September 2021 winners

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

Adult winner

Carrie Shearer

Anxiously peering through the cat flap, I could see my three year old watching cartoons with intense concentration. “Chloe, Mummy’s locked out! Can you reach the key for me?”

She glanced round, clocking my face squished against the tiny door.

“Silly Mummy” she sighed before turning back to the TV.

Gaelic winner

Fionnghal NicAonghais

Bha seudachan fiodha mo sheanmhair daonnan air a’ bhòrd-sgàthain aice.  Nam nighean òg, chuirinn mun cuairt an iuchair bhìdeach airgid, a dh’fhaicinn dè bha na bhroinn.  Àilleagan dha m’ àilleag, chanadh ise, a’ suaineadh car-neamhainn mum mheuran.  Tha mo mheuran nas preasaiche niste, ach tha na pèarlichean a’ soillseachadh fhathast.

Translation by Gaelic Books Council

My grandmother’s wooden jewellery box was always on her dressing-table. As a young girl, I’d turn the tiny silver key to see what was inside. Jewels for my jewel, she would say, winding a string of pearls around my fingers. My fingers are more wrinkled now, but the pearls still shine.

Young writers (12–18) winner

Ruby Holly Shrehorn, age 16

Everybody has a key. Each key is different... some are big bricks; machine parts; little needles; paper knives. Everybody has a key. It unlocks potential; purpose. The keyless cease to exist. We wander alone, lost, confused! Where do we go, without a key? I think, instead, that we are free...

Young writers (5–11) winner

Franek Kilimnik, age 11

A key was at my door step, I picked it up, opened my imagination. It made me see everything in a different way, my head hurt so I put the key in a bin. I instantly felt better, I was glad I put that key in the bin.