The dark began to dwindle, and buildings were returning to their original bright colors. The Dark knight, his face a mask of anger, threw something similar to the egg Teresa had thrown. The same waves came, but the joy and brightness were replaced by a feeling of despair and darkness. As the egg cracked, the whole army of light transformed once more.. They hunched over and became unintelligent and the buildings were once again black.. “RETREAT!” Aaron yelled.

The only survivors of the battle were Jason, Marcus, Teresa, and the gods. The dark, now robbed of all emotions again, tried to trap the party of people, but had no hope as the experienced fighters fled from the scene, hacking away enemies left and right. As the small procession leaped back through the window, Jason took a fleeting glance at the remnants of the bright egg, now splattered on the floor, and a grin formed on his face. “We must return to the Palace of Light.” Said Jason. As the gods and brave men retreated the sound of footsteps receded. The band of gods and humans sped toward the sun in their bright chariot.

As they arrived, Jason noticed that the plague of darkness had enclosed a whole continent! He knew that at the heart of the continent, there was the key to defeating the Dark Knight. As the band shuffled into a meeting room, they  took their seats in glowing chairs. “I thought about that egg, and I think I know how to defeat the Knights.” said Jason. “Come on over and we’ll talk about it.” The friends filed through the door that led to the secret room in the palace that did not have windows.

Later, The plan had been set. The white wedding dress Teresa wore had been changed to black in honor of the wedding. Jason, Marcus, and the Gods were in the trees where they were to jump down and slaughter the Knights of Darkness. Each person was assigned to defeat a Knight except for Jason, who was assigned to the leader of the Knights of Darkness. He was to pin him to the ground and then Aaron would finish of the job. As the ceremonial  process began, Jason unsheathed his swords. His comrade, Marcus, had the Finest armor anyone had ever worn, and two battle axes rested in his hands. The Gods, all equipped with knives, thought again and again, faces scrunched in concentration about how to deal with their knight. Luckily for them, the Knights of Darkness were not equipped with any weapons, except for the exception of the ceremonial dagger used to make the couple the same blood.

As the wedding began, Teresa turned to look at the Dark Knight. “I understand that I must marry you, for you have proven yourself worthy.” She said. “No other could conquer the whole of the earth and defeat the Gods.” The Dark Knight grinned in satisfaction. “Yes! I knew you would see my way, Teresa.” he hissed. At that moment Jason put his sword up to reflect the dwindling rays of sunlight. As the rays gleaming from the sword pierced the blackness of the knight’s horrible ceremony, Teresa took action. Quick as a cheetah, she snatched the knife out of the knight’s hand. The Knight was surprised but was permanently silenced with a flick of Teresa’s wrist. The other knights converged on Teresa, but the plan was already in action. The knights, defenseless to the attack, fought the best they could but were all locked in combat with the armed Gods and Humans.. Teresa, who had very little experience in battle, was overthrown by a knight who had a very sleek, black crown on his head. He ran away full speed with Teresa in his sturdy grip, effortlessly dodging the attempts of murder. As the lone knight and Teresa sped away, the knights had all fallen and now the knight with Teresa was making his getaway. “After them!” bellowed Jason.

     The gods smirked as they quickly caught up to the knight, who had the extra weight of Teresa on him. Jason made a final leap and barely hooked his hand around the knight’s leg. Teresa, who  was a fast learner, took advantage of the knight’s weakness and elbowed him roughly in the nose. Through his black armor, she could see a small stream of blood cascading down his chest. “Take this!” she screamed in his face. “And that!” The knight stumbled back, clutching his bleeding nose. He doubled over in pain. He tried to run but Jason struck him with the flat of his blade. Aaron, who was just behind the others, saw his chance. The knight had been stumbling toward Aaron, his sword chiming against the swift, sharp blades of Jason. The knight, bleeding and injured, looked weak as Jason struck his final blow, the knight put on a burst of adrenaline, barely dodging the blades now behind him. He made his intention clear, he was heading straight at Aaron, who threw his dagger in attempt to take the knight’s life. The chiming stopped and all the calls for death went silent. The knight, with his quick reflexes, had caught the knife in midair and struck Aaron, who was now lying on the ground. As the knights body turned into a speck in the distance, everyone crowded around Aaron. Alex, who was not as wise as Aaron was, but good enough to do the job, Felt Aaron’s pulse, “He’s alive,” This sent a cheer up in the small band of people and gods. ”But his pulse is low. We need to get him medical attention immediately. “Marcus, follow the trail of blood to find the knight and imprison him” said Alex urgently.

