Back in February, we interviewed China Mieville, author of the new fantasy book, Un Lun Dun. We also asked you to "write a short story or poem about your town... the flipside of your town." Here is one of the stories we received. Congratulations to 8th grader Sarah Davies! We're sending you a signed copy of Un Lun Dun!
We still have 4 copies left! Email YOUR upside-down town story or poem to word@weeklyreader.com for a chance to win one of them!
INSANE LOUIS
-by Sarah Davies, Grade 8
There is a place that is quite strange. Some would even call it insane. In fact, that is the name of this place, Insane Louis, that is. Few have heard of this mystical place and only three or four have actually been there but the people who know of it will swear on their lives that it exists.
Insane Louis is said to be an upside-down version of
St. Louis. It is a place full of wonder and magic. The logic that governs the real world is lost in this one. There is only one way to get there and although many have made attempts to enter Insane Louis, it only accepts a select few each decade. Every year millions of people flock to the Arch in order to try out the fabled instructions. They pace underneath the monstrous structure twelve times and then chant the words "Insane Louis" 20 times. It is said that a door will appear to anyone that the town accepts.
A 14 year old boy was the last one to enter Insane Louis. He explored his new discovery for three weeks before coming back to earth. Many claimed that this boy was crazy until he disappeared into an invisible door right in front of a news crew. Now this boy brings back stories and sketches of what he has seen and done in Insane Louis.
Experts have come to a few conclusions after interviewing everyone who has been able to enter the strange land. One is that the landscape and weather there is quite different from the landscape of St. Louis. There are mountains everywhere that seem to grow like trees and the rain changes colors as it falls from the sky. The ground is icy yet the air is warm.
Even though the look of Insane Louis is different, the major landmarks and places of St. Louis all seem to be present with some very strange changes to them. The Arch is hot pink and sits in the middle of a lake. The Botanical Garden is more like a vast jungle than a garden. Busch Stadium seems to be abandoned yet it produces the very noticeable stench of hot dogs. Scientists are perplexed by the weird coincidences in this strange land.
Although only a handful of humans have set foot in Insane Louis, there are many creatures that inhabit it. There are dog-like animals that are scaly as fish and penguins that can soar through the sky. Ferocious horses with claws and razor sharp teeth seem to be the only threat on the land.
As the days go by, more and more people will try to gain access to this wondrous place and many hope that Insane Louis will on day open its doors to all. Until then, the mystery and intrigue of it will cause many people to dream of a world full magic, wonder, and unlimited possibility.
