LiteraryLiterary MagazineMagazine Special Thanks To: Sayreville Middle School Administrators

Principal: Mr. Richard Gluchowski

Vice Principal: Mrs. Shannon Johnson

Vice Principal: Mr. Gregg Jegou

Sayreville Public Schools

District Administration

Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Richard Labbe

Assistant Superintendent: Dr. Marilyn Shediack

Assistant Superintendent: Mr. Eric Glock-Molloy

Business Administrator/School Board Secretary: Ms. Erin Hill Special Thanks to the Board of Ed Members:

Kevin Ciak, President

Anthony Esposito, Vice President

Daniel Balka

Phyllis Batko

Christopher Callahan

Lucy Bloom

Carrie Kenny

Karen Rubio

John Walsh

Busch Law Group, LLC - Attorney

Samuel Klein - Auditor

Nicole Petrone - Treasurer of School Funds

Pediatric & Adolescent Associates of Central New Jersey - Medical Inspectors

Healthpoint Medical Associates, LLC - Drug Screening and Employee Physicals Table Of Contents Poems “chair” by mrs.wrightson 8-9 “friends” by arianna gandhi 10 “just because” by arianna gandhi 11 “the best part of my day” by arianna gandhi 12 “what are you so afraid of” by arianna gandhi 13 “it’s a wonderful thing” by arianna gandhi 14-16 “alone by arianna gandhi 17 “if you care by arianna gandhi 18 “what’s wrong with long grass by arianna gandhi 19-20 “a series of historical poems by maria lima 21-22 “fate” by maria lima 23 “man on the moon” by maria lima 24 “neverland” by maria lima 25 “models” by maria lima 26 “masquerade” by maria lima 27 “stars” by maria lima 28 “bumblebee” by maria lima 29 “time” by maria lima 30 “tear” by maria lima 31 “what i like about trees” by shriya patel 32 “brOKen” by mia kormon 33-34 te amo siempre by mia korman 35-37

Table Of Contents dreams by mia korman 38-39 remember me by mia korman 40-41 sonnet by kaavya gollapudi 42 that kind of love by anonymous 43 golden eyes by anonymous 44 blackout poem by kayla sokolow 45 blackout poem by chayse moultri 46 blackout poem by chelsea asare 47 blackout poem by kristy garcia 48 blackout poem by maria lima 49 vvampire by sanika karode 50 blackout poetry by jai desai 51 bookmark poetry by leah florexil 52 bookmark poetry by elizabeth macholl 53 bookmark poetry by sharan ghuman 54 bookmark poetry by anya kanodia 55 bookmark poetry by sanika karode\ 56 blackout poetry by ameeka patel 57 Drawings and Digital Art: drawing by amoli patel 59 drawing by amoli patel 60 digital drawing by isabella naguit 61 drawing by isabella naguit 62 digital drawing by isabella naguit 63 digital drawing by isabella naguit 64 digital drawing by prisha shah 65

Table Of Contents digital drawing by prisha shah 66 digital drawing by prisha shah 67 drawing by cici taveras 68 drawing by isabella naguit 69 drawing by isabella naguit 70 drawing by isabella naguit 71 Pictures picture by anoushka banerjee 73 picture by anoushka banerjee 74 picture by anoushka banerjee 75 picture by anoushka banerjee 76 picture by anoushka banerjee 77 picture by anoushka banerjee 78 picture by anoushka banerjee 79 picture by sanika karode 80 picture by isabella naguit 81 Picture by isabella naguit 82 Stories/Plays apples and bananas by vedh, thomas, and sam 84-89 the fruity conclusion by vedh, thomas, and sam 90-98 Editors and Publishers 8th grade editors 100 7th grade editors 101

Chair- Mrs.Wrightson The chair. Every house has one. It’s the chair that no one else is allowed to sit in.

Positioned carefully so that the TV is at the perfect angle for viewing. The leather so soft and supple to the touch it feels like cotton. Some are black or brown or burgundy. The seat is a bit worn, but inviting all the same like a child’s wooby, comforting after a long day.

“Okay, get out of my chair,” Dad says to Billy or Amanda or Justin or Erik. 8

Why is it that someone always wants to sit in that chair? Is it because it’s DAD’s chair? Does it make them feel special or powerful or close to Dad in some way?

