Amy’s ‘grim’ tale could win her school £1,000

New-Bridge Integrated College Year 8 Student Amy White pictured with Librarian Jacqueline and members of New-Bridge College Book Club. Edward By

Amy entered the Grim Tales Competition 2015, a creative writing competition for 11-18 year olds.

Schools were encouraged to inspire their pupils with Grim Tales, and to let them develop and showcase their technical writing and creative skills as well as have the opportunity to see themselves as published writers.

Pupils had to write their own mini sagas in class or as homework, and the work could be inspired by other famous stories.

They could do a funny version of a fairy tale or retell a myth or legend with a new twist, but it had to be be written in their own words.

Pupils’ mini sagas could be inspired by any theme or subject.

Amy chose to write her tale based on both Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood.

Her success means that the school will receive a complimentary copy of the book her work features in, whilst the work will go through to the next round, which could see the school win £1,000.

The book of all the winning entrants will be in the College in August.

Here is Amy’s short story. The brief was to write a mini saga of no more than 100 words based on “Grim Tales”.

Goldie and Red. Each pounding step a heartbeat, Goldilocks flees the scene.

The police sirens match Baby Bear’s wails.

A clearing. A cottage. A hot pie cooling in the fondling breeze.

A girl in a red cloak with welcoming eyes and a shy smile.

“My Grandma loves visitors!” Little Red Riding Hood smiles.

“Just right!” Goldilocks confirms.

The silence in the clearing is broken by muffled voices.

Roosting birds suddenly take flight as a piercing scream echoes around the dusky twilight air.

The cottage door creaks open and a satisfied wolf emerges, licking his lips…

The closing date for the competition is Friday July 24.