The Moss Creatures Winning Story - Emergent Writers (Age 11-14): Untitled by Arissa Arween Norhasmawi

Untitled

By Arissa Arween Norhasmawi, 13
Malaysia

The forest of Hathi was vibrant with colours and flowers of all kinds. The trees loomed tall and its fruit colourful. In this forest, lived a species; a society of creatures, connected to this forest.

   “Raya!” A voice called from the distance, “Raya, come here!”

   Raya turned around to see who called her. A friend of hers was running towards her. It’s not hard to recognize those bright, purple flowers on the side of his face. The petals of the flower covering her right eye bloomed. “Crocus, how are you?”

   “Yeah,” he panted, tired from running, “I’m as jolly as I can be.”

   “Good to hear-”

   “Yeah, come with me!” He cut her off, taking her by the hand and dragging her as they run through the forest.

   “Woah! What’s the rush?”

   “Come on, we have to go to the palace!”

   “...The palace?” Raya repeated, “Is it about the Humans?”

   Crocus doesn’t respond immediately, “...Maybe.”

  Soon, they make it to the palace at the middle of the forest. They see the queen along with the prince and the princess of Hathi on a stage. A bunch of creatures below as an audience wait for their word.

   “Silence!” The queen suddenly exclaimed, causing the curious whispers and assumptions to stop. The queen had her head held high, her horns adorned with flowers. The crown of hyacinths and hibiscuses sat neatly above her head. “I have negotiated with the humans,”

   Crocus lets out a hum, “So it is about the humans.”

   “And I would like the creatures of Hathi’s opinion,” the queen spoke loud, “the Humans would like to cut down the trees in our forest.”

   Immediately the area of the forest was filled with whispers and gasps. “There’s no way she agreed to this.” Raya said.

   “First the fruits, now the trees.” Crocus spoke in disapproval.

  Raya hummed in agreement. All she could want was for this forest was for it to be safe. For her and the generations after her to be peaceful in this forest they have forever been apart of. She dreams of a time where Humans never took what was there’s, a time where the creatures could live without having to worry about the Humans... Unfortunately that’s a time she is far beyond.

   “The humans had offered,” The queen began to speak again, and the forest is silent once more. “they will cut down our trees, and replace them with new ones. They will replant the trees they take down.” She explains. The creatures around them started discussing again. “So, what is your opinion?”

   “Absolutely not!” A creature spoke up, “The Humans have already taken our fruits and berries, We will not give them anything more!” Some creatures also agreed to this statement.

   “But if they can replenish them, maybe it won’t be so bad?” Another younger creature spoke up next, “I’m sure the Humans need it. It wouldn’t hurt to lend them some!”

   “We’re already struggling with how much they take from us now, imagine what will happen if they take more?!”

   “The Humans also need materials to survive, like us! Let’s not keep the natural resources to ourselves and be fair. Give the Humans what they need too!”

  Soon the forest centre was flooded with opinions and objections against or agreeing to the offer from the Humans. Raya looked around the crowded place, and turned to look at Crocus. He looked just as disturbed by the loud noises as she did.

   “Creatures, creatures, please!” The prince finally voiced, “Let’s be civil about this. We’ll put it on a vote. This will determine whether we agree to this offer and let the trees be cut down, or we disagree and disapprove they take anything from us beyond our fruits.”

  The decision was made five months ago; the majority of the creatures agreed to the offer of the humans, and the kingdom made a deal with them. If they can replace the trees they take, then they shall take as many as they need. 

  When questioned why, the creatures would say something on the lines of ‘if the Humans need it, then there’s no harm in providing. As long as they keep their promise.’

  They trusted the Humans to keep their word.

  Who would’ve ever guessed what happens next.

   “No! Stop!” A creature cried out, hitting at the leg of a large being looming above them, “Our trees! No!” Their efforts were futile. They as creatures are merely rocks compared to the size of the Humans.

   “Hey! Humans!” Another creature screamed, chasing the giant as they hopelessly try to stop it. “Buzz off! Get out of our forests!”

   “Tolonglah, no more!” A creature cried out, a smaller creature, presumably a child, in her arms, “We need these trees! Jangan!”

  Raya stood motionless amidst all the chaos. Another loud thump noise was heard in the distance, and she covered her ears as a reaction. She turned to see where the tree fell, and she could see a family of creatures crying as their home gets crushed under the weight of the fall.

