Guilty by Chammaiah Ambrose

Winner in the 12 and younger age category and third placed overall – Wadadli Pen Challenge 2016

Author’s comments: “My poem was inspired by actual events.  When we go fishing I do not want to throw out any line because I feel sorry for the fish when they are caught.  I imagine how painful it must be for them.”

Judge’s comments (positives only*): “Very creative approach, vivid imagery and very well delivered…compared to the other poetic entries, it is quite refreshing in theme and rhythm especially considering the age category..”

Note: *While only the positives are being shared with the public, in keeping with the development goals of Wadadli Pen, all long listed entries are returned to the author with the judge’s note  – both positives and negatives – for revision. Congrats to Chammaiah for always having a fresh take on things. Keep working on your craft; keep valuing your voice and your art. – JCH

Chammaiah Ambrose.

Here now is Guilty by Chammaiah Ambrose, 11, is a student at Antigua Girls High School, who was a Wadadli Pen finalist in 2013 and 2014, who most recently won the Friends of Antigua Public Library Stories Handed Down contest,  who has participated in the Jhohadli Summer Youth Writing Project, and who loves writing and hopes to someday be a “bestselling author”:

We would stand for hours on the shore,
Casting  lines armed with bait
Into the sea filled with fish galore.
Then we would sit and wait and wait.

Then it happened – a fish could that be?
Tugging and struggling with all its might,
Using all its strength trying to be free
But eventually losing the fight.

Then it struck me, played on my brain.
This fish that would be my meal
Was in so much pain.
I wondered how it would feel.

How would it feel with a sharp hook in your mouth?
Dragged mercilessly from your home
Tossed alive in an ice cooler to jump about
And die there all alone?

How would it feel if your skin was stripped,
And with a sharp sharp knife
Your insides brutally ripped?
My what a horrible life!

How would it feel if your sides were sliced,
Stuffed with seasoning then wrapped in foil
Waiting to be fried
In a pan of very hot oil?

On the plate it looked so delicious
And it tasted great, I would not lie
But deep down inside my stomach,
A little voice was crying, ‘Why, why, why?’

I have since put away my fishing line,
Skillfully removed the hooks.
Though on fish I will dine,
On the shore I rather read my books.

For winning her age category and placing third overall, Chammaiah received:
Certificates and gift sponsored by the Best of Books
EC$200 (courtesy Juneth Webson)
EC$200 (courtesy CaribbeanReads Publishing)
An EC$60 gift certificate for books (courtesy the Cushion Club)
Glorious by Bernice McFadden, Controlling the Silver by Lorna Goodison (courtesy Pam Arthurton of Carib World Travel)
All Over Again by A-dZiko Gegele (courtesy CODE)
Gifts – Frank B. Armstrong

Thanks to all partners and patrons for making the Wadadli Pen 2016 Challenge possible. Here at Wadadli Pen, we encourage you to support the businesses and individuals who support the arts.

Please respect the writer’s copyright. And while we welcome feedback, please be constructive.

THE GREAT CYCLE

by Chammaiah T. Ambrose

Cover design by Vega Armstrong.

1

I never saw the butterflies

While the eggs they did lay.

But they were on the frangipani tree

Day after day.

2

I woke up one morning,

And what did I see?

Dozens of greedy caterpillars

On the frangipani tree.

3

The larvae ate and ate

Until the tree was bare.

And in a few days the clumsy larvae

All disappeared.

4

Hanging from a tree

Were dozens of cocoons.

Inside were the sleeping pupas

All awaiting to bloom.

5

What a transformation!

What a metamorphosis!

Out flew many beautiful butterflies

From the chrysalis.

6

Then again they were on the tree-

That great cycle of nature –

Eggs, larvae, pupas, and butterflies,

Will ensure a bright future.

Author’s Bio: This is Chammaiah Ambrose’s second shot at the Wadadli Pen Prize. In 2013, she was third placed in the 12 and younger category and is second placed in 2014. She says, ”I love to read and write short stories and poems.  You can guess that my favourite subject in school must be Language Arts.  I read any type of books – both fiction and non-fiction.  Sometimes I would even read comics. On leaving school I would like to be an author or a professor of the Language Arts.” Chammaiah, who participated in the 2013 Jhohadli Summer Youth Writing Project, is a student at Sunnyside Tutorial.

About the artist: Vega Armstrong is a very creative young girl. She loves reading, writing, dancing, art and horseback riding. She holds bake sales with her friends to raise money for animal shelters. She enjoys time spent with her friends and in nature. Vega was a finalist in 2012 and 2013 of the Wadadli Pen (writing) Challenge and was the winner of the 12 and younger category in 2014.

Copyright of this written pieces belongs to the author and copyright of the art piece belongs to the author; so, no stealing.

WHO WON IN 2013?