9 f r i e n d s - arianna gandhi i went outside in the rain without an umbrella today just to see if i could feel anything after you left me numb clearly not because i could stand outside for hours and not feel a thing isn’t that fun to be discarded of your emotions and to not be a human anymore i think i’ve been brainwashed by the term friends i fall in and out of love for you only out because you call us friends only out because i’d get teased relentlessly for liking, y o u “are we chill” “let’s start over” just say that you don’t want me anymore in fact you never did

10 just because - arianna gandhi just because of you i see everything in different lights i’ve never seen hazel sparkle before i met your eyes i’ve never loved the color blue more till i saw you in awe with it i’ve never bawled so hard before i read the texts you sent i’ve never felt good about myself until you made me believe i was enough i’ve never felt my body shake all the way to its core until i heard the sound of your voice i’ve never felt more desperate till i learned you weren’t here for me just because of you my whole world has gone spiraling down 11 the best part of my day : arianna gandhi every day i pass you in the hallway as i glide across the tiles, it’s like a ray of sunshine has gazed down on me you are a breath of fresh air a song i sing all day and night a breathtaking sunset i chase after like heaven and hell the good and the bad the pretty and the ugly the ups and downs of love pull at my heartstrings but i’m willing to take a chance only if you are but for now, i’ll keep walking along, basking in the sunlight

12 what are you so afraid of? - arianna gandhi don’t expect me to stay for much longer but if i never make any moves it’ll probably keep coming forward; my eternal and undying love for you you seem to hate the idea of me; no, u s so what’s the point? what are you so afraid of? i’m not a heartbreaker nor do i have the capability to be one honestly you should look at yourself because i’ve had to place far too many bandages on my poor heart so why why on earth can you not see that this is ok and we could be meant to be what are you so afraid of?

13 it’s a wonderful thing - arianna gandhi once upon a time, i fell in love and my heart would have soared beyond the heavens but you are the strings that keep me attached on earth i would never let you go, for my cinderella story of love is far too great to leave behind and though tragedy might strike, love will always prevail you are the soft pillow that lulls me to sleep your soft lullabies always leave me in a trance, but isn’t that what love is 14 this is so much deeper, rawer than any other emotion i could describe for me, for you we complete each other two halves of a heart, yearning to be brought together gosh, this couldn’t get any better and just when i think you’re about to leave you come back, arms open wide and flowers blooming at the end of your smile caverns at the end of your lips, little worlds i’ve yet to explore hazel orbs that keep me reaching outwards 15 a kind face a stunning mind and most of all it’s perfectly you on top of all the filtered and edited love it’s all you in a perfect story i’ll recite it for ages because… once upon a time, i fell in love with you

16 alone by arianna gandhi am i alone? or do you choose to isolate me in these fields of dreams i’m here with my arms stretched out wide running through piles of daisies and wildflowers hoping to see you right across the meadow with your heart stopping eyes and jaw dropping figure yet you took too long and i’ve given up laying down in a field of dreams waiting to rot

17 if you care - arianna gandhi you tore me up like a piece of paper but you didn’t even bother to recycle me you broke me like the chain of a necklace on a little girl’s neck but you didn’t even bother to replace me you glared at me like a second place medal but you didn’t even bother to go for the gold you and your lousy apologies make me sick but you didn’t even bother to medicate me

18 what’s wrong with long grass? - arianna gandhi i walk through the long grass green tickles the soles of my feet but you and your lawnmower have to ruin everything you like to keep it the same don’t even bother to fix me now i’m like the broken desk, sitting in the corner of the room; lonely i gaze above at the sunlight trickles of honey, dripping sunshine rays but you’re the darkest cloud that appears out of nowhere you just have to rain on my parade you don’t like to see me happy you’re tired of my love, so you decide to bring out the hate 19 i treated you like a celebrity but i shouldn’t have been surprised when you treated me like a fan for every panicked text back for every long night i stayed up to help you for every single time i sacrificed my joy for yours for every time i tried all i got was a straight face and a one letter reply now the grass is rotten it’s brown and patchy now the sun doesn’t shine there’s always clouds covering it now the celebrities don’t look as good their fans have abandoned them now my love for you has weakened but why can’t i leave when i have the chance?

20 A Series of poems from the perspective of a woman living on New York in the 1920s- the late 1940s. Based on true historical events.

