Category: Kiley’s Stories

 

A magnet is an object that attracts certain materials. Magnets attract materials such as metal and copper. A magnet has North and South poles. A magnet is strongest at its poles. Magnets can sometimes occur in nature. The Earth itself is a magnet. Earth, like all other magnets, has North and South poles.

In order for a magnet to act, it needs to be surrounded by a magnetic field. A magnetic field is the space around a magnet that allows the magnet to act.

Another type of magnet is an electromagnet. An electromagnet is put together by curling a wire around a nail and attaching it to a battery. A scientist named Michael Faraday discovered the electromagnet.

Ben Franklin was also a scientist, but he is famous for a different reason. Ben Franklin discovered that lightning is a form of electricity. He did this by attaching a key to a kite. Then he went out in a storm and flew the kite. The key was struck by lightning, and Ben Franklin discovered lightning was a form of electricity in nature.

Magnets come in all different shapes and sizes. From bar magnets, to horseshoe magnets, to our Earth, magnets play a big role in the world we know today. Without magnets, you wouldn’t be able to do many of the things that you take for granted. We are very lucky that magnets exist in our world.

Ginger was a magic maker. She made magic potions, magic creatures, and magic spells. One cold afternoon, Ginger realized she was done with her dreary town. She was done with the gloomy skies and black and white buildings.  She wanted color. She wanted a rainbow.

Ginger rushed to her laboratory in the attic. She got out a jar of paprika and dumped it all in a bowl. She grabbed a bag of fruit and threw in an orange, peel and all! Ginger took from her tiny black fridge a bottle of mustard. She squeezed the bottle until there was nothing left, and then tossed it aside. In went a jar of green bell peppers, a splash of blue food coloring, a bunch of grapes, and some purple Gatorade. Then Ginger began to stir her concoction. She got out a long wooden spoon and started to spin it around in the pot. For seven days she did this. Each day the mixture turned a different color. Red on Sunday, orange on Monday, yellow on Tuesday, and so on. Once Ginger finished, she set down her spoon.

“My creation is finished!” she exclaimed. “I must find someone to test it on.” Ginger threw open her cabinets and grabbed a glass. She took a ladle and filled the glass to the brim. It shimmered and gleamed in the tall glass. The potion looked as if there actually was a rainbow in the glass. Ginger then pushed open the trap door with her foot and scrambled down the ladder with the glass in her hand. She rushed from her garage in to the house, slamming the door behind her.

Ginger wandered around the house opening bedroom doors and peeking in closets. She saw that her family was nowhere to be found. Ginger sighed.

“I guess I’ll try it myself.” She held the glass to her lips and took a small sip.

“Mmmm! Yummy!” she said aloud. Ginger looked down. She was gleaming. She was full of color. Her lab coat was blue, her winter boots were bright purple, and her hair was flaming red. She had dazzling green eyes and a bright yellow shirt with orange stripes. Ginger smiled and stepped out on to her front porch.

Ginger walked down the sidewalk. She was changing things. Suddenly there were spots, stripes, and color everywhere! Ginger was halfway through town when she realized something. Her glass was no longer empty. It was half full. Half full with murky, black, goo. All of the darkness had been sucked in to the cup! Ginger kept walking, and she finally returned home. The town was now beautiful. Ginger went up to her newly colored lab. She took the glass full of goo and put it in to a cabinet… just in case.

The wispy white snowflakes tumble down. You hop out of your bed and peer eagerly out your bedroom window. Then you race down the stairs, waking the once quiet house. You shove the key into the lock, yank open the door, and step out into the winter wonderland.

You dance in the snow, and soon you hear your mom calling you inside for breakfast. You race back upstairs, and shove down your eggs. Then you change from your silky pajamas to your fleece and long sleeved shirt. You zip up your snowsuit, and throw a scarf around your neck. You pull on mittens and toss a hat on your head. You are ready for the icy yard that lies beyond the front door.

Now that you are out in the cold, you decide to make a snowman. First, you take a chunk of frost and use it as a bowling ball, your front yard being the lane. It quickly gathers snow and gains speed as you push the heavy ball around the lawn.

You do this twice more, each time the ball gathering less flakes. Then, you stack the boulder-sized balls on top of each other from largest to smallest. Next, you find two sticks, six rocks, and one carrot (which your refrigerator is happy to lend to you). Finally, you place the rocks as eyes and a mouth, the sticks as arms, and give your snowman a carrot nose.

You step back, gaze at your creation, and think to yourself, “It’s amazing what you can do with a little snow.”