THE WADADLI PEN CHALLENGE 2013 FINALISTS ARE…

ANTIGUA GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
ASHA GRAHAM
AVECIA JAMES
CHAMMAIAH AMBROSE
DARYL GEORGE
DENNIKA BASCOM
GARVIN JEFFREY BENJAMIN
JAMIKA NEDD
JAMILA H. K. SALANKEY
MICHAELA HARRIS
ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY
VEGA ARMSTRONG
ZURI HOLDER

*see all shortlisted writers here.

*re prize split – please note that each shortlisted writer receives a Certificate of Achievement as well as discount cards from the Best of Books; and the overall winner’s name has been emblazoned alongside the name of past winners onto the Challenge plaque – sponsored by the Best of Books.

 

SCHOOLS WITH THE MOST SUBMISSIONS

Primary School – St. John’s Catholic Primary – US$500 worth of books sponsored by Hands Across the Sea

Secondary School – Antigua Girls High School – US$500 worth of books sponsored by Hands Across the Seatop

ASHA GRAHAM

Author of Revelations Tonight and Remembrance
Overall Winner (Revelations Tonight), Winner in the 13 to 17 age category (Revelations Tonight) and Third placed in the 13 to 17 age category (Remembrance)

Total prizes:

Cash

$500 sponsored by Conrad Luke of R. K. Luke and Sons and the Leonard Tim Hector Memorial Committee

Literary Opportunities

Sponsored spot – Just Write writers retreat courtesy Brenda Lee Browne

Books

So the Nailhead Bend So the Story End: An Anthology of Antiguan and Barbudan Writing by Althea Prince

Oh Gad! by Joanne C. Hillhouse

LiTTscapes: Landscapes of Fiction from Trinidad and Tobago by Kris Rampersad

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg and other gifts courtesy the Best of Books

Send out you Hand by Dorbrene O’Marde

The Caribbean Writer Volume 26 & the Antigua and Barbuda Review of Books – women’s edition contributed by Joanne C. Hillhouse

Huracan by Diana McCaulay

Island Princess in Brooklyn by Diane Browne

The Legend of Bat’s Cave and Other Stories by Barbara Arrindell

And more

Original one of a kind journal created by Jane Seagull

Pen sponsored by Pam Arthurton of Carib World Travel and the Antigua and Barbuda International Literary Festival

Two tickets on board Barbuda Express

Gift bag from Raw Island Products

Gift courtesy Joanne C. Hillhouse  top

DARYL GEORGE

Author of Ceramic Blues and Julie Drops
Second placed Overall (Ceramic Blues), Winner (Ceramic Blues) and Second Placed (Julie Drops) in the 18 to 35 age category

Total prizes:

Cash

$200 (patron prefers to remain anonymous)

Literary Opportunities

Sponsored spot – Just Write writers retreat courtesy Brenda Lee Browne

Books

Unburnable by Marie Elena John

So the Nailhead Bend So the Story End: An Anthology of Antiguan and Barbudan Writing by Althea Prince

Dog-Heart by Diana McCaulay

Althea Prince’s In the Black: New African Canadian Literature (contributed by Joanne C. Hillhouse)

Send out you Hand by Dorbrene O’Marde

Tides that Bind and the Road to Wadi Halfa by Claudia Elizabeth Ruth Francis

Sweet Lady by Elaine Spires

Book gift courtesy Silver Lining supermarket

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books

And more

2 tickets on board Barbuda Express

Lunch for two at Keyonna Beach

Lunch for two – Bayhouse Restaurant @ Tradewinds Hotel

Gifts courtesy Joanne C. Hillhouse  top

ZURI HOLDER

Author of The Big Event
Third placed overall and first placed in the 12 and younger age category

Total prizes:

Books

So the Nailhead Bend So the Story End: An Anthology of Antiguan and Barbudan Writing by Althea Prince

The Legend of Bat’s Cave and Other Stories by Barbara Arrindell

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books

And more

$200 Gift certificate – Stephen B. Shoul

2 tickets on board Barbuda Express

Gift courtesy Joanne C. Hillhouse top

JAMILA H. K. SALANKEY

Author of Her Blackest Sin
Third placed in the 18 to 35 age category

Total prizes:

Books

Send out you Hand by Dorbrene O’Marde

So the Nailhead Bend So the Story End: An Anthology of Antiguan and Barbudan Writing

Tides that Bind and the Road to Wadi Halfa by Claudia Elizabeth Ruth Francis

And More

Gift certificate for Latte, Capuccino or Coffee – Heavenly Java 2 Go.top

MICHAELA HARRIS

Author of Secret of de Mango Tree
Second placed in the 13 to 17 age category

Total prizes:

Books

Island Princess in Brooklyn by Diane Browne

Pink Teacups and Blue Dresses by Floree Williams

So the Nailhead Bend So the Story End: An Anthology of Antiguan and Barbudan Writing by Althea Prince

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books

And More

$50 book gift certificate – Cushion Club top

VEGA ARMSTRONG

Author of Hide and Seek
Second placed in the 12 and younger age category

Total Prizes:

