THE SCANTY HOUSE

NOTE:

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MOHAMMED HAMZA BAIG

THE SCANTY HOUSE

THE SCANTY HOUSE

arly in the morning when the sun had hardly rose

up, the leaves were rustling, the birds were crooning a melody as sonorous, as a wind chime, and a chilly breeze blowing. Mark and his little sister Ella would wake up and play outside already in this crisp and frosty month of December. They lived in a tiny town in Nottingham. Probably Nottingham was one of the most amazing cities. The oak trees, dainty farms, and superb castles were all amazing. Mark was a tall boy, and had dark brown eyes, with brown hair, and was 16. Ella had golden hair with light brown eyes, and was only 9.

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Mark, wakeup its time for breakfast, said Ella. Huh? okay Mark replied tiredly. He sat on his bed and glanced from his window. He kicked a crumpled paper, which was in his way, and went to the bathroom, and then went down and sat at the table. For breakfast they got a small bowl of oat meal. Again, Mom? said Ella cheerlessly. You said you would make bread with jam today, but she continued eating. I ought to go early today said their dad. He pushed his chair back and left the table. When the breakfast was over, Mark darted to his room and started sketching drawings he was a great artist, even though he never took art classes. He also made a couple of paper planes and hung them on the ceiling. Mark, come here, will you? said his dad. He galloped down the wooden stairs to the living room. Mark, could you fetch some fuel, for the fireplace? said his dad. Okay, why not? said Mark. Here are 2 pence said his dad, and Mark kept them safe in the inner pocket of his jacket, and rushed off.

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MOHAMMED HAMZA BAIG

THE SCANTY HOUSE

On the way he saw birds chirping and horses drinking water out of a puddle. At dusk, Mark was outside sitting against an elm tree, and was writing poetry which was his favorite pastime. He wrote poetry about war and nature. While he was writing he heard a noise. Something behind the bushes, when he approached closer, jumped out from the bushes. It was a German Shepard puppy. He took him inside, Mom, look what I found cried Mark. Ella came in to see what it is. Please Mom can we keep it? cried both Mark and Ella. Okay you can, but you have to take full responsibility of it said their mom. Thank you Mom! they both replied gleefully. We will name him Max said Mark. Everyday Mark and Ella, played with Max. He loved fetching wooden sticks, and playing with rubber balls. Then Mark chucked a wooden stick on the tree, Max dashed to fetch it, and he couldnt come down. Ill help you said Mark and climbed on the tree, but suddenly *crack* the branch broke and he fell down.
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The next morning, it was very snappy, and Marks dad spilled the last bottle of fuel on the fireplace, and shook it a little, to be sure all the fuel has been emptied. The last one he said. Now, what will we do? said Marks mom joylessly. We dont even have a shilling, she sighed and left.

The same night, Mark ignited his kerosene lamp and watched the paper planes and his drawings. He heard some hooting of the owls and howling of the wolves and thought that, how poor we are. Suddenly a shooting star came by; Mark looked from his windows and wished something.
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THE SCANTY HOUSE

One day, when Mark was writing poetry, Max came in and started to find his bone which he buried this morning. When he was digging, *clank* Mark heard a queer noise, like some sort of metal, which was buried underground. He and Max dug the place until they found a small steel box with wooden borders, and the lock was broken. He opened to know what was inside; there was a paper and, it said. LEAVES OF THREE, LET IT BE Leaves of three, let it be? What could that mean? he murmured. He went to his room and started thinking about the riddle. The word, leaves must mean its a tree, but there is no tree with *knock, knock* Suppers ready said his mom from behind the door. Coming mom replied Mark. During supper he started to think again, and he gazed out of the window -it was quite blurry- while he munched up his salad. Then his eye caught a tree with leaves of three leaflets. Thats it, the tree with three leaflets, this matches to the riddle he said and rushed
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out. Hes always up to something said his dad, while he crunched a piece of carrot. He grabbed a shovel and started digging. He found a strange golden watch, with George William carved on it, and another box. When he opened the box, there were 25 pounds and 86 pence. He fled in excitement and told the entire story to everyone. That day, the family was very exultant, indeed. Can I see that watch said his dad. George William? So what, dad said Ella. George William was my father; the story happened a long time ago.

