Life as a Citizen By: Sarah P.

Life as a Citizen By: Sarah P.

I have never been outside of the Temple. I am 13 and I have never been out. I just want to go out. I have asked to go out, but somebody always stopped me from doing it or told me NO. My father is the ruler of all of us. My mother Is trying to look out for me, but she just taking over my life too much. Just the other day I was walking with my mom and heard and saw with my own eyes that my mom Ordered the servants around. and to me she was like yelling at them. I felt so bad. I just wish I could do something about it. I also want to be free from my life. I have been wanting to go outside of the castle ever since I was a little girl. My dad has told me a story about how they found an eagle on top of a cactus, and has a snake in his mouth. My father also says that we are where were meant to be. I want to go out and adventure.The only time I don’t want to go outside Is when the sacrifices happen. That is just the worst thing ever. My closet is good for that time. I tried to talk to my dad to stop the sacrifices, but We don’t want to go there. One day I will adventure out and see the world. I overheard my dad in a meeting he had with some people I didn’t recognize. But that does not matter. It was a meeting that I was not supposed to attend. I was just eavesdropping on the conversation. 

“Zaris, the Villagers on Tenochtitlan are complaining that they don’t have enough…”, he went into a soft voice. I left. I am going to go to Tenochtitlan and explore that Island. I am going to have a splendid time. I quickly went to my room. I told myself I am not Princess Zuma anymore. I am not going to be the daughter of Zarah and Zaris. I am not the daughter of an Emperor and Empress. I will go out and live my own life. I will gather up some supplies and I will be on my way. I took some fruit and veggies that were in my room placed on a table. I wanted some other food so I snuck some food from the kitchen. I will hopefully just get some food to survive a little. Maybe when I eat an apple I will take out the seeds and plant an apple tree. Also I could plant other fruit trees. I will also bring a knife to cut the fruit, kill some animals, and protect myself.

I didn’t know how I was going to get out and about. There are guards everywhere I go, but then I knew what to do, I decided how I was going to get out. I dressed up as a villager, so that they wouldn’t know it was me. I was going to change my name, so nobody would recognize me or my name. I would be a traveler named Mori. I would pretend like I have never ever ever been in the Temple or lived in the Temple before. I entered to the gate where most of the guards were. “Going out,” I said. I thought they were going to say something else, but they just turned head back and I assumed that I could go on and out. I was free. I am guessing that they just thought I was a maid that just worked at the Temple, but who cared. I was out of the Temple, and on my way to Tenochtitlan.

I looked around me and I saw that all around me were poor people who dressed all plain and noble people like who dressed just like me with feathers and gold. As I walked some more, I passed adobe houses, farms, slaves working in the fields, and other people working at shops. I saw women cooking and making cloth. I kept walking because I needed to make it to Tenochtitlan on lake Texcoco. I walked up to the dock and grabbed a little sailors boat and started to leave. Before I knew it I was at Tenochtitlan. As i got off I ran as fast as I could carry myself. I arrived at the village and saw some more of the adobe houses. Some more farms. A lot of corn. I can’t believe my parents hid all of this from me. I walked up to the dock and grabbed a little sailors boat was out started to go out. Before I knew it I was at Tenochtitlan. 

“You seem lost,” a kind lady said to me as I entered into the village.

“I just got here,” I replied. I wanted to lie to her and say that I was traveler. But I knew I shouldn’t.

‘Please follow me. My house isn’t to far from here. You could stay at my place,” The lady said.

“What is your name?” I asked.

“Nora,” The lady said.

“What’s yours?” Nora asked.

“My name is Mori. I come from a land not to far from here.”

“Well here we are. You can stay here for as long as you need. You can help me in the morning with some work. I will need it. It will be nice to have another person in the house,” Nora said.

I walked into the house looking around. Then though there was not much to look at. You can’t fit much in a little adobe house. But it was enough for me even though I was used to having more. LIke a much bigger house with bigger rooms and my own servant. But I was excited to be a citizen and to learn how to work and take care of myself. I was so excited for my life. My father will never find me in this city.

The Mystery By. Sophia

The Mystery

By. Sophia

“Andy, hurry up. You don’t want to be left behind, do you?”

“Ok I’m coming.” said Andy. Andy hopped up and down the trail following her parents. Her family was going to look for a new home and so was the whole village. My feet hurt from walking so much,” said Andy.

We are almost there! Said Andy’s dad Emperor Penfield.

Stop whining said Sarah.

Hay you were like this when you gies moved before I was borne.

How did you know that? Said Sahra

Ho mom told me a lot of stories about before I was borne. Said Andy.

Like this one time when you were 2 you were moving for the first time because Pizarro had taken over where our village 13 years ago. I’m glad I was not born yet. Said Andy. Mom can you tell me another story to take my mind of my aching feet?

Ya shier. Said Andy's mom Empires Epula.

Once upon a time there was…

Mom don’t start like that!Said Andy.

Ok. Said Empires Epula.

Five years ago…

Were here! Said Emperor Penfield. Awere new home tell we get run out agen.

Mesoamerican Piece By Mia

Mesoamerican Piece

By Mia

*Chirp, Chirp* Chel woke up on her rug in her single little hut. She wanted to go back to sleep but her grumbling stomach kept her from it. Chel got up and walked over to her last night tortillas. She bit into a tortilla, “Bleh!...ugh.”She moaned to herself, “It’s stale.” She gave an upset look at the tortilla and stood up and grabbed her hand weaved basket, And left her hut. The sun hit her eyes like a punch. She winced and covered to sun with her hand. When she eventually got to the corn patch she removed her hand from her shielded eyes and, started picking corn. A few of the pointy grasses poked from time to time as she was getting the corn. Once Chel had a basket full of corn, she then headed back to her hut. Once she got home she used a type of grinder that she bought made of volcanic stone. She shucked the corn and put the kernels of corn on one side of the grinder and then she grabbed a cylinder of volcanic stone and rubbed the kernels of corn against the two stones and made a powder of such sorts. Then she took the powder and wet it. The powder became dough when she kneaded it. Then she started a fire and put a black bowl over it. She molded the dough and made little tortillas. She put the tortillas on the black bowl and they cooked. Chel turned and tossed the dough till it was all cooked. Once the tortillas were all done she had a few and left her hut for some errands. As Chel was leaving she brought a few items that would valuable for trading. When she left her hut she made sure that her entrance was secure and the no one would break in to her hut while she was gone. Chel left and was walking down her cobblestone streets towards the market. As she was walking she experienced the great temples and the carving of dragon heads on some of the pillars everyday. Chel kept walking till she found where the chatter grew and there was some music playing and some canopies to protect the traders from the sun. As Chel walked past some canopies she saw what valuable things the traders had. jems, diamonds, and even GOLD! There were some stalls with jade necklaces and jewelry. And some stalls had provisions, like apples, carrots, potatoes, and oranges. Chel headed over to her little part of the market. She laid down a blanket and opened her bag. She pulled out a few cobs of corn. And a few pieces of quartz she found while getting corn. She laid them all out and waited.

“Excuse me?” Chel looked up and saw and old villager.

“H-Hello!” Chel said statled she looked up at the sun it was on it’s way west. Past noon.(ugh)”C-Can I get you anything?”

“Yes, Yes you can.”

“Good... How?”

The villager snickered,”Your quartz, of course.”

“Oh, uh… Yeah. Give me a second.” Chel Grabbed up some stones and held the up to the man.

“Not that much all of it.” Chel stared at the man for a second.

“Ok,” Chel wrapped up all the stones in a single cloth and tooka bit of rope she had to tie it.”Here!” The man gave Chel something also wrapped up in cloth, gave it to her and left. Chel waited a bit longer and no one came. She looked up and she decided it was time to go back home. Chel packed her back and put the mysterious item wrapped in cloth and she folded the blanket up and headed home.

When Chel got home she gathered some apples and sliced them up. Chel totally forgot about the eclipse. Chel went over to a little flat stone she had and looked at a sheet of paper and did some science. When she was done she took a step outside her hut and looked up at the sky and there The brightest thing in the sky was the eclipse. Satisfied with her studies she quickly made more tortillas and ate some corn. Then she remembered something. She grabbed her pouch in her hands and took out that mysterious cloth. She unwrapped it and there in the middle was clay. Chel was surprised but she couldn’t turn down an opportunity to sculpt. And in the middle of all that clay was a chunk of gold.

The run By:Sammy C.

The run

By:Sammy C.

Pok-ta-pok-ta-pok went the ball as I hit it against my hip. The 8 pound rubber ball bounced to the other side of the court where the other team got ahold of it. My friend on my team, Aapo hit the ball and boom! It traveled far to the end of the field and someone else hit it back over but another team mate of mine, Fabio couldn't save it and…

GOAL!!! Everyone in the crowd cheers and through jewelry the other team. The other team had won. We were going to get sacrificed. The crowd through rocks at us and bood.

A few hours later I find myself standing at the base of the great temple with my pok-ta-pok team. We were all shaching as we looked up and saw a man with a sharp blade meant for cutting out the heart of the victim. He was standing next to a stone the size if a rock with blood stains on it. Two men where on either end of the stones to hold the victim down on the rock.

