Boishaaier 2024

Creative Writing

The picture was worth a thousand words

Bruwer Bornman, grade 9

Just five days after we matriculated, we were on a flight to Indonesia; not just on a mission, but to create lifelong memo ries and stories that we would cherish forever. Austin and I were both seasoned photographers, and we had been planning a trip together for months. Our mission was simple: to capture the best photograph ever witnessed. As we stepped out of the plane the hot, humid air flooded my senses. We paid a local to guide us, as we had no idea where to go. Our hotel was scruffy, but comfortable. After the sunset, the streets were as busy as ever. Knowing that the next day would be important, we decided to go to bed early. The day finally arrived. After an hour of riding about, we ar rived at a special, unpopulated island. It was 4 p.m. and we were waiting for the sun to set. The reef below us was vibrant with life. Now we had a real challenge on our hands; to find a reef shark was no easy task, but we had to do it. We rode and rode and saw nothing. The sun was almost down, and we had to go back, and then our guide shouted something. “Fin! Fin!”

This was our chance. We got into the water with the underwa ter camera. The shark was fierce and scary. One wrong move and we would be dinner. Austin slowly swam up to it while I got the camera ready. And click. We did it. We took the bucket shot. Now it was a race against time before the harbour closed. Bouncing on the waves at 100 km/h, holding on was a survival instinct. Austin and I were both laughing and beyond joyful, knowing we had completed the mission. We made it back in time and at the hotel we couldn’t wait to download the photo. “Downloading … 3 … 2 … 1 …” And Bam! There it was. The most beautiful work of art I’d seen in my life. The swimmer, the shark next to him in crystal blue water with golden rays of light bouncing off them. That was it. That photo would forever hang up on our walls. The story and memories behind it was what made it so special. I always question the well-known quote, but this experience has proven its truth to me: “The picture was worth a thousand words.”

A memory to be cherished

Willem Nolte, grade 9

I was just in the mood on that hot, summer’s day four years ago. I remember the nerves but also the smell of a victory you played a vital role in. I was batting at number three on that day, and was feeling nervous as all batters do before a game. Suddenly, I heard a loud thunk as the ball disturbed the off stump. I tried to swallow my nerves and walk on completely focused but they had other plans. It felt like I had a thousand butterflies flapping and fluttering around in my stomach. I tried to keep my face emotionless as I took my mark and got ready to face the music. I licked my lips and my tongue came away salty due to the rivulets of sweat running down my face. The fired-up bowler came charging in, determined to pick up two in a row. He pitched the ball up and instinct took over. I drove him through the covers for four from my first ball. From then on, everything was perfect. I saw the ball as big as a watermelon and all of my nerves went with that first cover drive. A bit of a breeze picked up and stirred my clothes, cooling me down. I felt in tune with my bat and totally demolished their bowling attack. We needed ten runs from the last over. My partner and I had a ninety-six run partnership. The first ball of the last over was a good yorker and I could only block it. We needed ten runs from five balls. The next ball was a juicy half-volley and I drove it for four. Six runs, four balls. The bowler delivered two excellent wide yorkers and it was two dots. Six runs, two balls. I was on forty-nine not out. He bowled a half-tracker and I dispatched him for six. Fifty runs! It was my first fifty ever, and golly, didn’t it feel good! We won the game with nine wickets and I got the match ball. Your first fifty is definitely a memory to be cherished!

106 BOISHAAI 156 YEARS