Escape to Hanya
This story by Myra is one of the three winning entries of a writing contest conducted for Blogchatter’s Junior Writers Group.
What I saw was very odd. I saw bears knitting wool and yarn in granny dresses. They were seated in rocking chairs in a warm, cozy room with cookies and milk.
I walked a bit further and heard the tapping of hooves. To my right, a horse in a pink ballet dress was dancing ballet on a stage, just like in the movies! Other horses sat in the audience, watching her gracefully twirl.
Then, I saw a crocodile brushing its teeth, and strangely, I could smell and even taste the toothpaste, as if I were brushing my own teeth.
A thought struck me: Have I not stumbled upon a zoo, but a home for animals?
There were no other humans around. No one was goggling at the animals like in a zoo.
In the next room, I saw small bunnies playing with bunny dolls in a bunny dollhouse. They looked so adorable!
Then came the smell of cookies.
I raced toward the smell, guided only by my nose. On the way, I passed a lion flipping through a newspaper, just like my grandfather does every morning. I could hear the rustling of pages.
Then I saw a few elephants and hippopotamuses washing and ironing clothes. I heard them chattering and gossiping, just like ladies at the laundry. The sound of water and the smell of soap drowned out the cookie smell, just for a second, before it returned, stronger than ever.
I couldn’t resist. I dashed forward and accidentally knocked over a tub of soapy water. The animals didn’t notice, but I sure did. I was soaking wet, shivering from head to toe.
But just like magic, I was dry within a second.
Finally, I reached THE ROOM– the kitchen. A tiger was baking cookies inside.
I hadn’t spoken to any animals yet, but this tiger had cookies! Who could resist?
I walked up to him and politely asked,
“Excuse me, but could I have a cookie?”
The tiger replied warmly,
“Of course, dear. As many as you want. It’s nearly teatime. I’d better call the others. Would you like to share tea with us?”
I eagerly nodded.
The tiger led me into a room with a long table where small monkeys were laying out the cookies. But there were so many other delicious things too! He rang a bell, and all the animals I’d seen earlier came running in.
We all sat down and jolly! It was the best tea ever. We talked and laughed. I even met new animals I hadn’t seen before. Some of them were legendary or extinct!
Suddenly, a pretty fairy walked in. She introduced herself as Cora, the fairy who had kept all these creatures safe in this magical home for centuries.
She called this place HANYA.
Cora gave me a special necklace that would let me return to HANYA anytime I wanted.
I said farewell, held the necklace, and whispered,
“Home.”
Poof! I was back in my bed.
I wondered if it had all been a dream… but then I felt the necklace in my pocket. HANYA is real.
I looked up at the ceiling. I knew it was time to get ready for school. I wouldn’t be able to return for a while. But one thing I knew for sure:
HANYA is not lost like a fading dream. It will always be there.
I just have to say goodbye… for now.
Until then, I will work hard in the real world…
just like all the animals who live in HANYA.
