The Moss Creatures Runners-up Story - Understory Writers (Age 7-10): The Dream Boulder by Amy Sun

The Dream Boulder

By Amy Sun, 8
Melbourne, VIC

Chapter One - The Boulder’s Crack 

There was once a village of small moss creatures. None were identical, even twins. That was because each one had a small birthmark, representing a letter or number in the ancient, no-longer-spoken or known Mossian language. 

Once a week, they would gather to pray. Both for themselves and their community at the foot of a large ancient boulder in the centre of the village. This boulder was engraved with the magical Mossian language. 

Amongst all these moss creatures was a sensitive, kind and generous eight-year-old moss creature called Mossy. Mossy lived in the huge trunk of an old oak tree with his big brother, younger sister, Mum and Dad. He had small, feathered wings with stems like trees and a long, stemless feather with a curl at the tip on each wing. His own birthmark was a small crescent moon inside a big crescent moon! 

But one day while Mossy’s family was praying, a terrible thing happened! 

The ground shook! The earth swayed until…

Crrraaaaakkkk! 

A sound like paper being torn echoed through the village, and a ripped script fluttered slowly to the ground.

When the dust had cleared, the villagers gasped. The ancient boulder had cracked neatly in half! A script of paper had been ripped into six pieces. Oh dear! The letter in the middle had been torn in half. The rest of the letters remained safely tucked in their own slits of paper, but the middle pattern…

To Mossy’s surprise, it matched the birthmark on his tummy! They were exactly the same!

Chapter Two - How to Fix a Cracked Boulder 

From then on, every day, the two halves of the boulder would move a smidge further apart. Until one day, a moss-scientist discovered something that might help the crack heal.

The plan was to find the moss creatures with matching letters or patterns to form a word that could bring the boulder back together. All the families of moss creatures were asked to reveal their patterns. Soon, it was Mossy’s family’s turn.

“Yes… you have a pattern… you, yes, hmmm…” the old moss creature murmured, studying each mark carefully.

And then it was Mossy’s turn.

“Remarkable, truly remarkable,” the old moss creature whispered. “Your pattern was ripped in half!”

He turned to Mossy’s family. “Come with me! We must act fast.”

“But where?” Mossy asked.

“Ah, you shall see for yourself when we get there…”

“When will we get there? I’m hungry,” Mossy’s sister whined.

“We will get there when we get there!” the old moss creature snapped.

At last, they emerged into a green clearing, where other moss creatures stood nearby with feathers, thick berry juice and leaves.

They probably want to copy it down, thought Mossy.

Ever since the crack had appeared, Mossy had dreamed of fixing the boulder. And finally the day had come!

Today was the day.

First, the other moss creatures arranged Mossy and his family in order. Then, they were asked to focus all their energy and think good thoughts while reciting the letters in front of them. But instead of using the ancient Mossian letters, they would say the regular ones.

Once everyone was in position, the instructor shouted, “Go!”

Chapter Three- Golden Light

Mossy and his family gathered all their power and strength, directing it towards the boulder and the script.

Suddenly, a brilliant stream of golden light burst from their differently shaped seed hearts.

Then, an all-pure golden light appeared.

“Read those letters!” bellowed the instructor.

One by one, they took turns.

First, Mossy’s older brother. Then Mossy. Then Mum. Then Dad. And last but not least, his little sister, Berry.

As they spoke, the letters formed a word.

“Dream.”

They all recited it together.

At once, the golden light vanished, and in front of them stood the boulder—completely restored. The scroll had returned to its rightful place within the stone.

The village was safe once more, and the boulder would continue to stand as a symbol of peace under its new title:

“The Dream Boulder.”

About the young writer

“The photo of moss creatures from the artist Marianne Broggi inspired the characters in my story. When I grow up, I would like to be a writer with great imagination. My family and friends love reading and listening to the stories I have written so far. They would describe me as interesting, imaginative, and determined.”

A word from our judges

The Dream Boulder is a unique, clever, and creative way of using the Moss Creatures to inspire the problem in the story. We love the use of dialogue and the world that you have created; one in which everyone plays a role, and it takes a whole community to solve problems together. The idea and the conclusion were so beautiful and heart-warming. Thank you, Amy! We can't wait to read more of your stories in the future.

The Moss Creatures Short Story Competition for Young Writers was hosted by Words of a Feather, inspired by and with the support of French artiste Marianne Broggi. This free-to-enter competition was open to young writers aged 7 - 14, anywhere in the world.

The Moss Creatures - Stories from the Forêt, an anthology of prize-winning and highly commended stories, will be published in 2025. Stay tuned!

Congratulations on your story, Amy!