It was for a class homework when I was still in KTJ.
Cambridge
IGCSE First Language English: May/June 2010
Write
a story where fire is the central theme.
Glowing in the darkened room, it steals my attention by its
enchanting beauty. Streaming up from the pile of wood, a magnificent shade of
orange and overwhelming bright red flow out. Fire; one of the most important
elements that keeps balance of the world. Currently in the summer’s heat, my
people are celebrating the fire festival. I look at the lantern and remember
that day.
Two days ago, the beginning of the fire festival, I was woken up by
my little brother hyperly jumping on my bed. He was the only family I had since
mom and dad died. After taking a long refreshing shower, I dressed in the
traditional fire festival outfit and since fire is usually in the hue of red to
orange, it’s common to see passers-by proudly walking with these shades of
colours. This year I was having fun with my costume therefore I made a decision
to paint my face with white acting as a base and strokes of red to symbolise
fire.
In the afternoon, I brought my little brother, Marco, to witness his
first fire festival. It would be quite dangerous to bring little toddlers into
the fire festival due to the omnipresence of fire. The first thing I did was to
buy two exotic lanterns for each of us as it was also a tradition of our tribe.
Then Marco and I wondered throughout the stalls that were set-up a day before
the celebration started. The stalls were selling many things: various kinds of
mouth-watering foods, masks, traditional ornaments that related to fire and the
most important, fireworks and firecrackers.
Time flied when you enjoyed yourself and without us realising, the
gigantic red ball of fire, the sun, had sunk in the far away horizon.
Illuminating the area, the lanterns glowed beautifully in the night with the
moon and scattered stars. The main event was about to start. Suddenly, a flash
mob of dancers started dancing the fire dance in the middle of the pathway and
a crowd started to form.
With dancers the dancers as a distraction, a group of people came
from the side and started doing tricks with fire. Hence, the parade of the
glorious fire began. The parade acted as a tour guide and led us to our final
destination. Marco was bubbling with laughter and smiles. It warmed my heart.
Without knowing what was instore for me in the future, I, too, unconsciously smile
.When we reach our final destination, Marco was amazed by the colossal bonfire
built on the golden grain of sand.
In the summer’s night breeze, I let Marco played with friends when
he met them on the beach. I sat on a log next to the bonfire and observed the
scenery around me. A few girls sat with me and I got carried away. Marco was
playing near the sea and when I got distracted, the mischievous sea swallowed
my brother whole. Luckily, using my ninja reflexes, I get there just in time to
save my one and only brother. I scolded him for not being careful and
apologised for my carelessness.
Abruptly the bonfire exploded, continued with peoples’ screams. A
wave of panic was created and we tried to get to safety but there were so many
people that were pushing and pulling. Our knotted hands were untied and we were
pushed away from each other by the wave. I a distance, I saw my brother fell to
the ground and left behind. I tried to fight the wave but it was too late. The
burning wooden billboard fell on top of my beloved brother.
Flashes of my brother’s smile and laughter come to mind while tears
slid down my face. I tried to go to him but the civilian had a tight grip on my
hand and telling me it’s useless to go there. That was the last time I saw my
brother and now, as I’m sitting in front of my fireplace, I still think about
my brother.
Today is another lonesome day with the absence of Marco. I stand and
put out the fire. “Good night, Marco.” I say and go off to sleep.
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