“You” the man with the blade said pointing to Fabio, “step forward”

We watched fabio climb the many steps of the great temple. I had to look away as they cut out his heart out and the smell of blood filled my nose. Next up was Aapo. one by one my team disappeared. Finally, the man said, “Babajide step forward.”

Palms sweaty, I walked up a few steps of the temple hesitated a while thinking, “I don’t want to die this way.” I turned around noticing a small path leading into the forest. “ I might be able to get away. I looked back at the man. I could tell that he was getting impatient. I decided that I could get away. I turned and ran as fast as my feet could take me. Into the forest. Behind me I heard footsteps and voices but I didn’t look back, I just kept going. A Few minutes later I stopped to catch my breath behind a tree. I couldn't hear anyone now so I assumed I lost them. The first thing that I did was go and find water so I kept going. The trees got thicker and more bugs and animals were coming out. The air smelled new and good.

A Few hours later I decided to get some sleep. So I rested my back against a tree and eventually fell asleep. In the morning, I woke up to the fresh smell of roasted meat and tortillas. I heard voices not far away. With an empty stomach, I walked toward the smell. I hid behind a tree to see who they where. There were three men roasting a turkey. But then a branch snapped beneath my foot. The men looked my way and said, “who’s there?”

I stepped out from behind my tree and showed myself. “What are you doing in the woods?” a man said.

“I escaped from my tribe,” I told them.

“Why?” asks another man

“They were going to kill me” I said

“We are on our way to eqatszone, the land of freedom you can come along if you want,” said the man.

A few weeks has passed and we were on there way to the land of freedom. We trudged through waters and walked through the hot summer days on the dirt ground. Until one day we were walking and came upon a beautiful city that has a sign that red, “Welcome to eqaszone” we had made it to eqatzone. we were free.

Essay by William

4/2/2021 (Students are required to stay in 5th grade for 3 years. This law was created during the late school year of 2018. But, there's… TIME TRAVEL!)

Mrs. Hale, I highly recommend that you choose the Mayan civilization. And it's not just so we don't get our hearts ripped out but for some other reasons to such as sporting events and cool architecture, let me explain.

First of all, we all value our lives here, am I right or am I right? Just think about it. The Aztecs? NO NO and NO! They would either slit our throats when they saw us, or worse. They could beat us all to death with there clubs or they would have our hearts torn from our chests on those horrible bloody altars.About the sacrifices, If I were an Aztec God, I would want them to STOP. KILLING. PEOPLE. But with the Mayans, you would have to lose in Pok-ta-Pok.

Secondly, they have sports! You don't see the Aztecs or incas playing sports.Maybe the best they can come up with is kicking or throwing a rock.But the sport Pok-ta-Pok is an actual sport. With spectator areas and more! And after the game is over, set back, relax, eat some tortillas as you watch the losers get sacrificed. (I just realize that this world would have a lot more successful people if we sacrifice the losers.)

The buildings are interesting. and the sacrificial temples bring a whole new meaning to “Painting the town red” but the temples look so COOL. And unlike the Incas and Aztecs, they can actually talk and they have really cool hieroglyphs. So that proves that there not dumb.

(This is a bonus one) FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD

They have really cool stuff like tortillas which could lead to chips and i'd bet they have salsa and guacamole to go with it. Id bet the also have burritos!(Maybe Not?) The only advantage i see about the incas is llama.

It's probably a very cool environment there with tropical birds and other creatures living of the yucatan peninsula

Although the reason I don't think that this would be so great would be there's probably a lot of snakes there and I don't like snakes its a long story.

We would have the cure to all of the diseases and we could go back in time to various places and give them cures and antidotes and technically, if we spent a couple of years going back in time we could save the world from stuff like the black plague.But anyway, I don't think that the Mayans Carried any diseases that we can't cure so getting ill is not a problem.

Taco 2 by Luke

Taco 2 by Luke

“OK class, settle down. Today I will be leaving early today, so you will have a sub. I have an execution to make.” Larry the school teacher was also the town executioner. They had just imported a warrior from Burrito land. He was said to be the fiercest warrior in the north. His daughter had been captured too. Larry wondered who would get her as a slave as he walked to The Great Temple.

“Here is your special knife, Sir Larry.” Said the servant named Steve. “We have a full house tonight. Oh, also, for being the great multitasker that you are, you get Taco, the daughter, as a slave.” Feeling better because he would get a slave, he stepped up the many steps and raised the knife high above his head.

“Go clean the dishes. When you're done, you can wash my clothes and make dinner. Oh also, the toilets clogged. Go fix it first." Larry said to Taco. but she just stayed there, kind of whimpering a bit. "GO!" That did it. She ran off towards the outhouse, now full on crying.

“Hey! Class! As you may know, I have acquired a slave, but I can’t get it to work. You guys are kids, any suggestions?”

They all raised their hands and he tried all the suggestions but none of them worked. He had no idea what to do with her.

“Hey Taco!” Said Larry. “Come here, want to talk to you.” He waited patiently but no one came. “Taco!” No answer. “Where are you?” Still no answer. He went around town asking around, but no one had seen her. One guy named Bob thought he saw a young girl running to the north and Larry got an idea.

“Hey Steve, where’s Burrito land?” Asked Larry. He would travel there to try to find Taco, his rightful slave.

“30o North, 50o West” Said Steve. “5 days ride on llama. Why?” 

“No reason.” But of course, that was a lie. He would be making the journey.

6 days later, Larry had just gotten to Burrito land. He looked around and asked somebody where the Enchiladas lived, and when he got there, he saw Taco hugging what must have been her mom. When she saw him, she screamed and ran away.

“Hi, I’m sorry but Taco is my slave, so I’ll take her and be going, thank you.”

“I WILL NOT LET YOU TAKE HER!!!.” She said dejectedly. “She has a good argument, so be prepared.”

Suddenly there was a crash from the backyard Larry walked out to the backyard, where he saw Taco sitting under a tree kicking a trash can.

“Why did you kill my father?” She asked angrily.

“It had to be done. If we didn’t we would die of starvation.”

“I will never work for you! I am just a child trying to live a normal life. Do you remember when you were a child? Do you?”

He thought about her argument and decided he would let her live life good as a child, as he couldn’t. He remembered back to when he was a child, when he had no food, when he was shriveled up in a corner, dying. He had been rescued by a city, he didn’t know which at the time. Nor did he care. He was just happy to have food, even if no family. He eventually became one of the most important people in the city, and now he was back to his birth town. They had changed its name, but it still had the same unforgettable architecture. So he decided to let her go, “Ok,”Larry said, he let her go to live the life he never could.

The Sapa Inca. By Matthieu

The Sapa Inca. By Matthieu

Hello I am the Sapa Inca. Everyone treats me like a god. Everyday I get new clothes and my slaves burn the old ones. No one looks in my eyes and if they look in my eyes my guards will kill them.

I live in the most beautiful pallas you can even imagine. It is made of gold and “get back to work!” sorry my slave was talking to his friend ,where were we ,oh yes and there is statues of me everywhere I enjoy living here.

Sometimes I go to Machu Picchu to visit my dead dad and take important decisions. I eat the best food you can ever imagine. My people give me gifts like potatoes ,animals like alpacas and llamas. So I as you can see I have a good life.

Excuse me now but I still have some decisions to make so “guards throw him of the cliff”.

Play Ball! By: Nathan

Play Ball!

By: Nathan

It was a normal day. I had just gotten home from my crops and was walking into my nice house. When I got to my comfy abode, I realized something strange. There were nobles standing in front of my house. They stopped me from going in and said in a serious tone, “You will be one of the players for the sacred game. It is in two days. Be ready, you are captain.” Then, they left. You, Have, To, Be, KIDDING ME! I thought in my head. A player for the sacred game, and two days to get ready! This was going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I left my things underneath a tree and headed off to the practice court. The champs were already there and so was my team. It was made up of the most athletic men in our civilization not already on the champ team. I felt pride growing in my chest along with dread. The court was split between us and we started to practice. I got on all of my gear and joined the practice. The rubber ball went back and forth between our teammates. As I lunged back and forth trying to get the ball to go through the hoop, I realized it was chaotic. When I looked at the other side of the court, I could see the champions practice organized. “All right guys! Let's get organized.” I started to organize our little group. I put them each in one of the corners of the court. Then I had some of them in the middle, and finally one under the hoop. I threw the ball into the air and started to shout out instructions. “Corner one, get the ball, corner two get in the open space.” Eventually, we got better and better. I started to add in different elements. I put in people as defenders and once we got the hang of it, we started to go towards the hoop. We quickly found out that one of us was the best shooter, but he was also the worst defender. One of us was the best defender, but the worst shooter. That was me. As we progressed, I could see the other team start to shoot nervous and envious looks towards our team. Finally, during one of our practices, the other team was gone. “We will now split up into even teams and play against each other in a scrimmage,” I said. We started to play and play. I could tell that we were a lot better than we used to be. “Look out below!” We heard all of a sudden, and then we started to get pelted with rotten fruit and vegetables. I even realized the marking of all of our crops and our fruit that we had grown ourselves. The other team had pulled all of our crops up. I could feel the hard work of the day before being thrown off of a cliff, as if it were nothing at all. After being bombarded with our work and food, I realized something very important. This team was probably going to do anything to not get sacrificed. “Guys, I forgot something very important. The champs have all played many games that we have watched, and one of the things that they do is slam into other players. You guys can do it too, but you had better get out of the way if you see them preparing to check you. I don’t want anyone on our team to be injured because of the champs. Now, let’s practice!” We started to practice getting out of the way of another player. It was hard to do, because you were doing it against people you knew who were your friends. Eventually, I paired people up with their enemies, and that finally got the practice started. One person wanted to get a good check in, but the other wants to get out of the way. Our team gt really good at getting out of the way of checks, and we thought that we were ready for the game tomorrow. “Get a good night's sleep tonight team. See you at the sacred game!”

