The Flute by Matthew Hong Finalist

 

James was in grade 4 and he was eager to join band.  His mom bought him a shiny used flute.  After the first day of band, he came home and played for his mother and father. 

His mom said, “That was excellent, James but I am not feeling well.”

“Get well soon, mom,” said James.

Coincidentally, the following week, his band teacher, Mr. Hemmingway got sick.  Then his dad got a cold.

Soon, the kids in band were not showing up for school.  Ben ran a high fever and Stacey got hives that itched and burned.

James discovered that whoever listened to the music from his flute became cursed with sickness.  He went to the town witch and shakily told her about the situation.

 “I will do whatever I can to help,” the witch said.  But she tricked him and put a worse curse on the flute.  Whoever already heard it or hears it in the future would die a slow and painful death.  James mournfully sobbed as the effect took its toll on his mom as she slowly died.  Her last words were “It’s not your fault.” 

 When she died, James realized that he had been tricked and vowed vengeance on the wicked witch.

 James went to the witch’s house and through the window he saw the flickering fire in the fireplace.   He knocked on the door.  At the door, the witch let out a petrifying shriek when James took out his flute and played one last time.  She clutched her throat and gasped for air.  She fell to the ground and died.

 A police officer heard the shriek and went to the witch’s house.  By that time James was already gone.  In the house, he saw the dead witch.

 The officer radioed the station and told them about the dead body.  As he was about leave, he looked in the fireplace and saw a shiny flute.  He picked it up and said, “Hmm.  I could give this flute to my son.  He will be in band next year,”