Dance Competition

Eversince she was a little girl, Jane had loved to dance. Mainly the waltz.

She and her husband, Henry had been dancing for 46 years when they were asked to represent their suburb, Gosford in NSW of Australia in a dancing competition for couples. They agreed and set off to Sydney for the competition.

Jane would amit to Henry every night how scared she was. After all, Jane had never been in a competition before, let alone a dancing competition. Every night, over and over, Henry would tell her the exact same thing. "You're a wonderful dancer Love. You'll knock 'em dead."

Jane only believed him the moment before they went on stage. Their song, 'In His Eyes' began. Henry held out his hand. "Come on, Jane. Let's show those kids how it's done." Jane took Henry's hand, and together they stepped out onto the dancefloor and do what they did best. Dance.

It came down to Jane and Henry and 4 other couples who had done the waltz. It was then that Jane became really nervous then. She and Henry were the oldest couple there. Henry being 67 and Jane 65. Jane felt for all the other couples in that round with them.

Hazel and Ernie, were a couple in their 50's from Adelaide in South Australia. They had performed to the classic ABBA, 'Super Trouper'. That had been the song that had played the night the couple first met when they were in their late teenage years. It was special to them.

Rebecca and Maurice were a couple in their late 30's from Kalgoolie in Western Australia. They had dedicated their performance to their son, Murray, who was sitting watching them in the audience. He had been a miracle child. He had down's syndrome. Their song had been 'Saving Grace'.

Wes and Ella were in their mid 20's. They came from Melbourne in Victoria. 'Love is All Around' had been their song. Even Ella had not been prepared for what came after they danced. He bent down on one knee and asked her hand in marriage. She had accepted.

Liam and Danielle were the youngest couple in the competition, in their late teenage years. They were from Craddle Mountain in Tasmania. 'Sugar Mouse' had been the song they had performed to. They had said it was 'their' song. They had grown up and been through school together. Now, they had started going out.

Charlotte and Ernie were eliminated first. Then the judges had needed to see the four remaining couples perform again. They deliberated again then. Rebecca and Maurice had been eliminated next. However, they were given a constalation prize after hearing the story of their son, Murray. They were given $500 dollars toward Murray's schooling, flowers and a box of chocolates.

Then it was down to Wes and Ella, Danielle and Liam and Jane and Henry, who would all be placed. Jane and Henry came third, Liam and Danielle second and Wes and Ella first.

The top 5 couples were then asked to come back on to the dancefloor and they did this group, rotation dance to 'Without Love'. The men stood in a line, and starting with their own partner, they took one step forward, back, side and side and then the girl would spin on to the next man and repeat the process.

Jane was really pleased with third place as was Henry. They continued to dance in competitions and won the very next one they entered.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

dedicated to the dancing queen of my family, my grandmother Lynette. Happy birthday Grandma!

Lake Cloud

Hallie and her dad had hung out at the same spot since Hallie was really little. The dock placed looking out over Lake Cloud. It was their favourite spot to go.



Every Sunday, Hallie's dad would buy them ice cream sundaes and they would sit, legs dangling over the dock, side by side looking out at the view. That was how they bonded. Then, they'd play catch in Lake Cloud Park. That was fun. It was a routine. A fun, happy routine that both Hallie and her dad looked forward to every week.

But when Hallie's parents split up, her dad disappeared, never to be seen again. Hallie was devestated. Now who would she go to Lake Cloud with?

When she was 14, Hallie retrurned to Lake Cloud by herself. It was then that she met Heath. They began to date. Usually going to Lake Cloud.

Hallie's dad turned up many ytears later, when Hallie was 19 and engaged to Heath. She gulped when she saw him. When he spotted her, he came bounding over. "Hallie! Sweet heart!" He said, trying to hug her. "No Dad. No. YOu left me when I was a vulnerable, innocent, naive little girl. You walked away from me. So now, I'm returning the favour, and walking away from you." Hallie told him, turned and began to walk off, back to Heath.

Hallie never heard from her Dad again. She and Heath were married a year later, when Hallie was 20, at the same place thwy had first met. Lake Cloud.

A New Life

There was always something different about me. I had known it all my life. I had never been popular at school. But instead, a nerd. They had all called me "Reni the Genie". But not in a nice way. In a mean, joking, mocking way. Not that I cared. I just tried to keep a low profile and keep my grades up. That was all that mattered to me. Being invisible, and accademics. To put it simply, the rest could go find a door if they didn't like it. I didn't care. I still don't

I discovered my power 2 weeks ago today. I'm a scientist now, a year out of uni, aged 22. I just simply spread my arms out, and up, up, up into the air I went. I could fly! I can fly! I can't believe it! These types of things, they just don't happen. I decided I had to get away. If my family found out, they'd disown me. If my boy friend found out, he'd dump me. I had to get away. I just knew it. Otherwise, I'd be dead.