  Another loud noise was heard, closer this time. Raya’s flower started to curl in. She looked to the other side, where another tree has been chopped by these Humans. The sound of children crying in the distance. Screaming and shouting from other creatures. The loud, deafening sound of the Human’s tools cutting down the trees splitting the ears of those around it. 

  This is what the creatures started to call ‘The plague season’

  The creatures’ usually vibrant and bright patterns started to dim, and their colours started to fade. Raya lifted her hand; the light of her patterns of flowers and flora flickered, faltering. The flower on her eye also started to wither, its petals drained.

  She turned to look at - wait. No one was by her side. There was no creature to turn to. Her eyes widened as she noticed.

   “Crocus-” She gasped, turning around to find her friend, “Crocus.. where’s Crocus?!”

  She ran around the forests, avoiding the Human’s steps and the trees being cut down. The sound of creatures’ sorrows and anger continue to ring in her ears, but she’s unfazed by that right now. She needs to find Crocus.

   “Crocus!” She called out, turning and running around the forest, “Crocus!”

   She turns her head to look to her right. A familiar pattern of flora, and the oh-so-familiar purple flowers spotted at a distance. “Crocus!” she ran over to her friend, as quick as she possibly could.

  But by the time she made it, it was too late.

   “Crocus, no!” She slid on to her knees to her friend. His breathing was heavy. The crocuses adorning his face had withered. The patterns across his body had dimmed almost completely. He was fading with the nature. “No.. no, no, no!” She bent over, tears threatening to spill. She placed a hand on Crocus’. “Please, no! Crocus, hang on!”

   “Raya..” Crocus’ voice was weak, unlike his usual energetic self. “Hey, kawan...”

   Another tree falls near her. “It’s almost over, Crocus, please!” she cries, “Please..” Her voice trembled.

  These Humans.

  These Humans.

  She wailed out as tears stream down her face. Humans. The flower on her eye closes entirely.

  Her tears fell to the ground, to the dry soil beneath her.

  And the soil gave a light in return. All the tears of the other creatures that touched the ground also made a spot of light on the ground. Raya hasn’t noticed, however Crocus did.

   “Raya...” He whispered, pointing to the ground beneath them, “look...”

   Raya opens her eyes to look to the ground.

  The grass beneath them started to rise, the ground slowly turning a vibrant green again. The light then spread across the forest. It sprayed the bushes with colour and climbed the trees to replenish its life. 

  Suddenly, she hears a scream. She turned to see a Human, running away from something. Behind him were vines, following his every step. They started growing from the ground and climbing up the Human’s leg, dragging him down to the soil. She looked around again, and noticed every Human was now rather being dragged into the soil beneath or swallowed by the vines and leaves around them.

  She looked above her, to the trees; the leaves are now vibrant green again. The trees that the Humans had cut down rises and grows to it’s original form again. Raya gasped. What a gruesome fate these Humans face! Does she feel sympathy? Well, maybe not.

   “Serves them right!” Suddenly a voice near her chuckled. She looked down to see Crocus, his patterns starting to light up again. He smiled at her. 

   Raya gasped again, and slowly grinned. “Crocus!” She exclaimed, wrapping her friend in a hug. The forest seemed to be happy about the return of the forest’s life too, as gloomy sky starts to brighten and the flowers start to bloom again.

About the young writer

“This story is mostly inspired by actual problems in the real world and a story I've read before. I like writing, reading, and drawing in my free time! I want to become an animator when I grow up, or maybe an author, not sure. I had so many ideas for this competition, but I went for the shortest option. My writing is heavily influenced by novels, so my works are really long.”

A word from our judges

This is a powerful story of humanity's impact on the world, told through the eyes of non-human creatures. The debate about whether to allow humans to cut down the trees was clever and thought-provoking – it was great to see both sides of the argument. The assumption that the humans would replant the trees was heartbreaking (we wish it weren't so!). The solution to the problem in this story was beautiful and incredibly moving. Additionally, the symbolism of the creatures' tears creating a hostile environment for humans was very clever! It's this ending, the clarity about the crisis, the writing itself, and the emotional, well-drawn characters that make this story the winner for us. Congratulations, Arissa! We hope to read more of your writing 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, Arissa!