Example Story

The Door

by Maja, aged 9

Not for the first time, Milly stormed out of the house and stomped down the garden steps. “My parents are the worst ever!” she thought to herself. As she walked down the gravel path, kicking the flowers, a peculiar, bright light caught her eye. She walked towards it. The closer she got, the stronger it pulled her in. Milly disappeared through the garden hedge.

Immediately, four pale faces greeted her, all wearing purple, velvet uniforms. They invited Milly up an amber carpet towards steps lined by golden torches. She thought to herself, “Where am I?” 

Soon, she realised: she was queen and they were her servants! They would do anything she commanded, even painting a royal portrait of her to hang by her throne. “This is way better than home!” Milly cheered. She ordered bangers and mash every day, had a special vase full of her favourite sweets and even got her own pony!

Over time, how much time she wasn’t sure, Milly became bored of having whatever she wanted. The servants tried and tried, but nothing could impress her anymore. Then, in the far corner of her grand hall, Milly spotted another door. She was astounded. Where did it go? What lay on the other side? Avoiding her servants, she went to investigate. 

Milly found herself in an even grander palace, with golden pillars and servants rushing frantically here, there and everywhere. But this palace belonged to someone else, a wicked, greedy king! He sat high up on his throne, bellowing down orders for more food, more gold, more everything! 

Then, almost from nowhere, an astonishing sight met Milly’s eyes: a golden dragon! It was the most dazzling creature she had ever seen. Milly couldn’t help herself; she reached out to touch the captivating creature, forgetting about the king. “Guards! Get that girl!” he bellowed. 

The strange men chased after her. Milly panicked; she didn’t want to leave the dragon, but knew she was in peril. Just then, the golden dragon stood up on its back legs and fired a blazing inferno towards the guards, setting half the palace on fire! 

Milly pelted through the smoke towards the door which would take her home. A guard was closing in, shouting, “You’ll never leave, you’ll never leave!” But, as Milly raced towards the glowing door, all she wanted was to be home.