We are having a new contest! <img src="http://www.ldwforums.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.ldwforums.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Here are the rules to " The Tale of Two Villagers Contest ":

1) Tell a Short Story or Poem of Two Villagers: a male villager and a female villager (the male and female can be adults, children or a mix - up to you!)
2) The Story and Names must be original (no names that are already in Virtual Villagers: A New Home, no copying names that others have already posted, and no copying the same story of others).
3) The Stories and Names must fit the VV theme and be E-rated!
4) Names can be maximum 10 Characters long.
5) Deadline November 26th!

The winner will have the two names of the characters from his/her story inserted in Virtual Villagers Chapter 2!
Have fun! <img src="http://www.ldwforums.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

PS. If you have already written a story in the other threads, you can adapt it to fit the contest rules and enter it by posting it here.

Guess I'll be having a go. Was running out of topics anyway LOL !"!!

Darn I did my best story when I did the Hard Tribe. So I may try and rack my brain and see what I can do.

Is there a list anywhere of what names are used in VV? I'd hate to use one by accident and get disqualified!

For as long as she could remember, Cactus had been different. When she was a little girl her name had been Lillian, but she was always amazed with the cactus, for it was rumored to have astounding medical powers. So it was Cactus.

When she was a small child, running wild about the village with no mother and no home and no worries, she was as indifferent to her own strange self as she was to the dirt she kicked up with her bare feet. But as Cactus soon learned, all things must change, and not necessarily for the better. For Cactus had a strange and uncanny love for learing, she gathered all the knowlege she could catch into her mind and still searched hungrily for more.

Cactus worked as a researcher, and although work at the research table was sometimes boring (for, after all, there is only so much that one can learn at a table), it certainly was a good place to hear things--things consisting mainly of gossip. The day she turned eighteen Cactus heard an especially chatty girl about her age, discussing--her!

"Oh, Cactus is weird all right," said the girl, not paying any attention at all to her research. "But you know Ettan--he doesn't want some ordinary girl, he wants someone exotic, maybe even smart. And if Cactus isn't smart..."

Everybody laughed, and Cactus blushed. She quickly turned back to her work. But in the days to come, she payed close attention, to how Ettan, a muscular builder of about twenty-one, treated her. He often spoke to her when nobody else would, and even showed her a few building tricks. One year later, he asked her to marry him.

Cactus told him she would think about it, and went home with her head in the clouds. On the way she passed Mia, the girl who had been gossiping about her so long ago at the research table.

"Oh hello, Cactus," said Mia, smiling and speaking warmly, which was completly unlike her. "I saw you with Ettan today."

Cactus felt her face flush, although it was mostly with pride. "He's asked me to marry him."

"Yes," said Mia, still smiling. "Well, Cactus, I have a preposition for you. I'm not quite sure you're Ettan's type. What if I told him, very politly, that you would not like to marry him."

"N-not?" stammered Cactus, running a hand nervously through her coal-black hair. "Why--"

"I'll tell him tonight," answered Mia, and ran off through the fading twighlight.

Cactus stood, unbelieving, as if she were carved from stone. What could Mia be up to? And did she really think that Ettan would listen to her?

It seemed impossible to go to bed, now that her head was filled with thoughts of Mia, Ettan and herself. Cactus crept through the night, a shadow in the dark, an invisible ghost. She found her way to the research table.

Unsure why her feet had led her there, or if she had even been lead here at all, she began to sort some papers chronicaling past events. The arrival on the island. The discovery of farming. The final, bittersweet moment when the last origional had died. Every event had a story to tell, and every event was, somehow, not the one Cactus was looking for.

She was just about to leave when she saw a thin sheet of paper flutter to the ground. She picked it up and squinted to read in the glaring but insufficiant moonlight:

All those who care for our small island
Beware the golden child of Ettan
For laziness will take its toll
Isola will never again be whole

On the back was a little note: Reviewed by Mia

Cactus was once again overwhelmed by the frozen feeling. THIS was why Mia had tried to stop her from marrying Ettan! She had uncovered this ancient prophecy, spelling doom if he bore a child. But had she done it because she wanted to prevent a disaster? Or because she wanted to birth the precious, deadly child herself?

Suddenly Cactus felt her supply of breath being cut off. She gasped for air, and heard a voice above her: "Seen enough?"

Mia! Cactus struggled and struggled, cursing her captor, but the bonds held tight. Mia was dragging her...somewhere.

Mia stopped, panting, at the lagoon. "I know the ocean was closer," she gasped with a maniacal glint in her eyes, "But I wanted to drown both of you somewhere more, oh, romantic"

Cactus looked around and saw Ettan, shivering and bound as she was, sprawled on the rocks nearby. "Just let us go!" she cried to Mia, pleading with her dark eyes. But her words were muffled.

"I'm sorry, Cactus," Mia said, looking truly apologetic. "But you must understand. With the birth of Ettan's child, Isola will be lost. Your life will be honored forever for helping to save the island."

With that she pushed Ettan into the bubbling water. Cactus had just enough time to see the love of her life's terrified face before he was submerged.

