C

opyight 2012 Author Name and Author Name

All rights reserved.
ISBN:
ISBN-13:

Dedication
This book is dedicated to the students in second grade class of 2027 at
the Monarch School.

The Dump Yard

The Dump Yard

Alicia Chaidez

Sw went on his morning stroll looking at all of the plants and the tiny
creatures playing with the coral. A bit further along he saw a crab. She
had the brightest shell Sw had ever seen. He thought she was the most
beautiful crab he had ever laid eyes upon.
Sw went up to the crab and said Hello, good morning! My name is
Sw. Whats your name?
Brea. Why, whos asking? said the crab eyeing Sw suspiciously.
Me...I want to know because you are the most beautiful creature Ive
ever seen!
You know what, youre pretty charming yourse- Out of nowhere
Brea was cut off by a net that snatched her right out of the water,
leaving Sw shocked and confused about what had just happened.

Sw went and asked another crab who just came out of hiding in the
rocks. What just happened? Sw asked still in shock.
The crab was trembling in fear Once a week for the last year that net
has come and taken one crab each week. And that crab was taken to a
dump yard. Rumor says they are fed to an octopus named Jess.

The Dump Yard

Alicia Chaidez

Sw had never heard of the dump yard, but it didnt sound like a good
place. The only creature Sw could think might possibly know where the
Dump Yard was The Wiz, a wise jellyfish who had floated across many
seas. Sw decided to go and seek The Wiz for help.

The Dump Yard

Alicia Chaidez

Sw arrived at a small shack with a door that framed a wall full of

shelves. On the shelved laid maps with names of places Sw had never
heard of before. Sw hadnt even knocked when he heard the Wiz shout,
You must pay my price of a hammer heads first tooth and seagulls
feather, for me to share my wisdom with you.

The Dump Yard

Alicia Chaidez

Sw made it back to The Wiz and paid the price with pride. The wiz
was shocked how fast Sw got the items. He spoke slowly. So what do
you want to know? he asked.
Sw nearly knocked a bottle right off of the table because he banged
his fists down on it so hard. The dump yard! The dump yard! Do you
know where its at? A crab I just meet got caught by a very rude net and
I asked another crab where the net was taking her and she said that she
was being taken to the dump yard and was going to be eaten by an
octopus named Jess! He was heavily panting.
The Wiz looked up to where the light touched the water and spoke
very slowly taking a breath between every word. You will have to find a
sea snail named Gary and he would take you to the dump yard on the
quickest route. But beware. Your journey will be filled with many
obstacles.
Sw thanked The Wiz and went to look for Gary. Sw swam the reef where
the snails crawled. Gary! He shouted.
Hundreds of snails turned their head and in unity said, yes?
All of you are Gary?
Yes, they said. He couldnt believe it.
He gathered all of the Garys and shouted at the top of his lungs:
Who knows the Wiz? He looked at all of the snails. They all looked
clueless all but one. They all went back on their way, but that one little
Gary crawled forward. I know the Wiz! he said in a squeaky voice.
Come with me please! I have a very important question to ask you,
Sw said, bobbing in excitement that he just found the Gary that could
take him to the Dump Yard.

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Alicia Chaidez

Could you take me to the dump yard to go and save a crab named
Brea? Sw asked shyly rolling a pebble back and forth. Sure! Why not?
Its on the way from where I need to be. The more the merrier I always
say! Gary said jumping off his rock.
Could I ride on your back? Ive been hopping around all day and I dont
think my rock can handle anymore hopping. Sw asked avoiding eye
contact with Gary.
Why not? It wont kill me.
Sw and Gary set off on their journey to the dump yard. So exactly
how do we get to the dump yard Gary? Sw asked.
Its not too far but the fastest way to get there would be to travel
around and not through the reefs, Gary said nodding his head slowly.

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Gary didnt tell Sw about the two sharks that would have them do
a riddle to go through the gate. He didnt tell Sw that if they failed to
solve the riddle, they would have to pay them two chain links and a
cracked snail shell. He didnt tell Sw that if they didnt pay the price
and couldnt solve the riddle the would have to work for the sharks
until they lift a single piece of paper. Gary felt sweat forming on the
side of his head. Two chain links could be very helpful when it came
to building, chains can start at a very high price. Snail shells were
hard to come by as it was because there were so many snails in need
of shell so there were very rarely any available. Often, when you did
find a shell it was very fragile and would break when you touched it.
Hey tell me if you see any empty snail shells. Also how good are you
at riddles? Gary asked looking around.
Im okay with solving riddles. Ill tell you if I see any. Why do you ask?
Sw said.
Just wondering. No reason, Gary said looking around he felt a drop of
sweat rolling down the side of his head.

