500 Words 2024: read a finalist's story from the 8-11 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.

Barry McMess by Arjun G.

Once, Barry McMess lived in the town of Filthington. He wasn't a bad guy, just incredibly lazy, with a special talent for avoiding cleaning. His filthy dishes would have taken on a life of their own, turning into science experiments, while his laundry piled up into a mountain that could rival Everest.

Recycling? Barry's version was using the same pizza-box as a table for months.

Barry's house became legendary in town. Neighbours whispered about it like it was a haunted mansion. "I heard his bedsheet is made of old magazines," one kid said. "There are slices of pizza on his ceiling," added another. But Barry shamelessly commented. "Why clean, when everything I need is within arm's reach?", he'd say, lounging amongst old magazines and snack wrappers.

Thanks to Barry - the local park overflowed with his takeout containers, the river looked like a rainbow milkshake from his floating fizzy drink bottles and the pigeons had made nests out of his discarded plastic forks. Something had to change!

One day, the town's Mayor, Mrs. Tidybottom, called an emergency meeting. "This cannot continue," she declared. "If Barry doesn't clean up, we'll be living in a landfill!" Everyone concurred. After much deliberation, Joey, the town prankster, raised his hand with a grin. "I've got an idea which involves a little trashy revenge."

The next morning, Barry woke up expecting to smell his stale pizza, but to his shock, his room was spotless! Convinced he was dreaming, he rushed through his house, finding every corner clean - no snack piles, pizza-boxes, or even his laundry mountain. To Barry, this was terrifying!

A door knock startled him; outside stood the entire town, grinning widely. But behind them was something even more shocking - a Giant Trash Monster made entirely out of the garbage, Barry had left around town. It was a grotesque creation, with old chip bags for arms, broken umbrellas for legs, and a rotting banana peel perched on its head like a crown.

"Barryyyyy," the monster groaned, its voice like the rustling of chip packets. "I am your creation, and I've come to live with you forever!"

Barry panicked - "Wait, no! You can't live here! There's barely enough room for me!"

"Oh, don't worry," the trash monster growled, "you'll have plenty of space once I knock down the walls!"

Looking at the smirking locals, Barry threw up his hands, realising he had no choice. "Alright, fine! I'll clean! Just keep the banana-crowned monster away from me!"

So began the great cleanup of Filthington! Barry scrubbed his whole house, recycled every last bit of trash, and cleaned the park and river. The townspeople cheered him, holding signs like "Go, Barry!"

By evening, Barry was exhausted but satisfied; a changed man who started organising the town's monthly cleanups.

The trash monster? It vanished, leaving behind a cleaner, happier town.

The moral? If you don't clean up your mess and care for our world, it might just end up knocking on your door wearing a banana crown!

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