by Arushi Gupta, 9C

When reality cuts you off from the rest of the world, at unpredictable moments, that is when we realise how agonising life can be. I was living a happy life, safe from the brutal reality: living in my own fantasy. Then, out of nowhere, the universe greedily snatched away my only hope: my only faith, my dad. They say he died in a car crash but who knows if they’re hiding the dirty, rotten truth inside, waiting until it explodes?

By: Kasvi Methi, 10 A

The story won 2nd place in Literati ‘Story writing’ event

The bang of the gunshot was ringing in my ears, blocking out all other sounds. I could hear somebody screaming, the sound faint against the deafening, high-pitched ring. I don’t know for how long I just stood there in the hallway, staring at the boy with the pistol, insanity spilling from his eyes like the blood from the wound he put in another’s chest.

By: Rishika Pasupulati, Grade 10 B

The story won 3rd place in Literati events held in school.
I was walking down in one of the busiest markets in the town- the Chain market. The smell of cardamom and pepper infused in the air. The sky hazy and the sun right above me. It was hot. The skin under my leather jacket frying and my hair sticky from moisture. The gun in the back pockets of my jeans remained cold and sleek. The smooth metal brushed against my calloused skin.

By Shivani, 5F

“You could check in the attic then,” Celia Muffin’s mom said. “I’m sure there are some musical tapes up there.” Celia, Josh Walnut and Dick Choco ran up the stairs to the attic. They started their search immediately.

“Hey… what is this?” Dick enquired excitedly. Celia and Josh ran to his side. “Hm… I wonder…” Josh murmured as he pressed the red button. Suddenly, the world wouldn’t stop spinning.

By: Mahathi Kattamuri ,12A

 The story won 1st place in Literati events

The wild, frenzied throbbing of the music behind Judy eventually faded into a dull pulse as she pushed past the doors to the nightclub. Humans, she thought with a shake of her head. They lived each day not knowing if it was their last and yet, the fear of death didn’t manage to snuff out the fires in their eyes, wrench the smiles from their faces, or steal the ease and grace from their bodies. She allowed herself a small smile--and then immediately schooled her features into a mask of unyielding indifference. Smiles were beneath a creature like her.

By: Shreyas, 4D
Robodo woke up very late on Friday. His mother was busy with her work. Robodo’s father was a trader who owned a house with a courtyard. Robodo’s sister, on the other hand, was so quick that she was already dressed up. As Robodo came into his sister’s room, he said, surprised,
“Oh, sister! You are so quick, you are already done, it seems like I have to be alert!” his sister chuckled.
“Lazy big brother, do you not know when to shower?” Robodo felt a bit ashamed, but he went to take a bath.

By: Sneha 4B

Thud! “Where is that annoying cat?” said Yamuna. Namuni dropped the pot of dates he was holding. “Sorry, Mom,” Namuni said with her mouth full of dates.
Namuni was a girl with emerald green eyes who lived in Egypt in 3000 BC. She had long golden hair, and was white as white chocolate.

By: Sahasra Kamala, 4C

There were once a hare, a grasshopper and a toad. Grasshopper was friendly with both Hare and Toad.
“Why is Grasshopper friendly with Toad?” Hare said to herself. “I will make a potion that will set them apart forever!”
The next day, at the market, Hare finally found Toad and Grasshopper. “Grasshopper, look at these tomatoes! They are so red!” Toad said. “Come to my house and I will make soup.”

Aadhya, 4F

Long ago, there lived a small ten-year old, beautiful girl named Julian. She lived in Harappa. Her father worked in a cotton mill and her mother was a housewife.

One day, she went out to play . After an hour, her friends started to leave for their homes and even she was coming back when she tripped. There was a rope where she fell down. She picked it up and pulled it hard, curious to know what the rope was doing there. There was a rumbling sound and a tunnel opened.

By: Shalini Nannapaneni 10B

“Yes sir”, “I’m nearly there, just give me five minutes”, Cee said putting her battered phone back in her pocket. The trees before her gave way to a clearing. There sat a large house, painted ivory white. The entire front yard was filled with rose beds. Smiling at the beauty of the house, Cee parked the car and stepped out into the lawn.

By Shreya Challa, Grade 11 A

The story won 3rd Place in Literati ‘Story Writing’ event held at school.

“Exploring.” Judy thought to herself with a scoff, “Why does everybody expect me to be alright with everything? Why does everybody think that I want to discover everything, because I don't want to discover this-“Judy cut her train of thoughts off with a shudder, not wanting to think about death- her mother’s death, to be precise. She had no intention of discovering what death felt like. Tapping the little bottle against her knee, she reminded herself that she was just being paranoid. Of course, her mother wouldn’t die. Of course, she wouldn’t. Judy would save her. she would.

By Purvi Reddy, Grade 11 A

The story won 2nd Place in ‘Literati’ Story Writing Event

Pregnant clouds lumbered threateningly through the greying skies, even as a cacophony of animal calls rung out- beseeching their mates to come back home before the storm and her winds begin their assault. Judy, unconcerned by the gentle drizzle that pattered around her, studied the tree before her with fierce intensity, trying to match the steely gaze of the scientist next to her. It was a large fig tree whose branches splayed out far after those of his kind had stunted. It was not unique in any other sense, except for the labyrinthian network of vines that coiled and wove themselves tightly around the bark, to the point where no brown showed through anymore.