By:Maria Lima

June 4th 1919 Today the right to vote was given to me Me Jo Ana Brown, given the right I didn’t know this was the day I would be free I finally, finally can do what I want To choose, who will be the the next president We will have to see

October 29th 1930 The Great Depression Oh the Great Depression Why be happy when everything is crumbling Gone The economy breaking everyday Cutting a piece off of us Great Depression will you ever leave us alone New York did fine without you

21 December 7th 1941 We heard it, we did Pearl Harbor in Hawaii has fallen Who knows what is next New York maybe Oregon Everyone will have to wait and see I just hope it will not be me

September 2nd 1945 World War II has ended No more hiding hoping they won't strike I can finally sit outside and relax I could watch magnificent sunsets, birds, and trees It's the end of World War II Not the beginning of World War III Goodbye fear

January 25th 1947 From Florida to New York The information travelled Running,running,running Coming,coming,coming Let's say goodbye to Al Capone He is gone and we are safer He cannot hurt anyone anymore Let’s say goodbye to Al Capone

22 Fate by:Maria Lima

Fate can bring people together Fate can tear them apart It can make you happy Or sad, maybe mad Fate

It makes your dreams come true Or break them Coming alive or shattering What will it be Fate will decide

Oh fate oh fate What shall it be Will I become what I want We will have to wait and see Fate

23 Man on the moon by:Maria Lima

He sits and watches Astronauts come and leave He believes they are visitors Instead they land, and inspect his home

The Man on the Moon watching the stars There is never a light off for bed He looks down, wishing he could live on earth But he won't leave

He is our night star The big one out of the millions He is our power source The Man on the Moon

24 Neverland by:Maria Lima

Sometimes you want to escape Escape the stress, the work Live your life with nothing to do Go to your happy place

Where can that be The beach, or watching a sunset maybe just lying home I'll go to Neverland

You don't have to grow up It's like time stopped Staying with the fairies, and Lost Boys Watch Peter Pan fly around

What what will Neverland bring me Joy, fun in the sun No stress, or work to do I'll escape to Never-never land 25 Models by:Maria Lima

They are what everyone aspires to be Wearing designer clothes Strolling down like they have everything We want to be just like them

Everyone says we have to be like them That they are perfect Walking up high confident and strong Like books are laid on their head

You can act like them Strutting to be perfect You think you're the opposite But you are beautiful Just be you

26 Masquerade by: Maria Lima

A mask You can hide behind it The identity is kept a secret Who might be under there

A Masquerade Lit Mag 2018-2019 +5

We may never know who is behind it Present

A human or an animal, maybe Share

All we know is their mask Maybe never seeing their face A Masquerade

Show your identity we beg we beg You shake your head slightly saying no Why must you hide under there The mask is lifted

What lies under there We look curiously It's pure beauty The Masquerade

27 Stars by:Maria Lima

They fill the night sky So bright, and small The light and all the darkness Millions every night

They seem to greet us They float near the Moon When it's not there more and more appear They fill the night sky

The little white light They distract us from the blackness Arriving with the night sky Leaving with the morning sun Beautiful, beautiful stars

28 Bumblebee by: Maria Lima

It flies with no place to go No place to call home Maybe the honeycomb It travels flower to flower Little bumblebee

Making nectar, to make honey Which we then eat We shouldn't be scared We should thank The little bumblebee

The honey made a delicious sweet treat Every be so unique It flies and flops Bumps and Jumps The cute little bumblebee 29 Time by:Maria Lima

Tick tock tick tock Who is watching the clock Time so quick when you're having fun So slow when you're bored or sad Time

In another realm it might be fast Or maybe slower It is gone with the blink of the eye Tick tick tick

Time is up It feels like five minutes It was fifty What will time do next We may never know Time is unpredictable 30 Tear by:Maria Lima

That one drop A tear rolling down your cheek It says I'm sad or I'm mad That one drop

It rolls down slowly You feel it every time it rolls slightly Sometimes it rolls in till it drops It tastes like salt water That one drop

How does that drop form Out of sadness or anger It might be But that tear could change everything That one drop

31

Whenever my friends ask me why ever that may be, I would like my friends to know I’m the one who likes trees. Trees of the fantastic forest with leaves of many colors, Helping humans everyday with no time to spare All year round Trees are what we have, no matter what season that comes along Winter, you say, Trees bare, the wild weather sweeping them away Spring time, Trees grow, grow, and grow, with branches green and full of color, Providing birds A place to nest Helping the world By: Shriya Patel 7th Grade

32 brOKen by mia korman you make me feel broken a record that’s been played, more than it was made for the third wheel that makes a tricycle unwanted by those over the age of ten but i'm okay at least that’s what i’ll say all i want is to cover up the scars that you’ve made for me i miss what we used to have it was never so painful emotionally, mentally

