The Island of Inventions

The first time Ethan heard people speak of the island of inventions, he was still very young. The stories he heard about the place filled him with curiosity and wonder.

Ethan searched for clues and read hundreds of books to find out about the island. Finally, he concluded that it was a secret place where all the wise men of the world would meet to learn and invent new things. A person had to create an amazing invention that made life better for the world. Only then, could he or she recieve an invitation to the islandand instructions on how to get there.

In order to get that special invitation, Ethan spent many years studying and inventing. Every new idea he got, he made it into an invention. If there was anything he did not understand, he would look for someone to help him.

Soon, he met other young and intelligent inventors. He told them about the Island of Inventions. The young inventors would then dream of being sent 'the letter', which was how the invitation was reffered to.

Time passed. The young inventors were disappointed that they did not get an invitation. They decided to work harder and also to work together. They met in Ethan's house and created extraordinary devices. Ethan's house ended up looking like a huge warehouse for machines.

The inventions they created made life better for people. However, even after all that, none of the inventors received any invitation. Still, tjhey did not give up. They continued learning and inventing every day.

Time passed. Ethan grew old but he did not give up his dream of getting to the Island of Inventions.

One day, Ethan told a young man who had joined Ethan's group of inventors about the Island of Inventions. Ethan also said he was sure that some day they would receive an invitation. 'What? You mean this isn't the Island of Inventions? Wasn't the letter you sent me that invitation?' asked the young man in suprise.

Ethan looked around and saw that his dream had come true in his very own house. He realised that there was no place better than the place he and his friends had created. Ethan felt happy that his life of invention had been a truly happy one.

Adapted from The Island of Inventions by Pedro Pablo Sacristan ~o~

Brier: An Ecological Children's Story

Brier loved to listen. She listened to the water, the wind and the songs of the forest birds close to her home. Evn the trees would lean down to tell her their stories.

One night, she had a dream. A beautiful lady appeared before her. 'Brier,' she said gently, 'come with me.' Brier climbed out of bed and took the woman's hand.

Brier lloked down and saw a spray of water in the ocean. The water drops lloked like pearls in the moonlight. It was a whale, breathing at the surface. 'Brier,' he said. 'Please help us. I speak for my family and all my firends in the sea. The waters have bacome so polluted that we are becoming sick. Humans are alo catching too many fish from the sea. We are disappearing. Please tell our story.'

Brier nodded in silence, and as she did, the ocean began to slowly disappear.

On a branch of a tree, sat a majestic eagle cleaning the soft feathers of an eaglet. The eagle said proudly, 'Brier, this is my first child after many months of preparing my nest. There are fewer places to live as trees are being cut down. Many of us are disappearing. Please tell our story.'

Brier nodded and the eagles began slowly to disappear.

Brier saw a land of ice and melting glaciers in the distance, Standing before her was a great polar bear. He said, 'Brier , this is the Artic. Humans fill the air with pollution causing the world to become too warm. The ice is melting. Animaks like me can no longer find food. Our homes are also disappearing. Please tell our story.'

Brier nodded and the world of ice began to slowly disappear.

Brier was surrounded by the tallest trees she had ever seen. Brier and the woman walked through the thicket of trees until they came into a clearing. Brier saw hundreds of stumps where mighty trees once stood. She declared. 'I must tell their story.' As she spoke, the forest slowy disappeared.

'Brier, my name is Earth. You can listen to the stories of the Earth which other humans are unable to hear. Now you must tell these stories to your fellow humans. Can you do that?' said the woman.

'Yes, I can and I will.' Brier answered. As she said those words, she woke up to a new day.

Adapted from Autumn: An Ecological Children's Story by Becca Phyche Tarnas