Frome pupil through to Radio 2’s ‘500 Words’ competition final

A YEAR 6 pupil at Selwood Academy has made it through to the grand final in BBC Radio 2’s 500 Words competition with her story, ‘Free!’

Ten year-old Sophie Gilson’s story was one of 50 entries chosen from 123,000, which will be read and debated by a panel of authors, led by guest judge, HRH Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at the final at Shakespeare’s Globe on 27th May.

Sophie said, “I entered the competition because my sister entered last year and said it was a really interesting competition as you can write about anything you like.

“My story ‘Free!’ was  inspired by the film ‘Up’ because I wondered what the balloons were thinking when they went up into the sky.

“What I enjoy about story writing is, I like how you can think about whatever you want and describe everything in words.”

First place in each age group will win a pile of books as tall as Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans and 500 books for their school library, second place will be awarded a stack of books as tall as Alex Jones from The One Show and third place will walk away with their own height in books.

Sophie continued, “I really enjoy reading so I  would be delighted if I were to win any of these. When I found out I had got through to the final, I was really excited. I’m so  pleased to be going to Shakespeare’s Globe for the final.”

Jean Hopegood, headteacher at Selwood Academy said, “Sophie is a gifted writer and we are all so proud of her achievement.  Her story is beautifully descriptive and I would recommend everyone to read it.”

Free. I was finally free from the funfair. Furiously fighting to get to the blue sky. I felt a strong tug on the end of my string. Gripping the end was a little girl. Beaming with happiness and exuding joy, I was her treasure. I just bobbed in the air hoping for a miracle that would release me.

After what felt like a lifetime, we arrived at a small, regular house in a road like any other. Painted red with a bright blue door with a brass door knob, the house looked inviting enough. Beautiful flowers bordered the lawn and as they opened the door a gentle waft of perfume flooded out as well as the sweet tune of a piano. How did I ever get into this position? I thought I was free but now I’d lost all hope again.

Interrupting my thoughts the girl dragged me by my tail into a bedroom. A wooden bed with a soft silky bed cover was central to the room. I was tied to a bed post and it felt like hours before the little girl came back.

Through the glistening glass window I could see the world. A world where I could have the freedom of flying and not the terrible torture of imprisonment.

After the darkness it was sunrise. Something was tugging me again. Puzzled, I looked down. There was a fluffy dog. It was so small and cute and as it started to run outside I began to be aware that this could be my last chance to try to escape.

Glorious fresh and clean air gave me their greetings and the clouds were comforting cushions as I floated up. Sun rays warmed my heart.

Away I floated into the sky of limitless possibilities. Beautiful feathered birds emerged from the cotton candy clouds and flew into the magical unknown of the brilliant blue sky. Since I was just flying, I wanted to take a last glance at the hostile and restricting world below me. Colossal sky scrapers towered over the other multi-storey buildings and all the houses sat comfortably under its shadow. As my flight continued I stared longingly at the nature, the beautiful lakes and beaches which covered the land. I was drawn to gaze at the sweet smelling forest with every kind of creature hidden inside its labyrinth of trees.

My wispy tail twirled round in the afternoon breeze. Suddenly out of the blue a big, mesmerizing metallic bird came whizzing through the bright sky. Headed towards me it bumped me. I was stuck. My twisty tail was trapped to the side of its wing! Darting downwards, I had to follow this giant. I didn’t want to go back down. I wanted to see more! Feeling hopeless, I needed to break free from its grasp.

Squirming and wriggling. Wrestling against my entrapment, my thin, wire like string finally broke. Triumphantly I was able to rise back up to the clouds. Freedom enveloped me. I was free.