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After a while Sw reached a gate so tall that it almost touched the

surface of the water. It had a lot of pieces missing. Trash fell through the
holes in the gate. They knew they had reached the dump yard. But, the
gate was blocking the entrance to the other side. Did you know there
was a gate? How are we going to get through? I cant climb! Most snails
cant climb and if you can you wouldnt be able to carry me to Ill end up
floating away! Sw started ranting and freaking out.
Its okay. Well just go to the entrance of the gate and Im sure we can
get through. Gary said trying to calm down Sw.
They made it to the entrance of the gate. There was trash all over the
ground. He thought they must be close to dump yard. Suddenly, there
was a loud bang against the the humongous fence. Sw turned to look
and saw two humongous sharks. The first one had a lot of tattoos all
over his body. The second had tattoos but not as many, he also had a
big hook in his fin.
The sharks had deep and emotionless tones. Youll have to solve a
riddle to get through the gate. You only have three tries. If you cant
solve the riddle youll have to pay us a price of two chain links and a
empty cracked snail shell, and if you cant pay youll have to work for us
until you cant lift a single piece of paper.

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The sharks spoke at the same time What do you own, but others
use it the most?
Sw and Gary started talking about what you own and what you use
often. As they started talking they were really nervous they started to
stutter.
Sw shouted, your tissues!
Wrong, the sharks said in unison.
Sw and Gary started to tell each other their ideas; they soon agreed on
their next answer. Your name! Gary shouted so the sharks would hear
them.
Correct. The sharks said sadly opening the gate just enough so Gary
would fit, and then shut the gate with a loud thud that made them jump
in fright.
Gary and Sw continued on. They realized it had started to smell
worse and worse with each step they took. We must be in the dump
yard, Gary said. Theres trash everywhere and it smells horrible.
I think so, Sw said while looking around for Brea and any sign of life.

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Suddenly trash started rolling down the hill, pieces of trash crashed
on to the ground. Some pieces started floating away. They saw the net
coming around the corner.
Hide! Sw said as loudly as he could without screaming. Gary looked
around to see if they could hide and beat up box and ran into it so they
could hide from the net. Looking out a hole in the side of the box, Sw
saw the net with Brea and two other crabs in the Net with her. Follow
the net I think hes taking them to Jess- Garry said looking out of the
peephole with Sw. Im sorry Sw but I need to leave you I have to
continue on my journey, good luck and dont die.
The net didnt see Sw and Gary go into the box. The net continued to
take the crabs. He had reached one of the mounds he dropped the crabs
in what looked like a old rusty cage and left. Sw went up the mound of
trash to see Brea. He tried to open the cage right when he was about to
pull the lock off. Something grabbed him and let out a loud yelp in pain.
He turned around to see a octopus was holding him with one tentacle.

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Who are you? Sw asked trying to loosen the grip of the tentacles
wrapped around him.
You come into my home try to steal my crabs and you dont know who I
am!I am Jess the strongest octopus youll ever meet! The octopus
roared.
Your crabs! Those arent your crabs! They dont belong to anyone! They
have their own lives to live! They not them not any creature should be
owned! He yelled looking Jess right in the eye.
Why shouldnt I own creatures? Im greater than them all of them. I
should and will tell them what to do. And if they dont listen, Ill just eat
them up just like all of the other rule breakers! Jess said while
tightening his grip around Sw.
You cant control them like slaves! Sw cried right before biting Jesss
tentacle, making him drop Sw right on top of the cage. Sw quickly pulled
the latch off the cage and throwing the door open yelling Run. Run. Get
as far as you can he can catch you all! All of the crabs ran in all
directions.

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Sw ran towards Brea. He grabbed her claw and pulled her into the
box he was hiding in when Net had knocked the trash off the hill. Are
you okay? Did they hurt you? Sw sounded panicked looking at Brea and
hugged her.
Im fine. They didnt hurt me or anyone else. They just yelled at us to
be quiet, she said hugging Sw back.
Sw and Brea came out of the box and found the rest of the crabs.
Run for the gate! Be careful and quiet! Jess could still be out there and
the sharks might be there too, Sw said. Once they saw the gate they
knew they were out of reach from Jess. They were free. They could all go
back home now.

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The Dump Yard

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Alicia Chaidez

Acknowledgments

I would like to recognize Sara Islas for creating this part of the project
and pushing me to finish all the way till the end. Joshua Moreno of
helping me develop my characters. Melissa Castro, Maria Uribe, Anna
Villalbazo, and Lazaro Figueroa for helping me come up with a story line.
About me
My name is Alicia I attend High Tech High Chula Vista Ive lived in San
Diego all my life. I enjoy kayaking, fishing, and being with friends.

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