P4 English : A Challenge composition

As my P4s move on to P5 work next week, we ended off the P4 year with a composition test. Most weeks I guide them in their weekly compositions at the planning stage and discussion. So, it is always good to test them periodically and check if the techniques taught have been learnt and used appropriately. I was really pleased when I marked their compositions. They all had interesting plots and remembered to use their themes well.

Please find the model below.

A challenge composition model P4

A Challenge

            The sun shone brightly in the clear, blue sky. I was walking down to the canteen from my class. It was finally recess after a long, hard morning at school. I was minding my own business when I heard a sudden cry.

“Someone help me!”

I turned around. It was Little Lenny, one of the students in my grade. He was called Little Lenny because of his small, skinny body. He was on the ground with minor cuts and bruises.

            I rushed over to him.

“Are you okay Lenny?” I asked with concern.

“It’s alright, ” Lenny mumbled.

I looked around. A large looking boy caught my eye. It was the big bully, Benny. He always got on my nerves, thinking that he was the best in everything.

            “Hey you! What makes you think that you can bully him? Show some respect,” I shouted.

Benny smirked, “Well, well, well. If it isn’t Miss Elissa. Aren’t you tired of being perfect all the time?”

I struck at him and he grabbed me by the collar and threw me to one side.

“Do you want to have a face-off? I challenge you to a race, one that you cannot win!” he growled with hatred in his eyes.

Without thinking, I replied, “Sure! Why not?”

“10th of September, 10am sharp at the school field. Don’t be late!” he snickered as he walked away.

I shuddered. What a horrible mistake I had made. I was not a fast runner and he was larger and stronger than me. However, I had already accepted his challenge.  There was no turning back now. I went home and circled the date of the race in a big red marker.

            As the days passed, I began to dread the challenge more and more. Word had spread around the school and everyone warned me to back down but that would make me the ‘chicken’ of the school. I had no choice but to persevere and face the challenge head on.

            I woke up the morning of the challenge, nervous and tired. I had slept badly that night as I tossed and turned in my bed while staring at the red circle on calendar. I knew that there was no way for me to win the race but I was determined to show up and run it.

            Benny was waiting for me at the field while I trudged over. There was a large crowd of students around the field waiting for the race to begin. We got into our starting positions, ready to go.

“Ready, set, go!” someone shouted. We sped off. Benny was way ahead of me as I struggled to keep up with me. Just when I thought that there was no way to win, Benny tripped and fell on the field. I ran up to him but instead of running past him, I offered him my hand.

“Need some help?” I asked.

Benny took my hand and when he stood up, he pushed me to the ground and ran off. I was furious! I got up and ran as fast as I could. Benny crossed the finish line and the crowd cheered. I crossed a second later.

“Looks like you lost the challenge!” Benny mocked.

Then I heard the crowd cheering and chanting my name. I was stunned. Everyone came up to praise me for my good sportsmanship. I felt elated. I walked up to Benny and shook his hands.

“Good challenge friendenemy,” I said. He shook my hand and replied, “Friendenemy!”

            That night I lay in my bed, thinking about the challenge. I might not have won but I learnt a lot from the experience.