Wadadli Pen Challenge – Who Won What in 2020?

“We continue the work and hopefully continue to boost the literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda because that’s what Wadadli Pen is all about. Our mandate is to nurture and showcase the literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda. It’s not about me; it’s not about any of the members behind the scenes. It’s about these young people and encouraging them to write. Because I think we realize even now in these sort of times that we’re in that finding ways to get out all the anxiety and confusion and even the restlessness that we all feel, writing and creating generally is a part of that and of course building your language skills and improving your critical thinking skills and your ability to think creatively and also realizing that your story and your voice matters. All of these are the reasons why we write, all of these are the reasons why we encourage the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize.” – Joanne C. Hillhouse, founder and coordinator during the May 9th 2020 facebook live announcement of winners of the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize 2020 Challenge

 

The Wadadli Youth Pen Prize Challenge has been held since 2004; its goal, to encourage young people in Antigua and Barbuda to create their stories. We provide prizes as added incentive and provide this prize breakdown to share the winning stories, introduce our budding writers, and say thanks to our patrons. Thanks to our 2020 Challenge patrons who have come through in the midst of a pandemic and its economic fallout – we can’t thank them enough. We hope the prize recipients are truly appreciative of this gesture of goodwill and that our community will support the businesses and individuals that support the arts. Thanks, as well, to our judges, Wadadli Pen team member Floree Williams Whyte (author of Pink Teacups and Blue Dresses, Through a Window, and The Wonderful World of Yohan), and 2020 volunteer judges Glen Toussaint (writer and book retailer) and Danielle Boodoo Fortune-Hackshaw (Trinidad and Tobago artist, illustrator, and award winning author of the poetry collection Doe Songs). Thanks to the Wadadli Pen core team – Floree Williams Whyte, former finalists Devra Thomas (2011) and Margaret Irish (2014 Teachers Prize and 2015 Winner Take All), Barbara Arrindell, a writer (Antigua My Antigua, The Legend of Bat’s Cave and Other Stories) and book retailer, and Joanne C. Hillhouse, writer (The Boy from Willow Bend, Dancing Nude in the Moonlight, Oh Gad!, Musical Youth, With Grace, Lost! A Caribbean Sea Adventure) and Wadadli Pen founder and coordinator. Here now are our winning writers and, for your reading pleasure, our winning stories and poems, plus prize breakdown with links to patron pages online. The breakdown  is first winners by age, then special category prize winners, then read all the way through to see who is the main prize winner.

Everybody gets: 

Certificates acknowledging their ranking in the Wadadli Pen 2020 Challenge.

A selection of books from The Best of Books Bookstore. Best of Books is also the sponsor of the Alstyne Allen Memorial Plaque onto which the winners’ names are engraved.

Cultural items from the Cultural Development Division – Antigua and Barbuda – this was a last minute addition after the Director of Culture (ag) Khan Cordice hopped on the May 9th 2020 live announcement on my facebook page to make the offer.

 

7 to 12

Winner –

Tom, the Ninja Crab (story)

Opening: “It was a clear, still night and the moon shone so brightly through the waters that Tom, the crab, couldn’t sleep.”

by Cheyanne Darroux 11, Golden Grove Primary School

Prizes – Patrons:

EC$250 – Photogenesis; books (3) – Cindy’s Bookstore 

 

1st runner up –

My Favourite Dish (poem)

Opening: “I’m a little girl,/And I am fat,/I can tell you my favourite food did that,/It’s not because I’m greedy.”

by Ciara Thomas, 10, Sunnydale School

Prizes – Patrons:

Books (3) – Cindy’s Bookstore ; copy of Antigua My Antigua – Barbara Arrindell; US$50 for gift certificate for books – Friends of Antigua Public Library (NY)

 

2nd runner up –

A Mermaid (story)

Opening: “The wind whistled as Marie slowly crept across the soft, thick sand of the Johnson Point beach.”

by Zaniah Pigott

12, Island Academy

Prizes – Patrons:

Books (3) – Cindy’s Bookstore ; signed copy of Musical Youth 2nd edition (paperback) and With Grace (paperback) by Joanne C. Hillhouse

 

 

Honourable Mention –

A New World (story)

Opening: “The three friends sat quietly around the dinner table in disbelief about what had just happened.”

by Sienna Harney-Barnes

10, St. Nicholas Primary School

Prizes – Patrons:  

Books (3) – Cindy’s Bookstore ; copy of Antigua My Antigua – Barbara Arrindell; signed copy of The Wonderful World of Yohan by Floree Williams Whyte

 

 

13 to 17 –

Winner –

Two Worlds Collide (narrative poem)

Opening: “ROAR; Roar, that beckoning roar in the distance.”

by D’Chaiya Emmanuel

15, Antigua Girls High School

Prizes – Patrons:

EC$200 – D. Gisele Isaac (writer – Considering Venus, Wadadli Pen co-founder); EC$50 – Lawrence Jardine (founder and technical director of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Enlightenment Academy); free eye exam – Paradise Vision Center; Bath and Body gift packages (2) – Juneth Webson (businesswoman and writer – Milo’s First Winter); external hard drive – Cushion Club (reading club for children in Antigua and Barbuda)

 

 

1st runner up –

The Beast of Barbados (story)

Opening: “The night was preternaturally quiet.”

by William Henderson

17, St. Anthony’s Secondary School

Prizes – Patrons:

EC$200 – Lawrence Jardine (founder and technical director of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Enlightenment Academy); signed copy of Musical Youth (hard cover edition) by Joanne C. Hillhouse

 

2nd runner up –

Fabled Truth (story)

Opening: “You hear stories of Duppies, River Mumma and Lajabless.”

by Aria-Rose Browne

14, St. Anthony’s Secondary School

Prizes – Patrons:

EC$150 – Lawrence Jardine (founder and technical director of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Enlightenment Academy); Bath and Body gift package – Juneth Webson (businesswoman and writer – Milo’s First Winter); signed copy of Musical Youth (hard cover edition) by Joanne C. Hillhouse

Honourable  Mention –

The John Bull Effect (story)

Opening: “Every day at break, Miles and Tony would steal Tyler’s lunch money,and give him a ‘wedgie’ whenever he approached the urinal.”

by Judah Christian

13, Antigua Grammar School

Prizes – Patrons:

EC$100 – Lawrence Jardine (founder and technical director of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Enlightenment Academy); Signed copy of Musical Youth 2nd edition (paperback) by Joanne C. Hillhouse

 

 

18 to 35 –

Winner –

A Bright Future for Tomorrow (story)

Opening: “The quiet crunches of footsteps on the decrepit asphalt echoed in the barren landscape, sparsely occupied by wilted weeds and rundown buildings.”

by Andre J. P. Warner

21

Prizes – Patrons:

EC$200 and a signed copy of London Rocks – Brenda Lee Browne; dinner for 2 – Hermitage Bay; signed copy of Musical Youth (hard cover edition) by Joanne C. Hillhouse

