Anya and Kalik
Anya glanced nervously down at her sister Kalik. She was tugging at the rim of Anya’s thick fur jacket recently made by Anali, one of the only people in the Bear clan who was skilled at making clothes. Some people said that Kalik, only four winters old, had animal sense. Anya could tell now. Her sister felt something bad was coming.
And suddenly, Anya saw a quick shadow run through the winter woods. It was the coldest season of the year, and Anya knew she should be helping set the fire. Oh, why couldn’t Pa be home from work with the hunters? I want him to come home for the first meat of the year…
Anya saw it, barely. Its white coat blended in perfectly with the snow, except for the black, concentrated eyes staring right at her. A wolf.
Kalik started whimpering. “Kalik,” Anya called, “Go back into the hut. Don’t be afraid! I will come when I am done.” She didn’t feel as strong as she sounded as Kalik ran into the hut. How was she, only 11 winters old supposed to scare away this large, terrifiying wolf?
The wolf approached her and the hut. She wondered whether the wolf had passed through the rest of the huts. She hoped not. She didn’t want anyone to have been hurt. But even her hooded fur coat couldn’t stop her from being numb all over and make her brain think straight.
Anya thought through the possibilities of winning. She couldn’t fight it or kill it because Pa hadn’t taken her on hunting lessons yet. She would have to use her smarts. She didn’t know that that was one of the best things to do.
Running inside, she saw the first thing that could help her, her father’s extra bow. But no, she didn’t know how to use it and wouldn’t dare waste it — they take so long to make. But the next thing she saw, she knew would work. She grabbed it quickly and ran back out.
The wolf started to growl. Its beady eyes said, I will conquer you. Anya had never felt this way. Pa had always done this kind of work. And he did it with such ease. Why wasn’t he back yet?
The piece of fresh meat was in Anya’s shaking hands. She had to throw it, as far as she could, into the woods. But what if it didn’t work? She would have wasted her whole family’s dinner.
She closed her eyes so she wouldn’t have to see the wolf. It came closer — she heard the wolf’s silent steps. Even closer, she could feel its breath. Pow! Her arm went up, and with all her might she flung the meat into the forest.
When she opened her eyes a crack, the wolf was gone. Just as she had hoped, the wolf had run after it.
She stumbled into the hut in complete disbelief. She had done it! Kalik was there. Anya knew her sense had told her the whole thing. Kalik was giving her a great big hug.
by Claire
Tags: creative writing, literacy, story
Entries (RSS)
Claire,
I loved this story! I visualized the entire scene in my mind as I read your story. The descriptive language you used helped me to feel Anya’s fear, courage, and relief. The suspense kept me at the edge of my seat! Well done!
Claire,
My name is Amanda and I am studying to be an elementary school teacher in Georgia. I stumbled across your class’s blog, read the first paragraph of your story and had to keep reading. What a great lead! You definitely know how to capture a reader’s attention. What was your inspiration for this story?
Greetings from Georgia,
Amanda
Hi Amanda
This is Claire. Thanks for reading our blog. I think my inspiration was that in New York (where I live) it is getting cold for the winter, and this story is set in a cold climate. Also, we just read a book called Wolf Brother which is set in a similar time. I am so glad you liked it. Do you like to write?
Hello from New York,
Claire
Dear Claire, Your story is wonderful. In very concise and colorful prose, the reader understands so much about Anya and her family, what she had been taught, what she needed to learn, and what her thinking process was. I like that she considered everything and everyone. Also, there was nothing unnecessary in the story, everything fit beautifully, and I read wanting to know what happened next. That’s the best a writer can do, really. And, Claire, I love wolves, so I’m glad Anya thought of a way not to kill it. Congratulations, this is terrific writing. Keep going! LOL, Lynne from Tenth Street
Claire,
Your short story was amazing. You did a great job adding detail to your story. Your choice of words made your story come to life. I teach first grade in Pa. I like to show my students what they can do when they really try and stay focused. I know your story will encourage some of my students to try a short story.
Best of luck.
Lindsay
Hi, Claire –
This story took my breath away. From the first paragraph I felt like I’d been transported to another place. I’m impressed with the way you included so many details about a culture so different from ours, and that you did so in such a skillful way. This piece has many examples of how good writing “tells” readers things without actually telling them. I learned so much about Anya and her life in the context of this thrilling episode without feeling like the excitement ever missed a beat. Great work!
Ms. Q
Dear Claire,
Wow you are such a good writer! I love how you captured the moment when Anya was about to throw the meat into the forest. The details got me at the edge of my seat! You could really make a good story out of that! Did you just make up the names or are they actual names?
love,
Madison
Hi Claire,
I think it’s a really good story!! You are becoming a really good writer!
Du hast das gut gemacht.I liked the wolf and how scared Anya was of it. At first I thought that Anya had got a gun and I was afraid the wolf was going to die. How did you get the idea that her sister could tell when something was going to happen?
hi Claire
your story was really good i do not think i could write a story as good as that one was.
i liked the part where she sees the wolf you described it really well
Claire,
I love to write! I actually took a creative writing class in my sophomore year of college. For my final project, I wrote a ten page short story. It was the longest story I’ve ever written and I was really proud when I finally published it. I have wanted to write more since then but unfortunately haven’t had much time to dedicate to my writing. Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve written?
Amanda
Claire, great story! We could definitely use your storytelling in our project. The story had me captured, I couldn’t take my eyes off the page! I think that when you grow up, you should become a professional writer. I think your mix of description and emotion and all that other great writing stuff you used was amazing! I think you should write another story for our class blog. Are you going to write more short stories like this?
See you,
Nicholas
Hi Amanda and Nick,
Thanks for reading! Amanda: I don’t really have a favorite piece that I’ve written, although I like a story that I wrote last year about a girl who’s brother ruins her school project. It turned out to be pretty funny! Nick: I am working on another to publish on the blog, maybe with the same characters. Look out for it sometime soon! Amanda: Have you done anything else with the story you wrote? What was it about?
Claire
[...] working on getting their blogging license to get their own blog.” Recommended posts: “Short Story – Anya & Kalik” and “Author David [...]