I stand high above the rolling hills of West Berkshire. All of this beauty laid before me, the world at peace in its cycle of death and rebirth, all in balance. Walking back home I cannot help but notice the silence, was it always so silent? The birds singing, children playing and the sounds of everyday life buzz around me and yet it feels silent. I keep walking, stopping to refill my water bottle and sit in the warmth of the sun before I return home. 

My eyes shoot open, the noise of traffic drowning out my alarm. “Go for a walk and get outside !” I hear my mum call out to me. It’s hot, it’s far too hot, so I search for somewhere to fill my water bottle. I settle for a plastic bottle from the shop so I can rest from the heat of the sun. It feels silent, I wonder whether I am still dreaming though we’ve all grown deaf to the sound of traffic. Reaching the top of the hill, I stare out to the rolling hills of West Berkshire. What do I see? I see smoke, I see nature struggling against itself, and I see humanity’s choice.

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Marianna Pieterse
Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
1 year ago

Ellie, this is a very thought-provoking story. I think humans have become deaf, not only to the noise of traffic, but to many warnings earth sends our way. There is great contrast in the beauty of the earth in the first paragraph and the picture of nature struggling at the end. Well done.

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
1 year ago

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
1 year ago

Ellie, this is a very stimulating story. It’s nice that you present a beautiful picture of the world in your story until you’ve slowly reflected on the changes caused by man-made pollution. I hope people will no longer be blind and dumb. I enjoyed and love it. I am looking forward to reading more stories from you. Good job.

Carrie OLeary
Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
1 year ago

Hi Ellie and welcome to Voice Club. You have demonstrated well two completely different landscapes in your story. I know the one that I prefer! Nature is struggling, but she is also fighting back. Well done.

Julie Harris
Julie Harris(@julie-harris)
1 year ago

A very nice story, Ellie, with an incredibly beautiful picture. Is that picture from the rolling hills of West Berkshire? Welcome to Voice Club. I hope to read more of your stories in the future!

Melissa Taggart
Melissa Taggart(@melissa-taggart)
1 year ago

That last line sure is a powerful one. Often we ignore the things that happen around us and assume “all will be well”, it’s sadly part of the human condition. Time to open our eyes and ears! Great job, Ellie.

Sandra James
Sandra James(@sandra-james)
1 year ago

Welcome and well done, Ellie! I like the way you have shown two contrasting pictures and given the reader something to reflect on. Such a beautiful photo – a beautiful view. It and all the other wonderful places on our earth must be preserved… and I’m hopeful your two views will be reversed the more we write and show the way – beauty saved, the other a bad dream we can wake… Read more »

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
2 months ago

Hello, Ellie. It feels so good to re-read this very thought-provoking tale about nature. Keep on writing and inspiring us with your majestic masterpiece.

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