This year New Year’s Eve was pretty low key for my family. We stayed at my house, which is small but cozy. My grandma and her friend Mr. Joe came over. We all played poker with poker chips my brother got for Christmas. We also played phase 10 and had lots of fun. Then we all held hands and counted down from five, watching the ball drop on TV. Then my brother and I ran around trying to see who could be the first one to touch the TV, beds, banister, etc. in 2013. i had lots of fun this year and I am sure I will year after year after year.

​The house high on the hill was eerie and looked as if it was blowing with the wind. I walked nervously up the front steps. They creaked underneath me. I opened the door and peered inside… pitch blackness. I took another step. Then I was swallowed by darkness. Somewhere behind me I heard the door slam shut. I tried not to panic. I tugged on the door, but it wouldn’t budge. My palms were sweaty, and I felt a chill down my spine. I took a deep breath… and surged into the black.
​After about five minutes a light popped on. It was a dusty candle. Someone down the hall was holding it. Then I took a closer look. Nobody was holding the candle. I tried to scream at the top of my lungs, but nothing came out. I bolted back down the hallway. It seemed to go on forever.
Finally, I stopped to catch my breath. I passed a mantle covered in cobwebs and a table on which was a spilled glass of what I hoped was punch. I wandered around for what seemed like hours until I found an exit. I burst outside. As soon as my foot made contact with the ground, it started to pour.
I thought, “Just great. This is shaping out to be the worst Halloween EVER!” With that I sloshed home. The moral of this story is, don’t come home on Halloween soaking wet, saying you went to a haunted house when you were supposed to be taking your little sister trick or treating.

My favorite time of year is Christmas. I love Christmas for many different reasons, but for now, I’ll only share a few of them with you. I love making Christmas cookies, decorating my house for the joyous holiday, receiving presents, and spending time with my family. Christmas is a very exciting and fun time of year.

​I love making cookies at Christmas time. I am known for being a cookie lover, so getting together with my family is a treat! For my family, my Grammy bakes lots and lots of sugar cookies. My mother, brother, and I usually make different colors of frosting. Then my Grammy, cousins, and aunt come over, and we all frost the cookies together. It is always fun!

Another reason I like Christmas is that I love decorating. My family has many Christmas decorations from countdown calendars, to mini electric Christmas trees, to gigantic stockings! I always have a good time hanging our ornaments onto our Christmas tree. Our decor always makes me smile!

I also enjoy getting all sorts of exciting presents. I can’t wait to see what sorts of interesting toys, books, journals, and clothes I get this year! I am hoping to get Monster High dolls, various books, and lots of journals.

Though all of the presents, cookies, and decorations are nice, my favorite thing about Christmas is spending time with my family. My family is very important to me, and I love being able to spend time with them and getting to know them for a day. I love Christmas because I get to spend time with the people that I love.

            Happily Ever After is an understatement for my parents. One thing I should tell you is that this story does not start with Once Upon a Time. As you probably noticed, it started with what a story usually ends with. So, if you’re using logical reasoning, it’s not going to close the curtain with The End.

Something else you should know—my parents are Cinderella and Prince Edward. I know what you’re thinking, “But who is Prince Edward? What ever happened to Prince Charming?” Stop thinking that. My dad’s name is Edward. I am the only one who calls him that. Everyone else calls him Prince Charming, which I think is just plain dumb. I mean, who’s Prince Charming? Sleeping Beauty’s husband, Snow White’s husband, or my dad? It gets VERY confusing. Anyway, this story is about me, not my parents. So, let’s get this over with.

Twenty-two years ago, Cinderella gave birth to a small baby girl. She had fair blonde hair and wide blue eyes. Sadly, it wasn’t me. This young girl was my sister Madeleine. She was pretty much perfect. My mother and father were thrilled to have such a wonderful little girl.

Another two years passed and Cinderella found herself holding yet another adorable little girl. She had curly black hair and rosy cheeks. Once again, it wasn’t me. I know, it’s disappointing, isn’t it? This beautiful baby was my other sister, Isabella. She was just as perfect as Madeleine; maybe even more perfect considering she was two years younger.

Another three years came and went. Cinderella was back in the hospital—Edward feeling like the waiting room was his second home. This time (finally!) it was me, but I was not as appealing as my sisters. I had wild hair that was the color of fire and a nose colored in freckles. Thus, my life has been a tragedy, yet it is still considered a fairy tale. Now, let us continue our story into the depths of my feelings and thoughts.

I am not a princess. I seriously would be surprised if someone came in here and told me I was a princess. I feel like a rag. My mom is such a hypocrite. She asked me if I wouldn’t mind spending the day around the house. Stupidly, I agreed. Now, while she goes out to pick dresses for her fancy balls, I’m stuck dusting the shelves, washing the dishes, and of course—tending to the fireplace.