1st runner up –

Lead Me Lord (poem)

Opening: “Lead me lord I will follow/but not through the bushes and on the roads with crack.”

by Lehana Simon

23

Prizes – Patrons:

EC$250 – Hazra Medica; Bath and Body gift package – Juneth Webson (businesswoman and writer – Milo’s First Winter)

2nd runner up –

Oh, Beach that I once loved (poem)

Opening: ” Waves running towards the shore as the pleasant sea air blesses one’s nose.”

by Sethson Burton

19, American University of Antigua

Prizes – Patrons:

Signed copy of Musical Youth 2nd edition (paperback) by Joanne C. Hillhouse

 

 

Special Category Prizes –

Climate Change themed ‘Imagine a Future’ prize – Winner –

A Bright Future for Tomorrow by Andre J. P. Warner

Excerpt: “April of 2008 was the day when the first infestation of the Giant African Snail was identified, a small patch in Jolly Hill. A manageable infestation but due to mismanagement the invasion spread, in the eyes of the public and the government they were not that important. The farmers were the first to complain, then a few communities, but the masses did not complain; after all it wasn’t their properties. Then the businesses started complaining; the government put up a few initiatives and even put a bounty on snails, but who wanted to pick up nasty snails in hot sun for only five dollars a bag? As time passed they spread like the slow stream of water on the dinner table, you only noticed when it’s dripping on your lap. The nation was flooded; the government still dragged their feet even when the tourists complained. The snails were seen and ignored until disaster truly struck. In November 2020 the corona virus hit the nation…”

Prizes – Patrons:

EC$500 – Juneth Webson (businesswoman and writer – Milo’s First Winter)

 

School with the Most Submissions – Winner –

Sunnydale School – 14 submissions

Prizes – Patrons:

EC$600 worth of books – Caribbean Reads Publishing

 

 

Main Prize – Winner (tie) –

Tom, the Ninja Crab by Cheyanne Darroux  & A Bright Future for Tomorrow by Andre J. P. Warner

 

 

 

 

 

Chief judges’ comments: “Tom, the Ninja Crab and Bright Future for Tomorrow both were unanimously ranked as the top piece of their category. It is hard to judge both pieces against each other given the age difference and expected abilities of the writers. Both were equally as good for different reasons. Tom, the Ninja Crab was a delight and imaginative story. While Bright Future was a well thought out and creative piece.”

Excerpts:

“Suddenly he saw a beautiful sight. A bright red light moved along the shore and threw down into the water, a long flame. Being a curious crab, Tom swam towards the shore and met the light as it stopped over a rock. There underneath the light lay six great salmon looking at the flame with their great, googly eyes, waggling their tails as if they were pleased with it.” (from Tom, the Ninja Crab)

“Lucas began to undress for the unpleasant dive he wished to avoid, but with his increase in asthma symptoms, that old hospital was the only place where he could find the Ventolin inhalers he needed. With a grimace and a deep breath, Lucas took his dive.” (from A Bright Future for Tomorrow)

Prizes (each/both) – Darroux and Warner – Patrons:

EC$500 – one anonymous and one contributed by Frank B. Armstrong; free eye exam (each) – Paradise Vision Center; US$500 (split equally) worth of books – Sean Lyons; journal (each) – one the Just Write journal by Brenda Lee Browne (Just Write) & one custom made by Jane Seagull; name emblazoned on The Wadadli Youth Pen Prize Alstyne Allen Memorial Challenge plaque – The Best of Books

*

Post script: I (Joanne C. Hillhouse) attended the Rotary Club of Antigua’s Reading Competition in March and after hearing participants read from the featured book, my own The Boy from Willow  Bend, I invited the top 3 readers to the Wadadli Pen awards to collect copies of my book Lost! A Caribbean Sea Adventure. but, of course, the awards didn’t happen. I have, though, turned the books over to Rotary and wanted to use this moment also to congratulate Adrian Clarke (3rd placed reader), Jelisa Graham (2nd placed reader), and winner Amaya King.

 

A Bright Future for Tomorrow

by Andre J. P. Warner, 21

The quiet crunches of footsteps on the decrepit asphalt echoed in the barren landscape, sparsely occupied by wilted weeds and rundown buildings. Lucas, a lean bronze skinned young man walked towards the coast silently eyeing his destination, his eyes kept low from the blaring sun. His steady pace soon came to a stop as the road took an abrupt plunge into murky waters, filled with detritus. Lucas’s gaze locked on the lone building visible in the distance; partially submerged, with the paint barely reflecting the orange hew it once held. Lucas began to undress for the unpleasant dive he wished to avoid, but with his increase in asthma symptoms, that old hospital was the only place where he could find the Ventolin inhalers he needed. With a grimace and a deep breath, Lucas took his dive.

Steadily swimming, Lucas began to think about what led to the country he lived in being in this state. The answer was simple, it just simply got hotter. Global warming peaked melting the icecaps, elevating sea levels to the point where the sea took 30% of the land. The sea ports, airports, coastline hotels, and all the offshore islands sunk! St Johns, Green Bay, Coolidge and all areas close to the coast along with every beach simply disappeared, so fast were the effects that there was no time to plan for the devastating economic effects. With this new aquatic territory, Sargassum sea-weed flourished, creating many forests around the island inhabited by the most vicious predator, Lionfish. As the kings of the underwater jungle, they destroyed most aquatic wildlife with their indiscriminate feeding. Lucas came back to focus as he reached his destination and began his frantic search, the results were lacking, but the single dosage he found would have to do. Doubling back, he swam to shore for his trek to Scott’s hill where he lived, one of the few decent places left on island.

Lucas approached the base of the hill to his home he heard a sharp crunch, lifting his leg he saw the source, a brown shell. Staring at the shattered remains of the shell he recalled the past behind them. The April of 2008 was the day when the first infestation of the Giant African Snail was identified, a small patch in Jolly Hill. A manageable infestation but due to mismanagement the invasion spread, in the eyes of the public and the government they were not that important. The farmers were the first to complain, then a few communities, but the masses did not complain; after all it wasn’t their properties. Then the businesses started complaining; the government put up a few initiatives and even put a bounty on snails, but who wanted to pick up nasty snails in hot sun for only five dollars a bag? As time passed they spread like the slow stream of water on the dinner table, you only noticed when it’s dripping on your lap. The nation was flooded; the government still dragged their feet even when the tourists complained. The snails were seen and ignored until disaster truly struck. In November 2020 the corona virus hit the nation, one that could not even properly fend off Dengue fever. The initial cases were contained but, an unknown fact was that the snails were perfect vector for both dengue and the corona virus. Within the bodies of the snails these viruses fused to create, the Krylan virus. The discovery of this virus was at a point which it was too late; a mortality rate of 55% devastated the island and Antigua was quarantined from the rest of the world. The government in desperation released the strongest toxin possible in an attempt to quell the outbreak, this did yield results but also destroyed local species and biodiversity. Between the deadly virus and the now barren land Antigua was evacuated, with a small group of villagers including Lucas’s grandparents.

