Evans Publishing representative, Annette Baylis with winner William O'Hara

Brentwood Prep pupil William O'Hara, aged 9, recently won the Evans Schools Short Story Competition for World Book Day. The competition was judged by best-selling author Stewart Ross and William's short story was chosen as one of the top 16 stories out of 3,000 entries. 

William's prize for winning the competition was to have his short story published in the 2009-2010 World Book Day Anthology. William was presented with a copy of the published book today in assembly along with a certificate from Evans Publishing representative, Annette Baylis. Congratulations William!

Please see below a copy of William O'Hara's short story:

The Attack of the Vikings
By William O'Hara

"Head for the hills, everybody!" screamed the lookout, "The Vikings are coming!"

There was pandemonium in the Anglo-Saxon village of Burntwood.  People were rushing here there and everywhere: mothers grabbing children, farmers grabbing livestock and men preparing their weapons,  The sound of the Vikings' thundering footsteps could be heard above the terrible screams.

"Hurry up Aedre!" shouted her husband Harold worriedly. "We don't have much time.  The Vikings will be here soon."

"I am being as quick as I can." Replied Aedre distraught. "Where is Ace?" She scanned the chaotic scene, searching for her son.  Storm clouds were gathering overhead, thundering like war drums.  Eventually, she saw Ace running like a startled hare, through the crowd. "Where have you been?" she shouted hysterically, tears drenching her face like rain.

"I was playing in the fields," explained Ace.  He looked petrified.

"Come on you two. There is no time for this!" bellowed Harold.  He pushed his wife and son out of the hut. He grabbed a pig and some possessions wrapped up in a bundle.  The villagers were pushing and shoving to get to the hills, streaming out of the streets.

"If we get to the hills, we might be able to escape from the Vikings," said Harold, strangely calm.  The sound of the Vikings' crashing footsteps was getting nearer. There was fear on everyone's faces. When they got to the top of the hill they set up camp. Just then Ace realised how high up he was.  By now the Vikings were almost on top of them.  Out of the crowd appeared an oddly dressed Viking. His voice echoed throughout the hills. "I am the Viking Warrior Chief, Thor," he bellowed. I have the honour of leading this fleet into battle."

Tentatively, the chief of the settlement rose.  "I am Abrecan, chief of the settlement," he said feebly.

"Silence!" roared Thor.

"Yes Sir, "he whimpered. You could see his fear, painted like a picture on his face.

"I am taking control of this village. No exceptions," shouted Thor.

Just then Ace piped up. "What if we refuse?" said Ace confidently.

"If you and the villagers are stupid enough to refuse, then my men and I, with great satisfaction, shall kill every last pathetic, man woman and child," laughed Thor. "Back down," whispered Aedre, her face full of fear.  Ace obeyed his mother and returned to the tent.

"You have five days to submit," finished Thor. "If you refuse, my men and I will attack." After the conversation the chief of the settlement called a town meeting.

"We can do something!" shouted a woman among the crowd.

"Calm down!" shouted the chief of the settlement. "We must agree," he said solemnly.

"No!" bellowed Ace in a surprisingly loud voice. "We must not give in!"

"You have no say in the matter," said the chief of the settlement. Ace stomped away from the meeting angrily. He lay against a large rock, looking at the stars.  He stayed there for ages listening to the sound of the gentle breeze. He stretched out his arms and legs. He was very tired from his journey up the hill.  Suddenly a small rock disappeared from under his left foot and he fell through a hole in the ground into a large passage. A little shaken, he followed the passage all the way to the end and was amazed at what he saw. He had found an abandoned village. The huts were old, but still standing.

"The village is saved!" he cried. Ace ran back to the village and burst back into the meeting. "I have found a way to save the village," he said with a grin on his face. "You must come!"

"This had better be worth it Ace," said the chief of the settlement. Ace showed everybody how he had found the passage. "This is excellent," cried the chief of the settlement. "Gather your possessions everyone. We are going to be fine."

There were cheers from the crowd of villagers.

Everybody moved into one of the huts. There were plenty to go round. Once everybody had moved in there was a ceremony. "Ace, you have saved us all," said the chief of the settlement. "In honour of your achievement, I present you with the Shield of the Village. When I die, you shall be the next Chief of the Settlement."

"Thank you so much Sir," said Ace as he accepted the Shield.

Some time later, before the chief died, his final words were of the passage that saved the village. As promised, Ace became the new chief and ruled successfully.

Legend has it that the Vikings never found the village and that the origin of the secret passage was never discovered. However, legend and fact are rarely one and the same.................