Major Problem with Predators

Major Problem with Predators - Reina Cho (Margaret Landell Elementary School, 6th Grade)

You inhale the air. “Ban!” you hear. You turn your cranium at your trainee. You huff. You don’t like being called “Bandie” or your nickname. “What is it?” you growl. Your mentor blinks, showing hurt in his eyes for a millisecond before shaking his crown. “Nevermind.” He walks off. You regret talking like that as you go outside. Suddenly, some of the obnoxious pandas you dislike appear.

The leader, Bonnie, starts to taunt your appearance and weaknesses. Out of the corner of your eye, you spot a dark figure. You are known for your sharp eyes. “Parly!” you shriek. Instantly, the group of self-centered pandas freeze. “What? Liar!” Bonnie scoffs, though her voice is shaky. Your heart races as you shoot into the deep thicket to rush after that scumbag. You stop. You hear commotion to your right and walk.

Parly steps forward, grining. He introduces you to his pet. You hear blood pounding in your ears, your heartbeat pumping, and your lungs gasping. It was a snow leopard. Parly cackled. He says that he was able to tame this snow leopard and named him Hemlock which you believe is a ridiculous name. You hear a gasp and look behind you to Bonnie and warriors beside her, fully armed. Bonnie yells to attack.

Arrows fly, daggers pierce, and pandas yell. You try to help and pick up a lost poniard. “No!” Bonnie pushes you and orders you to stay. You stand your ground and push back at Bonnie in pure anger which catches her off guard and tumbling into a bramble. Bonnie looks up at you in shock as she manages to get up. Someone orders her to retreat and in shock, she obeys.

You are confused on how you shoved Bonnie so far away. You recognise a shrill voice in the distance. Turning to look, the leopard had bit into Parlys arm! Fearing your power out of nowhere would disappear, you turn to the snow leopard. Not knowing what to do, you charged.

You rush up to the leopard and stab its paw with the dagger. It howls and licks at the wound. You manage to reach a left behind bow and arrow, a few seconds later, you're expertly dodging the leopard's attacks and making arrows fly towards the leopard. It still isn’t enough to make it go away. Suddenly an idea comes to you. You sprint away into the bamboo maze.

You look behind you to see Hemlock in complete confusion. You grab strings, a sturdy leaf, 4 wraps of careful sharp bamboo and get to work. You weave and tie. You examine your megaphone. It’s terrible but the only plan you have. You take in a large breath of air and roar as loud as a lion. The leopard hisses in fear and runs away and the others cheer. Later, you get rewards from the chief. Bonnie respects you now, and you get to change your name to Titan, earning you the title of Titan the Warrior.