Lost and Found! by Denejah Browne

Honourable Mention in the 12 and younger age category – Wadadli Pen Challenge 2016

Author’s comment about the story: “Lost and Found! is about Life in the Caribbean in the old days included taking care of animals and crops. Modern comforts have changed our lifestyle, however, we must not forget our Caribbean Life.”

Judge’s comments (positives only*): “Could be a good little story; there is a setting and theme and a happy ending.”

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 Denejah for being singled out for honourable mention and for taking the opportunity to review and revise her story. Keep working on your craft; keep valuing your voice and your art. – JCH

Denejah Browne.

 

Here now is Lost and Found! by Denejah Browne, 11, who loves to read and play music, especially pan, and who is a student at Christ the King High School:

Long ago in a small village on a Caribbean Island, lived a farmer and his family.  His wife Silvia spent her day attending to the crops in the field and cooking for her family.  Their children Luke and Sally were eleven and twelve years old and spent their days looking after the goats and chickens.  Their father took care of the cows and planting the fields.  They lived in a three bedroom house with dirt floors and a thatched roof.  The family lived on a big piece of land and made money from selling milk, eggs and crops which were, corn, sweet potato, peas and carrots.

Their day started at 5:00 AM when they got up to take care of the animals. Luke and Sally were in charge of the goats and chickens, who needed fresh grass and water and to be taken to a new grazing area often. They had 10 adult goats and 5 kiddie goats.  Luke and Sally loved the kiddies and would play with them for hours.  In the evening they would go back and lock them in their pens for the night.  One night Luke and Sally were in a hurry to eat dinner and forgot to lock the kiddies goat pen door.  During the night they got out and wandered into the fields.  The next morning, Luke and Sally were surprised and worried when they saw the kiddies were gone and ran quickly to tell mom and dad what had happened.

The search for the kiddies began as the family headed out to the grazing fields.  They searched for hours and could not find the kiddies.  Mom returned home to take care of the other animals that were forgotten due to the search.  Luke and Sally were now in tears because the kiddies were lost.  Dad stated that it was almost dinner time and they must go back home.    On their way back home Sally saw a white tail hiding in the bushes.  As they went closer they saw the five kiddie goats looking scared and hungry.  They were so happy that they found their kiddie goats.  Dad helped them to take the kiddies home safely and they made sure to lock the door securely.

 

For earning honourable mention in her age category, Denejah received:
Gifts contributed by Juneth Webson and Frank B. Armstrong, a gift certificate for EC$25 from the Cushion Club, and a certificate sponsored by the Best of Books.

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.

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