500 Words 2023: read a finalist's story from the 5-7 category

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This story was chosen as a top 50 finalist for 500 Words 2023.

Remember, spelling, punctuation and grammar are not taken into account for a 500 Words story, therefore all the top 50 stories have been published how they were submitted.

How the Ice Age Began by Sanya K.

Don't believe everything you read. Grandpy's always telling my sticky, annoying brother that. You know, I think he might be right! I have to do a school project on the Ice Age. The ancient, dusty encyclopedia that lives on the landing says ' the Ice Age was caused by global cooling, triggered by extra dust in the atmosphere from a giant asteroid collision in outer space'. Last year we bought five books of raffle tickets and I still didn't win the jumbo-sized tub of unicorn slime at Borden Highs' summer fair, so what are the chances of that happening? There's definitely a better explanation. Besides I'm an expert on the planets and the solar system. Nobody knows better than me what it feels like to be squished into space with unpredictable objects. I live in a townhouse with Grandpy, Grans, Mum, Dad, Elliot, Dodger the Collie and Arnold the macaw. Yes, I'm sure of it, I think it went something like this…

"UR-ANUS!!! Hahahaha" Mars and Jupiter cackled together meanly whilst high-fiving. Uranus's cheeks were flooded with pearly drops of sadness. Her older brothers were loading up another insult when Neptune chimed in. "Mum. They're picking on Uranus again." Being twins, Neptune and Uranus were close and always looked out for each other. "Can't you boys be nice?" Mother Moon sighed, her eyes following a sniggering Mars whispering to Jupiter. "MARS, cool down!", Moon growled menacingly, as a loud wail, fuelled by hunger erupted from bawling baby Pluto. "Get out of my Milky Way," muttered a crimson Mars as he stomped off, shoving Neptune. "OMG," Saturn tottered into view hula-hooping. She had sloped off in the commotion and just come back from her exercise class. Saturn was a teenager, fitness and fashion were in, but brothers were out. Everyone stared at her in confusion. Enjoying the attention, she twirled around, catching her heel and falling with a THUD!!! The boys giggled, while Jupiter cackled with laughter like a hyena, tears streaming down his face, "Roll-up, come, see Saturn the clown" he spluttered. Saturn bit her lip as she dusted herself down.

Meanwhile, Mother was busy consoling teething Pluto. Father Sun, was snoring in the corner, solar flares rhythmically flying from his nostrils. Saturn shook, she could feel the helium pulsing through her… It was too late! A rage of mammoth proportions consumed her. Her heart pounded like a pneumatic drill striking concrete, she tensed. Without warning, her right leg shot forward, propelling asteroids in all directions. Nothing good comes from anger and the worst was yet to come. Although Mercury had managed to get away with a few craters, by diving behind slumbering father Sun, a torpedo shaped rock was hurtling towards… innocent little Earth's head, as he sat engrossed in his toys. A blood-curdling cry filled the Galaxy, as a bump the size of Everest erupted on his head. Saturn guiltily grabbed a nearby nebula and pressed it onto the bump, like an icepack…and ta-da…the Ice Age began!

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