Based on Ismailimail’s Inspiring Youth Authors Series (click to see earlier post), we are sharing second publication, highlighting young author Imaan Ali. Imaan’s short-story and introduction is mentioned below. Please help motivate our talented youth by sharing your comments after reading. Your comments of encouragement would go a long way.
This short story was submitted to National PTA Reflections Program*. It was selected to advance to the PTA Council Level of Judging.
Better Neighborhoods
Imaan Ali
2014 – 2015 Theme: The world would be a better place if …
In a rundown and suspicious area, a man named Billy was walking home. He was carrying a bag full of books he had just purchased from a bookstore. He had lived in this area for many years and knew all of his neighbors. He and his neighbors had expressed concern over thieves in the area to the police, but help never came from them. Billy was almost home, he had entered his neighborhood, when he saw something out of the corner of his eye. A man was running at him relentlessly at full speed. Before he properly understood what was happening, Billy was knocked over, and the bag he was carrying was pulled out of his grasp. He stood up quickly, but the man was already disappearing. He could see his neighbors staring out of their windows, but no one came out to help him. They were afraid they might be attacked as well. Billy watched helplessly as the thief escaped.
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In a well populated and cheery area, a man named Joey was walking home. He was carrying a bag of groceries which he had just purchased from the grocery store. He hadn’t lived in this area for very long, but his neighbors were kind and the police were very active in stopping crime. Joey was almost home, he had entered his cheery neighborhood, when he saw something out of the corner of his eye. A man was running at him, but not quite at full speed as if though he was apprehensive. Joey had an idea of what was happening a second before it happened but by then it was too late; Joey was knocked over and his groceries were stolen. The thief was now sprinting away as fast as possible, but suddenly, one of Joey’s neighbors burst out of his home and grabbed the thief. He had witnessed what had happened from his window and rushed out the door. He restrained the thief and told Joey to call the police. In two minutes, the police arrived and arrested the thief, and Joey’s groceries were returned. Though they were crushed, Joey took pride in knowing they had helped catch a thief.
Imaan Ali (Class of 2019)
Imaan is an 8th grader who holds interest in reading, technology and video games. When he is not in school – besides doing his homework – he spends his time reading lots and lots of books. His extra-curricular activities involve participating in school’s cross-country athletic program. Imaan is also a STEP student and very much enjoys his academic studies. He wrote and submitted above mentioned story in 2014 for school’s *PTA Reflection program. It was selected as one among five entries in literature category, for the next round.