The thought of the injustice of his ruined nation ignited a fire in Lucas. “You selfish bastards,” he yelled. The politicians and tycoons who profited from pollution, ignoring the consequences. “Those impudent worthle-” it was at this moment Ben realized he could no longer hear himself. With his simmering passion rapidly cooling, he was able to come to the realization that his mike was…off? Eager to return to his speech, Ben rapidly tapped the power button; his futile efforts led to the realization that he had been muted! A rising heat was felt in his cheeks as a slight blush was formed as he slowly raised his head and looked at his audience who had been forgotten in his fervor. There were variety of expressions to be seen, with half of the viewing audience shocked. The expression on his principal’s face was that of restrained anger, who had warned him not to embarrass his institution with “foolishness”. Faces of resentment were worn by the minister who had expected to be praised, not criticized. Visages of amusement and barely restrained laughter adorned the faces of all his classmates. Lastly was resignation in the face of his teacher who begged him not to ‘overdo’. In the corner of his eye Ben spotted a waving hand signaling him to leave, facing the crowd he quickly said “thank you” and strutted off stage. Passing the shocked speaker of ceremonies, on his way to the exit Ben heard her sputter out “T-that was Mr. Ben Mascal and his piece titled ‘A Bright Future for Tomorrow.’ I-I want to thank you all once again for coming out to our sustainable development awards program, here at the parliament building”. The voice faded as Ben left with the knowledge that he was clearly suspended, but with a small smile on his face with the feeling of his message being heard. Staring over the cityscape, with the ocean reflecting the Sun’s glow on his face Ben whispered “it might just be a bright future after-all.”

ABOUT the story: “The exploration of a young man in a now dystopian Antigua ravaged by climate change and its effects. This piece was inspired by my own ‘what if’ scenarios and the award sub-heading.” This story won the 18 to 35 age category and the Imagine a Future/Climate Change themed prize, and tied for the main prize in the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize 2020 Challenge.

ABOUT the author: Antiguan writer with a passion for reading and the literary arts…also fond of chess and hiking. Warner is one of five 2018 Wadadli Pen honourable mentions.

ABOUT prizes won:

Each winner is also set to receive a certificate, a selection of books from The Best of Books Bookstore and cultural items from the Cultural Development Division – Antigua and Barbuda.

Prizes – Patrons:

Winner 18 – 35 –
EC$200 and a signed copy of London Rocks – Brenda Lee Browne; dinner for 2 – Hermitage Bay; signed copy of Musical Youth (hard cover edition) by Joanne C. Hillhouse

Winner ‘Imagine a Future’ Climate Change Theme – 
EC$500 – Juneth Webson (businesswoman and writer – Milo’s First Winter)

Main Prize Winner (tied) – 

EC$500 – Frank B. Armstrong; free eye exam – Paradise Vision Center; US$250 worth of books – Sean Lyons; journal – Just Write journal by Brenda Lee Browne (Just Write); name emblazoned on The Wadadli Youth Pen Prize Alstyne Allen Memorial Challenge plaque – The Best of Books

For the full breakdown of ‘who won what’, if not linked, use the site’s search feature.

ABOUT Wadadli Pen: The Wadadli Youth Pen Prize launched in 2004 with a writing Challenge that continues 16 years later. It is Wadadli Pen’s pilot project, in keeping with its mandate to nurture and showcase the literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda, encouraging  writers (and visual artists) in Antigua and Barbuda (35 years and younger) to create a piece on any topic, within a Caribbean aesthetic. In 2020, there was also an Imagine a Future climate change challenge. To support the work of Wadadli Pen, contact wadadlipen@gmail.com

 

Please respect the author’s copyright. If you share, excerpt, credit, and link back; do not republish without permission nor without crediting.

Tom, the Ninja Crab

by Cheyanne Darroux, 11, Golden Grove Primary

It was a clear, still night and the moon shone so brightly through the waters that Tom, the crab couldn’t sleep.

Suddenly he saw a beautiful sight. A bright red light moved along the shore and threw down into the water, a long flame. Being a curious crab, Tom swam towards the shore and met the light as it stopped over a rock. There underneath the light lay six great salmon looking at the flame with their great, googly eyes, waggling their tails as if they were pleased with it.

Tom climbed on the rock to look at this wonderful light. He heard a voice say ‘Forget the rules. We have to sell the salmon to make a living’.

Another voice said ‘If we do that the Animal Safety Control will arrest us. We are breaking the law. We can only hunt two animals per week or else spend 52 years in prison.’

‘I am willing to risk it. The money is worth it.’

Tom saw two men scoop up the salmon, put them in a cooler and roar away in their boat.

Tom jumped off the rock and followed the boat to see what they would do with the salmon.

The men stopped the boat and ran up on the sand to a shack.

Tom jumped out of the water, clacking his claws ‘I am Tom the Ninja crab. Let the salmon go. Hi-eee —’

Instead they caught him mid-air and put him in the cooler with the salmon.

‘Don’t worry’, Tom said to the whimpering salmon. ‘I will save you. We will not stay in this cooler forever. Wait for me. I am coming back’.

Using his claws, Tom punched a hole in the cooler and jumped over the edge of the boat into the water. He surfaced and saw the men talking on a cell phone. A taxi pulled up. They jumped in, with the cooler still talking on a cell phone’

Tom was tired, but then he felt a tap on the back of his shell and before he knew it he was flying in the air, held tightly in the beak of a frigate bird.

‘My name is Freddy and you saved me once from being cooked by a group of boys. I can still remember one of them crying in pain from you pinching his nose. Hold on.’

‘Follow that taxi, Freddy!’ cried Tom.

Freddy followed the taxi until it stopped at the St. John’s market. He landed just outside the Market Street entrance and gently lowered Tom onto the ground. Then he rose into the air and flew off into the night.

‘Thank you, Freddy!’ cried Tom.

The two men jumped out of the taxi with the cooler. They placed it on a table and started to shout ‘Come buy your salmon. Fresh from the sea!’

Tom leapt on the table and the people screamed and started running. One lady pushed over the cooler and the salmon fell into a bucket of water, that was luckily near the table.

‘Halt in the name of the law!’

A woman and a man in Animal Safety Patrol uniform grabbed the men and handcuffed them. They put the salmon back into the cooler.

‘You get these little guys back into the water,’ said the man. ‘and I will take these men to the station.’

Tom followed the woman across the street, through the fish stalls and heard the splash.

Satisfied he jumped and as he swam away, he began to sing.

I am Tom, the ninja Crab
Don’t mess with me
Don’t trouble my friends
Or I’ll deal with you
You don’t know when

‘HI-EEE-YAH!’

ABOUT the story: “My story is about a crab who fights on behalf of the creatures with his karate and his wit. My story is inspired by my father, who is a fisherman and who takes me, my brother, and sister out on the sea.” This work of fiction is winner of the 7-12 age category of the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize 2020 Challenge. It also tied for the main prize – the first tie in the history of Wadadli Pen – making Cheyanne the first 12 and younger winner to claim the main prize.