33 i miss the old you don’t they all say that? the one full of innocence where did he go? i’ve been looking for him for a while he was kind he had a smile that could fill my heart so simple, so boring, i know at least it’s better than now now? god, where do i begin… it’s not the same, can you tell? you broke me got under my skin so deep to where i can feel you, stabbing me in my heart sounds like something you’d do 34 te amo siempre by mia korman te amo siempre me sacastes el aire, y me has robado el corazón pero nos movimos a través de otras corrientes. me has moldeado los mejores recuerdos. como he hecho lo mismo para ti pero el sentimiento ha desaparecido es hora de dejarlo ir pero te amaré por siempre no importa que tan lejos estemos donde quiera que vayas pensaré en ti tus ojos brillan como el océano tu sonrisa se elevó a cada ocasión tu risa iluminó una habitación y tus labios fueron los más amables de rojo.

35 nunca te extrañaría pero es hora de dejarte ir por tu cuenta para ver el mundo mi amor, es hora de decir adiós necesito liberarte por mucho que te extrañe sólo sé siempre te amaré translation; i’ll love you always you took my breath away, and you’ve stolen my heart but we moved through other streams you’ve molded the best memories for me as i’ve done the same for you but the feeling has fallen mutually it’s time to let go

36 but i’ll love you forever no matter how far apart we are wherever you go i’ll think of you your eyes glistening like the ocean your smile rose to every occasion your laugh illuminated a room and your lips were the kindest shade of red i’d never miss a glimpse of you but it’s time to let you go on your own to see the world my love, it’s time to say goodbye i need to set you free as much as i’ll miss you just know i’ll love you always

37 dreams by mia korman as our hands begin to touch my eyes begin to open how did i not realize this was a dream? you only exist behind my eyelids and you're the reason i look forward to sleep i don’t have your number, but that’s okay i can wait until i fall asleep i didn’t think i liked you this much i doubted it for a while but why would i play myself like that i didn’t realized how much i’d fallen for you

38 i’d tell my friends i don’t feel the same i could never, at least i thought but i feel bad for lying my god, what are you doing to me you’re just a dream to me pure imagination, i suppose when do they say dreams become reality? why did it have to be you? why was it you that i fell for? i mean, i know why i did but how did you get me wrapped around your finger, so easily?

39 remember me by mia korman will you remember me? we have history but it’s easy to forget after all this time we spent together and the memories we used to share have those all washed away, or was it just in my head? a wave crashed on our past and was taken in, forever lost we lock eyes every day by accident, of course not a word is said between us act like strangers, who are you again?

40 i could go as far as to say i loved you but what happened to us? i guess you just didn’t feel the same i miss what we used to have a careless friendship, we were so young i guess we grew up on different paths will you remember me when you grow older with someone new? or did everything we were just d i s a p p e a r

41 Sonnet By: Kaavya Gollapudi

When the sun goes down and there is no hope, They call you names and make tears flow in shame, This makes you feel the need to use a rope, Yet in the end you won’t be who is blamed.

42 that kind of love - anonymous i want to fall deeply in love. i know i’m young and stupid but i want to know what it feels like to have someone to hold so tightly onto, knowing they could leave at any minute but feeling secure enough in them to know that though the door is open, they will not leave. they will not walk through it without you. i want to know what it feels like to be so close to someone that they have you memorized. i want to memorize someone like i’ve memorized the solar system. i want my pluto. my precious planet that doesn’t have to be considered a planet to anyone but me. i want something to hold onto. something to believe in. i ache for the kind of love that you always hear about but never know until you’re in the deep end of it. 43 Golden Eyes - Anonymous

I saw it one morning in the car When the sun rising found your eyes and turned them gold, brightening my spirit with a single blink I kept seeing it everyday we were together. Riding home in the afternoons, that one Friday night, every store closed, only city nights to be seen on the skyline. It occured to me, something that i think i had always known. All the moments we touched. All the times we locked eyes. I love you and you will never know.

