We took a year 7 class for English and had them writing stories for the whole lesson, giving them a structure of introduction, climax and conclusion. Some ideas were given to do with using heroes, heroines, villains, and victims, as well as a few helpful hints to start sentences and keep their ideas flowing.

Many of them took ideas from TV shows or recent films, adapting them to their own ideas of what should have happened or leaving it as is. Some stories were true, others fictional. What follows is a selection of four that I thought deserved sharing. The grammar is imperfect but read them slowly and they should make sense.

The Imaginative Lot

Rubel Mustofa — Sylock and Antonio

Many years ago, there lived an honest man named Antonio. He was good to people and never told lies. His friend Basanio wanted to marry Portia. So to justify to Portia whether she loved Basanio or not, Basanio wanted to lend money from his friend Antonio. But at that time all Antonio’s ships were in the sea and Antonio hadn’t any money to lend Basanio. Antonio told Basanio to lend the money from a money lender. When Antonio’s ships are back, he will pay two times than he lend Basanio. The worst money lender was Sylock who wanted to harm Antonio because of his truthfulness. Basanio went to Sylock to lend some money to visit Portia. Sylock thought that his enemy came into his hand. Showing mercy Sylock told Basanio that I would like to lend you money without any interest, but that would be in one condition, that if Antonio cannot pay me back within three months then I will take a pound of flesh from his heart. Basanio felt very nervous hearing his speech. Antonio told Basanio that just take the money. My ships will be back within 82 days, that means in two months and 22 days. Then I will pay Sylock back his money. After taking the money, Basanio left Venice for Portia. But Basanio that her father was dead. Her father left three boxes and said to Portia, who will come to marry Portia he has to choose a box from here containing your picture then he can marry Portia.

At that time three more kings came to marry Portia. All the kings failed to choose the correct box. And then Basanio wanted to try the box. But Portia didn’t let him do that because Portia afraid if he cannot choose the correct box because Portia was the only one who truly loved Basanio. After having a long chat with each other, Basanio chose the correct box containing her picture and they were set for marriage. But in that time a letter came from Venice that all Antonio’s ships were sunk and Antonio cannot pay Sylock’s money back. For this Sylock wanted to take a pound of flesh from Antonio’s heart. At once Basanio gave a ring to Portia. He left for Venice. After arriving he found that the Judgement had started. Basanio wanted to give three times that he lend to him. But Sylock wanted revenge, refusing money. At the time a dexterous Judge came and started Judgement. The dexterous judge saying that “You lend Antonio some money right.” Sylock said, “right” And if Antonio cannot return the money in time then a pound of flesh from Antonio’s heart is yours. “Did you call any doctor” said the clever judge. Sylock said “it was not written in the bond.” Then the clever judge said, “go forward and take a pound of meat from his heart.” When Sylock wanted to take a flesh of meat from Antonio’s heart, the clever judge said “wait, you are free to take a flesh of meat from Antonio’s heart but there will be no blood because it was not written in the bond.” And then Sylock was about to cry. Judge continues his speech that “you Sylock are not a citizen of Venice and if anyone wanted to take the life of a citizen then he who is not a citizen of Venice, all his wealth will be equally shared to the state and the man he wanted to kill. Sylock said “You already killed me if you take the means by which I am alive.” After having judge, Antonio was free. But Basanio realized that the dexterous judge was his wife. After that they all lived happily again.

Sujon Sanden — Telling a Lie is Dangerous

Many years ago there lived a cowboy with his parents in a village. His parents were not able to do work. But they had many cows and goats and some land. So the cowboy took the cows and goats in the field to feed them every day. But the cowboy was so naughty. He always made a disturbance. Because he used to say: “Help, help, the lion is going to eat me!” And the people came to help him but when they saw that there was nothing then they went to do their own work. But one day the cowboy took the cows and goats in the field to feed them. At that time there came a lion from the forest beside the field. And then the cowboy shouted for help, but nobody came to help him because he was a liar. He used to tell a lie. But some people went to help him. Then they saw that the cowboy was up in the tree. And when the lion saw the people the lion went away. But the lion bit on his leg. The village people took him to his home and nursed him. After a few days he became fine and he told the village people to forgive him because of his lie. And the village people forgave him. The cowboy promised he will never tell a lie. From that time the cowboy lived happily with his parents and with the village people. And the village people helped the cowboy. And the cowboy lived happily forever.

Jewel Udden — An Amazing Story

The year was 1970. It was winter. It was far from the city. It was in London. Once upon a time a man went to an old building. In the building there was a lot of dinosaurs and if any man will enter the building the dinosaurs will eat the people. The other day he went into the building and he saw the dinosaurs then he was scared to see them. He wants to save the country by killing the dinosaurs.

He made a plan to kill the dinosaurs and day by day they were growing a lot and that was very harmful for the country. The hero attacked the dinosaurs and the dinosaurs ran from the old building. The hero killed every dinosaur from the building and the building was destroyed by a bomb. Before the dinosaurs ate a lot of men and women.

The hero attacked the dinosaurs and he saved the country and he used his brain and he used his power. The hero has extra power from others. And then the London people lived happily in their country. And the people were excited to see the hero because the hero saved the people from the dinosaurs. And the heroin punched him so that he have to marry her. The hero ran back to his home town and the hero saved the town. The hero and the heroin lived happily ever after. And the president gave the hero a gold medal.

Lily Islam (Rupa) — A Love Story

Once upon a time in Paris a girl lived. The girl was really very pretty. And everyone in that area liked her. But Ana only loved Joao who was poor in that area. Joao also loved her. But there was a difference between their living, so their parents didn’t accept this. The boy was a wood cutter and the girl was a princess. Nobody accepted this. But the boy can do everything for her. We can say that Joao is a hero because he could give life to her happiness. They were very happy with each other. But due to rich and poor, nobody accepted their relationship. So, the army of the girl’s father went to kill Joao on the command of Ana’s father. But they weren’t able to kill him. So, her father called his friend’s son named Kasim who also used to love Ana. And then went to kill Joao. So at that time there was a fight between Kasim and Joao. Joao got very victimised but somehow he saved himself from Kasim. After getting the victim he went away to a jungle where Ana and Joao always used to meet. Ana also went there. When she saw his injuries she was very hurt herself because that fight had happened for her sake. Then she treated the injured area of his body by applying some medicines and tore her dress to bind the area. But by getting strength from his girlfriend, he again went to fight against Kasim. In this time he won and the villain was killed. After winning that fight Ana’s family accepted them and after that they lived happily ever after.