ST8

STUFF@SCHOOL, WEDNESDAY 3 MARCH 2010

By HOW HAN MING, 16 Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur

- Inspired by Avatar and the greed of man

HEARD tall trees crashing. A bulldozer forced its way through the ancient trees, destroying all wildlife in its path. The scent of death in the air was like a thousand blades being driven into my heart. I had to return and warn my tribe about this oncoming onslaught. Amidst the confusion and chaos, a group of military humans ventured out of the bushes. Standing visibly shorter than the Navi, they looked frail and vulnerable. (The Navi, an indigenous sentient humanoid race residing on planet Pandora, were considered primitive by human standards, yet were more physically capable than humans. Standing at 3m tall, the Navi were slender and nimble creatures with sparkling blue skin and a long tail. ) Soon, I came to the Hometree that had provided shelter for the Navi for many generations. Eytucan was the chief of the Navi tribe and his uneasy gaze raked my face as the crowds attention turned towards us. Eytucan, I have come to deliver a warning. The humans have arrived again. But this time they came to destroy the Hometree to obtain the unobtainium (a precious mineral) beneath it. They are heading towards our direction now as we speak! my trembling voice spread quickly growing unease in the crowd. The chiefs gaze was cold and unwavering as he stayed silent for a little while. Warriors of Navi! Long have I awaited this fate that would befall us. Brace yourself for a battle to defend our beloved Hometree. Do not be afraid of those wretched humans! Fight to reclaim our land! Fight to your death!!! the elderly chiefs war cry instilled courage and determination in every male Navi. The young and old males gathered their weapons bows and poisoned arrows, darts, daggers, knives and spears. The Navi women kissed their mates for what could be the last time and Neytiri, the chiefs daughter, led them to the Cave of Souls situated up the hill to hide. Jake Sully, go to the Cave of Souls and redeem your honour. Protect my daughter and our people with your life. Swear that you will defend them till the very end! Now leave the battle to me! Eytucans voice rang out clearly. I solemnly swore my oath as I made my way up the hill reluctantly; leaving the warriors to fight a war they could not win. *** The battle had begun. Blood had been spilt. The humans came out of the bushes as Eytucans brave warriors attacked them. The Navi fought fiercely and mercilessly, as they hacked and slashed at the intruders. Brave though the warriors were, the humans had superior weapons. The warriors wielded bows and daggers, but the humans had guns and rifles. Warriors of Navi! Fight these wretched humans. Kill them! Kill them all! the elderly chiefs war cry was terrifying as the warriors defended the Hometree despite the hail of bullets. Eytucan fought bravely, urging his warriors on. But soon his strength waned and his body slumped, wounded beyond healing. Finally, the body of the brave chief lay prone and unmoving under the Hometree. Neytiri, sensing the demise of her father, began wailing as the bulldozer carved its path of destruction towards the Hometree. The giant tree had provided shelter for the Navi

The tale of Navi

Students, submit only original stories; products of your own effort. since the dawn of time, but now a metal beast was nibbling through the thick skin of the ancient guardian. The few surviving Navi warriors were still trying to resist the attack. But they could not hold on much longer. One by one, the warriors were falling into the welcoming hands of Death, knowing that they would die defending their loved ones. Their bravery and courage in defending their home would be immortalised in tales and songs for years to come. The humans were jeering at the sight of the Navi warriors falling, enjoying the sight of death. The Navi women began to lament and wail as they sensed the demise of their mates. A piercing sound resonated in the air as the bulldozer sank its teeth deeper into the Hometree. The sense of destruction of the ancient tree was intense and unbearable. Everyone in the cave wailed and crouched on the ground, sensing the pain and suffering of the tree. It felt like a million tiny needles puncturing their hearts. *** The Hometree is dead. The bulldozer had done its job. The old tree cracked and fell to

the ground with a loud thump. The Navi women wailed in the cave. The remaining humans used their flamethrowers to burn the dead stump and the corpses that lay everywhere. The hungry flames licked into the wooden flesh of the tree and engulfed the barren land in their wrath. The dancing inferno conjured an eerie glow to the darkening sky as the ruthless humans celebrated in their victory. Silence descended in the cave. Nobody wailed anymore and no one uttered a single word. Hatred for and fear of humans ran deep. They had robbed the women of their mates and robbed us of our home. From my lookout point on the cliff, I ran into the cave with a mist of fear clouding my eyes. People of the Navi! Hear me now. The humans are trekking their way up here. We must leave before they find us! Go now and search for a new dwelling where humans cannot find us. Some day we will regain our former strength and rid our land from these invaders! My cry galvanised the female Navi and the children in the cave into action. The few surviving warriors struggled to their feet, with help. The survivors then followed their new leader into the wilderness. Their hearts blazed with the anger and pain of a homeland ravaged by greed and loved ones lost and swore to return to reclaim their land. We struggled for days trying to find a new home. Finally, I collapsed ... *** Well, well, well look whos finally back! Jake Sully, you have betrayed humanity, a familiar voice sounded in my ear as I struggled to emerge from the fog engulfing me. Painfully, I opened my eyes to find Parker

Evening bells
The autumnal evening whispers Dried leaves swirl in the air Vivid colours of orange and red Dance a little pirouette. The scent of dried flowers Bittersweet as childhood memories The ground is an assortment of colours As is the evening sky. Orange bells in a row Tinkle and sway in the wind Music, so sweet and soft Kissed my little dreams. Sheryl Teoh, 16, SMJK Heng Ee, Penang

Selfridge, the administrator of Resources Development Administration (RDA), aiming a gun to my head. Think you could get away with leading those Navi away from us? Do you know how precious unobtainium under the Hometree is? I could earn $20 million per kilogramme! Your duty was to spy on the Navi and persuade them to leave without resisting! But you have failed in your task and turned against humanity, Parkers eyes glowed greedily. You really disappoint me, Jake Sully. Your avatar will be terminated immediately, Parker pushed a button that severed my mental link with my Navi host. In the wilderness of Pandora, my Avatar lay limp on the ground, as Neytiri and the Navi wail around it. The last sound I hear is the click of a trigger as my world plunged into total darkness.

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