Welcome to the jungle

Maia and the Giant Sloth

By Amelia

The moon shone, illuminating the screeching bats. The dense jungle covered up every bit of soil it could muster. Lush grass and ferns stood brave, while ants carried fallen and rotting mangoes from the ground. Monkeys swinging from tree to tree chattered excitedly, and all the while dark shadows moved silently, making Maia jump. She began to feel very tired. Setting up her tent at last, Maia yawned.

She got into her sleeping bag and fell asleep.

As the early morning sun rose, Maia peered at the old photo that had started her journey. At first glance, it was a selfie of Maia and her friends from their previous trip to the jungle, but when you looked closely you could see a smudge of brown in the top left-hand corner that appeared to be a large and very sharp claw. At least, that’s what it looked like to Maia. No one had believed her when she asked if they too could see a shiny claw. The claw of the supposedly extinct Giant Sloth of the Amazonian Jungle. Noticing the dryness in the back of her throat at last, Maia decided to search for a source of water.

After traipsing through dark, moist, dense undergrowth for hours, all she could see was trees and trees and trees – until a flicker of light caught her attention. Without stopping, Maia ran over to the water. Zipping open her back-pack, she heard a growl to her left. She turned her head cautiously. A jaguar. Without thinking, Maia started to run. The jaguar was close behind her.

Suddenly, Maia saw something huge ahead of her. An enormous tree was leaning over the water. It looked quite easy to climb so Maia climbed. Higher and higher she went until she reached the first branch. She walked along the branch as if it was a plank on a pirate ship. Suddenly, hot and repulsive breath was puffing against her cheek. Maia turned. The jaguar was there. She hadn’t realised jaguars could climb so well.

Suddenly, there was a slashing of claws and from deep in the undergrowth a sloth hove into view.  Not just any sloth. The Giant Sloth of the Amazonian Jungle! It clawed wildly at the jaguar, making the big cat tumble to the ground and run away.

Looking up Maia was stunned at her hero. A living Giant Sloth! She couldn’t believe it.

Maia had to believe it. For it was there, right before her own eyes.

She reached for her camera.

The Lone Boy and the Map (Chapter Three)

By Archer

The jungle was dark and foggy. “Groan!” Stanly was coming close. Lily grabbed a thick stick and knocked him on the legs and he fell to the ground. She ran until WHAM, she hit a lot of animals. There were fast cheetahs, fierce lions, angry bears, tough rhinos and a slimy snake.

“Oh no!” The animals chased her back to Stanly, and then she stopped. All the animals saw Stanly and ran at him. Poor Stanly! He was a dangerous zombie, but he was also her friend. Lily distracted all the animals by yelling and waving her arms, and they turned to attack her instead of Stanly. A big rhino knocked over a tree, revealing a serum that said “Zombie Repellent.” Lily grabbed the little bottle and threw it at Stanly. It smashed on him and he fell down.

“Stanly!” Lily cried. Stanly got up. He was cured! “Let’s go,” he said. They ran until they saw a deep, damp chasm.

READ CHAPTER FOUR

Image

Join Us!

Talented Kids weekly creative writing workshops in East Maitland. Explore a world of wonder and magic with Kalika Magic author Karen Hughes. Every child becomes a published author!

Learn More