Year 5

Year 5 produced narratives in which they made changes to the original story of their text,

The Adventure of Odysseus by Daniel Morden and Hugh Lupton.

Aminah - SOAS

The burning fire travelled around the air as we gathered together, trying to bring warmth to each other. My trusted group of men each told magical tales to us. However, something felt off. I felt something that I couldn’t understand. Something that told me the safety of this cave was about to be destroyed. It was an ominous feeling, that something petrifying was about to happen.

Almost instantly, huge bangs could be heard from the distance. My loyal men jumped in terror as they heard the disruptive sounds. I could hear echoes bouncing from the walls. My alarmed crew slowly started to catch a glimpse of a giant dark shadow.

Anxiously, we tried to sprint back as fast as we possibly could to find anywhere that had safety. The burning fire, which had given us much needed warmth continued to burn, lit us up.

THUD.

A treacherous monster was here.

THUMP.

It surged closer.

From hearing the thunderous stomps, I knew something horrifying would appear. As for the stomps, they were ear-splitting. I feared it was a CYCLOPS. My heavy breathing stopped when I heard an unforgettable roaring next to me. Stood beside me, I saw a colossal, monstrous creature. If I moved an inch, the decision would haunt me for decades. The hideously, ugly creature stood still look like it was waiting for one of us to breathe. The look in its eyes told me it was about tear body pieces apart.

It was glimpsing at the barely lit fire and I was pretty sure it knew people were hiding here. Before I could even shake my finger, it snatched one of my men and said “HA! What is this? You thieves taking my food? Huh?” It ripped one of my men apart and chomped him up. I was in terror. The hideous monster grabbed another of my men, that poor man’s fate now demolished too.

I had to think of something. I was Odysseus, the bravest of them all. Though I just stood there watching that beast scooping all of my men and tearing them to pieces. I could do nothing. I was standing in the shadows. I simply stood there praying that I would stay alive. I could not care. I was filled with anxiety. Could I sacrifice my men for my life? I could just trick them when I came back and tell them that they died but that I, Odysseus, killed the crazy cyclops. As I still watched the monstrosity eat my crew, I was so frightened that I could barely move an inch. I was covered in fear. I saw my trusted crews blood dripping down… I could not do nothing but hide in the darkness.

Rosie - Birkbeck

The sparks from the fire danced around the cave. We huddled closely around the fire, which was warming up our blood. My men told tales and laughed but there was an ominous feeling in the air, like our calm and peace was about to be ruined. Unexpectedly, a thunderous sound came from outside and the dim light from the entrance entrance was blocked. My men jumped up in terror. What an earth could be strong enough to move that boulder?

Desperately, we scrambled to find a hiding place however the fire, whose flames had brought us such joy just a few moments ago, cast light all around us.

BOOM.

A footstep. We shrunk into the darkness.

BOOM.

Each man around me stood still and frozen in one spot. Their eyes told me they looked ready to flee, but I gestured to them to stay still and quiet.

BOOM.

Our traumatised heart trembled at the sound of each footstep. Knowing that the unknown creature was drawing closer and closer.Reluctantly, I held my breath as I peered into the cave. Stood before me, was a creature so disgusting and vile that I will never forget it for as long as I draw breath. It had sharp tusks that looked ready to rip people apart. It was taller than any man I had ever set eyes upon. Over its shoulder, there was a stick which was long as a tree trunk. Worst of all though, in the centre of its gruesome head sat one hideous eye.

A Cyclops.

Staring towards us and the food surrounding, scattered over the floor, it swept its gaze over the cave. Before I could take a breath, its hand shot out grabbing one of my men up into the air. “What is this little two eyed thing in my cave?” the creature chuckled. “Whatever shall I do with you, you little thief?” It lifted the man towards its gaping mouth. “Please! Help! Help me! Plea-“. The mans cries were cut short as the Cyclops aggressively ripped him to shreds.

Around me, my men started to panic. One bolted from the relative safety of the shadows. He didn’t make it far. The monster scooped him up and he met the same fat as his predecessor. Horror and grief descended over the cave as the men awaited their fate. I had to think of a way to save us. I was the greatest of them all, after all, and yet I couldn’t think. Panic gripped me tightly. I could do nothing but cower in the corner.

So that is where I stayed playing cat and mouse praying that I would make it until dawn. Surely once the creature had significantly gorged itself on a few men, It would fall asleep I would sneak out. I realised that if nobody else survived who else would be left to say that I cowered in the corner? I could lie and claim that I tried to save the world. Let these men be my sacrifices. I care not, as long as I lived.

Francisco - Imperial

The fire warmed us as we ventured through the dusty cave. The cave, dripping and crumbling, seemed as if it was warning us and telling us to leave. The sheep bleed so loudly that the sound it could have made the cave fall down on us. We frantically ate the cheese and milk as we hadn’t eaten for days.

A sudden wind rush through the cave as if someone was blowing out our fire. We saw a giant eye in the distance. Tried to escape, but the giant had closed our only exit. He picked up one of my men (Ogra) and smashed him against the wall. I could’ve sworn that I got his brain in my mouth. Yuck. He started reaching for more and more and this time, it was me…

The cyclops brought me towards its cavity filled mouth. I began kicking and screaming for him to let me go and luckily he left me alone. Meanwhile, he started with my crew. Everyone hit rocks and boulders. He picked up two of my men and ripped them to pieces. Blood splattered everywhere and dyed pretty much all the sheep.

He charged at me, drool dripping down his cheeks but suddenly I dashed towards the blood and the cyclops slipped, hitting his head. The crew ran out a hole in the wall but a boulder crushed everyone but Ora. Some say she still hides in the cave to this day.