I woke up to the sound of voices outside. I got up and went to the door. “SURPRISE!” All of my neighbors said. “We are all cheering for you and your team!” They were all standing outside of my teammates doors and my door as well, and we had a parade following us as we went down to the ball court. This one was the actual thing and was bigger than the practice court. Good, then we will have more space to spread out! I know that my team is better when we have more space. I thought. We were met by more cheering as we walked into the court. Our parade filed into the seats and I could see the ruler of our people sitting down with the best view. My teammates spread out when I said the word. The other team just started in a clump, it looked like they were discussing strategy. Luckily, they were taking so long that I had time to give my team a quick pep talk. “Alright guys. This is it. We have been practicing this nonstop for the past two days and we know every bit. We have watched this game played thousands of times in our life. We know what their weakness is and how to exploit it. NOW LET’S PLAY BALL!” Once I finished my speech our team gave a shout in unison to challenge the champions and pump up our spirits. We spread out into our places and a resounding roar came from the crowd. It seemed as if we were the ones that we they were rooting for. I sneaked a quick look at the leader as he shouted out, “START!” The ball was thrown into the court and we played. We got possession first and quickly made the champs have to scramble about by passing to each other very quickly. I was calling out instructions of who was open and where to pass the ball. “Left, right, switch it! Long pass. Step back. Cover the guy to you left, Cadmael” I eventually got our team to move it down the field and put it into the air. Then, our best shooter jumped up and hit the ball into the ring. “SCORE!” We all shouted in unison, but are joy was dashed when the other team quickly started down the field. They were so fast that I couldn’t get us organized. I sprinted back towards the other ring, and jumped up as high as I could, right as they shot it. I managed to deflect the ball with my hip right before it went in the hoop. My team took over and we got the ball again, I started to call out directions again. “Gabor! Cover the tall one. Sachihiro, get the one ahead of you.” I kept on giving directions. This time we were a little rattled from the other team’s drive down the court. We moved our way down the court and got near the hoop. As our team got the ball in the air and I hit it toward our best shooter, he jumped up to hit it in. Then, his defender jumped hit his legs and turned him upside down. All we could do was watch as he flailed around and hit hard on hi left ankle. As he tried to stand he fell down. He had to sit and he couldn’t do anything. The team drove it down the court and scored. That tied it up one to one. Now it was our turn. “5 minutes left!” the timekeeper. 5 minutes! Man, time flies! I thought. We had possession of the ball. “Alright guys, let’s show the other team what we got!” For the last time I called out instructions again. We moved down the court quicker with more space, but when we got to the ring, no one was making any moves to score. Eventually, I took charge. I knew that I was the worst shooter on the team, but no one else was making any moves. “Get it into the air!” I shouted. Cadmael got it into the air and my teammates kept it there. I started to make my move. I ran ahead, faked left, came back and jumped. Sachihiro hit the ball towards me. I leaned into my jump and collided with the ball. As I came down, my heart stopped as I heard the timekeeper say. “That’s game!” I heard immense cheering, looked up and saw that the ball had gone through the ring. “WE WON!” I yelled. We jumped onto one another in pure joy. We weren’t going to be sacrificed! Then, I saw the other team. I went over to their captain and said, “Good Game.“ “You are one of the best captains we have ever played a game against.” He replied. Then I went back to my team and celebrated for the rest of the day.

The Story of Age by Olivia

The Story of Age

Olivia

The sun was coming through the window shining on the almost 14 year old as she was sleeping. She was waking up but didn’t want to. “Mirin It is time to wake up you have to help today in the town for the market” said Handan. Mirin rolled around and around until her mom had to pull her out. “Get dressed I will have some tortilla and corn for you when you get down” said Handan. Mirin was getting dressed still sleepy and washed her face with the cold cold water . “Mirin come down there is a visitor for you” Mirin knew that it was one of the priest ready to plan her adulthood ceremony and all of a sudden woke up and ran into the roomWhen Mirin got in the room she knew exactly who it was and and said good morning to Priest Tades with excitement and was skipping around.

“ Hello Mirin I guess you know the news” said the priest with a little joy in his voice“Yes Priest when are the stars most favorable” still excited said Mirin “ Ah, but the stars are most favorable in the next 5 days” said the priest with joy and left .

“Well Mom we must get started we only have 5 days until my full adulthood , you must teach me as quick as possible” said Mirin. “ Well yes” said Handan . Handan thought “ what should I teach her first? I should teach her to cook and garden first no mending” . In the end Handan decided to teach her mending she taught Mirin how to stitch so it stayed and how to sew fun patterns for just fun. Mirin also learned gardening and got dirt everywhere but still had fun.She learned how to make Maize into tortilla but ground it to much,burnt it,and a lot of thing but learned in the long run

“I think you are ready my sweet girl now you know how to easy stuff but will learn more a lot more”said handan with tears in her eyes. It was only three days till Mirin’s adulthood and for the last three days she had to fast. “ Oh mom I am so excited I don't even notice hunger” said Mirin “Now dear during this ceremony you will have to show everyone you are responsible, you sure you are ready to do it.” said Handan with strictness “Yes mother the ceremony is tomorrow and I must get to sleep”said Mirin tired and falling asleep. Mirin was to excited she couldn’t sleep. But as she was lying there in bed a strange thought occurred to her Mirin thought “wow am I really ready to do this my birthday was 5 days ago I guess I just have to face it”. She fell asleep waiting for the next morning. She woke feeling amazing realizing that she was finally and adult. She went down saw her mom with watery eyes and crying. “Mom it's ok I love you no matter what and will always remember who taught me these things.” said Mirin with happiness.

Her mom stopped and said “We should start to head to the ceremony”. They headed to the to middle of Copan for the ceremony. Mirin was so excited she skipped the whole way. When they got there her whole village was there waiting.Her village knew her since she was little and were “ Mirin daughter of Handan it is my pleasure on one of the most favorable nights that she now fourteen must become an adult.” said Priest Tades in a strict voice“ Yes Priest I pledge to become a full adult and work as hard as I can” said Mirin with joy “ Then it is with my pleasure to make you an adult with the help of your mom ” said Priest Tades . Than her mom grabbed a knife and cut of the string and from now on Mirin was finally an adult.

Where should we go by Owen

Mrs. Hale said she was going to take us back in time to one of the mesoamerican civilizations. I know which one we should go to. We should go back in time to the civilization that was the most warlike out of all of them and was under was is now Mexico City. My three reasons that we should go are so we can see the warriors costumes, we can see what their temples looked like, and we can see how they came to an end.

The first reason we should go to this civilization is because then we can see there warrior costumes. Their costumes showed their rank. The Eagle was the top rank. (Probably because the city they made their capital had to do with a eagle eating a snake on a cactus.) It would also be cool to see how the different ranked warriors fought in battles.

The second reason is to see what their temples would look like before they died out. It would be cool to walk up and down it a bunch of times. The pyramids were used for religious sacrifices. The sacrifices were usually captured soldiers.

The third reason is so we can see how they came to an end. It would be cool to eye witness the spanish destroy them. And see the allies of the spanish fight them. Hérnán Cortés would also be interesting to interview.

We should go to the Aztecs because we can see the warriors costumes, we can see what their temples looked like, and we can see how they came to an end. The Aztecs conquered so many people, but they were destroyed by those angry people they conquered. So, here’s the lesson, if you get greedy you can get destroyed, like the Aztecs. I hope we go to the Aztecs for these reasons.

A Change of plans By: DeLorey

A Change of plans By: DeLorey

The horn rang out through the village. As I was only 14, I didn’t know what was going on. But when my mother hurried in with a scared look on her face, it was quite obvious. “You must go. I would hide you, but your father…” her voice trailed off as she nervously glanced behind her. My father was not what I would consider kind to my mother. He wasn’t mean, but he didn’t treat her like an equal. However now was not the time to worry about that. He-who-sees-everything was here to chose one of the wives for the king.


The women of My clan and I waited inside our houses, hurrying to get our best dresses on. Running outside, we saw a man standing in the middle of the road. “LINE UP!” he yelled in a higher voice than I expected, not to mention he was about 5 feet tall. “HURRY UP, OLDEST TO YOUNGEST, I HAVE 8 MORE VILLAGES AFTER THIS!” even though his voice was high, it was probably the loudest I have ever heard. We all stepped forward. “TOO SMALL,” he shouted as he went through the girls standing before him. “TOO UGLY, TOO TALL, NOT TALL ENOUGH…” he went through us until he finally reached me. “HMMM….., YOU WILL DO” he said. I stared at him, shocked about what he had said and when I looked over at my mother, she had tears in her eyes. However my father looked like it was the best day of his life.(probably because of the pride and bragging rites of having his daughter be one of the kings wives) I was lead into the cart alone, and was so tired from all of the adrenaline I fell asleep.

