By Emilia, St. Cyprian’s School, South Africa
This story is about a young girl named Nikki. Since she was little, she’s always fantasised about being a superhero, her favourite hero was Sustainability Suki. Nikki wrote stories about her favourite hero, she watched cartoons, drew pictures, she even had a huge poster in her room, all for her favourite hero.
As Nikki grew older, she became more aware about the world around her, and it was in danger! Everywhere she looked, she saw litter! Nikki knew this was a huge problem, but what could she, a thirteen year old girl do?
One day, she was walking in the park, picking up rubbish as usual, but something caught her eye. It was a poster, lying on the floor, she went to pick it up, but it wasn’t just any poster, it was a poster with the words “Sustainability Suki needs a Sidekick!” printed in big, green letters! Nikki couldn’t believe her eyes! It was meant to be! Nikki knew she had to sign up! She read the small letters at the bottom of the page, it read, “13th December, Central South Park, 13:00.” Nikki was bubbling inside. She picked up the poster and ran home as fast as she could. When she got home, Nikki ran into the kitchen, searching for her mum. “MOMM!!” she yelled. “Yes, Nikki?” replied her mom, “Look at what I found while I was cleaning up litter!” Her mum read the big bold letters, “Wow” said mom, “This is perfect! If you want to go, I give you my permission.” said mom with a smile.
Nikki was more excited than she had ever been. She planned her outfit, her hair, what she was going to say, it had to be perfect! Finally, after months of waiting, December 13th came! Nikki knew she wasn’t going to be the only one who wanted to be a hero, so she left home at the crack of dawn, so she could be the first in line for Suki. Unfortunately, when Nikki arrived, the line was wrapped around the whole park! “Looks like you weren’t the first person to have that idea” said mom. Nikki was feeling hopeless, “I’ll never make it to the front of that line” thought Nikki. She dragged her feet along the pavement to the back of the line, as she made her way, Nikki saw so many amazing heroes, feeling even more hopeless, Nikki heard screaming from the front of the line, Suki had arrived!! Nikki felt sick, she was so nervous. Nikki eventually got to the front of the line, this is my chance!
“Next!” yelled Suki’s assistant. Nikki took a deep breath and walked to the door, and entered. There she saw Suki, she was gorgeous! Nikki admired Suki’s long, silky hair. “Name!” yelled Suki’s assistant, “Nikki” she said.
Nikki took a deep breath and explained her journey to becoming more environmentally conscious and her dreams to work with Suki, just like how she practiced at home. Suki asked Nikki some questions, but, thankfully, Nikki was prepared for this, and she answered the questions with ease. Unfortunately, there was one question Nikki was NOT prepared for, “What makes you unique from all the people out there in the line? asked Suki. Nikki gulped, “umm, umm.. I’m.. uh…” Nikki mumbled, she then made a sigh under her breath, “ I, I ..I..I., I guess I’m not.” said Nikki with a disappointed voice. Suki looked at her assistant, she then shook her head towards the door, “NEXT!” yelled her assistant, “WAIT!” yelled Nikki, “please can I have another chance, I shouldn’t have said that, I AM different from all those people, the only reason I knew about this interview was because I was picking up litter and I saw a poster for this audition, one time I skipped school because it was raining and I didn’t want the car polluting the air while my mum drove me! I REFUSED! And one time I stayed at school for three extra hours to help clean up the litter in the playground. “I’m made for this!” said Nikki with an inspirational voice. Suki thought for a long time, “It sounds like you really want this job, but, a lot of other people do too, and I understand, this is your dream, but you’re not what I’m looking for, sorry, Nikki” said Suki.
Nikki gave up, she dropped her chin and walked out of the audition room. She got outside and felt overwhelmed, embarrassed, she was helpless. Nikki started to cry, she was wiping her eyes with her recycled cotton hoodie, when all of a sudden she heard a loud voice scream, “Litter Lucas is here!!!” Nikki jumped to her feet! The Litter Lover was a villain, and he loved to litter! Nikki knew him better than anyone, and she knew Suki would need help. Everyone ran screaming, but, Nikki stayed, when Suki came outside, she gasped. “You, over there! Help me!” Suki yelped. “Was she talking to me?” thought Nikki, she helped Suki anyways, they were winning! But then, all of a sudden The Litter Lover dropped fifteen tonnes of litter! Right in front of them! Suki looked defeated, but, an idea popped into Nikki’s head, the Windmill Sword! Nikki picked up the famous tool, and started blowing away all the litter, it was blowing right into the villain’s Litter Truck! It was working, Nikki did it! “I did it!” thought Nikki, Litter Lucas ran over to his truck and drove away with fear. “Maybe you are made for this job.” said Suki. “YES!” Nikki screamed “I did it.” Whispered Nikki to herself, “I did it.”