ABOUT the author: Cheyanne sails, plays pan, and reads and writes stories. Her literary skills have been honed as a member of Quality Generation, the children’s auxiliary of the Vibrant Faith Ministries.

ABOUT prizes won:

Each winner is also set to receive a certificate, a selection of books from The Best of Books Bookstore and cultural items from the Cultural Development Division – Antigua and Barbuda.

Age Category Prizes – Patrons:

Winner – 7 to 12 –
EC$250 – Photogenesis; books (3) – Cindy’s Bookstore 

Main Prize Winner (tied) –
EC$500 – anonymous; free eye exam – Paradise Vision Center; US$250 worth of books sponsored by – Sean Lyons; custom-made journal – Jane Seagull; name emblazoned on The Wadadli Youth Pen Prize Alstyne Allen Memorial Challenge plaque – sponsored by The Best of Books

For the full breakdown of ‘who won what’, if not linked (yet), use the site’s search feature.

ABOUT Wadadli Pen: The Wadadli Youth Pen Prize launched in 2004 with a writing Challenge that continues 16 years later. It is Wadadli Pen’s pilot project, in keeping with its mandate to nurture and showcase the literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda, encouraging  writers (and visual artists) in Antigua and Barbuda (35 years and younger) to create a piece on any topic, within a Caribbean aesthetic. In 2020, there was also an Imagine a Future climate change challenge. To support the work of Wadadli Pen, contact wadadlipen@gmail.com

Please respect the author’s copyright. If you share, excerpt, credit, and link back; do not republish without permission nor without crediting.

Oh, Beach That I Once Loved

by Sethson Burton, 19, American University of Antigua

Waves running towards the shore as the pleasant sea air blesses one’s nose.
Young men playing cricket as the scorching sand clings between their toes.
The sun in the sky beaming with triumphant glory,
With radiance so splendid that it dare not be mimicked.
Roaming the sandy plains and the crystal-clear sea allow us to mingle.
Not with those who are forced to stand tall on their two majestic feet,
But with those who crawl and use shells to mask their decency;
And with the studded stars of heaven God placed on the ocean floor.
This is the beach that I once loved.

With nature’s wealth bestowed unto us, the expectation is gratitude.
The expectation is to honour Mother Nature with reverence to the greatest magnitude.
This expectation, humanity never met;
And ultimate disrespect was given out like a cheque.
Fossil fuels burn, and the earth feels the heat.
Cutting down trees causes its life to deplete.
Heartbroken by this treacherous display
Mother Nature has a scheme underway.
Harnessing rage like that of a bull, she charges forward with retribution.
I hope nothing happens to the beach that I once loved.
Now, the crashing waves run marathons and do not slow down.
The once seductive infinite shore is becoming no more.
The games of cricket might soon be obsolete,
Because of the sand’s decision to retreat.
The once glorious sun has suddenly become cold,
And shows no mercy on the residents this earth beholds.
The crawling friends once found on the beach, have now passed on.
Was it the torturous hurricanes or the raging heat?
It matters not, because now they have departed to a greater place.
With a sunken heart I sympathize with the beach that I once loved.

ABOUT the poem: The poem is set in the future, in which the narrator recalls from his memory, how growing up on the beach was this wonderful place. However, because of human disruption, climate change had changed his once beloved beach for the worst. This poem placed third in the 18 to 35 age category of the Wadadli Pen Challenge 2020.

ABOUT the author: Sethson Burton studies medicine. His hobbies include playing, and watching, football and cricket and also writing. From a young age he enjoyed many forms of writing including songs, poetry, essays and short stories. Even with a hectic schedule, because of his studies, he expects to continue his passion for writing in his spare time.

ABOUT prizes won:

Prizes – Patrons:

Signed copy of Musical Youth 2nd edition (paperback) by Joanne C. Hillhouse

Each winner is also set to receive a certificate, a selection of books from  The Best of Books Bookstore and cultural items from the Cultural Development Division – Antigua and Barbuda.

For the full breakdown of ‘who won what’, if not linked (yet), use the site’s search feature.

ABOUT Wadadli Pen: The Wadadli Youth Pen Prize launched in 2004 with a writing Challenge that continues 16 years later. It is Wadadli Pen’s pilot project, in keeping with its mandate to nurture and showcase the literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda, encouraging  writers (and visual artists) in Antigua and Barbuda (35 years and younger) to create a piece on any topic, within a Caribbean aesthetic. In 2020, there was also an Imagine a Future climate change challenge. To support the work of Wadadli Pen, contact wadadlipen@gmail.com

Please respect the author’s copyright. If you share, excerpt, credit, and link back; do not republish without permission nor without crediting.

 

Lead me lord

by Lehana Simon, 23

Lead me lord I will follow
but not through the bushes and on the roads with crack.
Not through the alleys, 1735, nor the rastaman shack.
Perhaps through the green pastures,
and around the church room?
maybe somewhere real far, like Freetown?
Then again, it’s too soon.

Lead me lord I will go,
but I need to know in advance
because my schedule’s already planned.
These new church shoes can’t be walking on dirt, or in potholes.
Suppose I mash two ants?
I’d destroy their home!
But don’t worry I will go.
Actually, something came up,
how about tomorrow ?

You have called me
at a time that’s extremely inconvenient.
And you have a son that you could’ve sent
‘cause it’s quite obvious that your daughter is busy –
name talking and of course deep sin diving.
The person you’ve called is unavailable,
so please, leave a message after the tone.
As a matter of fact, put down the phone.

I will answer.
As long as you call back later.
And I’ll try my best not to let you speak to the operator
And I’ll try my best not to rush you
But you already know that sermons can’t finish minutes to two.

Lead me lord
Down this path.
This one that doesn’t have any bumps or too many curves,
This one right here that’s paved out already,
the one without the word.

I will go

If I don’t go lord, then who?
Am I to walk the long bitter road in this old tattered shoe?
Cause im empty and im tired
And I’m trying to endure and wait for you.
I’m trying to endure and wait for you.

But Lord, I cant talk like them, walk them, or dress like them of old.
I’m not a product of USC, so cant you see I’m not one you got to mold?
So are you going to leave me here in Tarshish?
To endure all the mess that i’ve built?
Are you gonna leave me here to eat with pigs?
Are you gonna leave me here because of that one small fib?
Can’t you see that I stutter in my sins?
And every last one keeps reoccurring again
And every last one keeps reoccurring again.
And I’m just trying endure and wait for you
But could I endure and wait for you?

ABOUT the poem: “The poem was written with the average Christian, or more specifically SDA Christian in mind. Often times persons may profess to be willing and able to fulfill the great commission – to preach and teach about Jesus, but when the time comes, an array of things get in the way – pride, jealousy, or even other responsibilities and commitments. I wrote the poem to remind myself, and other Christians that there is no such thing as the ‘perfect time to share the gospel’ or behave in a christian manner. Rather, every opportunity should be maximized if we are to truly be disciples.” The poem was second placed in the 18 to 35 age category of the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize 2020 Challenge.