So, I quit my job, faked my own death spread my arms out, and went flying. Looking for somewhere else to go. Somewhere else to live. Somewhere to start my new life. I decided to change my name to Regina Fitzgerald. That way, no one would find out my true identity, and realise what I'd done.

I settled for a dessert and put my arms back at my sides. The small suitcase of belongings I carried in my right arm sped up my crash landing. I rushed, as fast as lightening, feeling the pull of gravity, as I fell on the ground with a large crash.

A man who looked around my age stepped out from behind a boulder and helped me up. "Thanks." I said. "I'm Re.." I almost blew my cover and said Reni. Oops. "Regina. I'm Reina." "Reece." Said the man. "Gosh! I've been stuck out here for so long, I never thought I'd see another human again." Reece exclaimed. He sounded happy, relieved even.

We became good friends as the weeks passed. He showed me how he had been living and helped me build my own home and furniture and all.

Over the weeks, I learnt that Reece also had a power. He could tell the future. "I could tell you were coming." Reece had told me, and then he had gone on to explain how he had a power and what it was. His twin brother Ivan, was a pilot. He had flown over the dessert with Reece, and thrown him out. Reece, with his future telling power knew it was coming and so, like I had done packed a little suitcase that he had taken with him.

Reece also told me that he too had taken on a new identity as Reece McDonald. He had then told me his original name- Reg McKenzie. I then told him mine- Reni FitzSimmons.

I loved life with Reece. It was really simple. Our friendship quickly turned into love. I ended up moving in with him, taking some of my stuff with me, including all the stuff in the suitcase I had bought with me to the dessert.

To this day, Reece and I still live happily in the desert in the middle of nowhere.

To Be Continued.......

The Magic Ball Point Pen

Eric's 8th birthday was only one day away. He was so excited. He'd been talking about it with his friends for ages now. His birthday celebrations at school had been that day, seeing as his actual birthday was on the weekend. The next day was when his family party was to be held.

The next day, at nine o' clock in the morning, the guests began arriving. After a while, it was time for Eric to open his presents. The last one he opened was from his nan. He slowly but carefully unwrapped it. It was revealed to be a 4 ball point pen. "Oh Nan!" He complained. "Oh but it's not just any pen deary, it's a special pen. A magic pen. " Eric's nan, Shirley told him. "How does it work?" Eric asked, suddenly interested. "You must read the instructions carefully." Shirley instructed him. "Yes Nan." Eric promised.

That night, Eric put on the CD with the instructions. The CD explained that there were 5 rules:

1. don't push more than 1 ball down at a time

2. Once you press the ball down, the adventure begins

3. you can only go on each adventure once.

4. to get out of the adventure, walk through the door coloured the same as the ball you pushed down and

5. you may not return from the adventure until the problem has been solved.

"Adventure? What adventure?" Eric wondered out aloud. He figured that the best way to find out was to do it.

So. he pushed one of the balls down, and almost immediately he was transported somewhere else. He looked over his shoulder. There was a long , narrow stream running off a water fall. "Thank heavens you're here." Said a voice. "Down here, sir." It came again. Eric looked down. There, standing beside him was a short little man. "Our water is polluted. The trolls are putting their rubbish into the little pool at the top." The little man continued. 'This must be the problem I have to solve.' Eric thought.

Eric followed the little gnome up the hill, to where the trolls stood, emptying their garbage bins into the water. "Excuse me," Eric said, not quite loud enough to be heard. "Excuse me." He tried again, raising his voice a little this time. "Yes?" A tall, plump troll that appeared to be the troll's leader turned around to face Eric. "I was just wondering, might there be somewhere else you can dispose of your rubbish?" Eric asked, timidly. "No!" The troll shouted firmly, his voice thundering so much it shook the ground. The troll was angry now.

"Oh dear." The gnome whispered to Eric. "Once you get them angry, there's no reasoning with them. They get dangerous when they're angry. Oh do be careful." The gnome worried. "Of course." Eric whispered back. "Please, Mr. Troll. You see, your rubbish is polluting the gnome's water." Eric turned back to the troll, pleading. "I said no. Now stop messing about with me!" The troll roared. "Quick! We must get away!" The gnome cried, grabbing Eric's hand and breaking into a run.

Eric paced in the gnome's living room as he tried to think up a plan.

After much discussion with the gnome, Eric thought up a plan. So, with the help of all the gnomes in the area, Eric and his gnome friend built a huge gate, blocking off the clearing at the top of the waterfall, so the trolls couldn't get in. After that, they created a secret entrance for the gnomes to go in and out as they pleased.

After all of this was completed, a blue door the same colour as the ball Eric had pushed down appeared. "Goodbye!" He waved to the gnome and his friends before stepping through the door. "Farewell, kind friend!" The gnomes waved back to Eric. With that, he stepped through the door and returned home, in his bedroom. Just like nothing had ever happened.

