About This Story Series
This story is part of a special series written by students in Stephanie Christopher’s 4th Grade Class at Elkhorn Elementary. After reading Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, students were challenged to write their own personal narrative in which their main character must survive in an extreme setting. Using Paulsen’s writing style as inspiration, they crafted exciting tales of adventure, danger, and resilience.
Out of all the submissions, six standout stories were selected to be published in the Excelsior Citizen. We hope you enjoy these incredible student-written survival stories!
The Plane Crash
By Brooklyn Aurora Wenz
Emily, and Olive were going to their aunt’s house. Emily looked out the window, all she could see was the fluff of clouds. Then suddenly “ Bang” the engine went out. Olive screamed “Ahhh!” Emily said, “ It’s okay, it’s okay’’.
Olive was the scared one, Emily not that much. “ Bang” the other engine went out. There were only four on the plane, three people and a dog. The dog’s name was Rex. He was Olive’s emotional support dog. So when Olive screamed he came and supported her by sitting next to her. In a panicked voice the pilot yelled “we’re about to crash”!
Olive said, “ I knew we should’ve drove’’. Their Aunt Nina lived in Alaska, about five days Olive that that it would take 3 hours, but because they lived in Colorado it was far. The plane dropped and dropped.
“ BANG”! The pilot wasn’t moving. Emily, Olive, Rex were fine but it was super snowy. They couldn’t see anything. Then Emily walked out, all she could see was white. Thats all. Rex was happy so were the girls, they thought they were at their aunts, but they weren’t. They were in Alaska though.
Emily found some wood so that she could make a fire. Rex had lighter in his bag on his back even though they were only 14 they had a lighter. Emily grabbed the lighter and started a fire. Rex and Olive found a shelter they could sleep in, so in the morning they could find their aunt’s house. They would set off in the morning.
Emily woke up Rex, and Olive were asleep. Emily was hungry. She found a knife in her bag. She found a long stick and thought she could make a spear. Olive woke up and saw Emily. She looked at the lake. Olive said, “ I bet you could catch a fish in the lake”. Emily thought it was a good idea, so she did it. The first two attempts she missed. She tried again. She caught one! Olive lit the fire. Emily put the spear over the fire and cooked it. After, Emily cut the fish up so they could eat it.
Olive saw something in the distance. It was a light. Olive jumped in excitement. Emily asked her why she jumped up. Olive said, “ look there’s a light”! Emily was happy the light was getting closer and closer. They realized it was a person. It was their aunt! She came because she knew they were supposed to be at her house. She took them back to her house and sat by the fireplace and drank some hot cocoa.