ABOUT the author: Lehana Simon is a 23 year old daughter of the soil. Like many others before her, writing became an avenue for self expression and reflection. Her poems largely revolve around the complexities of being a Gen-Z female Christian, though she would take inspiration from other themes of life. Her goal is to create pieces that reflect the reality around her, and that would resonate with people everywhere.

ABOUT prizes won:

Prizes – Patrons:

EC$250 – Dr. Hazra Medica; Bath and Body gift package – Juneth Webson (businesswoman and writer – Milo’s First Winter)

Each winner is also set to receive a certificate, a selection of books from The Best of Books Bookstore and cultural items from the Cultural Development Division – Antigua and Barbuda.

For the full breakdown of ‘who won what’, if not linked (yet), use the site’s search feature.

ABOUT Wadadli Pen: The Wadadli Youth Pen Prize launched in 2004 with a writing Challenge that continues 16 years later. It is Wadadli Pen’s pilot project, in keeping with its mandate to nurture and showcase the literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda, encouraging  writers (and visual artists) in Antigua and Barbuda (35 years and younger) to create a piece on any topic, within a Caribbean aesthetic. In 2020, there was also an Imagine a Future climate change challenge. To support the work of Wadadli Pen, contact wadadlipen@gmail.com

Please respect the author’s copyright. If you share, excerpt, credit, and link back; do not republish without permission nor without crediting.

The John Bull Effect

by Judah Christian, 13, Antigua Grammar School

Every day at break, Miles and Tony would steal Tyler’s lunch money, and give him a ‘wedgie’ whenever he approached the urinal. His ritual was to go through classes ignoring the bullies, while in Science class visualizing his enhanced super costume. The more he thought about it, the more his plans were coming together. He drew a sketch of a suit made of banana leaves and ‘crocus’ bag, with a mask made from a cattle’s skull with a blue, red, yellow and black design. The clap whip would be hidden away in the hand of the suit, similar to what Peter Parker, Spiderman, had. All this he securely guarded in his private blue and red journal.

“Yes! That’s how I’m going to spend my summer!” Tyler exclaimed, forgetting he was in Mr Frederick’s class.

“Tyler! No, that is not an element on the periodic table!” berated Mr Frederick, the Science teacher. “As  a matter of fact, I think you need to let your classmates know HOW you’re going to spend your summer!” continued the teacher.

The class erupted with laughter.

This reminded Tyler of the first time he had to repeat his ‘golden text’ in front of the congregation at St. Morbid’s Cathedral. Sigh. As he staggered to the front of the lab, he faced his classmates and froze. For the next three hundred seconds, not a tick of the clock passed by without him hearing it. Every second. Tick. Tock. No one can know about his plans for the summer. No one. Suddenly, a prefect rushed into the class, and told Mr Frederick that he was needed urgently at the office. At the same time came the familiar ‘brrrrringgg’ to signify the end of the class.

The agitated teacher said, “Class dismissed! Tyler, you better make sure you have that summer plan ready for our next session!”

“Okay, sir!” Tyler responded, breathing a sigh of relief.

Later that evening, Tyler began to put more plans in place to include getting his neighbour, Mr John Bailey, a mass builder, to help him with his suit. He would approach his grandfather, about helping out at the farm, so that he could master the art of donkey-back riding. Once in place, Tyler was focused on his revenge on Miles and Tony.

That summer, while most teenaged boys were involved in Fifa, girls, camps, or carnival preparations, Tyler was busy making his suit and preparing to deliver the John Bull Effect. By the end of summer, he was ready. He kept Mr Bailey’s mantra in his head, “Na mek nobady tek advantage ah you!”. For sure, Miles and Tony had it coming.

On the first day of school after the summer break, Tyler was just waiting for the perfect moment to catch the bullies. He could not wait for the dismissal. When the last bell rang, he ran all the way home, changed quickly into his suit, got the donkey, and melted into his private ecological dwelling. As soon as Miles and Tony passed, he sent spiraling shivers down both their spines with the clap whip. As they tried to run away, he quickly caught up with them on the donkey and showered their backs with even more lashes from the clap whip. He stopped when he realized that he could easily kill or brutally injure the two boys. So, he snapped a quick photo of them on his Samsung Galaxy S9+. Turning his donkey, in the opposite direction, he hurriedly rode away, leaving both Miles and Tony sobbing and nursing welts from their lashes.

The bullies’ reign of terror came to an abrupt end, because Tyler had posted their photo as a meme on Instagram, “The John Bull Effect”.

ABOUT the story: How a boy used his Caribbean folklore and 21st century technology to fight against bullying. (It) was inspired by Judah’s drive to see wrongdoers brought to justice. Interwoven in this short story are elements of his love for Spiderman, justice specifically anti-bullying, Antiguan history and culture, and social media. His hope is that his story would appeal to readers all ages. This work of fiction is honourable mention in the 13-17 age category of the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize 2020 Challenge.

ABOUT the author: Judah is passionate about sports, especially football, nature, cars, and technology. Additionally, Judah is an active participant of the Vibrant Faith Ministries’ youth group, where he is trained to be a well-rounded citizen. He lives with his parents and sister in Golden Grove New Extension. Judah is a returning Wadadli Pen finalist – he was a promising writer in 2015 and  second placed in the 12 and younger age category in 2016.

ABOUT prizes won:

Prizes – Patrons:

EC$100 – Lawrence Jardine (founder and technical director of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Enlightenment Academy); Signed copy of Musical Youth 2nd edition (paperback) by Joanne C. Hillhouse

Each winner is also set to receive a certificate, a selection of books from The Best of Books Bookstore and cultural items from the Cultural Development Division – Antigua and Barbuda.

For the full breakdown of ‘who won what’, if not linked (yet), use the site’s search feature.

ABOUT Wadadli Pen: The Wadadli Youth Pen Prize launched in 2004 with a writing Challenge that continues 16 years later. It is Wadadli Pen’s pilot project, in keeping with its mandate to nurture and showcase the literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda, encouraging  writers (and visual artists) in Antigua and Barbuda (35 years and younger) to create a piece on any topic, within a Caribbean aesthetic. In 2020, there was also an Imagine a Future climate change challenge. To support the work of Wadadli Pen, contact wadadlipen@gmail.com

Please respect the author’s copyright. If you share, excerpt, credit, and link back; do not republish without permission nor without crediting.