George William was a great general in the British army of his times. He was very rich. When he retired, he buried the money in the ground, and moved to Birmingham. No one knew what happened by then, said his dad.

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THE SCANTY HOUSE

The same night the family decided to move to another house, which was Marks grandfathers house. Before he died, he gave us the house, but we never went there as we didnt have enough money said their dad. The next morning, Marks dad brought tickets for the train that will depart to Manchester. Okay, I brought tickets for the train said his father. Just ready said their mom, while she placed some things in a box. Mark, come down were about to go said their mom. Coming mom Mark replied, and he rushed down and snagged some bags and they did a goodbye to their old house and went, to the station. On the station, they waited and waited, and then a man came. Are you fellows waiting for the Manchester train? he said. Yes Mark replied. It will

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come on two, and now its quarter past one, you could wait a while he said. After a long wait, at last the train to Manchester arrived. They paid the train fare and sat inside. On the way they could see cows, horses, and ducks in farms. They passed across the amazing castles and statues of famous people. After approximately two hours, they reached there. Manchester was very stunning. The ancient castles, tall buildings, crowded stores, and the colorful houses, they were all great. There were rackety
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streets with cars all over the place. There were noises of beeping buses and cars and hundreds of people talking together. It was not like the town where, in the morning the birds chirp and where the owls hoot at night. It was such a commotion, that Mark almost forgot to stay with his parents. When he noticed, he was lost in the massive city of Manchester. He became terrified and he cried MomDad!! but no one could listen to him. Many People passed by but he couldnt find his parents. He thought to report the police. He had 2 shillings so he took a cab and went to the police station. The place was very noisy and people were taking documents from one room to another, and like Hundreds of phone calls per minute. He entered the reporting office, May I come in? said Mark. Yes said someone, whats your problem? he asked. Ive just came in Manchester and Im lost here, can you help me find my parents? said Mark.

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The station is very busy today, I will do what I can he said. He asked a couple of questions and jotted them down on a paper. Here take this to the main office, my assistant will show you where it is he said and started to work again. Thank you said Mark.

*Knock Knock*. Come in said the officer. Mark told him the entire story and gave him his report. Well, perhaps it will take some time. Maybe days he said. See how much reports are summited today he said as he showed his a bunch of papers. You can stay in the police headquarters, for today he said and started sipping his coffee. Mark was sent to a room with only one bed, a nightstand, and a window. He sighed and sat on the bed.
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Meanwhile, Marks parents became scared so they called the police station. The officer told them that hes safe and we will send him to you as soon as possible, and asked them their address. Such a relief said Marks mom. Soon the police arrived with Mark at the house. Mark, over here said his dad. Mark ran to them, We were very scared, where were you? said his mom. Sorry mom Mark replied. Their parents really thanked the officer. When the police went, Mark said so, wheres the house? This said his dad, as he pointed to an awe-inspiring house.

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The walls were freshly painted with orphan blue color and brown wooden doors. The windows scrubbed and the floors swept. Everything was squeaky clean. There were lavender and tulip flowers and raspberry and gooseberry bushes in the backyard of the house, and white fence around the borders of the house. It was a magnificent and charming house. Come, look at the paint, said Mark. Dont touch it said His mom, while she was opening boxes. Mom, can we make a house for Max? said Ella. Okay, looks
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no problem to me said her mom. Ella and Mark went outside building a wooden house for Max. Max jumped and eagerly watched them build. Happiness came again to everyones face. The bitter and hard times surely paid off and the family lived happily ever after, but thats not the end of the story.

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AFTER 2 YEARS His father started to work in a hardware store and after several months he actually owned one. His mother worked as a teacher at Manchester elementary school. Ella started studying in the same school which her mom teaches in. Mark studied for his M.D degree in the University of Manchester. From that day things really went great. Now, if you see them, you could never tell that they were poor once. Time can change anything, but its the struggle that you dont get changed by time.

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THE END

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