44 kayla sokolow

45 chayse moultri

46 chelsea asare

47 kristy garcia

48 maria lima

49 sanika karode

50 jai desai

51 leah florexil

52 elizabeth macholl

53 sharan ghuman

54 anya kanodia

55 sanika karode

56 ameeka patel

57 drawn by: amoli patel picture drawn from pinterest 59 drawn by: amoli patel picture drawn from pinterest 60 by isabella naguit

61 drawn by isabella naguit

62 by: isabella naguit

63 by: isabella naguit

64 by: prisha shah 65 by: prisha shah 66 by: prisha shah 67 by: cici taveras

68 by: isabella naguit

69 by: isabella naguit

70 by: isabella naguit

71

anoushka banerjee

73 anoushka banerjee

74

anoushka banerjee

75 anoushka banerjee

76 anoushka banerjee

77 anoushka banerjee

78 anoushka banerjee

79 sanika karode

80 isabella naguit

81 isabella naguit

82

“Apples and Bananas”

Thomas - King Banana/Bobby Banana/Negotiator/Apple Soldier Sam - King Apple/Adam Apple/General Yellow Vedh - Merchant Melon/Narrator/Mr. Avocado/General Red Frank - Butler Scene 1: ROYAL FRUIT ACADEMY. Adam Apple and Bobby Banana start a debate in the hallway.

Bobby Banana: Bananas are the best! Adam Apple: Ugh.. bananas, those inferior fruits. So mushy and squishy. I’d rather eat a marvelous red apple. So shiny and delicious, fit for a proper royal! Bobby Banana: Still, the yellow color of bananas defeats the shiny red of apples! Mr. Avocado: Hush, small children. Adam Apple: How dare you hush me! Someone of such low class. If you repeat such a mistake, I will have you executed before lunchtime! Bobby Banana: How dare you peasant. Off with your head! Mr. Avocado: That’s five months of detention for both of you! Bobby Banana: You can’t. We will send an army of knights to your house to make sure you do not give out detention ANYMORE! Adam Apple: Guards, I order you to execute this fool! Bobby Banana: Guards, go there to make sure he doesn’t escape. CHARGE! Mr. Avocado: Oh, princes these days. (He sighs). 84 Scene 2: 20 YEARS LATER. Apple Kingdom. King Apple (Adam Apple) wages war on the Banana Empire, which is ruled by King Banana (Bobby Banana). King Apple sits on a chair and tells the Apple Kingdom that he declared war on the Banana Empire.

King Apple: What is the report from our spies General Red? General Red: They have successfully infiltrated the Banana Empire. All plans for war are ready. King Apple: Good. You have earned yourself an apple. Now send all troops to the east to the Banana Empire, and divide the troops from the west. Also, send a messenger to the Banana Empire to tell them I DECLARE WAR.

85 Scene 3: Banana Empire. King Banana finds out the Apple Kingdom declared war on his empire and sends an army led by General Yellow.

General Yellow: Hold the line! Throw as many bananas as you can at the little Apples! General Red: Ready the applepults and fire! General Yellow: Ready our ballistae with as many bananas as possible and fire! General Red: Fill em’ up with applenades and THROW THEM! Apple Soldier: Sir-yes-sir, at once! Infantry front and center! Archers in the back! Cavalry defend from flanks! General Red: What about the reinforcements? Are they ready for a blow? Apple Soldier: Sir-yes-sir! We have our reinforcements ready. General Red: Good! We can win this battle and the next! General Yellow: Get ready for another blow, more apples are coming. General Red: Go forward my army! CHARGE! General Yellow: Hold the line, men. We need this victory. General Red: The Banana army is holding against us! Retreat and get stronger my fellow soldiers!

BATTLEFIELD. Both armies retreat after losing many soldiers.

86 Scene 4: A FEW YEARS LATER, IN THE APPLE KINGDOM. Merchant Melon tries to stop the war and settle the differences between apples and bananas.

Merchant Melon: Get your melons, they’re low priced and fresh! (Repeat twice, he walks up to the king’s throne) Merchant Melon: Your Majesty, maybe you should halt the war, settle your differences and like both apples and bananas. King Apple: How dare you! Anyway, we should continue the war until the bananas surrender! King Apple: I will not have such ugly fruits sold in my kingdom! If you have nothing else to say, get out! Merchant Melon: I do have something to say. You know, the Peach and Melon Kingdoms signed a peace treaty after they fought a war, and they are known for their rich friendship. King Apple: Rich as in wealthy? Do tell, maybe I could like bananas. If you give me more information about this treaty, I might let you leave my kingdom alive. Merchant Melon: Okay. King Apple: Now, tell me more about this treaty. Merchant Melon: The treaty should state that there will be no more wars and that we will have peace and friendship between this kingdom and the Banana Empire. King Apple: Hmmmm. I will think about it, and if you are alive tomorrow, you'll know that you’ve convinced me.

