500 Words 2024/25: 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 2024/25.

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.

My Name is Jack by Dylan E.

Its 1743, West Africa.

My name is Jack. This is my story.

A long time ago I was a happy little boy.

One day I was by the river fishing. Some men in strange clothes took me away, I felt scared and confused.

I was put on a big ship. There were lots of other boys and girls and grown-ups too. We were on the ship for forever and we were all very sick and poorly.

On some days, people disappeared from the ship.

After a long time the ship stopped. We were in a strange place with lots of other ships and lots of people.

I was tired, I was scared, and there were smells I did not know. It was noisy.

I was bought by a man. He smiled at me, it was the first smile I had seen in a long time. He was wearing strange clothes and a big hat and spoke in a funny language which I didn't understand. I was frightened and just wanted my mummy and daddy.

We got in a wooden box with large wheels, it was pulled by animals. We travelled in this box for days.

We arrived in a place I know now as Criccieth, North Wales.

This is my home now. The people are nice to me, although they look different to me and I think some children are a bit scared of the way I look.

The people here want to talk to me, they ask me questions that take years for me to understand.

It rains here all the time and feels cold, everything is so green in colour.

Lots of years later I get married and have children. I have a job working in the garden for the man who brought me here. I am happy now although I often think of my family so far away and I wonder if they think of me.

I now lay resting in a small church yard which is quiet and hidden.

I forgot my real name.

They called me Jack and this was my story.

Its 2024 - North Wales

My name is Freddie.

I am walking with my grandma along a quiet path with fields of sheep all around. We find a small peaceful church in the middle of nowhere.

My grandma tells me of a small boy who was brought to this area many years ago and put to work, he was a similar age to me now.

Grandma tells me he is buried in this very churchyard. I feel sad.

We find a grave with the name Jack on it. I lay a flower by it in his memory.

We walk back down the lane together. It is a beautiful evening and I am excited because we are having fish and chips for supper.

I think of the boy named Jack. I will try and remember him each time I come here.

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