Books

Caribbean Adventure Series – three pack by Carol Mitchell

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books top

CHAMMAIAH AMBROSE

Author of How Tigers Got Stripes
Third placed in the 12 and younger age category

Total prizes:

Books

The Legend of Bat’s Cave and other stories by Barbara Arrindell

Caribbean Adventure Series – three pack by Carol Mitchell

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books top

DENNIKA BASCOM

Winner in the junior section of 2013 Wadadli Pen Art Challenge

Total Prizes:

Seascapes by Carol Mitchell

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books

Gift courtesy Jane Seagull

Gifts courtesy Art at the Ridge top

 

AVECIA JAMES

Second placed in the junior section of the 2013 Wadadli Pen Art Challenge

Total Prizes:

Antigua My Antigua by Barbara Arrindell

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books

Gifts courtesy Art at the Ridge top

 

JAMIKA NEDD

Third placed in the junior section of the 2013 Wadadli Pen Art Challenge

Total Prizes:

Antigua My Antigua by Barbara Arrindell

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books

Gifts courtesy Art at the Ridge top

GARVIN JEFFREY BENJAMIN

Winner in the young adult section of the 2013 Wadadli Pen Art Challenge

Total Prizes:

Gifts courtesy the Best of Books

Gift courtesy Art at the Ridge

Cash gift courtesy Koren Norton and anonymous donor

That he may have the opportunity to collaborate with writer Barbara Arrindell on her next children’s picture book is something we can all look forward to top

Special thanks as well to all the 2013 partners: Barbara Arrindell and the Best of Books, Floree Williams, Devra Thomas, Linisa George, and Brenda Lee Browne. Thanks as well to our media partners who help get the word out, especially Antigua Nice and 365 Antigua who for several years and ongoing have hosted pages for Wadadli Pen on their very busy hubs.

I am Joanne C. Hillhouse. I am first and foremost a writer (author of The Boy from Willlow Bend, Dancing Nude in the Moonlight, Oh Gad! and contributor to other anthologies and journals) who could’ve benefited from this kind of encouragement back in the day. That’s why I do this. Congratulations to all the winners, and remember this is not just a contest; this is our attempt to nurture and showcase Antiguan and Barbudan literary talent. We’ve taken the time over the years to provide feedback to the winning writers, conduct writing workshops including online workshops right here on this site, visit schools, and other activities (such as this site) designed to help young writers hone their skills. As we showcase your best efforts here on https://wadadlipen.wordpress.com we encourage you to keep writing and to remain open to the opportunities to become a better writer.

HOW TIGERS GOT STRIPES BY CHAMMAIAH AMBROSE

Once upon a time in the jungle in Guyana, all the tigers were black.  Although they were black, they were happy because their prey could not see them, especially at night.  One by one the animals were eaten.

In the corner of the jungle lived a wicked, greedy, black tiger, feared by all the animals. His cruelty was well known since many animals both large and small had suffered.  He could kill an animal with one swipe of his sharp claws. He prowled at night and the other animals were too afraid to venture out for fear of being eaten.  Because of him, their fat was melting like butter in the sun. They got skinnier and skinnier.

One day, the leader of the animals called a meeting to deal with the problem.  Everyone had grand ideas.  “Set a trap”, “Poison him”, “Shoot him”, were some of the suggestions to get rid of the evil beast.

The leader said, “Another one will come back and we still will not be able to see him at night.  Sorry to say by then we will be all eaten.”

Out of nowhere a little voice said, “Stop! I have the perfect plan.”

“Quiet!” said the leader.  “Let’s hear the plan.”

Everyone turned and looked in the direction of the little voice which came from the Spotted Puffbird, perched on a branch above the gathering.

“The tigers usually sleep very hard especially after a hunt and their bellies are full, so we should paint bright colour stripes on them while they are asleep,” he suggested.  “In that way we will see the stripes at night while they are hunting and it will give us enough time to run away from the danger.”

“Who will do such a thing?” asked the leader.

“We will,” said the centipedes. “There is a tree in this jungle that produces a bright, glowing orange sap. We can roll in it and use our long body to paint the stripes all over the tigers’ body. They will not even feel a thing.”

And they did just that.   When the tigers woke up how surprised they were to find bright orange stripes all over their bodies. Their mighty roar could be heard throughout the jungle.  They rolled in mud, washed in the river but the stripes could not come off.

As you would also expect, the animals were not afraid to feed anymore, so they began to gain weight.

That, my friends, is how the tigers got stripes.

Chammaiah Ambrose

BIO: Chammaiah Ambrose is an eight-year-old, fourth grade student at the Sunnyside Tutorial School. Her story, How Tigers got Stripes, earned her the third placed prize in the 12 and younger category of the 2013 Wadadli Pen Challenge. Chammaiah says she loves to write stories based on what she reads. Her story How Tiger got Stripes is a new twist on an old mythical story. Her favourite subjects are language-related – reading, spelling, grammar, dictation. She also likes Spanish and wants to be a professor language arts when she grows up.

Please respect the writer’s copyright and do not repost, alter, or use this story without permission.