      A few hours later, Aaron, lying in the medical wing of the God’s palace, was resting soundlessly. His bed was glowing with warmth, and the treatment was already underway. Marcus had been searching Earth and found that the knight had transformed into a dark time people called “Night.” The term had been created because of the Knights of Darkness’ defeat. People had taunted the knights and just changed the word “Light” to “Night.” The Lone knight’s belongings were apparently all turned into shadow to make the night the same amount of time now called “Day.”

Meanwhile, Aaron had been getting better and now could walk. He was in good condition and the magical beds predicted that he would be able to run in a couple of months. Alex, who had been concerned about Aaron, was finally getting his long needed relief. When Alex walked into the room, he clasped his twin brother’s hand, and said “You’ve been getting better, keep it up.” “Thanks” was all Aaron could manage, but it was better than being mute. Aaron was supposed to to walk around the palace for exercise but he was growing healthy enough that he could run! Brenda and Teresa were recovering from the shock of their first battle, but they were more than the average Joe, and could be tougher than they appeared at first glance. The problem was over, for now. And now each day, Aaron chases the last Dark knight away with the brightness of day.

A Mountain Mystery By A.R-G.

A Mountain Mystery

By A. R-G., Fifth Grade     

     90 years ago this weekend, a mystery that lasted 75 years began. George

Leigh Mallory and his climbing partner Andrew 'Sandy' Irvine were

attempting to be the first people to successfully clime Mount Everest.

On June 8, 1924, they left their camp to make the push for the summit.

They were never seen again. 

     George Mallory participated in all the

1920's British expedition to Everest. He first attempted to climb the

mountain in 1920, but failed to reach the summit and then returned two

years later, only to fail again. He was determined to climb Everest,

famously saying when asked why he wanted to climb the mountain,

“Because it is there.” He began planning to go back to Everest in 1924,

selecting champion Oxford University rower Andrew Irvine as his

climbing partner. The two, in addition to ten 'support climbers,' left

for Everest in March of 1924. In May the expedition arrived at the base

of the mountain. Inching farther up, the expedition set up a series of

camps, the highest being Camp 6, at 22, 970 feet. On June 8, Mallory

left support climber Noel Odell this note: Dear Noel, We'll probably

start early to-morrow (8th) in order to have clear weather. It won't be

too early to start looking out for us either crossing the rockband

under the pyramid or going up skyline at 8.0 p.m.(Mallory meant 8 a.m.)

Yours ever G Mallory

     Mallory and Irvine left early on the June 8th, as stated in

Mallory's letter, to have good weather. A few hours after

Mallory and Irvine left camp 6, Odell went out to make some

geological studies of the mountain. At 12:50 p.m. the mists

above Odell abruptly cleared, and Odell caught a glimpse of two

climbers ascending a rock cliff near the summit. Since Mallory

and Irvine were the only climbers on the mountain, it must have

been them. The mist filled in again, and the two climbers

disappeared. This was the last time anyone saw them alive. 

     An intense snow squall began, sending Odell back to his tent. The

whole expedition waited for Mallory and Irvine to return, but

they never did. Odell searched for the climbers, but couldn't

find them. Eventually Mallory and Irvine were presumed dead and

the expedition left the mountain. 

     Fast forward to 1999. Climber

Conrad Anker, who had come to the mountain with a team of

climbers with the express intention of finding Mallory and

Irvine's remains, found George Mallory's body lying on the side

of the mountain. It is believed that Mallory and Irvine slipped

and fell to different locations. Andrew Irvine has never been

found. 

     Several pieces of evidence found with Mallory point to

the fact that the two did actually make it to the summit, and

were thus the first people to climb Mount Everest. One, it is

believed that Mallory had a picture of his wife Ruth, which he

promised to put on the summit. When Conrad Anker found Mallory

in 1999, the picture was not there, but all the other contents

of his pockets were intact. This suggests that Mallory, with

Irvine or alone, reached the summit and left the picture there.

Also, when Mallory was found, he had a snow goggles in his

pocket. It could be that it was getting dark and Mallory and

Irvine were descending from climbing the mountain and fell from

there. 

     90 years ago today, one of the most incredible mysteries

in mountaineering history began.