I grumble to myself as I throw in the wood. “Wait! Why am I doing this?” I wondered aloud. I marched myself downstairs and into the ballroom looking for my sisters. That’s not what I found. Instead, I found myself looking in on a gigantic party; my family smack dab in the middle of it.

I’ll admit—I was hurt. I felt like I was being stabbed with one of cook’s sharpest cooking knives. I felt my eyes stinging. Then, I took a deep breath. Anger replaced my sadness. I stormed past all the people giving me stares and marched right up to my mother.

“Hello, Mother,” I whispered in her ear.

She spun around, quick as lightning. “Darling,” she squealed. “I . . . I was . . . I meant to . . . ,” she stuttered.

I gulped down some of my anger. I regained it a few seconds later when she turned and had a five-minute conversation with a duchess. Finally, she turned back toward me again smiling and then suddenly regaining a straight face.

“Why?” I asked. I didn’t even need to shout. “Why would you treat me exactly like your stepmother treated you?” I felt my face burning, and I held back the temptation to go bury my head in a pillow and cry.

She just stood there, staring at me sadly.

Then I had the best idea in the world. I ran. Ran, ran, ran, and ran. I ran out of the castle and through the village. I stopped at the far edge of the village and perched on a rock. Tears poured down my face as I stared up at the moon.

“Had a rough day?” said a voice. I jumped. Behind me was a tall, good-looking boy. He looked about 18, so I guess technically he was a man.

“You have no idea,” I replied.

He sat down on the grass beside the rock. “I love nighttime . . . so calming. Especially in the wilderness where there are no wild parties going on.”

I stared at him.

“Where are you from?” I asked. He looked at me and said.

“Just another kingdom,” he let out a sigh. I decided not to question him. He gets up and starts to walk into the wilderness.

“Wait!” I called after him. I was curious. “Can . . . can I come with you? I mean, you look like you feel just like I do.” He smiled.

“After you, miss,” he replied pointing me toward the dark woods. I grinned and ran after him. Our long journey together has begun.

Together, we journeyed through the forest, scavenging for food. One night, there was a certain chill in the air. So, we started a fire. I was searching for wood when I heard a rustle I stopped and listened carefully. “Hsssss.” I knew what that meant. Then, out of the bushes came a 12-foot long, viper snake with startling sharp fangs. I screamed.

“Help!” I shouted. No one came. Well, I wasn’t waiting around for a boy that I hardly knew to come save me. I started to back up. Then, I stumbled. I fell flat on my back. As I scrambled up, I got a glimpse of what I tripped over. I saw a rusty bronze hilt. For a moment, I just stared at the snake, and it stared back. Then it flicked its tongue and charged quick as lightning. I bent down, my eyes still on the monster, and grabbed the shiny object. I pulled out a sword and stabbed the snake with all my might. It let out one last hiss that fell flat on the ground. I stood there, the sword in my hand, breathing hard. Then, I grabbed the few pieces of wood I had found, and I marched back to our camp, my heart beating like a drum.

Once we had the fire up and burning hot, I told my companion of my journey through the woods. He looked at me, his light blue eyes round as saucers. After I finished the story, he gulped and said, “Umm . . . well I guess I missed out on all the fun!”

I shrugged and joked, “Yeah, I attack 10-pound viper snakes every day of the week!” We laughed through the night, and for the first time in my life, I felt . . . happy.

It was about noon when they came. We were setting up camp in a lock of empty fields when about a dozen knights burst out of the forests about a mile away and came racing up on horses.

“Aha!” the general shouted. “We have found the lost prince. You’re coming with me, sonny.”

I looked at the boy. “What is your name?” I asked firmly.

“Look, I . . .” he started.

“No! Tell me your name,” I demanded.

“Eric,” he said. “Eric from the kingdom ruled by Snow White and Prince James.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I turned and ran from him.

“Wait!” he called. “I didn’t even get your name!”

I turned, “From the kingdom ruled by Cinderella and Prince Edward, I am Princess Thalia.”

I was heartbroken that I had lost the only friend I had ever had. I cried for so long that it was early in the morning when I stopped. While I was crying, I made a decision. I chose to re-enter society. I would find the nearest kingdom and lay low until my parents sent their men out to find me. I journeyed until I found a village and a place to stay. I should have checked to see where I was first.

One morning, I was lying in bed, my hands over my eyes, when there was a knock on my door. I groaned and got out of bed. I swung open the door. I bent down, picked up the kingdom’s newspaper and headed back inside. What I saw made me drop the newspaper.

