The Difference of Gilbert

I made up my mind. I snuck to the river. The river was a large place which I grew up playing in. It was a very busy area with plenty of fish to eat. It could be a little treacherous though. The rapid waters could carry a young swimming bear for a far distance. The crystal clear water gurgled through the woods so that there was much for everyone to drink. The fragrant scent of the red berries filled the air, and gave a sweet taste. The colossal trees tower over the land with plenty of leaves and small animals underneath.

Out in the distance, Gilbert can see giant bison with furry necks drinking from the river. He could see its rippling muscles tense and its muscular but stubby legs stomp fearlessly through the grass. It's large ears perked up. His horns raised and there was a fire in his eyes. Gilbert just realized that he got a little to close. He gestured that he meant no harm and slowly backed up to the river.

I was two or three years old and didn’t know how to hunt. Whenever the hunting season came near, I would always be joyful for the chance to hunt. But, I wasn’t chosen due to my handicaps. A bunch of deep scars due to a pack of coyotes attacking when I was just a newborn and a birth defect which made my left paw looks weird.

But today, it's my chance. This bison will feed many bears and my leader would be so proud. My strong legs could just jump on the brown beast but I had to be careful. My stubborn mind just won't get off the bison. I just wanted to jump in and get them all but I knew I had to be smart.

Then, in the corner of my eye, I saw a stranded baby bison about 50 feet away from the pack. My pounding heart was full of excitement when I knew I could get a good meal here. I will try to get this one before the herd does. This is my only chance and I have to take it. When the bison turned around and bent down for grass, I swooped the baby as fast as I could and ran to the woods and got my first meal of the day.

I know that if I was caught hunting, I would be in deep trouble. But with such a good catch, they might change their mind. Almost nobody can catch a bison, it could feed at least ten bears, and it can prove me worthy to be a great hunter.

I was walking home with a successful hunt. I had to lift it almost with 2 paws on the ground and holding it with one arm. My left paw is pretty much an arm without fingers. My arms were heavy but with a good sized bison in my hand, I was proud of myself. I held my head high, feeling great about my catch.

All of a sudden, I saw a group of 10 threatening humans point arrows and sharp swords at my frightened family. Their bold faces squinted into balls of aggression, and they clanged their clamoring swords, swinging them around like propellers. They attacked our clan and stole all of our food. In a split second, my heart stopped, then pounded rapidly as I watched out defenseless family getting killed.

My mom was hit in the chest while trying to protect Sustine. Her aggressive hands struggled to pull it out. Her powerful yell of pain shook the trees. Mom gasps for breath, swung her arms around uncontrollably, which made the invaders take a step. She went into a frenzy and angrily slashed her claws around in circles.

My mother is brave and will do anything to protect us. With an arrow in her chest, she fought back ferociously but only was swatted back with swords. She suddenly dropped on the dirt ground.

I dropped the food and sprinted towards them. I saw my mom lying on the floor but ran to the attackers. I must fight back. I was sprinting forward but suddenly saw an arrow going straight towards me. I dodged it and looked up only to see the sun blocked with tons of more arrows. I moved from side to side, avoiding the volley of sharp arrows. My hand was lightly hit, but I shook it out.

I almost reached them when I saw a man jump in front with the sword pointing right at me. I swung around to get behind him. My chin was oozing with red blood, but I pushed him with all my strength. I turned around and clashed with the invaders.

I may be small and handicapped but giving up isn't an option.

My brown paw met with the shiny sword. I tried to push one away, but he had moved out of the way and lightly poked me. He came in to slash at me, but I stepped back. Once he swung his sword al the way around, I took my valuable chance and tackled him.

I got off only to see three surrounding me. I spun around in circles forcing them to step back then I slashed one. I turned around to see another one slash my leg. I tripped him as he tried to get away. The last one tried to pull out a bow and arrow but I just pushed him into a nearby bush.

There were some more attacking other bears. All the strong bears were busy hunting far away so I was the last hope. Our clan is weak without those great hunters. Whenever they go to hunt, they leave us behind to fend for ourselves.

I was very nervous because I never fought like this before.

I saw one human loading an arrow and about to shoot a bear when I knocked the bow out of his hand, furiously tackle him, then looked up to see who else wanted to fight me. I raised my right paw to fight another but my left paw was just deeply slashed by a sword. I roared and my whole family, wounded charged forward and fought back. I punched someone and chased two away.

Sustine fought hard, clawing at anything that got too close trying to protect our injured mother.

I was a little scared too because I saw all the wounded bears around me, but I never knew that I was capable to do so much.

The invaders ran away in defeat.

Just when we thought we thought it was over, we saw more of our neighbors getting killed. I ran over there. Then, I pushed one away. I saw a tall man with a bear robe. I stood on two legs and towered over his head. I roared and moved one paw towards him.

He blocked it with a shield and with his right hand, he thrusted a sword towards my chest. I rolled out of the way. He came in again but I went around him and slashed once which injured him and took his bear skin cape off. He attacked again and I used my claw to block. I punched him on the chest but he cut my shoulder. He slashed but then Sustine came behind and attempted to attack. She was blocked by the shield but now, he is defenseless against me.

I slashed him on the chest, pushed him away, then he ran off. I have wounded or scared away all of the intruders. But then I realized it was too late. Some of my neighbors and Mom passed away.

The rest of my clan returned. They witnessed the fight from a distance. I was called a hero and was invited to the great feast along with being able to hunt. The old leader was especially proud. He patted me on the back, roared, and gave me a deer. I went to a tree, teared up and mourning the death of my mother and neighbors. I dug a hole by the battle scene and put her in. I became the new leader of my clan. I soon had children and an everlasting group. From this day on, everybody in our clan soon knew that looks and handicaps can’t limit someone.

About the Author

Kameron Pham

6 Grade

Kameron Pham is the Author of The difference of Gilbert, The Epic Snowball fight, and A Taste of Freedom. He has put together this book of narratives to share his adventurous stories. Kameron loves to spend time in the snow or thinking about historical occurrences. Every week, Kameron wants to improve in Writing and all subjects. Growing up, Kameron loved to read Historical fiction or nonfiction stories. When he grows up, Kameron would like to be a doctor or a lawyer.