That night, as Eric's mother tucked him into bed, Eric trid to tell her of the magic pen and the adventure he had had that day. "That's nice Eric. I'm sure you had a freat time. Now try to get some rest." His mother sighed. She didn't believe him. She knew that nothing like that could ever happen. 'What nonsense has my Mother put into that boy's head now?' She thought as she turned out the light and left the room.

But Eric knew it was true. He still believes it is tue. But he doesn't believe. He knows.

To this day, Eric still regularly goes on adventures and has great fun doing it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For Michael, let your imagination run wild! Happy 8th birthday.

Abandoned

Wendy was small when she was abandoned by her parents. Her grandparents had found her on their front doorstep, in a basket, a small suitcase next to it and a note sitting at little Baby Wendy's feet.

They took her in. Her grandfather took the note from the basket and read it. "Mum and Dad, I am a mess, I'm afraid I can't tell you what's going on apart from the fact that Ive gone crazy. Please take care of Wendy for me. She doesn't deserve to be where I am. I hope you can forgive me, Moira." It read. So they did as Moira had asked, and looked after Wendy and raised her as their own.

Wendy never knew anything of her mother, she thought that her grandparents must have been her parents. That was until her grandmother, Susan sat with her three days after her seventeenth birthday and told her everything.

"So you're not my parents, your my grandparents?" Wendy concluded. "That's right dear." Susan nswered. "Where are my parents then?" "I wouldn't have a clue. They left you on our door step and fled. You were three weeks old. " Susan explained. "Wait right there, Wendy. I want to show you something. I'll be right back." Susan told her, and bustled out of the room. She returned, moments later with the note Wendy had been left with, the basket she had come in and the suitcase that had been left with her, all the things still inside it.

Then, Susan handed Wendy two notes, one from her mother and one from her father. "There was a list of instructions your grandfather and I found inside the suitcase. We didn't follow any but one of them. That was their wish for us to tell you of them three days after your seventeenth birthday." Susan said. "So we did," concluded Wendy's grandfather Fred, walking into the room and joining Wendy and Susan on the couch.

"I want nothing to do with them." Wendy decided after examining everything her parents had left behind. "They can't abandon me like they did and then come back, begging me to take them back. It's not right and it's not happening" "That's alright, Wendy. It is your choice, Love." Fred reminded her, gently patting her on the back. "Good on you." He added quickly. "We wanted you to have a choice, Wendy, we wanted you to know the truth. "

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

dedicated to Grandad, thanks for always being there when I need you the most. Happy Father's day!

Scarlet's Special Surprise Birthday

Scarlet had one wish for her seventh birthday. She wanted a birthday party. A big one, with all her friends and family. So as a huge surprise, her parentds through her one. Scarlet didn't know a thing about it. Well she didn't until she walked into her house on Saturday afternoon with her mother. Everyone jumped out from the behind the furniture, "surprise!" They all yelled.

"Happy birthday, Scarlet." Scarlet's father stepped out from the crowd, her little brother Rowan following close behind. Scarlet's father was holding out a white birthday cake drizzled with pale pink icing. There were seven, bright pink candles lighting up the space around them. "Make a wish." Whispered Scarlet's mother Blanche whispered to Scarlet. Scarlet puled back her hair and blew out all seven candles in one breath. "Happy birthday Scarlet!" Everyone cheered.

Next came presents. Scarlet sat on a lounge chair and everyone gathered round. Her little brother Rowan helped with the presents, passing them to her as she went.

The first she opened was from one of her friends, Marina. It was a small dolphin charm. Scarlet and Marina had that in common, the fact that they both loved dolphins. Next she opened Lilly's gift, another friend from school. It was a purple poppy charm. Next came a leaf charm from another school friend, Olive and then a heart charm and a charm braclet from her best friend, Rachel. Her family gave her parents too. Too many to mention all in one go though. Way too many! Scarlet's family loved spoiling her!

"Where's Nan and Pop?" Scarlet asked suddenly. "They couldn't make it sweet heart." Blanche said gently. "Really? Why not?" Asked Scarlet. "Their car broke down. I'm sorry Sweet heart." Blanche said, sympathetically. "But they did promise to take you on a picnic tomorrow instead." Scarlet's father Oliver put in. "Ok." Scarlet agreed.

Sure enough, just as they had promised, they took Scarlet out for a picnic the very next day. They went to Scarlet's favourite park and had all her favourite food, honey sandwiches, fairy bread, apple muffins, strawberry tarts and even a birthday cake. Scarlet had an absolute ball. They were out with her for a while, and returned Scarlet home at around 3 that afternoon. Scarlet had had a ball.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dedicated to my cousin, Louise. Happy seventh birthday gorgeous girl!