87 Scene 5: THE BANANA EMPIRE, A WEEK LATER. King Apple and Merchant Melon go to the Banana Empire to sign the peace treaty.APPLE KINGDOM, THE NEXT DAY. Merchant Melon talks to King Apple about the peace treaty again.

King Apple: You survived, it's treaty time. So I have asked my best negotiator to come up with treaty ideas. Would you like to hear her? Merchant Melon: Yes. Negotiator: I propose that the treaty should state “In exchange for peace between the Apple Kingdom, the Banana Empire will pay very heavy taxes to the Apple Kingdom and its sole ruler will be the apple monarch. King Apple: Simply marvelous! What a wonderful treaty! What do you think of it Merchant Melon? Merchant Melon: That’s a terrible treaty, I’ll tell you the better version of that! King Apple: Well, if it’s that bad, then the negotiator will be executed tonight. Negotiator: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Merchant Melon: So the idea is that you will end your violence and hatred towards the Banana Empire, and seal the treaty with a payment of 1 million seeds. King Apple: Sure. I’ll grab the million from the negotiator’s salary. After all, she can’t take it with her where she’s going.

88 Scene 6: THE BANANA EMPIRE A WEEK LATER. King Apple and Merchant Melon go to the Banana Empire to sign the peace treaty. King Apple: I am here to negotiate a peace treaty. King Banana: Well, finally you decide to stop the war that you started! King Apple: I did no such thing! You’d better watch your words! I have allies here that are much closer than you think. King Banana: Ok. Now that we can sign, we can also take over the Vegetable Continent. (King Apple and King Banana sign the treaty. King Apple hands 1,000,000 seeds from his negotiator’s salary to King Banana and King Banana hands King Apple 1 million seeds). King Apple: Our first plan of attack should be to become allies with the only fruit that can infiltrate the veggies. We know them as the Tomato Kingdom. I’ve heard the kingdom is allies with all of the veggie nations but is slowly losing its good faith. Merchant Melon: Well, here we go again. King Banana: At least we can all agree that fruits are good and that everyone in my empire and your kingdom loves to eat apples and bananas. Merchant Melon: You guys will never learn. (He scowls). King Apple: Enough of that! My entourage has already arrived. We shall party for the rest of the day and night. Today shall be remembered as “National Fruit Day”!Celebrating all fruits! Butler bring me my fine apple juice. (Butler comes with a plate. King Apple takes a cup of apple juice from the plate and takes a sip). King Banana: Let’s party and sing the “Apples and Bananas” song! All: I like to eat eat eat, apples and bananas! I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas! 89 The Fruity Conclusion: The Sequel to the acclaimed “Apples and Bananas” Thomas - King Banana Sam - King Apple Scene 1: Vedh - The New No Melon MELON KINGDOM. Merchant melon is being sworn in as King melon by the melon Archbishop.

Archbishop: Do you hereby swear to serve and protect your Kingdom, Merchant melon: I, hereby swear that I will serve and protect my Kingdom for all of eternity. I am the new King melon, lets rejoice King Apple: Rejoice? King Apple thought in his head.. As to have a King this unqualified is unheard of in literally every Kingdom to have ever existed. King Apple thought to maybe speak his concerns but then again he was attending as a guest and even on melon standards it would be considered rude. King Banana: Can I get something out of this like a good party or seeds? King melon: Yes there will, as a token of gratitude, I will be paying every fruit Kingdom 1 million seeds. King Apple: There are millions of species of fruit. I reject your offer because as being a proud apple and their being over 7500 species of apple I do not wish to take 7.5 billion seeds from my ally. Also a gift that big would destroy all economy in the already small melon Kingdom. King Banana: Since I have at least 1000 species of bananas I get 1 billion seeds King melon: You will have those seeds. Now we will take over the vegetable continent by waging war! Join me, apples and bananas, in the true fight, the true showcase of passion and bravery. 90 King Apple: First we will have to plan. I understand your thirst for blood, but we must plan a attack in a way that will guarantee minimal loss of troops and supplies. I propose that we meet in private to discuss these matters further. Lets enjoy the party first. King melon: Yeah, lets go to my private meeting room. King Apple: Butler, bring me my imported star apple juice. King melon, you don’t happen to have anything other than these barbaric melon juices. Scene 2: King melon’s PRIVATE MEETING ROOM. King melon, King Banana, King Apple and their head Generals discuss plans for war and a safe route to enter the Vegetable Continent.