The Fabled Truth

by Aria-Rose Browne, 14, St. Anthony’s Secondary School

You hear stories of Duppies, River Mumma and Lajabless. Stories told throughout Caribbean islands for generations. Luckily for you, that’s all they are, tales to frighten family and friends. Lore to taunt and jeer. Myths to outgrow and not believe in. Not for me, for now, the year is 3045 and those ‘Legends’ that you used to mock are my living hell. They pivot every island into anguish and despair, engulfing them in darkness leaving nothing behind – and my home is next…

I fled from the great anarchy that troubled my village. The screams of tortured souls echoed throughout. Everywhere one turned, the creatures of the dark, the monsters of your stories would be stalking, ready to feast. The blood curdling screams of their victims swallowed whole, even after the demons had left, continued a cacophony in our heads. The survivors argued in Patois, paranoid and on edge from the tragic events that had taken place. Children clung to mothers, tears streaming down their faces whilst their mothers struggled to remain strong in moments of peril.

I survey the scene and as survivors try hard to pry their eyes from the wreckage, they huddle together in circles of rice. Suddenly, the Witch Doctor’s voice boomed, steering everyone’s focus to her. Before this day the Witch Doctor was shunned, nobody wanting to form fool with obeah, but that seemed long forgotten as the villagers searched for answers. The Witch Doctor’s voice bellowed, “Pour ova rice, turn ova’ yuh shirt and kneel before God. Demons are amongst us,” she pauses and looks upwards, basking in the last golden rays of the sun before it being over cast by a red haze. She jumps frantically, “Beware, the Soucouyant masquerades in deception!” The Witch Doctor ran and disappeared into the forest, chanting. Everyone paused not knowing what to say, her nonsensical words lingering in the wind, only heightening our fears.

I decide to break the silence, “Everyone, we need to move.  I know you’re all scared but I know how to outsmart these demons. Follow me. I know where safety resides.”
“Why should we follow you?” chimed a man.

“Because the same thing happened to my old home. I have already seen the golden sun go red, the white sands turn black and red haze swallowing everything. You should follow me as I am the only one who made it out alive.”

The man fell quiet and with no further objections, I led them to the forest.

As we venture further into the dark, we decide to take a rest since we were exhausted. We settle in a clearing and as we set up camp, we hear one of the villagers proclaim the sight of a river. Before I can get one word in, the rest of the town’s people follow him like a herd of sheep. I run to them, I can hear its calls in the wind, River Mumma is near.

“Quick, everyone, close your eyes!” Most heeded my warning, whilst some stayed stubborn as a mule.

An eerie silence drifted in the darkness, followed by desperate pleas for help, “No, no…,” their voices rich with fear until the river drowns them out. By the time our eyes become readjusted to the light, the river is uneasingly still, stealing some of our friends with it.
The next few days were the same, monsters preyed on us, waiting hungrily for their time. It was Lajabless luring men with her beauty and Rounce playing a game of cat and mouse, toying with his victims. He loved giving us nightmares, filling every night with dread. His antics made us…. more paranoid, to say the least. I warned them all of Lajabless’s seduction, to not let their lustful desires cloud their common sense. As to whom carried deaf ears, Lajabless left them deaf, blind and six feet under. At the dawn of the next day, Rounce tailed us. I told them to fight Rounce with sticks and only count aloud to one and no higher.

Well, the dammed souls were curious.

If the count was greater than one, then that was the number of Rounce that came to fight. There is only so much a stick can do against multiple Rounce and with that, we lost a few more people.

As only four of us remain, spirits are low as we continue through the forest. We cut through the thickets of the forest, and see a familiar face.

The Witch Doctor was making a fire. We joined her. “I’m assuming from your lack of numbers you have encountered the Soucouyant.”

“What’s that?” inquired one of the village folks.

She replied, “You didn’t tell them? The Soucouyant is a demon who sheds its human flesh, turns to a ball of fire and feasts on its vicitm’s bloo-.”

“Why scare them with that nonsense!” I shout.

“It’s not nonsense for the Soucouyant hides amongst us, but luckily ‘e ‘fraid salt and love fi count rice.” She continued, “Would you like some rice?” She throws a few grains of rice on the ground.

“I’m good. Rice is not for me,” I say, not prying my eyes off the rice. I snap out of it and murmur, “I think it’s best we head to bed.”

She looks at me as if wanting to say something but thinks better of it. Then we all lie down and drift into darkness.

The red sun beams on me as I change back into my skin and wipe blood away from my mouth. “The Witch Doctor almost had me, luckily nobody too quick fi believe a hag throwing rice. She was by far the tastiest.” I walk around my blood drained victims and smile to myself, “I never lied, I did see the sun go red and the sands turn black. Y’all shoulda listen to the Witch when she told you I was here.”

With that I was on my way to the next village to continue our game, “Ah mi name Soucouyant.”

ABOUT the story: The Fabled Truth was inspired by “Caribbean folklore and my interest in mythology.” This work of fiction is third placed in the 13-17 age category of the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize 2020 Challenge.

ABOUT the author: Her passion is writing, and she also enjoys music and theatre arts.

ABOUT prizes won:

Prizes – Patrons:

EC$150 – Lawrence Jardine (founder and technical director of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Enlightenment Academy); Bath and Body gift package – Juneth Webson (businesswoman and writer – Milo’s First Winter); signed copy of Musical Youth (hard cover edition) by Joanne C. Hillhouse

Each winner is also set to receive a certificate, a selection of books from The Best of Books Bookstore and cultural items from the Cultural Development Division – Antigua and Barbuda.

For the full breakdown of ‘who won what’, if not linked (yet), use the site’s search feature.

ABOUT Wadadli Pen: The Wadadli Youth Pen Prize launched in 2004 with a writing Challenge that continues 16 years later. It is Wadadli Pen’s pilot project, in keeping with its mandate to nurture and showcase the literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda, encouraging  writers (and visual artists) in Antigua and Barbuda (35 years and younger) to create a piece on any topic, within a Caribbean aesthetic. In 2020, there was also an Imagine a Future climate change challenge. To support the work of Wadadli Pen, contact wadadlipen@gmail.com

Please respect the author’s copyright. If you share, excerpt, credit, and link back; do not republish without permission nor without crediting.

 

The Beast of Barbados

by William Henderson, 17, St. Anthony’s Secondary School

THE NIGHT was preternaturally quiet. Not a breath of wind sighed among the trees. Not a creature stirred, and the silence was consuming. It seemed as if all sound had been stolen from the world. There I sat at my bedroom window in the pitch dark – lest the beast find me in the light – watching and waiting for a sign.

It was when the clock struck midnight – the witching hour – that all sound came flooding back to the world, like a river bursting though a dam. Thunder rolled, trees swayed in the gales that came from nowhere, bats screeched, dogs howled eerily, and everything came back to life. The silence was the deep breath before the plunge; the return of sound was the point of no return, when the beast was coming and the only thing to do now was defend yourself. And it always happened at midnight.

This unnamed abomination of nature had been hunting me here on the island of Barbados ever since I was little, and only my grandmother and I were capable of seeing it; which made it even more dangerous.

