Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Endless (01/09/14)
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TITLE: An opportunity to Witness | Previous Challenge Entry
By Amelia Brown
01/16/14 -
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Kaevianna exploded in a vigorous round of tap dancing; her signature move for stressful moments. Her black Afro bounced with each movement while her arms flew rhythmically.
Giovanni chewed his fingernail as he stared at his laptop screen, double checking his group's Power Point presentation for the eleven-hundredth time.
Marshell gazed out the window at nothing in particular; her whispered voice almost inaudible as she repeated her lines.
A few of my classmates made a show of swaggering–though unconvincing–confidence. I admit, I was a little nervous. But I took comfort in knowing that unlike most in this room, including Mr. Kipper, I have a personal relationship with God.
We had been given three weeks to prepare our group presentation on “Intricate Interpretations of Endless.” I totally dig English class, the assignments are always intriguing. For this one, each group chose how they would interpret and present the topic. Today was the big day.
“That's it kids, your prep time is over. Group One, the floor's yours.” Grinning, Mr. Kipper took a bow and extended his left hand, pointing the way to the front. Knocking his glasses off his forehead unto his face, he sat and opened his grade book.
I watched with curiosity as the first group made their way to the front of the class and began.
“Ahem... What flies or crawls and has no wings or legs, yet never falls?” Marshell finished with a nod of approval for completing the riddle without messing up.
The room was now a buzzing beehive as the teens competed to solve the riddle. Even Mr Kipper looked quizzical. The presenters appeared smug, having stumped us all. After hearing several wrong answers, Marshell put us out of our misery.
“Time.” She smirked.
Andy stepped forward and continued. “'Endless' describes time. From the beginning of time, there has been time. The fact that there is a past, present, and future further proves that time has no end.”
The group proceeded with a dramatization highlighting the different methods of telling time; from the sundial and hourglass to the cesium-powered atomic and digital clocks of today. They ended in unison with “Time sure flies when you're having fun.”
The following group took center stage. First, Giovanni showed a short clip of how paper was invented, thus, revealing their stance that 'Endless' epitomizes creation. Then teammates took turns clicking, chatting about famous inventors and their inventions over the years. They did make a valid point; indeed people are always creating something new. Whether it be as world changing as telephones or as frivolous as pillow pets. I pondered, it'll be interesting to see the cure for AIDS be the next big creation!
Kaevianna's group approached the topic in a simple information giving segment.
“Like a circle, a cycle has no end. The greatest of all, is the 'Endless' cycle of life and death.” For emphasis, Kaevianna slowly extended both arms in a wide circle. “We're born. We breathe, eat, sleep, laugh, cry, and die. It doesn't matter our race or culture, the cycle is universal.”
Andy took over and closed with some thought-provoking questions.
“What if no more babies were born? What if no one dies? Better yet, what if babies were born and no one dies? Can you imagine what earth would be like?”
My mind was still racing, trying hard to catch answers, when Sonnet pinched my ear. “Hey church girl, your up.”
As we went to the front, I quickly mumbled a prayer then swallowed the lump in my throat.
“Our interpretation of 'Endless' encompasses both time and creation.” Immediately, eyes widen and heads turned. I watched as each member of my group held up pictures of real people and told their stories.
Zowie, the pregnant dropout from Hill Crest High...
King, the Most Wanted man in town...
Spazz, the homeless drug addict...
I continued. “All three have one thing in common... God's endless love. Our creator's love is the true meaning of 'Endless.' It transcends every bad decision and is forgiving. It cannot be earned or destroyed. It goes beyond skin color and status. It's unchanging and unending–it's eternal.”
The bell rang. No one moved. The silence was broken by a question from Giovanni, and shattered with tons more as the class exploded in discussion. I smiled as I observed eager faces with open hearts yearning to know more about the giver of this never ending love like no other.
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The presentations by the other groups seemed more abstract.
By focusing on the real and the concrete the MC and her group caught the attention of their classmates and opened their minds to the possibility of a belief in God.
Watch out for writing "your" when you mean "you're" and try to avoid unnecessary wording. Ex. "like no other" was a tack on to the last sentence that made it awkward.
A truly action-packed story with lots of great dialogue and message.
To do this without your MC coming across as a know-it-all is also a skilled approach; so your writing is sure to gain wider recognition in future.
And just as an aside, did you know that a frog's motto is "Time's fun when you're having flies?"
I read it twice for simply the enjoyment of reading such a fine use of realistic language.
Well-done!