I woke up in a strange room filled with gold carvings of a man I have never seen before along with other women who looked exhausted and sad. there was a loud bang and the daughter be one of the kings wives)same man in the carvings entered the room. He was wearing brilliant gold necklaces and bracelets, all covered in Rubies and turquoise with other beautiful stones and jewels. His robe was a brilliant green that faded into blue with a matching peacock feathered headdress. He was sitting on a throne that was being carried by strong men wearing green tunics. The men carried the throne over to us. The rest of the woman bowed, so I followed their lead. “Change of plans, we don’t have any prisoners left, so were going to have to sacrifice you ” and with a wave of his hand he had left as soon as he came.

The next day I was woken by two women who thrust me off the floor and started dragging me down a corridor with more carvings of the man (who I was informed was the king the night before) and pulled me into a room full of wardrobes. They immediately started pulling Brown pants and brown shirts over my skirts. “ what’s going on?” I mumbled as they started tightening the outfit. But as they were about to answer, it snapped back into my mind. I was being sacrificed today, I thought. The scene from last night made a permanent mark in my mind.

This is probably why my mother even wanted to hide me. Because of the chances of this As these thoughts crossed my mind, I tried to form an escape plan. Perhaps I could run unexpectedly and surprise them enough to give myself a head start, then run down this hallway into that room, then tell the man in the cart to bring me back to my house because the king has rejected me……. Millions of thoughts ran through my head. Eventually I came up with running away right before we started the ceremony.

Here we go, I thought. The last handmaid left the room, and I was alone. Slowly, I tried the handle. It was locked. A wave of panic washed over me. Looking around the room, I saw a spear on one of the king’s carvings. I ran over and pulled it from the statue, then ran back and started hacking at the door. However, this awoke the other women in the room. “Are you trying to escape?” one of them asked. “Yes” I answered. “ do you mind if we come with you?” said the same women. “Okay” I replied. The other ten women immediately grabbed more spears and joined me. Ten minutes later we had made a hole in the door that was big enough to fit through. We crawled through and ran so fast that we arrived in the village one hour later. When my mother saw me out of the hole in the wall we called a window, she had a look of shock on her face that quickly turned to joy.

Time travel By Luke

Time travel By Luke

Mrs. Hale is taking our class on a time travel adventure. But I know where we should go. I think we should go to the inca civilization because .One we can learn two there is beautiful terrain and three their ruler is a little more peaceful than the others.

One reason is We learn by the trading and see how trading was back then and compare it to modern day trading. Also we can learn how to live back then by hunting your food, using tools to make cloths, and how to fight in war. We can also learn how to make bridges and walk on the Royal road to see what it is like.

A Second, reason we should visit the Inca is because of the Beautiful Andes Mountains. I think this is a great reason to visit the Inca because we can see beautiful scenery and green hills with meadows. Also we may see things that are not there in present day.

Last, one reason to visit there is so we can learn from the ruler . This ruler is different than any other ruler because he is not as violent and does not kill as much as other rulers do. And we could talk to him and maybe get some tips on what it’s like to be a ruler.

Mrs. Hale is taking our class on a time travel adventure. And after my three reasons I think we should go there to Learn, to see beautiful scenery, and to get advice from the Sapa inca. This is why I think we should go to the Inca civilization.

Taco By: Brendan

Taco

By: Brendan

In Burrito land there was a war were warriors were taking over the land. There was one small girl called Taco. Her father was fighting against the warriors that had been attacking Burrito land. Taco was very scared, and she wanted to escape. But then, suddenly Taco was taken. Taco had been taken to a big city that was known as Tenochtitlan. Taco saw all the big temples and other buildings with people. She was taken to a temple where she had become a slave to Larry the executor/school teacher. Taco had started immediately, she had never worked so hard in her life. Later while Taco was working she saw that later in the day Larry had to execute someone. Taco did not know how the religion worked and was just starting to learn it.

Taco had started to worry about her father, she had missed him so much and didn’t know where he was. Taco had done her best to not assume that he was dead.

It had started to become near the time of the execution. Taco had stepped outside and had seen a giant temple in front of her, she saw all kinds of weird signs of something on the side of the temple. Taco had no idea what any of this meant. Taco saw 6 priests, one being Larry and one more person that was not a priest. Taco was lost in the crowd and could not see the person with the priest. When the priests and the person went up the first few steps Taco had realized that it was her father.

When Taco saw her father she had no idea what would happen to him. Taco suddenly remembered that the priest had been executing someone tonight but she didn't know who but now she realized it was her father. Taco had a really bad feeling while seeing her father climb to the top of the steps.

There was 5 priests holding his limbs and then the 6th priest holding a sharp rock, hit Taco’s father in the chest and pulled out his still beating heart while the body rolled down the stairs.

“NOOOOOOOOOOO!!” Taco yelled.

Taco ran back to Larry’s house crying, she wanted to run away but she knew to get back to work but she just wanted to go home.

Taco had decided to go back to burrito land. She had gotten all of her stuff and started running the way that she saw her home. When taco was running a guard saw her running by and pulled out his bow and arrow and shot taco in the legs and Taco died.

The last of his kind A Journey into the lost empire By Ben. H

The last of his kind

A Journey into the lost empire

By Ben. H

“Hurry Fabio we don't want to miss the game!” said Aapo. Fabio didn’t want to explain the reason he didn’t want to go see the pok-ta-pok game. He didn’t want to see who was going to be sacrificed to the gods. What if it was someone he knew, he didn’t want to go see someone die.”come on let's go fabio” said itzel fabio's mother. Fabio slowly dragged himself out of the small hut and started the long walk to the ball court.

As the family arrived at the ball court his family was excited, but all fabio saw was the fatal place of his own people. If fabio had the chance he would burn it all down to the ground.Fabio’s family sat in the stands before the game started. as the players walked in fabio could see the worried expressions on their face they also knew that if they lose they die a terrible death but everyone else thought of it as pleasing the gods but fabio didn’t want to please the gods all he wanted to do was live and not watch people die by having their hearts cut out how about sacrifice their enemies that would be helpful on both sides the priests will get the sacrifices and fabio won't have to watch his fellow citizens die but his opinion was to small to make a difference in the entire empire maybe he could try to convince other people about his cause about sacrifice.

Fabio watched the ball bounce back and forth the players hit the ball with the giant pads on their hips he watched the heavy ball pok-ta-pok the game got its name from the medanceing sound the ball made pok-ta-pok after a while of the ball going back and thorth after hours of watching the ball flew through the small ring and the expression on the teams face fell fabio couldn’t bear to watch those people i'll be sacrificed the very next day

“Wake up wake up” yelled Aapo he was wearing his fancy clothes “today where going to go to the city” when fabio remembered the people the innocent people they were going to be kill to please the gods! He thought the gods were kind and forgiving not monsters who wanted people to be killed for their pleasure.maybe if he can get their early he could try to convince the priest to not kill the people and then the priest can tell everyone else except it could be risky he could be sacrifice but also them seeing an innocent child being killed by the hands of a priest also he would die trying to make a difference or maybe he can go with the sacrifice our enemies who don't believe in our gods and religion approach. Each way was risky but a risk he had to take to prove his position about sacrificing his own people.

The city was so big fabio couldn’t imagine how people made it so grand. then as he turn a corner and up rose the magnificent great temple in front of him it was magnificent until he set his eyes at the bottom of the temple it was covered with the blood of his people; he had to stop it and save his people from dying by the hands of a priest. Fabio asked itzel if he can explore the market place she handed him a few clay coins and he set off at first he acted like he was going to buy something but soon enough he slipped away to the great temple.

fabio hadn’t really planned how to get in there where guards surrounding the door maybe he could climb up and get in to the temple.it didn’t take long until fabio was spotted but he was an expert climber from all of the rocks back home, and the guards couldn't get to him with all their armor limiting their movement. He climbed up to the top trying not to be seen he went in and found the priest his bones started to stiffen what would he say. Them the priest turned around and stared at him. What are you doing here he scolded “oh I understand you what to be a sacrifice” he said with a smirk.

“No just the opposite he said I think that we shouldn't sacrifice our innocent people we could sacrifice our enemy or the people who have committed crimes in our empire” said fabio

“But” said the priest “if we do that our people will stop committing crimes and our enemies won't attack us unless we attack them so we would run out of people to sacrifice”

“so then we can won’t kill our enemies we will capture them and use them as sacrifices” countered fabio “

“Boy” said the priest “I have two options I can kill you right now or save you as a sacrifice which one do you want” fabio did not want to answer each one was bad

“ma-maybe” fabio stammered maybe I i'll run away and form an empire of my own that won't kill our own people. And he sneaked back out “I’ll consider it yelled the priest”

fabio sneaked through the crowd and found itzel and apologize for being late and said that he got lost in the marketplace and couldn't find his way back on the way he bought a few bananas to take his focus to take his mind away from the sacraficesing and death.