Family legend claims that centuries ago, an ancestor of my father stole treasure from a pirate who docked in Barbados to wait out a storm. The beast was born from a pirate’s desire for revenge, to ensure that no one ever enjoyed the stolen riches. This beast has reckoned with my family ever since and has been attributed as the cause of the tragic ends met by the members of my lineage.

It had almost killed me multiple times, and my life had only been spared by some grace of God.  In those days I had been nothing more than a little child, and I was scared to death of the creature; I was impotent and weak.

The last time I had seen the beast was eight years ago, when I was only ten years old. That was also the last time it had failed to kill me, and the time I had actually managed to harm it. It had kept its distance since then, afraid of the fighter that was growing inside me. But little did it know that while it bode its time, I only grew stronger and more fearless. I did not forgive it, and I most certainly did not forget it. Now, eight years later, it returned for one final showdown. But there were two differences this time around; I wasn’t a little kid anymore, and the beast was no longer the only one out for blood.

I peered outside. It was stormy, but there wasn’t any sign of the beast yet. But I knew it was coming. I looked down at the long dagger I held in my hand; the hilt was comfortable and wrapped in leather, the blade was everlastingly sharp and still stained from when I had sliced the hide of the beast eight years ago.

My grandmother had given it to me as she lay on her deathbed. She told me that it had hunted her too. But she had escaped and kept it at bay by showing no fear.

As a young boy facing an ancient horror, that was no easy task. But when I at last wounded the beast after I managed to find the courage to seek it out on one cold, stormy night in the woods behind my house, a warrior awoke inside me, and the beast could feel it; and it was frightened by it. It was so frightened, in fact, that it had stayed away for eight years, either hoping that I would grow weak and forget about it, or hoping that it would grow strong enough to kill me without resistance.

As I looked out the window into the dark night, I had a sudden feeling that the beast wouldn’t come to me. It wanted me to go to it. Perhaps it figured that if it were going to die, it would do it on its own terms.

I soon found myself walking through the thick, high woods behind my house, the dagger in my hand reflecting the moonlight. I could almost sense the beast’s discomfort; the hunter had become the hunted. But I did not let my guard down no matter what. I hadn’t come this far and fought so hard to be brought down by some cunning trick.

I stopped at last in a large glade where the light of the moon and the stars poured down in silver beams. The dark forest surrounded me like an impenetrable wall of night. I didn’t need to go any further. The beast was near.

“Show yourself!” I commanded. “It’s time to end this.”

From the perpetual blackness before me, the beast emerged in all its grotesque, feline glory; eyes as black as bottomless pits, rows of jagged teeth stained with the blood of the innocent, a tiger-like body rippling with lean muscle, long, untamed claws and silky black fur, and a hide which still bore the scar of when my dagger made its mark eight years ago.

The beast looked at me – perhaps it was wondering why I had come to kill it in my pajamas – but then its eyes wandered down to the dagger in my hand, and I could almost smell its fear. With a surge of confidence, I brandished my bloodstained weapon menacingly and charged forward with a fearsome battle roar.

The battle ended swiftly. Once I was no longer afraid, there was only so much that it could do to me. I didn’t leave the battle unscathed; I would forever bear the scars of that battle. But I gained the upper hand, and after a great struggle, I pierced the beast’s heart. The fire in its eyes died, and at last, the beast, which had hunted my forbearers and me for so long, was no more.

ABOUT the story: “I visited Barbados (last summer), and this story is inspired by that visit…Just being in this wonderful island made me feel inspired and creative and led me to write this story.”  This work of fiction is second placed in the 13-17 age category of the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize 2020 Challenge.

ABOUT the author:

ABOUT prizes won:

Prizes – Patrons:

EC$200 – Lawrence Jardine (founder and technical director of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Enlightenment Academy); signed copy of Musical Youth (hard cover edition) by Joanne C. Hillhouse

Each winner is also set to receive a certificate, a selection of books from The Best of Books Bookstore and cultural items from the Cultural Development Division – Antigua and Barbuda.

For the full breakdown of ‘who won what’, if not linked (yet), use the site’s search feature.

ABOUT Wadadli Pen: The Wadadli Youth Pen Prize launched in 2004 with a writing Challenge that continues 16 years later. It is Wadadli Pen’s pilot project, in keeping with its mandate to nurture and showcase the literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda, encouraging  writers (and visual artists) in Antigua and Barbuda (35 years and younger) to create a piece on any topic, within a Caribbean aesthetic. In 2020, there was also an Imagine a Future climate change challenge. To support the work of Wadadli Pen, contact wadadlipen@gmail.com

Please respect the author’s copyright. If you share, excerpt, credit, and link back; do not republish without permission nor without crediting.

Two Worlds Collide

by D’Chaiya Emmanuel, 15, Antigua Girls High School

ROAR; Roar, that beckoning roar in the distance.
Howl; Howl, it’s coming closer in persistence.
What is it?
I have no idea.
Is it dangerous?
It’s that wretched noise I fear.
I have lived in Waladli for many years.
I know the dance of the coconut trees;
The cry of the quarrelling wind and leaves.
Even the soft click of a twig, snapping under an animal’s feet.
That sound, however, I’ve never heard nor seen.
The gods are punishing us!
Calm down.
I knew I shouldn’t have taken more than ten maize.
You’re just in a daze.
The end is upon us!
Everyone needs to hush.
Hush my people, do not fret, do not cry.
That is no sound made from nature’s spite.
That is no sound from the raft of our ancestors.
Maybe the Tainos are planning an attack?
That’s unlikely since the last war left them on their backs.
LOOK!!
The sea has risen.
What is that? What is that floating prism?
Oh the curiosity is more than I can bear.
Achak don’t you dare!
BIRDS! Birds! There can’t be birds without land.
Sand? Sand! tis sand!
We is about to reach our fortune.
We should be glad.
A whistle! That’s a whistle!
They have spotted the land.
Hey, up here! Give me a hand.
Well boys, wees made it to the promised Neverland.
If only my mother could see now.
I will find gold and spices, she would be so proud.
Halt! I can see strange figures standing on the shore.
What are they?
They could be inhabitants or new species? I’m not quite sure.
If they are inhabitants, then we’ll force them to give us gold.
If they are species, we’ll round some up and take them back home.
We are blessed with this world from God.
Thank our father, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Ha-ha!
Crunch, Crunch; polished boots meet Waladli’s sand.
Crunch, Crunch; it is greeted by a barefooted man.
Skin as pale as the sand on our beaches.
Skin looks as dirty as spoiled peaches.
Two men who both bleed and breathe.
One was raised on concrete, one within the trees.
That shiny armor could blind an eye.
The nudity is no holy sight.
Long straight hair, as golden as the sun.
Coarse black hair, similar to my hound’s.
Who is lesser, who is greater?
Were they made by the same creator?
Such God forsaken creatures.
They have come to lead us.
Life and death does not discriminate.
The only real difference, is that their worlds were separate.
We can use them to provide us with gold and labor.
Gift them with your most valuables for they are our saviors.

