Young Storykeeper Volume III

94 | STORYKEEPERS VOLUME III AGE NINE | 95
THE LIGHTHOUSE
“Golden Opportunity.” The words caught Jason’s attention. Excitedly, he read on.
Loop Head Lighthouse required a summer tour guide with free accommodation
in the lighthouse. Jason, a nineteen-year-old sporty teenager, was in college.
This job would be perfect to fund his college costs. He dreamt about surfing and
kayaking. Jason grabbed the phone and dialled 065 491 1729.
A voice answered. “Could I apply for the guide job?” Jason inquired.
“Yes, but you have to be at the lighthouse tomorrow,” a man answered.
“Will do,” said Jason confidently.
“Bye,” replied the man and he hung up. Jason was overjoyed.
The next morning Jason woke up bright and early. He dressed rapidly and
devoured his breakfast. Jason was ecstatic as he drove to Co. Clare. He arrived
at Loop Head Lighthouse. Jason was welcomed by a uniformed middle-aged
man that had his hair combed to perfection. He didn’t have a stain or crease on
his uniform and he was wearing brown polished shoes. Jason noticed a golden
badge on his uniform reading Loop Head Lighthouse.
Jason approached him and introduced himself. They spoke briefly and then shook
hands as the owner announced, “Congratulations! You have got the job.”
Jason couldn’t contain his excitement. He started dashing around like a
headless chicken. A set of keys were produced.
“Your first tour will be in half an hour,” the man stated. Jason returned to
the car to unpack. Later Jason went surfing and kayaking. At nine he decided to
retire for the night. Suddenly he heard muffled noises. He kept listening scared
of what might happen next. A voice whispered, “Over here, quick, hurry up”.
Jason anxiously clambered out of his bed. He tiptoed his way down the
stairs and peered through a door leading to the basement and saw two men.
They were holding a bag each and emptying them. Jason crept back upstairs and
called the guards. Jason knew that he couldn’t let them escape.
In a few seconds they had emptied out their bags and were leaving. Jason
sprinted to the door and locked it. He could hear the siren of the guards. He
looked behind him and saw the two robbers. When he reached the top of the
stairs, he heard a bang. The robbers had broken down the door. They came
closer to him.
Jason did something quite marvellous.
He went under one of the robber’s legs and started running down the stairs.
He saw the guards and went behind them. The two robbers ran right into the
guard’s hands. The guards took the money that was in the bag and put the
robbers in prison. The guards thanked Jason for calling them and for being brave.
The next day Jason was elated. He was in all the newspapers. He went out
the door of the lighthouse and saw the president there. The president awarded
him a gold medal. Jason thanked him. Later Jason and the president fell into
deep conversation.
Jason had the best summer ever.
Diarmuid Fleming
Co Roscommon
OUR NEW HOME
Once upon a time there lived a girl called Eva and a
boy called Jack.
Eva and Jack lived in a very small house. Their
father and mother were poor. They had very little
money and they bought a lotto ticket with it.
The father got a €2 coin out of his pocket and
scratched the lotto ticket. He couldn’t believe his
eyes - he got 777! He was so happy and cheerful
– he had won the lotto! He ran home and told his
family that they were millionaires.
Then the father had a great idea. He said, “Let’s
buy a lighthouse.”
So that day they bought a lighthouse beside the
great Atlantic Ocean. The Lighthouse of Alexandra
was what it was called, on an island off the coast.
They settled in lovely and one day they saw a group
of dolphins in the east.
Then Jack had an idea and he knew were a boat
was. Off they went to get it but when they reached
the middle of the ocean, their engine stopped and
now they had lost the school of dolphins.
They realised that they’d have to swim. Jack had
seen a little island known as Mako Island. Everyone
knew that it was full of sharks and snakes, but they
had no choice but land there. They finally landed
and went different directions.
Eva jumped over the rocks but suddenly she
fell into a hole. She couldn’t get out no matter how
hard she tried. Finally, after swimming she found a
pool that opened up into the vast ocean...she was
free at last. She could see the moon facing down
directly shining on her.
Eva looked down and all she could see was a
fish tail. It was colourful with shimmery scales. How
could this be? How did this happen?
At that moment, she woke up from her dream
in a sweat…
Clodagh Griffin
Co Clare