Later that night fabio took all of his possessions, some building material, and some food and ran into the jungle and planned to never be seen again by his people accept for people like him he would welcome those people with open arms.the jungle was harsher than he thought especially at night he kept on tripping over tree roots he kept on running with all of his materials. After a hour or so of running he stopped to make a shelter and found himself asleep, asleep and deep in the jungle.

Five months later…

Fabio couldn't bear to have no one around him he needed someone to help him heal if he was hurt he didn’t want to have no one around him he needed to have someone to comfort him when he was scared he wanted someone to talk to him.

Fabio packed up all of the supplies he had left and started the journey back home. the jungle was thicker than before usually the farmer would cut down the vines but the vines where covering the trees he approached his house but it wasn't anything like it was before no one was running around. He enter and it was even worse the inside was crumpling the floors were covered in weeds. Fabio curled up on the floor and cried and cried for days.

The Attempt by Natalie

The Attempt

by Natalie

Yatzil dug her face deep into her woven blanket. Tears rolled down her face that were filled with sadness and depression. The young girl rubbed her eyes trying to hold back more of the tears that had stained her cheeks. Yatzil looked out her window down at the small town bellow. There were pyramids, people walking around the streets, and then she saw a place that just made her want to cry again. The temples. Not just an ordinary temple, the temple were they sacrificed people. Yatzil wondered if she would ever get used to this new life. Yatzil did not like this new town that her father and mother her brought her to; she had no friends, she was tired of just being taught to take care of the house, and worst of all her father was going to get sacrificed. Yatzil sighed and decided she could not really do much about this problem.

Even though Yatzil’s mother was in distress as well she did not show this; instead she drained the sad thoughts with happy thoughts. “Hello dearling! Go out and play on this beautiful day. It’s sunny, and you could find some new friends,” Malinalli exclaimed. Malinalli was well known throughout the village. Malinalli was a weaver, but was also Yatzil’s mother. Malinalli wove many blankets, cloths, and other things. Yatzil looked up at her mother who had beautiful deep black silky hair, and smooth fair skin.Then she looked back at the ground.

“I think I’ll just take a walk,” Yatzil mumbled. Yatzil thought her mother already knew that she would never be a friend to anyone.

“Could you please go get me some things from the market,” her mother exclaimed. Little Yatzil nodded, and gathered up some things to use for trading with. As she walked out of the small house she looked at the busy town. It was odd. Everybody was running around trading things, and talking. It was so small yet it seemed so big. The young girl walked along the street through the buzzing people. All of them seemed to know each other and be friends, and they all seemed so happy. Yatzil went up to the first stand she saw. “Here,” Yatzil said handing the man a hand woven blanket, “ I’ll do 2 stalks of corn.” The man looked the blanket over and smiled.

“Eh little girl. I have plenty of ye’ mom’s weavings! What else ye’ have in the basket?” said the man who fingered the blanket. Yatzil showed him the basket of things. The man picked up a small pot out of the basket, and handed the young girl the stalks of corn. Yatzil had learned many trading tricks from her father, and from what she could tell this was a good trade. Yatzil replaced the spot from the pot and put the corn. She couldn’t wait until her mother would make her homemade corn tortillas filled with beans. Next she went to get the beans and get more thread so her mother could make more weavings.

By the time Yatzil had returned home she had forgotten about her father who was going to get sacrificed on one of the temples. “Thank you, my darling Yatzil,” her mother exclaimed in her soft sweet voice when Yatzil handed the beans, corn, and thread. Yatzil smiled and nodded. After that Yatzil went and sat by the door of the house to carve in the dirt. Yatzil loved to make up stories by drawing pictures.

“What are you doing,” a young voice inquiried. Yatzil looked up from her drawings.

“Drawing a story,” Yatzil replied quietly to the girl. The girl was about Yatzil’s age, and had beautiful eyes with long braided hair that was a deep brown.

“Cool! Can I help? I could write some hieroglyphs, and you could draw!” the excited girl said.

“I don’t know what hieroglyphs are,” Yatiz said.

“There a type of writing! I could teach you some symbols, there’s over 200 of them!” replied the girl eagerly.

Soon after Yatzil started to draw and make creations with the girl (who she found her name was Citlali) the girl asked, “ you seem sad. What’s wrong?”

“You promise not to tell anyone?” Yatzil questioned as the girl nodded. “ Well you see… my father… is going to get sacrificed.” Yatzil choked back the tears burning in her eyes. Citlali looked at her for a second.

“I can fix that with a plan!” Citlali told Yatzil.

“What do you mean?”

“ I’ll show you,” the girl said as she smiled. “ You see we’ll dress up as boys and go to the tower. Then we’ll write a note from the emperor saying something about not sacrificing your father.”

Yatzil and Citlali quickly and swiftly ran into the small house Yatzil had been raised in. Yatzil showed Citlali a room were they kept things to trade with. “We could use this,” exclaimed Citlali as she picked up two matching pieces of clothing. They were woven by Yatzil’s mother. They looked like tunics. They had small belts around the waist.

“Perfect,” Yatzil said.

“Next is our hair!” Citlali cried. Together the girls started wrapping their hair up so it looked like a boys.

“You know this reminds me of a time I got my father out of becoming a prisoner. I broke him out of his chains, and brought him back home, then we moved here. He says I’m very sneaky,” Citlali said.

“What time is he supposed to get sacrificed?” asked Citlali.

“Soon! We must hurry to the temple!” Yatzil exclaimed nervously.

Finally the two young girls reached the temple Yatzil cringed when she saw her father being led out from a hall and onto the top of the temple. Yatzil’s father was in chains, and his face was pale. “Write the letter now,” Yatzil said to Citlali. Citlali looked at the paper.

“What do I write?” Citlali asked.

Yatzil gave a pained look toward Citlali and then said, “ Just say that Kaabil is a good man and he shouldn’t be sacrificed, or something like that.” Citlali’s hand swiftly ran along the paper. Finally Citlali handed Yatzil the paper. The two girls tied the paper up with a string and Yatzil grasped it in her hand. Her face was red, and her eyes looked scared. She then went up the man who pushed her father down onto a platform. Yatzil almost screamed, but held it back and said, “ Sir wait...um a note. From the emperor,” Yatzil yelled as she quickly ran up the steps of the temple. The man snatched the paper up. His face grew stern and looked at Yatzil inquisitively.

“ I don’t know if this is a true note from the emperor,” said the man with a stirn voice.

“ Oh yes sir it is!” Yatzil replied franticly.

“If this were true the emperor would have come himself,” the men replied. “Anyways, this man will have to wait here for the man who brings the spear.” Yatzil looked terrified, and nodded slowly. She couldn’t do anything about her father, nothing!

Then Yatzil cried, “ Citlali, I’m going home!” Yatzil ran and ran. On her way home tears fell from her deep brown eyes. People looked at her, but she didn’t care. She cared about her father. Soon Yatzil arrived home in tears. Yatzil sat at the edge of the door of her house and yelled, “ It’s just not fair!” She then pushed her face into her hands and sobbed.

When Yatzil stopped crying she opened the door to her house. Her mother was flipping corn tortillas, and her face was downcast. “ Oh hello my little Yatzil,” Mother said a little surprised. Then Yatzil started into tears again. Her tears flowed down her face like waterfalls. She looked at her mother with her costume still on.

“I… I… thought I could-,” Yatzil stuttered.

“Yatzil dear. I know what happend. Calm down get your regular clothes on and I’ll talk to you,” Mother said in her sweet voice.

After Yatzil had changed she came down back to her mother.

“Darling, the entire idea that your father is no longer going to be living with me is very sad, but I think about it this way; even if we can’t see your father we will always be with him,” spoke Yatzil’s mother softly. Yatzil nodded with tears still dropping from her eyes with sadness. Right then the door of the house burst open. A man stepped in the door with deep black hair and dark eyes; the man had a relieved expression on his face.

“Dad!” Yatzil cried out as she ran to embrace her father. For several minutes father and daughter embraced in love.

“How did you escape?” Yatzil asked.

“Citlali helped me,” the father said as he looked down at his daughter. That was when Yatzil dug her face back into her father's arms and once again tears fell from her eyes; though these tears were not tears of sadness they were tears of joy.

Journey To Priesthood By Alex H.

As I walk up to the priest training center I sense my destiny, A very bloody destiny. Anyway, I’m going to learn hieroglyphs, And I know, eye comes before eagle except after sea. I also learn about the eagle and the cactus. I also tried to do a few countings of tributes. I learned every story in the codex and was highly trained in literature.

Now, I go through the ritual of becoming a priest with piercing everywhere, bathe in frigid water, and have a lotion applied that makes me not able to sleep. I go through a few more months of torture, but I live.

Now I’m going to do my first sacrifice. I can hear the drums beating, I’ve held the neck many times before but today I cut the body as I pick up the flint knife I feel pride coming off the victim, I take the knife and dig it into the chest and lift it up to the gods. I put it aside in the bowl and the body falls down the steps.

Later, I try to address the stars for a new village and I find a perfect spot on a riverbed that has everything it could need. So, after that, I ease and drink money. It does grow on trees.

I keep on doing my work for years and one day strange new people came from the sea on floating mountains and rode strange beasts that were large and dangerous.

