For the first time this year, IndyNR.com ran a writing competition for school-age children as part of the Giant Pumpkin and Watermelon Festival.
The entries were judged by members of the Casino Writers Group and we thank them for taking the time to read the children’s stories. The judges were impressed with he imagination and dialogue in the winning stories.
As there was only one entry for the high school section, we have awarded a $50 participation prize. (See below).
Thank you to everyone who entered the competition.
Here are the winning stories (and illustrations) which will also be printed in the Kyogle Inky Issue February 18.
FIRST PRIZE $150
The 500ft Pumpkin
By Amity Schaefer, Year 6
Tomorrow is the Giant Watermelon and Pumpkin Festival and I’m gonna win.
Hello. I’m Amity and I’m growing a humongous pumpkin about 50ft tall, but right now it’s only 10ft tall.
A man in a black cloak walked up to me.
“Hey kid! You want a potion to grow an even bigger pumpkin for the festival?”
“Yes!” | squealed.
“Be warned it might expl…”
“Ok, thanks”
I quickly grabbed the potion and ran off excitedly.
I got back to my garden and put all of the potion onto my pumpkin.
I left for ten minutes to go for a ride on a flying cow.
When I came back the pumpkin was now 20ft tall.
“Oh my goodness! It’s huge,” I gasped.
I went inside astounded, but I told no one.
The next morning.
I walked outside and saw that my pumpkin was now 500ft tall. I was amazed!
I asked my flying cows to lift up the 500ft tall pumpkin.
When they lifted it, they started to complain.
“This is too heavy,” groaned Cow Number 1.
“Yeah,” moaned Cow Number 2.
“YEAH,” shouted all the cows.
” Stop whinging and carry it, my flying monstrosities!” I demanded.
We got to Kyogle and after a while they started judging.
My gigantic pumpkin won the competition, but then…we heard a grumble, a little poof and… THE PUMPKIN EXPLODED!!!!
In the end my pumpkin and I solved world hunger.
SECOND PRIZE $100
The Giant Monster Pumpkin
By Conrad Supple, age 9
Hi, I’m Archie and I’m at the Kyogle Pumpkin and Watermelon Festival.
“I’m going to go look at the giant pumpkin mum, come with me,” I told Mum.
I ran over to the pumpkin.
“Wow, that is a big pumpkin, I guess the rumours weren’t wrong,” I said to myself.
“That really is a big pumpkin, sweetie,” Mum said to me.
“Heyyyyy mummm, can I eat it please?” | asked Mum.
“No, you can’t eat it,” Mum said back.
“Please,” I begged.
“No,” she answered back.
“Please!” I begged again.
“No,” she responded again.
“Please, with a cherry on top,” I begged so much.
“For the last time no,” Mum kinda yelled at me.
“Awww” I ended the big conversation with an aw.
“Mum I’m going to look at the big watermelon now, follow me i’ll lead the way,” I told mum.
When we got there we heard this, “HOW DARE YOU ENTER MY HOME,” a giant pumpkin monster yelled. Mum and I looked behind us and saw the giant pumpkin growing arms and legs and it grew a face!
The pumpkin growing on its face was just ewww. l asked mum, “Are we going to be okay?”
Mum replied, “No honey, get in the car NOW. RUN!”
I ran as fast as I could, slammed the door shut. Mum started the car and she nearly broke her foot pushing the accelerator down.
We were off. ‘SKRRRRKR,’
Mum drove around the corner at 500 kilometres and when we were almost safe, “AHHHHH” mum drove off the cliff.
We were rescued and taken to the hospital.
Beep-beep-beep. The heart monitor was going off.
“Mum, what happened?” I asked in pain.
“I don’t know sweetie,” she replied quietly.
“I’m sorry. You two have only got five seconds to live,” the doctor said softly.
“АHHHHHH.” We both took our last scream together.
THIRD PRIZE $50
By a Kindergarten student at Stratheden School (name withheld at the request of parents)
Participation prize for high school student $50
Kirsty Dudgeon from Casino High School
Unhuman