Two worlds collided and history changed.
The life of all Europeans and Kalinagos would never be the same.

ABOUT the story: “This piece was inspired by a history class in second form. During the lesson, my history teacher sparked my curiosity when she asked, ‘How did the Kalinagos and European feel about their first ever meeting?’ From since then, I have always had this deep desire to find out more about the people who once inhabited this land. The story depicts various indigenous personalities and how they responded to their first encounter with the Europeans who invaded their land. It also vividly shows how the Europeans felt about the original inhabitors of the land once called Waladli.” This work of fiction is winner of the 13-17 age category of the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize 2020 Challenge.

ABOUT the author: “I take a liking to anything related to the arts, such as music, acting, story telling and painting. Unfortunately, I thought I wanted to be in the medical field so my core subjects are the pure sciences. My hobbies and extra curricular activities make my love for the arts and poetry evident. I am a part of the AGHS Honey Bee Theatre and I have participated in many of their plays. My most memorable role was when I played the character Ti-Jean in Derek Walcott’s Ti-Jean and his brothers, directed by Ms Zahra Airall. I am also a member of the Lyrical Hive Poetry Club and a former member of our school’s debate club. Though I am not certain about my career path, I know for sure that it will be something related to the arts.”

ABOUT prizes won:

Prizes – Patrons:

EC$200 – D. Gisele Isaac (writer – Considering Venus, Wadadli Pen co-founder); EC$50 – Lawrence Jardine (founder and technical director of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Enlightenment Academy); free eye exam – Paradise Vision Center; Bath and Body gift packages (2) – Juneth Webson (businesswoman and writer – Milo’s First Winter); external hard drive – Cushion Club (reading club for children in Antigua and Barbuda)

Each winner is also set to receive a certificate, a selection of books from The Best of Books Bookstore and cultural items from the Cultural Development Division – Antigua and Barbuda.

For the full breakdown of ‘who won what’, if not linked (yet), use the site’s search feature.

ABOUT Wadadli Pen: The Wadadli Youth Pen Prize launched in 2004 with a writing Challenge that continues 16 years later. It is Wadadli Pen’s pilot project, in keeping with its mandate to nurture and showcase the literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda, encouraging  writers (and visual artists) in Antigua and Barbuda (35 years and younger) to create a piece on any topic, within a Caribbean aesthetic. In 2020, there was also an Imagine a Future climate change challenge. To support the work of Wadadli Pen, contact wadadlipen@gmail.com

Please respect the author’s copyright. If you share, excerpt, credit, and link back; do not republish without permission nor without crediting.

A New World

by Sienna Harney-Barnes, 10, St. Nicholas Primary

The three friends sat quietly around the dinner table in disbelief about what had just happened. All the food they had prepared, the saltfish, duccana, pepper pot and johnny cakes went crashing to the floor. The food was too heavy for the table and it collapsed. As they were cleaning up the mess, John came across a concealed trapdoor. It was below the table the whole time.  When John saw it, he called Peter and Juan. They were very surprised to see it. They opened the door carefully and got all the essential supplies to go down the stairs. John and Peter were very excited, but Juan was very hesitant, however, they still went down. After about an hour, they found another hidden door, so they opened it. It looked like a never-ending hole so John being the bravest jumped in, then Peter being a copycat, did the same. Juan had no desire to do it at all, but he looked around and saw a horse-spider, so he went for it.

It turns out they were wrong, it was not a never-ending hole, but it wasn’t the same earth. You could tell,  because as they walked, no litter was seen, beautiful landscaping was all around and every house had solar panels.  There were fields of wind turbines, a lot of electric vehicles and pastures of green grass with all types of animals living together. People were walking, laughing, playing dominoes and just breathing air that seemed a lot cleaner. Everyone appeared to be making a conscious effort to do good for the environment. It was an earth free of climate change and pollution. As they continued walking, there was a little, brightly coloured house with a beautiful pathway lined with hibiscus flowers.  As they approached, they saw a sign that said, “Peter, John and Juan’s house.” It was as if it was reserved for them. They obviously went in and put on the TV to see where they were. It turns out they were 2,000,000 miles away from the earth they called home.

Peter and John wanted to stay in the world free of climate change, but Juan was dead set against that. Juan loved his family and didn’t want to leave them in the old, polluted world.  Therefore, they set out to find a way to return home and bring back all the people and things they loved. They asked some of the residents how to get back. They told them that they had to go to Palm Beach and find the red coral, so that is exactly what they did.  As they walked, they saw palm trees swaying in the wind and right in front of them was the ocean.  When they dove into the cool, crystal-clear Caribbean Sea, they saw something they had never seen before, bright red coral lined a pathway to a sinkhole. That is when they realized to get home, they had to go through it. They all willingly went in and in a matter of seconds they were back in the dining room. It was as if no time had passed. The hard part had just begun though.  They had to explain to their families what they had experienced. Initially, their friends and families did not believe them, but with much encouragement, they had a change of heart. The three friends got their families to trust them and they all ventured back through the trapdoor.

When they arrived in the new world, they thought it was all too good to be true. Their families loved it as much as they did. At the end of the day, the boys had gone on a journey to an unknown place and it turned out to be their new home. They all adopted the lifestyle of that community to live respectfully with the environment on this new earth. If John wasn’t brave, if Peter wasn’t a copycat, if Juan didn’t face his fears and if their families didn’t trust them, they all would have missed this exciting new opportunity -A New World.

ABOUT the story: Climate change is a topic that needs to be discussed; so this story will hopefully inspire people younger and older than me. This work of fiction is honourable mention in the 7-12 age category of the Wadadli Youth Pen Prize 2020 Challenge.

 

ABOUT the author: “My hobbies are art, cooking, swimming, dancing, and, of course, writing…I was inspired to participate in this year’s competition after running for school president. I was very nervous since it was a very tight race. When I won, I realized that overcoming challenges like this competition and facing fears can be very rewarding.”

ABOUT prizes won:

Prizes – Patrons:  

Books (3) – Cindy’s Bookstore ; copy of Antigua My Antigua – Barbara Arrindell; signed copy of The Wonderful World of Yohan by Floree Williams Whyte

Each winner is also set to receive a certificate, a selection of books from The Best of Books Bookstore and cultural items from the Cultural Development Division – Antigua and Barbuda.

For the full breakdown of ‘who won what’, if not linked (yet), use the site’s search feature.

ABOUT Wadadli Pen: The Wadadli Youth Pen Prize launched in 2004 with a writing Challenge that continues 16 years later. It is Wadadli Pen’s pilot project, in keeping with its mandate to nurture and showcase the literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda, encouraging  writers (and visual artists) in Antigua and Barbuda (35 years and younger) to create a piece on any topic, within a Caribbean aesthetic. In 2020, there was also an Imagine a Future climate change challenge. To support the work of Wadadli Pen, contact wadadlipen@gmail.com

Please respect the author’s copyright. If you share, excerpt, credit, and link back; do not republish without permission nor without crediting.