Young Storykeeper Volume III

182 | STORYKEEPERS VOLUME III AGE TEN | 183
WHEN YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE
Zofia Jablonska
Co Dublin
A long time ago, at the lighthouse at Howth, there lived a young girl
called Ashling.
One day, Ashling’s mum felt very sick and suddenly died. After that they
were very poor. Her dad went fishing every day and Ashling helped him
by caring for the lighthouse. She was scared that they would be so poor
that they wouldn’t have enough money to pay for food. Ashling wished
for a new house and dog, but her dad couldn’t’t afford it. Ashling didn’t
want to be very wealthy either. She just wanted to live a normal life.
Once, when Ashling’s dad went fishing off the shores of the Irish
Sea, Ashling decided to clean the room that had been locked for many
years. Her dad never went inside, it was still too painful for him. That
was her mum’s room, where she used to work, painting beautiful marine
landscapes.
Ashling was sweeping up the dust and rearranging furniture when
she found an old floor storage space. She struggled to open it for a
long time until she pulled up the hatch, breaking the old padlock into
pieces. There was a wooden chest with a beautiful gold anchor inside!
The anchor reminded Ashling about the bedtime story that her mum
loved to tell her.
When rustling noises came from the door, the girl ran up to her dad.
“Ahoy,” said Dad as he came back after an exhausting day.
“Dad, I have something to show you,” called Ashling without hiding
her excitement. “Come on, don’t be afraid.”
She hugged him and pulled his hand with her greatest strength.
They went inside the room, the room full of memories. Ashling opened
the chest - her dad was so confused, he couldn’t’t say anything but…
“How…why...!?” Then he paused. “When I was young sailor, I had
this anchor on my ship, then I met your mum…” he added with eyes full
of tears.
The little girl stared at her dad curiously.
“I fell in love with her. Meanwhile we stopped in a port city where
my golden anchor went missing. I thought I wouldn’t see it anymore…”
“Incredible.” Ashling felt a few years older than she really was. What
she heard made her overjoyed because now she had become part of this
story.
Both fell asleep in each other’s arms.
Next day her dad showed her a newspaper.
“What are we’re going to do with your treasure?”
he asked. “Look, the government wants to restore
the old ship and build the Maritime Museum for
people visiting Ireland.”
“Let’s sell them this anchor!” Both shouted in
agreement.
The restoration team couldn’t express how
grateful they were for this golden trophy!
Ashling and her dad had enough money to build
a new house beside the lighthouse and they didn’t have to worry about
food anymore. Of course, Ashling got a dog and a never-ending smile.
“I knew your mum would amaze me once more…” said her dad
sentimentally.
MY SHINING LIGHT
I’m painted red and white thick stripes all around.
I’m standing up strong and broad.
With my light shining bright
I will guide you through the night.
Heavy fog coating the coast and silence like a morgue.
You blow your horn and I will row you ashore.
I am the lighthouse of Ballymore.
I am surrounded by water crashing against me
and the creatures of the sea all around me.
Up above me the seagulls glide and squawk.
To get to me it’s a lovely long long walk.
Ashton Takkali
Co Dublin