August 2020 winners

Congratulations to the winners of our August 2020 competition. Feeling inspired? Have a go at this month's prompt.

Adult winner

Brian Maycock

Frank's last day on the show. Backstage, he packs Beaky in the costume box. Green feathers, blue beak, a cacophony of colours. A generation ago, the star. Reduced to the warm up act in front of a live audience that is cold to the core. Frank squawks sadly, walks away.

Gaelic winner

Robbie MacLeòid

Bha mi an ifrinn, fuar agus crom, nuair e nochd e rim thaobh. Calman beag caomh. Gràs am measg gràin is slabhraidhean. Leis gun do nochd e, bha fhios agam: bha dòigh thighinn ann, is mar sin, dòigh às. Sgiathainn a-rithist. Thog mi mo cheann.

Translation by Gaelic Books Council

I was in hell, cold and slumped, when it appeared by my side. A gentle little dove. Grace amongst hate and chains. Because it appeared, I knew: there was a way in and, therefore, a way out. I would fly again. I raised my head.

Young writers (12-18) winner

Daria Sabbaghi, age 15

With their beady, grieving eyes, ink-stained appearance and sharpened, hooked beaks, the old men looked chillingly bird-like. Trailing behind the sickness, the flap of their cloaks warning your loved one is passing. One for sorrow. Two for joy. Three it was a girl. Four it was a boy.

Young writers (5-11) winner

Eliza Alice Davison, age 10

I followed the rules. Gentle flapping, beak tightly shut and a soft landing at the right house. So how did I fail?

“I’m sorry Stanley Stork but you’re not getting your baby delivery licence today. It helps if you remember to pick up the baby in the first place!”