Bruny Youth Story Prize

Like most humans, I kill alone. Whether that be a tasty looking pig or a larva just experiencing life, we both kill to eat. The difference is, though, I have to kill. Pigs and larvae aren’t at a risk of being killed off, but I am. Only about 1000 40 spotted pardalotes are left. I refuse to die because I want to be able to know my kind will see next year. Flying over this forest looking for prey I start to see something I desire more than dinner. Kin. Their small bodies jumping about and they look a little funny but they’re there. Is it finally breeding time? I need to find a mate. I can help, if even just a little.               

Ignoring my hunger, I glide down to meet them I see a flash of movement in the corner of my eye. I whip my head around as I land, perching perfectly after checking for danger. I swear there were more to the right of me, but I can’t get distracted. I head towards a girl, barely as big as me. She could be the other half of my pair. I blink as something hits me in the face. A branch. I quickly turn around to see if the girl saw that, but then I realise, she’s gone. The branch had taken her place. I sigh, I think all the others have flown off. That’s it then. No 2027 for us. No! I can make it; I just need to find food.                               

I see some insects down below and fly down. I start pecking furiously at the little things, trying not to think of the terror they must be feeling. They’re not dying, I am. Focus. As I eat, I curse humans in my head, all this suffering, all this death for what? So they can live the opposite of how they were supposed too? Disgusting. I’m trying to think about whether to try to find the others when I hear rustling behind me, and I spin around. The girl is there, a few trees away. She’s so beautiful. She’s glowing as she slowly starts hopping towards me, and as she does, I notice more about her. Her wings are white, and she has a golden circle above her head. I wonder how she looks like this until she reaches me. She cocks her head to the side as she watches me. Careful, as if she has a purpose. She waves her pale wing in a “follow me” gesture, then flies straight up. I see the others. I don’t question it, I’m too tired. Maybe they’ll take care of me, as I tried to for them.
 

Winners of the Bruny Youth Story Prize will be announced at The Bruny Island Bird Festival on Sunday, the 22nd of March at 12 pm in the Adventure Bay hall. This prize is proudly brought to you by The Bruny Kids and Nature Project, led by Claire Boost and the Tasmanian Community Fund.