There had been bad omens and this was what was coming, I suddenly knew we were doomed, they were devils from the gods. Later, disease struck and I got infected with smallpox and a few days later, I died

The Big Journey By Cav

The Big Journey By Cav

Well it all started out when there was a boy named Caden. He was a boy who was apart of the Incas and the Incas got defeated well let's see what happens to him and his family.

Wow it was a perfect morning. I was running outside having the time of my life farming and counting how many crops were growing. There was a messenger that came to power house and told us some things. My parents called me insite and told me the news. We were so scared. We had our dinner said our prayers and then went to sleep. The next morning we where awaken with a knock on the door. My parents came and got me and we went to our secret room. They said “let us in or you will be sacrificed.” 10 seconds they knocked down the door looking for us. In like five hours they finally left. Then we got out of the secret room wondering what we should do. We decided that we would have to leave the Inca civilisation.

We need to find a place to move. The only thing that we would have to do it bring over stuff to our new home. We were excited and so scared at the time. Then we set off to look for our new home. We are going to live independently now. We jumped in the bushes. I asked my parents why are we in the bush. My parents said shhh we need to be quiet. Then I hery why there was people talking about us. They were saying that there were going to sacrifice us. They also said that later that they found the secret room. Now we where not safe at our home. We half to find our new home very quick. We set off I felt like my legs where going to fall off.

We went very far. But we finally found our new home. We started for work and we bilted our new home. We were so excited and happy to be free. I lated the journey but the result was awesome.

Corn By: Melody

Corn By: Melody

Fortresses sit tall and grand, swaying bridges swing from one side to another in the cold wind, messengers sprint from roads to road carrying the message from city to city. Furry four legged animals carried pot and cloth as the trader lead it down the long road. Tall, tall, temples stood high in the air for a few reasons, and one is for . . . sacrifices.

Eighteen year old Corn was lead down a trail to a temple. For sacrificing. Corn had fought hard for his homeland but in the end they still won over his homeland and everyone in it. He was captured in battle and was taken to here. Now under the command of He Who Sees Everything or something along the lines of that, Corn was to be sacrificed to the gods. Corn wanted more than anything to be of use to his homeland. But now he is getting walked to the temple to get sacrificed for the enemies land. Who had killed all of his family and friends and had taken over his home. “I hate them I hate them,”Corn chanted under his breath hoping that this would magically make them give back his old life. Corn looked around and saw joyful faces laughing and talking as he walked. He wonder how these people could live such a happy life with it such a savage army with so much blood on their hands. Corn suddenly smelled something. It was a delicious scent. He turned his head and saw small creatures that look like pigs with fur on them get cooked.

He walked toward the smell of the food but was pulled back by the nobles walking him to the temple, “Guinea pigs. To bad you’ll never get to taste them,” the noble said savagely.

He looked longingly at the food but kept on walking and chanting, “I hate them I hate them.” As he kept on walking the noble in front of him waved at someone. The person was holding a weird looking piece of rope with loads of other knots and ropes on it. The person waved back then turned and kept on messing with the rope. “Is he playing with a baby’s toy?” Corn thought. Corn opened his mouth to say something about it. But decided not to. For some reason Corn knew that the person with the rope would be furious if he told him that he thought that he was playing with a toy. The rope person sat down and seemed to have started to count potatoes. Corn would have stared at the rope person forever if the nobles haven’t pulled him forward.

The commoner’s homes started turning into great temples and Corn knew that he was not going to be in this world for a very long time. Corn gulped. He wondered what it would feel like. Would he feel it? Would he ever remember a thing again? Will he ever see another thing? Or will he appear on the other side. The nobles lead him straight toward one of the tallest temples with blood covered stair. The reality hit him hard. Tall stairs lead up to the place where he would take his last breath. He started up the stairs.

Three months later news came: A eighteen year old boy has killed many nobles to escape sacrifice. He has disappeared but we will find him. 10,000 pieces of gold reward for him. DEAD OR ALIVE.

The Priest by Rayshawn

'Why you are reading this right now, I have no idea, but anyway, on with the story. I am but a simple priest who does human sacrifices. I have never wanted to be the one who has kill innocent people, but that is the only profession I knew how to do. Anyway, after I left the house to avoid watching babysitter cook my son, and his screams of pain, I wandered around while on the way to the great temple, when I noticed a man walking around with WHITE skin. I asked him,”Who are you?” and he replied with,”qué dijiste?” . I had no idea what he meant, so I walked away from him to get to the great temple on time. I passed many other people, some with pale skin, saying things like,”nosotros hemos capturado Montezuma, ¿Es eso una buena idea?

” When I reached the great temple, I saw how many people we were going to sacrifice today. Today, my job was to actually cut out the heart and let it fly away. I was always very squamish with that, but right after I killed the first person, those pale people started yelling things like,”deja de sacrificar humanos!” Or, “¡catecúmeno!” Naturally, I did not understand an word of what they were saying, but when they took out their weaponry, I was scared. They had had enormous metal sticks, big cylinders with holes in it, and bows that had no feathers. I panicked when they began shooting at people. I ran back home, and burst into the door.”We have to leave now!” I yelled to the babysitter, so they grabbed necessities, and we ran. Unfortunately, we left our son cooking, but at that point nobody cared. Warriors were everywhere, and they were attacking those pale men on sight. We ran, and took the causeways, and escaped into the jungle. “Maybe we should set up camp?” after we had been wandering for a few hours.”No, I’m going to go back to Tenochtitlan and take my chances,”and she left. Luckily, I thought of bring some portable building supplies. I also brought along a codex manual on how to start a fire, build an house, things like that. Following the instructions, I wondered who those white skinned men were, and why they were here. I thought about heading to the near village where Tlaxcalans lived. I lay down on the floor (which was surprisingly soft) and thought about what to do the next day. I woke up to a sweltering heat. I sat up, and panic shot through me, when I saw my mistake. I had forgotten to extinguish the fire, an it started a gigantic one. I looked around an luckily, I had build myself a fire on the other side of the bankside, so I was safe, but it was spreading across the bridge. I quickly packed up and ran. Luckily, there was another river to cross. Unfortunately, there was no bridge. I jumped into the water, and my first sensation was cold. I think that you may have thought it would have been a good idea, to take a break from the heat, but no. It was so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so cold. I luckily, managed to figure out how to swim after treading water for a minute, and swam across the river, just as I reached the other side I heard a moo sound. I looked around and saw a lone llama. I hopped on it llama, and he ran. I checked which direction we went with the sun, and I was going east, just the direction I needed. I hopped off when I saw smoke. I saw an small town, and asked a villager what I had to do to live here an he said,”habla español” I walked around and saw many of those pale men, luckily seeming less bloodthirsty. I went around, and found a place to build my home. I sighed, knowing I was safe at last, but still wondering if my son was still being cooked., or if he had been removed by those pale men.

Visit the Maya By: Gigi

Visit the Maya By: Gigi

Do you think that it was hard to memorize all 26 letters in the alphabet? What do you think of when you see the number 10? Well, whatever you thought of, the ancient Maya thought differently. Mrs. Hale should use the time machine to go to the Maya time period so we can answer these questions from an ancient Mayan’s point of view. We should go to see the Maya because they had advanced science and math, interesting religious beliefs, and complex language and writing.

We should go back in time to see the Maya because they had advanced science and math. First of all, the Mayas were the first people to think about the concept of zero. Many civilizations could use zero as nothing, but they did not think to use it as the Maya did. The Maya used zero as we often do today, as a placeholder. For example, in the number 10 they could think to say that there is one ten, and then they can put in the place of the ones a zero, to represent zero ones and 1 ten. It was important they thought of this, because you can’t count above nine without this concept! Also, besides math, the Maya made an important contribution to how we keep track of the world. The Maya were the first people to come up with the calendar. They calculated the amount of time that was in one day, and how long it took the earth to make a full revolution around the sun. They calculated the exact amount of time in a day, and were pretty accurate with their year calculation too! They calculated that there were 365.2420 days in a year, while the number of days we use today is 365.2422! They were only 2 ten-thousandths off! Also, it was amazing for them to be so accurate. After all, they used the sun to navigate years and had a solar calendar. It might not seem so hard now, but it was very difficult back then when they didn’t have telescopes! All the Maya had was their bare eye, and that isn’t much help when observing the sun! Seems impossible, right? Well, They were able to do it by using the sunsets and sunrises. At different times of year, the sun sets and rises in different places. So, they could just calculate the number of days that it took for the sun to set and rise back in the exact same place as when they started counting. We may have slightly more accurate calendars now, but it was still impressive to calculate a year.