King Banana: I think we bait the veggies with melons. King melon: How about we sneak into the Vegetable Continent and poison their food with apple seeds, which according to my scientists, contain a strong poison called cyanide. King Apple: How many spies do you have in the AKCA. Or the Apple Kingdom Cyanide Association. That information is classified and if there are spies in my Kingdom from yours that could lead to a couple problems between us. I demand that you recall them immediately . But back to our plans. King melon: We will send our spies, all of our spies in all Kingdoms, to the veggie continent to infiltrate their Kingdoms. King Banana: Are your spies any good? Mine are. King Apple: My spies as you know are world class. With that problem solved another one arises. How do you propose we get them to the vegetable continent. King melon: First, we send a hurtle of melons, bananas and apples to the vegetable continent via catapults to declare war, while they are fixing that problem, our spies will dispose of all the veggie Kings and we will become their sole rulers. 91 King Apple: Your plans are interesting, but first let's hear what the generals have to say. Scene 3: 3 WEEKS LATER. melon KingDOM. The three Kings are talKing about how they have lost contact with all of their spies.

King melon: We have lost contact with our melon spies, what will we do? King Banana: We will send in a raid of melon soldier to find the spies. When they find the spies we will use the melons to be a blockade the spies as they get back. King Apple: You sent all your spies?! Amatuers. I being a wise King have spent only a small scouting team. They obviously have not returned and I do not wish to recall my spies in other areas. For now we have no one in the vegetable continent except the Tomato Kingdom. King melon: I have an idea, we will go alone and capture the continent ourselves. All of our time together has lead to this moment. Are you in it or not? King Banana: Nope King Apple: No, if we were to go alone and get killed our Kingdoms would all be in jeopardy. I suggest we poison their food with amygdalin which when digested will release cyanide in their bodies and kill them. We shall only poison the leaders food. WIth no leader their army will quickly fall part leaving the Kingdom open and easy for us to take. King melon: If any of you are true Kings, who really defend your Kingdom, the you will go alone. Besides, I will disguise myself and go alone, then poison the veggie Kings’ food myself, goodbye. KING melon WALKS AWAY. 92 King Banana: Why don't we just use melons as bait to the veggies as us the strong apples and bananas attack their flanks King Apple: Sounds Perfect! MEANWHILE, IN King melon’S ROOM… King Melon: I’ll put on a commoner’s clothes and sail myself right over to the veggie continent. King melon thought inside his head. King Melon: I order you, my advisor to ready a boat by sunrise. Melon Advisor: At once, sire. King melon: I will use apple seeds to poison the Kings food after getting a job as a chef there. KING APPLE WALKS IN. King Apple: You know I have spies everywhere. You didn’t assume I didn't have one in your bedroom. They overheard what you said and as your ally I will offer you some amygdalin for your quest. King melon: Thank you, and I think your spies will be hanged in public tonight. King Apple: Only if you can find them. (King Apple laughs.) King melon: My officers found them right when you entered, they were running through the hallway trying to report to you. King melon: Your plan will be used as a decoy for the real plan, my plan. King Apple: Ugh fine, but I must leave as I have to discuss war plans with King Banana. KING APPLE WALKS OUT OF King Melon’S BEDROOM. KING APPLE WALKS TO King BANANA TO DISCUSS WAR PLANS.

93 King Apple: Your plans are interesting, but first let's hear what the generals have to say. General Red: (Clears throat) I propose that we engage them on land and interrupt their trade to distract the leaders. General Green: I agree, that is an “okay” war tactic. General Yellow: We will use banana boats to tell their citizens that we are their new Kings King Apple: “Okay!” That plan is simply marvelous! It takes a great apple mind to think about trade,obviously not that the melon Kingdom would appreciate it as their leaders know nothing about the the terrible state their economy is in. King Banana: We steal all their stuff and throw the bad stuff in the bottom of the sea and keep the good stuff so we can be able to produce banana boats to announce the new reign of power King melon: No, will will not harm their innocents in any way, shape or form. King Apple: My advisor has come up with how we shall split the continent between are three Kingdoms. We will first make the tomato Kingdom remain independent as they are our allies. The rest we will discuss later.

