Children have vivid imaginations, and this was nowhere more apparent than in the Oxford Children’s Word of the Year writing competition.
Students from primary schools across Australia were invited to submit a piece of writing about a topic of their choice.
While there were fairies and unicorns, there was also a darker side to the narratives of the primary students who entered, including stories of murder, kidnapping, blood, vampires and monsters.
To mark Halloween, we’ve put together excerpts from some of the spookiest entries. Watch out for the announcement of the Oxford Australian Children’s Word of the Year in coming weeks.
Haunted by Zohaib, Year 6
“The haunted house was in the middle of the haunted forest in a lost city. It was full of creepy and scary creatures carrying poison and diseases. How will they survive?”
“They heard stomping down the stairs. They hid underneath the bed. But the monster wasn’t looking for the family. He was looking for someone’s shoes or clothing, so he could smell where they were.”
Skeleton by Gordon, Year 1
“One day there was a skeleton called Bobb. He was a very nice skeleton but no one liked him because he was a skeleton. Bobby was so clever he dressed up as a human but his face was still uncovered so he went to the costume shop and got a mask.”
Blood by Billie, Year 6
“In my world our blood shows our fate, no form of coverage can hide our past sins. Our life can change with a visible cut. We are born with clear blood and for every sin, lie or bad deed our blood turns blacker. My blood is pale grey, I was a naughty child, but I never did an extreme sin or ‘shader’ as we call it.”
Murder by Holly, Year 6
BANG! The lightning struck. “Ali!” I screamed. I couldn’t see her anywhere. My hands were shaking and I was so scared that something bad had happened. “Emily Hanna!” I woke the other girls but just as I was about to wake up Spencer I realised she was gone too.”
Vampire by Manasvi, Year 6
“The night is dark. That’s when they like to hunt. There is a mansion on top of a hill where kids come to play, not noticing the monsters inside. Halloween is the time when they feast the most…While they are running they hear footsteps chasing them. One of them trips and falls. He tries to get back up but it’s too late. Screams echo around the house as the monster feasts on the boy. They turn around to see the demonic eyes and a pale, white face as it disappears. Three kids left. The monster’s having fun.”
Scary by Laura, Year 6
“I looked out the window and I see something black, skinny with blood dripping all over its face. I dropped my phone. I tried to run but I couldn’t. It was too scary, this thing, staring into my soul, I was certain I was going to die. The lights started to flash as I see the thing getting closer to me, moving slowly, all the lights went out. It was pitch black, I couldn’t hear anything … nothing. I started to move again as I thought it was okay but the first step I take it jumped out and dragged me across the floor as I scream to my mum.”
Find out more about the Oxford Australian Children’s Word of the Year and keep an eye out for the announcement of winners.
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