The Maya also had interesting religious beliefs. Some of the Maya’s religious beliefs may seem very strange to us now, but were important to their religion. According to the Maya legend, there were creator gods that made the Earth and all humans. The first humans could see everything and had almost as much power as the gods. The gods decided that it was too much for humans to handle, and they would abuse it. So, they took their power and sight away. Their sacred book is called the Popol Vuh, which states that because of this, human’s view of the world is unclear, and only the gods truly can make sense of it. If we went to the Maya, we might actually get to see this book! We could maybe even hear a reading from it, to see what the Maya believed. There might be one religious thing we need to stay away from, the human sacrifices. I won’t go into too much detail here, but the Maya would kill people and offer them as gifts to the gods. They would often burn them to know that it got to the gods. Also, if we went to the Maya time period, we’d get to celebrate our birthdays two times a year! We would be able to do this because the Maya had two calendars, their solar calendar, like the calendar we use today, and they had the sacred round. The sacred round was a 260 day year that was used to keep track of religious events. So, every person had two birthdays, one on the solar calendar, and one on the sacred round. Also, Maya children had many ceremonies that we do not have anymore, like a coming of age ceremony. When a young girl was born, a shell attached to a string would be tied to her waist, and when a boy got enough hair, a bead was tied onto his head. Both of these were symbols of childhood. Before the age of five, children had no responsibilities. When they became 5, they helped their parents with farming and housekeeping. Then, when they became 14, these symbols would be cut off from them. A priest would cut the bead from the boy’s hair, and the mother of the girl would cut off the string and shell. After they were cut away, they would celebrate with close friends and family. These are more of the amazing things we would get to see if we went to the Maya civilization. I still have more reasons to go there, if you are not convinced.

The Maya also had very difficult writing and language. While some civilizations had no written language, like the Incas, the Mayas had a complicated system of hieroglyphs. The Mayas had 800 symbols in their written language, and each one has a unique meaning. It took present day humans years to decode all of the symbols, but they finally figured it out. One of the main wonders of the Maya world is the hieroglyphic stairway. Now we are back to my beginning. You see the hieroglyphic stairway tower above you as you move upward, examining each symbol. Some look similar, while some look quite different. Each seem queer to our eye, but to a Maya, it would be telling of their greatest victories, and their worst downfalls. This would be a once in a lifetime opportunity!

I think that we should go to the Maya time period because they excelled at math and science, had interesting religious beliefs, and they had very difficult writing and language. If we went to this time period we would be able to better understand the Maya lives, and maybe understand our own better.

Option 2: A Big Dive in the Ruins By: Elsa

Option 2: A Big Dive in the Ruins By: Elsa

Crunch. Crunch. The grass felt mild as my bare feet walked gracefully along the grass. Although, the touch of twigs wasn’t pleasant, I still could study how the llamas could be important to such a wealthy empire. I stared straight at the road that stretched 2,000 miles long. I started to walk closer and closer to the road. The road stretched really far out and I knew that if I walked along it my feet would ache and ache.

Suddenly, my eye caught a glimpse of something which was shinier than the pool on a warm summer day. I heard the sound of thousands of feet and saw a figure that stood out from the others. Da dum. Da dum. My heart was beating fast. I quickly ran to a forest of trees and hid myself in the greenery, camouflaged. I finally could get a closer look at everything. A couple of men held a throne on their shoulders with a treasure worth more than $100,000, the emperor.

I heard a noise coming from the crowd so I leaned in to hear what was said. “ The Sapa Inca.” “He has come.” The two sentences ringed in my head but sounded like baseball fans doing the wave, cheering as they stood up. As I skimmed the emperor's body, I saw jewelry dangling from his neck. “ The Sapa Inca?” “ I haven’t heard anything like this for a long time even know I am a successful archaeologist.” he thought. I heard the sound of the crowd of people going down on their knees. “I should get out of here.” “I should get out of here before something happens.”

Sploosh! I then got sudden chills. Sploosh! Sploosh! Sploosh! I ran through the forest, my heart beating each step I ran. I, for some reason thought of the “Sapa Inca” to be narcissus ( someone who is obsessed with their own appearance). I saw a house in front of me and I knocked on the door and ran inside without anybody answering. “Hello?” said a voice from the distance. “Asiri are you home.” I didn’t answer. Tip-toeing was the only thing on my mind so I tiptoed into the kitchen and stopped in the entranceway. I paused to see rows of potatoes lined up on every shelf. My eyes filled up with glee. A figure appeared from out of nowhere, holding something in its hand, from looking at the shadow. With a few steps the figure was now seen in full vision.

The figure wore a piece of long cloth the color of a horse’s skin. I studied the figure closely and realized he was a farmer with no hesitation. A long string with smaller strings hanging down from it was sitting among his hands. I carefully watched him tie knots in the tiny strings. “Asiri. Is that you?” He didn’t answer at first but kept looking at the potatoes. I took a few steps closer to him and saw that he was tying knots on the tiny strings.

“Sorry.” “Did you ask if my name is Asiri?” asked the stranger.

“Um, ya.” I answered.

“Well, you got that right.”

“What’s that you’re holding?”

“Are you joking?” “Haaa!”

“No.” “No I’m not joking.”

“This is called Quipu.”

I quickly took out my note book and wrote down “Quipu”. “One more question for ya.”

“Question for ya?”

“Ya.” “ Why do you keep looking over at those potatoes?”

“You can use Quipu for counting.” said Asiri.

“Interesting.” I walked slowly toward the front door and checked if it was still raining. Only a few drops remained. Took the trip back to the kitchen where Asiri was. “Which way is the big temple?” I asked.

“Big temple?” “Ohh. Right. It’s in that direction. “Go straight, take two turns right, go straight, turn left, and finally turn right.”

“Thanks.” I wrote down all of the directions in the order Asiri said, so I won’t forget it. Although, he didn’t say what the ruins were called. I headed for the door and started heading straight.

Minutes passed and hours. I thought it was going to be a long time until I reached the first right turn. “I sure hope I haven’t missed it yet and I was taking a different route. Finally, the second turn approached. The land was covered with greenery everywhere with grass covering everything. All of the lush was camouflaged as I kept walking. Through and through I went. Closer and closer to my location. I took lots of notes about the nature around me. I continued walking until I got pass all of the turns.

I could see brown. Just brown. All brown. I walked closer and closer to the ruins. “This now stands as Machu Picchu, tourist attraction.” “Machu Picchu” was the only thing that could come to my mind. I got out my tools and started digging and finding. Digging and finding. Dust after dust. My brush was a handy tool. Afterall, Machu Picchu isn’t in the greatest condition. I started lunging forward looking at the building. It was amazing to think that I had done it! I accomplished something remarkable!

I picked up stones, tossed them behind me, and dug through a pile of rocks. In the pile there laid some vases. I then thought that Machu Picchu must have been the place for the Sapa Inca to hang out. I wondered how high up I was standing, to be this high up in altitude. “It was a great experience to accomplish something this big and to be the first person to see it.” I thought. Truly, this was an amazing discovery and I could feel it in my heart!

The life of Coatl By: Tom

The life of Coatl By: Tom

Coatl was looking at the huge club with a puzzled and surprised expression, then his dad said “Coatl pick up the club on the handle”.

Then Coatl picked up the handle of the club and thought “this thing is really heavy” as Coatl picked up the club he notices it has sharp ridges on the sids, and there was a skull carved into it. Coatl new that it was his dads after all his dad was a jaguar warrior, And Coatl would soon be a jaguar warrior too.

Soon his dad had setup log for Coatl to practice hitting with the big club then Coatl squeezed the handle and with all of his might he swung the club at the log and he heard a loud THWACK!!. Then he looked at the log and saw that he had cut it in half! Coatl was amazed.  At two things one that he was that strong and second, that he could cut a log in half on his first try.

After a couple more days of training with different weapons and shields until the time came when his dad said “Coatl it is time you turn to a warrior and get your own weapons. Then Coatl goes to the place where everyone that is going to get promoted to a warrior when Coatl gets to the place he meets the promoting prison, Coatl sits down and and letts the promoting prison do his thing then in the end Coatl gets a sword and shield and is united a soldier and is ready to fight for his empire.

 

The Maya By: Arda

The Maya By: Arda

Someone blew on a tube to make a loud noise that means WAR, everyone starts running toward each other. Everyone starts yelling at the enemy to make him like he wants to fight.

When he is walking into the war he gets scared and nervous every second because in the old times if you got captured you get sacrificed. Everyone starts running toward each other. He starts running with his teammates. After a while the war had ended, there were people that had died. Worst of all that there were people that were going to be the sacrifice, and one of then was Ikal and that was that thing that he was afraid of.

The tribe that captures him says that they have to play Pok-ta-Pok to survive if they lose they get sacrificed and if they win they get freed. The next day they got to practice Pok-ta-Pok because they didn't know how to play. You can play with your waist that had something around your waist and you had to play with a 5 pound ball. Then in minutes, the match was starting everyone started cheering. Then after hours and hours the Ikal's team won because they have practiced for a long time to not die. After he won he ran home with his other teammates.

The Codex By Alex P.

The Codex By Alex P.

“Captain! A native!”
“Where?”
“Over there!”
“So there is! You, boy! Where are you from? Why are you alone?”
“Captain! He’s got a musket! But he’s not Spanish!”
“Put that down, or I’ll-”
Bang!

Chapter I
“My son! Are you alright?”
“What? Father? Where am I?” I was on the bridge, Eagles and jaguars swarmed. Across the bridge I saw the white bearded ones, sending sounds of thunder atop their giant dogs!
“Zolin! Wake! Wake my boy!”
I opened my eyes. My father, Milintica, was shaking me.
“I’m awake, father!”
“And you're about to be late!”
I jumped out of bed, and grabbed my cloak, and hurried to my mother, Patli.
“My little Zolin! A warrior! Good luck.” My mother said with tears in her eyes.
“I’ll come home! I promise.” I said opening the door.
“Wait, wait!” My sister Teiciuh ran to me.
“Good-bye!” I said as my father joined me. As we walked through the town to the temple.