94 King Banana: I say we attack in the shape of a banana. Have the melons in the middle, and apples/bananas on the flanks. The veggies will attack the weak melons enabling us to circle the enemy, therefore probably winning. King Apple: I propose with having the tomatoes on the vegetable continent and it still being the vegetables think of them as their allies we will use it to our advantage. The tomatoes will be in the banana shape on the back of the vegetable army. When the two armies meet the fruit Kingdom and tomato Kingdom army will enclose around the veggies and force them into a circle

95 Scene Scene 4: THE NEXT MORNING. melon SHIPDOCK. King melon: (In commoner’s clothes) I have to leave, you guys know the plans right? King Apple: Yes we do, You will pretend to be a chef, probably a bad one at best, meanwhile me and King Banana will wage war against the veggies. Then you will poison their Kings’ food with amygdalin and with no leader, they will lose the war. We will conquer the vegetable continent and execute any rebellious citizens. King melon SAILS AWAY ON HIS OWN King Apple: Lets contact King Tomato and send our armies to the vegetable continent. King Banana: Our generals know the plan, we are set to win. Now let's wait for King melon to poison the food.

Scene 5: 3 WEEKS LATER. In the Vegetable Continent, King melon is poisoning the last vegetable King’s food. King melon: Ah, some amygdalin right inside this disgusting carrot cake. KING Melon WALKS UP TO CARROT KING AND SERVES POISONED CARROT CAKE. Carrot King: Ah, thanks fellow chef. (He immediately falls over, no longer alive, after eating the carrot cake) MEANWHILE ON THE COAST OF THE VEGETABLE CONTINENT ON THE BANANA BOAT

96 King Banana: 3 weeks past, I think King Melon did his work. Generals get in position, we are gonna attack the Veggies now. General Yellow: We are in ready position. King Banana: Banana boat, full steam ahead! King Apple: My troops are ready. Let’s advance General Yellow: Sire, shall I command the apples and bananas into banana formation. King Apple: Yes. General Red, have the tomatoes and veggies arrived to the battlefield? General Red: Yes the tomatoes are in position. Sire, the plan you came up with is simply marvelous. General Green: Okay, CHARGE! King Apple: General Green have your troops spotted King Melon? General Green: Yes, I believe he currently leaving the Carrot Kingdom King Apple: Well that's a shame i would have hoped that he would have been killed after poisoning the King. A king can hope can’t he. General Green: How dare you, hey he is right there, waving at the shore King Apple: Someone go get him! He is blowing his cover! General Green: Yes, King Apple.King Banana: Ok, Banana Boat, dock at shore. (IMMEDIATELY, THE SHIP’S CREW GETS TO WORK DOCKING THE BANANA BOAT) King Melon: Ay! Finally you are here, I finished 2 days ago! (AS HE FRANTICALLY WAVED FROM SHORE) King Apple: I would have hoped you would stayed in the Vegetable continent. It would have been less work to deal with in the future. ONE OF THE CREW MEMBERS SUDDENLY UNSHEATHES A KNIFE AND APPREHENDS King Apple 97 Crew Member: If you want him to live undock immediately. (TALKS TO EVERYONE ON THE SHIP, POINTING TOWARDS King Apple WITH KNIFE) King Apple: A spy! How dare you threaten me. Crew Member: You better keep quiet, if you want to live. General Yellow: Guards be at the ready. King Melon: No, don’t do it, you’ll be very sorry King Banana: Yeah, bananas forever. King Apple: General Red, its raining Crew member: What? No its not. GENERAL RED SUDDENLY GRABS King Apple’S UMBRELLA AND POINTS IT AT THE CREW MEMBER. General Red: If you want to live I suggest you let go of King Apple Crew Member: Nah GENERAL RED GERMINATES A NARCOTIC USING THE UMBRELLA IN THE CREW MEMBER.THE CREW MEMBER FALLS OVER UNCONSCIOUS King Apple: Well now you know why my umbrella is malignant. Lets finally attack. Scene 4: THE APPLE, BANANA, and MELON ARMIES GO INTO BANANA FORMATION AND ATTACK THE VEGETABLE CONTINENT. General Yellow: Let’s divide and conquer. Melon soldiers go to the right side of the continent, apples to the left and bananas to the middle. King Banana: That’s an awesome plan my general. King Apple: Yeah, let’s do it. 1 Week LATER: King Banana: We’ve conquered the left section of the veggie continent. King Apple: We’ve captured the middle. King Melon: We have captured the right section. All of the Kings Together: Hooray, we won! All of the Kings Together: We love to eat, eat, eat melons, apples and bananas.

The End 98

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