The Buda Public Library, along with the Hays Free Press, sponsored a summer essay contest. Winners Julia Creed, 9, and Samantha Heidler, 15, earned the top spots in the children and youth divisions, respectively.
This year’s judges, Jerry Wermund, Todd & Elizabeth Ruge, and Lisa Perez, deemed these essays as first place.
The winning essays are reprinted below and are also available online at www.haysfreepress.com
An Elephant’s Dream Comes True
by Julia Creed
It was very late on a Tuesday evening, and Miss Martha was just finishing up at the library. As she prepared to turn out the lights and lock the doors, she was surprised to find a large group standing inside the library watching her.
“Oh, my!” cried Miss Martha. “Whatever are you doing here?”
The elephant spoke first. “I’d like to have a library card, please.”
Miss Martha shook her head as she replied, “The library is closing, but come back tomorrow.”
“We can only come at night,” voiced Giraffe, “because during daylight the zookeeper will get us.”
“I can fix that,” smiled Miss Martha as she disappeared through a door.
“What do you think she’s doing?” asked Turtle.
“I have no idea!” answered Parrot, eyeing the door.
“Beats me,” added Monkey, eating his fifth banana.
Just then, Miss Martha returned. “Give this note to your zookeeper.”
“Thank you,” Elephant said, and she and her friends left.
The animals arrived at the zoo just as the zookeeper was leaving. “Wait!” they cried out. Parrot handed the zookeeper the note.
Reading it slowly, he said, “Yes, you can go to the library, as long as you’re good.”
“We will be,” promised the animals.
“And Monkey, no eating in the library,” added the zookeeper, eyeing the banana in Monkey’s grip. Monkey sadly agreed, then all said goodnight.
The next day, Elephant and her friends trooped into the library. Elephant received the library card she had wished for and went to find circus books. The others stood near the door, hesitant to get their own cards. Soon their friend had checked out her first books. Walking home, Elephant studied her library books.
Monkey asked, “Say, why do you want those books anyway?”
“So I can perform in the circus wearing a pink tutu and riding a unicycle,” replied Elephant. She was looking at a book titled “Circus Tricks for Beginners.” Returning to the zoo, Elephant began learning the tricks in the book. For weeks she practiced. One time she flew off the unicycle into the cage bars. Once, she smashed her trunk while balancing on a ball. However, Elephant wasn’t quitting!
One Tuesday, Elephant had an important errand. The animals crowded around with curious faces when she came back. Elephant exclaimed, “I’ve been accepted into the Circus! I’ll be performing next week!”
“Hooray!” shouted her friends.
“Let’s invite Miss Martha!” suggested Turtle.
“Excellent idea,” declared Elephant. At the library, they found Miss Martha finishing up Story Time. Elephant spoke excitedly. “I’d like to invite you to my circus performance, Miss Martha! Children, you can come, too!”
At last, Elephant’s dream was coming true. With music playing, Elephant waved to her friends while riding her unicycle in the pink tutu. After that act, Elephant balanced on a ball, then made a pyramid with the other elephants. After the show, Elephant ran to Miss Martha, “Thanks for letting me have a library card! If it weren’t for those books, I wouldn’t be in the circus today.”
“You’re fantastic,” said Giraffe. “Watching you has made us decide to get library cards so we can fulfill our dreams.”
Tears filled Elephant’s eyes. “This is the best day of my life! Books have helped me to accomplish my dream, and I know books will help all of you accomplish great dreams, too!”
The Crumpled Papers
by Samantha Heidler
Robert headed to the library one afternoon to finish his report on the history of the Holocaust. He found a rather lengthy volume that he thought would do the trick. When he lifted it, he found it surprisingly light. He sat down and opened it and found that the pages had been cut out in the center, and to his puzzlement replaced with ... crumpled papers. Robert carefully smoothed them out and began to read. He figured they had nothing to do with the Holocaust; in fact, they were some sort of scientific writings. Upon further studying, he noticed names, which he immediately recognized – Charles Darwin and Frederich Nietzche.
Robert didn’t know what to make of it. He needed more time to study the pages (not to mention finish his report). He was so anxious to get home that he didn’t notice his report lying on the library desk, when he went to check the book out. As soon as he got home, he spread the papers on his desk and skimmed over them. There seemed to be common themes – “survival of the fittest” and “natural selection.” Robert grabbed his backpack to look for his science book, and that’s when he realized – his report wasn’t there!!!! He flew out the front door, ran down the sidewalk and ran into his neighbor, Mr. Abrams. Robert apologized and started to explain why he was in such a hurry, but Mr. Abrams stopped him and said, “It’s okay, I already know.” He held up Robert’s report. Robert couldn’t believe his eyes.
“I found this at the library and recognized your name on it,” Mr. Abrams explained. Robert just stood there. Mr. Abrams continued, “I couldn’t help but notice your subject,” motioning to the title page. “You mind if I take a look?”
“Go ahead, but it’s not done yet,” Robert replied.
Mr. Abrams read through Robert’s report, then said, “You know, I could help you with this if you have any questions.”
It didn’t take Robert long to think of the library book. “Actually, I do need some help.” He ran back inside and got the book, then told Mr. Abrams about the mystery.
Mr. Abrams looked thoughtful. “The connection between the papers is quite simple when you think about it,” he began. “Hitler was trying to create a ‘master race.’ People like the Slavs, Gypsies, Poles, Russians and Christians, along with the Jews, were part of the Holocaust because Hitler considered them racially inferior and/or a threat to his regime. This was, in his mind, natural selection or survival of the fittest.”
“So, whoever planted those papers was trying to bring attention to this matter,” mused Robert, “and it worked. I have to put something about this in my report.”
Mr. Abrams agreed and said, “By shedding light on this subject, you might be able to prevent something like it from ever happening again.”
Robert thanked Mr. Abrams for his help and asked how he had so much insight on the subject.
Mr. Abrams said three words, “I was there.”