Chapter II
“Are you scared, my son?” My father asked.
“I don’t know. How should I feel?” I replied.
“You’ll have to figure that out for yourself.” He said.
When we reached the temple a priest met us.
“Greetings, Necalli. And you, Zolin.” He said shaking my hand.
“Today, my son,” My father said, clapping me on the shoulder, “You are a warrior.”
“Well not yet!” The priest said climbing the steps. “Come, Zolin.”
“Good luck, my son.” My father called.
As soon as we reached the top, the priest picked up his stone knife. I tried not to show fear, like my father told me the day before.
“You will feel some pain.” The priest told me.
“I’m ready.”
“Good.” Just as he put the cold, sharp stone to my skin, a man hurried in.
“Priest! The white skinned ones!” He panted.
“Does Montezuma II know?”
“Yes! He’s been captured!”
Just then, there was a loud, bang, and the man staggered backwards and slumped to the floor. the priest stood up, but was forced back by thunder. I stood to run, but the priest grabbed my hands.
“The C-c-codex! Get it!” Then he loosened his grip. The Codex! I ran into the sacred room, grabbed the Codex, and ran just as I heard a loud bang! I saw warriors running, heard screams, and loud bangs. I was almost to a bridge, with lake Texcoco on both sides, when A big dog came behind me. There was no whiteman, but strapped to the side was a long stick. A thunder stick! I thought, And as the dog passed, it fell off and clattered to the ground. Bang! It shot thunder, and I jumped out of the way, but I lost my footing, and slipped down a hill. I hit my head, and it all went black.

Chapter III
When I came to, it was silent for the most part. I got up and climbed the hill, and what I saw was horrifying.
Everyone was gone. The temple was destroyed. Huts were aflame. Everything was gone. The codex. It passed through my mind. I went down the hill, got the codex, and climbed back up.
“All I have left, is this.” I said to myself.
“We will live on….”
“Captain! A native!”
I spun around and saw white men crossing the bridge!
“Where?”
The white man pointed.
“Over there!”
“So there is! You, boy! Where are you from? Why are you alone?”
I didn’t answer as I reached for the thunder stick.
“Captain! He’s got a musket! But he’s not Spanish!”
I did what the white men did to use thunder sticks. I pressed my thumb on a knob, and pushed a little metal nub.
“Put that down, or I’ll-”
Bang!
“Captain!”
Bang!
I dropped the thunder stick and ran, all the way thinking, We will live on...We will live on...

The end

Don’t Look By: Abby

Don’t Look By: Abby

Oh, hi there! In case you didn't know, my name is Cava. I’m a princess and my father is the ruler, and he is not as harsh as other rulers. My dad won’t let anyone look him in the eyes. I don’t know why, but today I will try to figure out why. And my dad is the sun god in our religion. He is very powerful and owns everything.

In my religion we do human sacrifice. Human sacrifice is when a person gives up their life for the ruler/sun god. I have 6 slaves, but I don’t like having slaves because I feel bad. I feel like they should have their own life instead of giving me food, dressing me, and cleaning my room. I am royalty, which means that I am in a royal family. My dad won’t let they slaves do anything with me, or I do something for them. My dad loves to have servants, just I don’t get why he likes servants.

Anyways, human sacrifice is horrible in MY opinion. I don’t get why people would give up their life to make my dad feel powerful. I mean yeah, it's apart of our religion. My father makes me watch him cutting open a person's chest for the heart. One time is made me do it, but that was when I was 6 or 7. Now I’m 13. He’s never made me do it ever since. He thinks that it is too violent for me.

We have the earliest version of a road. It is called the Royal Road, and it is about 2,000 miles long. The reason why we use this road is because, let's say that I need to bring someone something, I walk on the Royal Road. And we ride on llamas to carry stuff that is to heavy to carry yourself.

We also use something called Quipu. We use Quipu because it helps use communicate because we don't have a written language. Quipu are knots on a rope. Like one knot is a letter or a word and number. It really helps us communicate and seeing what people say back.

It's been a year or more. I finally figured out why my dad doesn’t let anyone look him in the eyes! Let's say someone looked my dad in the eyes. My dad will sacrifice/kill him because in our religion you can’t look at the emperor/ruler/king in the eyes.

I hope you liked my story, and what I told you about my life in the Incas. My dad is Sapa Inca, and I’m the princess of the Sapa Inca.

First Try, Bad Luck By: Brooklyn

First Try, Bad Luck

By: Brooklyn

Don’t do it. Puma thought to herself as she glared at the corn and knelt down on one knee to husk the corn. Don’t you dare do it. Ozcollo told you that if you do it again, you will be banned from coming here for as long as she lived. She thought once more as she placed the fresh corn into the basket her mother weaved. Her mother was Ozcollo. Her great aunt named her Ozcollo after she saw a ocelot in the mountains.

But… How old is she anyway!? She thought. Puma knew she would never be able to ask her, because her mother would probably take it very rudely. Ozcollo’s basket was on her llamas back. Her llama, Inti, stretched his long neck down to the ground and ate some grass. Puma mumbled something under her breath and Inti looked up. He hummed at her and stomped on the grass, making the corn fly out of the baskets. “Ugh!” Puma said, stomping over to pick up the corn that fell on the ground. Puma gasped and dove for the corn, but it was to late. The corn went tumbling down the steep, Andes Mountain. Puma’s eyes widened as she looked over the platform, watching her corn tumble down.

Puma stood up and turned around. She shot Inti a look of disgust. Her llama hummed again but in a higher voice. Puma whipped her head around and glared at Inti, pointing at her. “Don’t you dare say anything! Nothing! Do nothing! You know what you did! It’s Winter! Ozcollo is going to kill me because I’m going to come home with four husks of corn and... and… a… a stupid broken llama!”

The llama just stared at her with a blank expression. “I know you can't understand me, but.... Still!” No reaction from Inti. Puma cursed herself for talking to a llama, then she looked up, and gasped! All of the corn was gone! The corn that tumbled off the Mountain was the last of it! “Oh no, Ozcollo is going to kill me!” She said, shoving her fingers onto her skull as her long black hair draped behind her.

What will my family do to me? Puma thought. Puma only knew to do one thing. She took a deep breath and stepped forward toward the edge of the platform, grabbed a piece of rock that would support her weight, and then grabbed another one.

Puma hiked down the mountain. It seemed like eternity to hit a flat piece of ground, so she stopped for a second, then noticed that rocks surrounded the edge, but the rocks where to big for her to climb over.

Her heart filled with joy and a big smile spread across her face when she saw all of her corn laying there. A few dents, but otherwise they were okay. Puma gathered the corn in her shirt, which was all torn up from the hike down.

Suddenly, she heard a loud humming noise coming from above. “Oh no,” Puma said. She slowly looked up to find Inti looking down from the cliff eating grass as the dawn light made his tan fur almost glow. Puma groaned as she prepared herself to hike all the way back up the mountain before she decided to ditch Inti.

* * * * * *

The sun was in the middle of the sky by the time Puma and Inti got back to her hut. Her mother, Ozcollo, was next to the hut weaving a basket.

When Ozcollo looked at Puma, her her eyes grew wide. “I know I expected for you to get dirty,” She said. “But I never expected for… this!” Her mother rushed over and checked Puma for any injuries.

“Mother! Im fi - OW!” Puma yelped as her mother touched a gash on her waist. “Puma! What in the names did you do!” Her mother asked. “How did you get a gash! Leave Inchi here while I clean your gash inside the hut.”

“It’s Inti, Mom.” Puma said, rolling her eyes. They walked into the hut and sat down on the hard ground. Ozcollo grabbed a pot of water that was sitting beside the fire and placed leather that was made of animal skin inside it. Ozcollo took the leather out and pressed it against the gash on Puma’s side and Puma flinched. After a couple of seconds, her mother spoke, breaking the silence. “So,” Her mother said. “How was your first day?” Puma hesitated. “Well-”

“It was a rhetorical question!” Her mother spat. “It obviously didn't go well! What happened!” Puma hesitated. Maybe if I don’t answer and just look down she will forget about asking me… Puma thought, but that didn’t work. Ozcollo’s green eyes were burning with fire. “Well!” Puma took a deep breath and told her about how Inti knocked the corn off the mountain and how she had to climb all the way down to get the corn and all the way back up, But the corn kept dropping out of her shirt so she had to keep going up and down. At one point, she slipped when she wasn't paying attention and that is how she got the gash.. Her mother listened in shocked silence. As soon as Puma finished, her mother said, “You do realize there is a path to get up and down, don’t you?”

Puma stared in shock. “Path!?” Puma exclaimed. Ozcollo blinked in surprise. “Pinch me.” Puma said as she fell on her back and closed her eyes. This whole thing HAD to be a dream. She waited in silence. “OW!” Puma said. “Not THAT hard!”

Puma looked up and saw her brother standing there in front of her. “So?” Her Big brother said, his blue eyes locking into her violet ones. “Hard day?” Puma nodded and reached up to hug her brother, Kon. “Don’t worry,” He whispered into her ear, hugging her back. “You’ll get used to it.”