The front page said

Royal Wedding!
Come see Prince Eric and
Princess Rachel on Saturday the 10th!

            My heart was pounding in my chest. I yanked open a drawer and changed into my day clothes. I was going to get my prince back!

It was late evening on Friday the 9th. I came to the castle with a basket of flowers.

“Flowers from the kingdom of Cinderella,” I told the guards.

“Nice try,” they told me. “In this kingdom, we despise Cinderella and her king.” There was no tricking these guys.

“Of course,” I said. “My apologies.” I turned back.

After I passed the castle spiral and made sure I was out of the view of the guards and other visitors, I put my face between the cracks of the bricks in the tower. I started the climb up to my destiny.

That hurt. I had almost gotten to the top when I slipped. Instead of climbing the extra steps I needed, I threw myself over from three feet down. My body hit the top of the tower, and I now have an ache in my side. I tiptoed down the spiral staircase and into a messy bedroom. In the corner was a bed overrun with clothes. Books, pants, and scrolls were shoved into a suitcase by the door. A tall figure sat on a stool looking into the fireplace.

Then he turned. “Thalia!” he yelled with glee.

We ran toward each other and I experienced my first kiss. At age 17. I know, it’s sad.

He smiled at me and said, “Let’s get out of this cage.” I smiled.

We should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.

I understand the men guarding the prince’s room, but I think the swords and axes were a bit much. We rushed out the door hand-in-hand when a knife barely missed my head. It crashed into the door behind us and then clattered to the floor. Eric pulled a sword from his belt and took the knights on 1 vs. 2. That left one knight, who cornered me. I grabbed a scythe from a nearby fireplace. I took on the knight. There were a few close calls. Finally, I hit him upside the head and knocked him out.

Looking up, I saw that Eric had hit both of his opponents with the butt of his sword. We exchanged a glance, and then we marched down the hallway weapons at the ready.

Luckily, we didn’t run into anyone until we got to ground level. We didn’t even run into any guards. We met up with Princess Rachel.

“Don’t worry,” she whispered. “I’m here to help you. I told the guards there was a disturbance on the far side of the castle. Your secret is safe with me,” she smiled and waved us off.

We thanked her and ran away together, forever happy.

Well, I finally got my happy ending. I ended up marrying Prince Eric. We actually had a daughter. Now, it’s her turn . . . for Once Upon a Time.

It’s been a long and relaxing summer, but the winds of Fall are ready for a stand. The battle of Summer and Fall has begun.

Fall throws sticks and leaves that wound Summer. But Summer does not surrender. She calls for backup and her ally the Sun appears. But Fall’s winds are so strong that the Sun retreats into the sky. Fall takes out Summer with a gust of wind.

Fall has won. The school year is upon us. Down in the Southern Hemisphere, Spring is victorious over Winter. Get your thinking caps on because it’s time to return to the school yard!

The Southern Hemisphere has been chilled for the past three months but now the Winter is forcing it into an ice age. But the Fall will not surrender. He and his friend Spring still desperately fought against their enemies Summer and Winter. It seemed that Winter had already won, for the inhabitants of the Southern Hemisphere were soaked to the skin in a canyon of cold snow.

But Fall was strong. It showered Winter in red, orange, and yellow leaves, but Winter’s ally Frost took Fall down. Only a few seconds but it was too late. Spring had also been defeated by Summer in the Northern Hemisphere making it time for Fall to rotate to the West.

If you live below the Equator then get out those skis because winter has arrived!

Our field trip to Washington, D.C., was lots of fun. First, my group went to F.D.R.—The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial— and explored. Roosevelt loved water so there were lots of waterfalls in F.D.R. My friends and I took a picture next to the Roosevelt’s dog, Fala. Then we followed the Potomac River up to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. We saw King carved in the stone. Then we walked through the Mountain of Despair and across the street to the World War II Memorial. As we walked, we smelled the beautiful trees around us. My group sat down and had lunch before we went in. Inside the memorial, there was a large pool of water in the middle. My group took lots of funny photos. We also saw a statue for each state in the U.S.A. Before we went to the Lincoln Memorial, we stopped at a gift shop. The ice cream I got felt cold and creamy in my mouth. Then we walked inside and witnessed the amazing statue of Abe. We saw and learned a lot in D.C.!

My favorite memorial was F.D.R. I loved reading all of the quotes said by Roosevelt and the water was beautiful. I heard it splashing and thrashing in the pool like a war. I like learning about Roosevelt and I thought the designers of the memorial did a great job. I’m really glad we went on a field trip! I love Washington, D.C.!