Daniel's Defeat (Aidan)

~Daniel’s Defeat~

                Daniel lay on the ground staring up at the eyes of his opponent. He winced as a huge fist made contact with his cheek . It only took about a minute before Daniel was lying on the ground

defeated by his burly opponent. He stared up at the laughing face of the bully. A group of children stood around to see the show. He felt like a man in the Olympics defeated in a boxing match. His head spun as he tried to stand up, but he was just pushed back down.

                “Someday I’ll beat all of you in the games!” he whispered, but his brooding was answered by the very rough shove of the larger boy.

                “I doubt it!” he laughed. The bully swaggered, swinging his fists and crushing imaginary opponents.

Daniel was left on the dirty streets to watch as the victor walked away laughing triumphantly as he

turned the corner. One of his friends looked back pityingly, because of the unfair fight. He stared

like a deer witnessing the brutality of a lion. He then turned from Daniel’s gaze and walked

down the dusty streets. Suddenly, a wagon turned a bend, and Daniel barely dodged the heavy vehicle.

                “Get out of the road!” yelled the man. He kept yelling at Daniel until he was hoarse from his angry calls. Daniel walked home and stared back at the wagon. It was carrying a huge load of gold underneath the pile of hay in the back. Daniel gasped. He stumbled. He fell. He hit the ground, and thought of how many times he had fallen in the past. He stumbled up and dusted himself off. He walked inside of his house. He ate a quick dinner and headed straight for bed. The wagon haunted his dreams that night, and he wondered if  it was a robbery. His dream reached a climax. The wagon rider

grabbed him and threw him down to the ground. Every time he lifted himself up, he was back on the

ground. The man, who had thrown him on the ground half a dozen times, now shoved him into a cart

full of hay and gold. Daniel woke up with a start and stared around him. His dream had almost come

true! He was tied inside of a cart which was perched on the top of a slope. The boy who had stared back at him after the fight stood above him with a knife.

                “What are you…!” His cry was muffled by a strong hand clapped over his mouth. The man who had been driving the wagon stood above him with his hairy hand covering his mouth. He gave whispered instructions to the boy, but his words were almost inaudible. Daniel heard few words, but he caught enough to know that the man was trying to get rid of him. He had seen too much. The man stalked away, and the boy stood over him sighing. He took his knife and cut Daniel’s bonds.

                “I’m going to push you down the hill, but you will be able to stand up and drive. Make sure to stay away from the edge of the bridge, or you will be drowned under the bridge. Are you ready?”

                Daniel gulped. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” He choked on his words, and as soon as he stood up,the wagon jerked into action. He just caught the last words of the boy.

                “Get someone to arrest that man, but don’t disclose my identity or I’ll get my revenge.” Daniel didn't care if he gave the boy over to the authorities. He just wanted to be away from the man. He clasped the side of the wagon as he rocketed down the hill. He wanted to jump from the wagon, but he knew he wouldn’t survive the fall. He screeched as the wagon shot down the hill. A group of people gathered under on the shore to watch. They gasped as they saw a second figure behind Daniel. Daniel took no notice of him or the crowd. Still, he slipped from the cart and barely caught himself. He found himself almost airborne. Only his hands kept him on the cart. He saw a rock in his way, and he knew what he had to do. He jumped from his wagon, and he cleared the rock. He splashed into the river, and the figure behind him jumped too. He fell into the water behind Daniel, and he got caught by a current.He was washed to the other bank a few miles down the river. Daniel still thought he was being pursued,and he watched as a procession approached. He fell at the feet of the man in front. He did not know who he was, but he let the story pour out. The man began to laugh. Daniel looked up. Above him stood the Emperor of Rome. He fell onto his face in the dirt, and the emperor ordered him to rise.

                “We will try to find this criminal, but I think you should go home for now. I also advise that you practice some more chariot racing. You have a gift.” Daniel thanked the emperor, but he had had

enough racing for one day. He smiled as he reached home. He had defeated a greater opponent.

Aidan's Writing
Age: 11
Grade: 6th