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March 2021 winners

Our prompt for March 2021 was to write a story featuring a seal.

Seals on a beach

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

Adult winner

Meredith Jones

The plush seal was a gift from Granny. Leo took it everywhere and slept with it tucked under his chin.

“Here’s a photo of the real thing!” I said. Its rubbery neck stretched like an eel; a wide maw showed dirty teeth.

Leo transferred his loyalty to a velveteen chicken.

Gaelic winner

Sarah Macbain, age 12

Tha an fheamainn a’ danns’ air mo bheulaibh. Chan fhaic mi càil ach an uair sin tha a’ ghrian a’ briseadh sìos tron bhùrn. Chan fhuirich mi fada mus tig ròn reamhar tron stamh. Ma chì e mi thig e gun fhiosta, an còta bog, glas aige a’ gearradh tron uisge.

Translation by Gaelic Books Council

The seaweed dances in front of me. I can’t see anything but then the sun bursts through the water. I won’t stay long in case a fat seal comes through the tangle. If it sees me it’ll come without warning, its soft grey coat cutting through the water.

Young writers (12-18) winner

Peter Bartram, age 12

Sammy the silly seal swims in the salty sea. Above Sammy is a lot of ice. Sammy breaks through a thin layer of the ice. She finds seven seals eating salmon. Six seagulls soar through the sky and look starving. The seagulls stealthily steal a snack. Sorry seals, supper’s gone.

Young writers (5-11) winner

Megan Woods, age 11

The selkie

She was tall, pale face, red lips and her dark fair hair blowing in the wind. I was hidden, did I dare approach her?

Before I could answer, she leaped into the water, splash! She was gone. Only a glowing pearly white seal swimming away into the sunset....