Cactus looked at Mia with tears and pure hatred in her eyes, and then Mia pushed her into the water to join her beloved. But the bond on her left hand, which had scraped agianst a sharp gray rock, broke loose, and she grasped a rocky wall just in time. With a cry of rage, Mia dived in, but she misjudged the distance and hit her head on a sharp stone. It cut across her scalp, and crimson blood filled the water.

Cactus stared in amazment. Mia was gone! But her jubilation turned to sorrow when she remembered the price that had been payed. Ettan was dead. Had Mia truly believed she was helping Isola? Or had she acted with rage and jelousy that Ettan was in love with shy, bookish Cactus? None of that really mattered now, as Cactus stared despodently into the swirling red water, and that was what she was doing when, hours later, she was found, half dead, clinging to a rock, her face pale and forlorn.

Exploring the cave one day, on the sly, keep away they'd been told
She tripped falling against a rock which moved then quickly rolled
Siddique was through and quick as a flash grabbed Topaz by the arm
Giggling they ran on and on oblivious to any harm
By nightfall their parents were worried, where could the children be
With the Elders they went to search the caves but nothing could they see
Topaz, like any 13 year old, became anxious and started to cry
The animal calls sounded much more fearful under the black night sky
In a hole in a tree they cuddled up tight and before long fell asleep
They had no idea where they were lost in the jungle deep
The warm morning sun woke them up at dawn and together they looked around
Siddique found water, some delicious fruit and then they were homeward bound
But the opposite direction was what they had taken further away they went
But a Goddess on high took pity on them, with a wave of her hand her blessing sent
Siddique took Topaz's hand, to show that he cared, and onward the children went
By midday they reached the edge of a cliff and with caution the pair looked down
Endless jungle they saw stretching ahead no sign of life from a nearby town
A well worn path beneath some bushes was what they happened upon
They followed it down till the light grew dim then rested till the following dawn
But they didn't wake up and slept right on didn't hear the bushes rustle
Siddique started up and in front of him stood an ape so full of muscle
He let out a small cry which Topaz heard and quickly she jumped to her feet
His head thrown back the ape gave a roar as his hands on his chest did beat
Our 2 little strays in horror fell to the ground at his feet in a faint so deep
Unknown to them another appeared took a look and began to weep
Her babies she'd lost not long ago and her instincts were running high
The great male picked them up so carefully the female let out a sigh
A long time has passed since this all took place in the jungle far away
Not Tarzan and Jane there's more tocome to you I have to say
Our 2 little kids grew up fell in love all under the apes watchful eye
They had kids of their own built a new home would be happy till the day they die
But apes live a long time and over the years Mom felt this just wasn't right
To her grandkids she motioned she pointed West faint smoke was just in sight
With tears in their eyes they said their farewells our 2 siblings moved along
Frightened they were as their parents had been but to cheer up they sang a song
Two days went by when the pair came upon a few people and a small hut
Were taken in and looked after well by now they knew their own kind……..but
Oft nights they would sit and reminisce about why they were sent away
I know you are wondering what comes next what else………… they lived happ-i-lay !!

Can two Forum members collaborate on a story?

Carla and I didn't consider that possibility when we were deciding on the "rules" for the contest, but I don't think that it would be a problem. After all, the prize is having the two names from the story appear in the next chapter of Virtual Villagers, and it shouldn't matter if two people collaborate on the story.

Well, I know it said story or poem. So all I could come up with was a short poem.
-------------------------------
There was a lass named Patoo.
Who was unable to find the loo.
So she decided to ask for a clue.

I can give you a hint said Idod.
It’s near the place we store the cod.
The place where gone growth is thought odd.

Please I’ve been looking for hours,
Said Patoo as her face sours.
Idod revealed, It is the strange dead flowers.

That's gross Patoo quickly snorts.
Better than the adults Idod exhorts,
I believe they go in their shorts
------------------------------

Bill

I had a grand thought for a story but till i got time to sit down and write this is all i came up with. Awe well.

The Diary of Syriana

The day before the full moon.

Today I turned 14. Although it was not as happy a birthday as I had hoped for. Mom and Dad say that the volcano on this island is going to erupt soon. Many villagers are really scared because we know no other place to call home. It has been smoking for a couple days now. I got a green dress that my mother made and a pearl necklace that my mother also made from pearls that my dad found while fishing. I really like them. My dad is a very skilled builder and farmer, and my mom is an apothecary. I have a little brother too named Simon. I also got this little journal to practice my writing in. Mom says it’s good to write things down so we may learn from our past and never forget it. I got to play with some friends today too for a little while. We played ring around the rosie and skipped rocks across the pond.

The day after the full moon.

I was not able to write for a couple days because in the middle of the night on my birthday the volcano erupted. It was very scary. People were screaming. I awoke to the sound of a very loud noise and mom and dad came running in to get me and Simon. Our small hut was near the water and a lot of villagers had small boats ready in case the volcano erupted. We grabbed some small things we had packed and ran to our boat. Mom and dad began to paddle really fast. A lot of people did not make it to their boats as the volcano came very suddenly. Mom said that Lady Eowen, our goddess, had spared us that night and blessed us for being faithful followers. We did not have much food and it won’t last long. The sun gets really hot during the day and it’s really cold at night. Hopefully we spot land soon. We lost sight of all the other boats in the first night. Simon is 6 and was normally very talkative but he hasn’t spoken since the night the volcano erupted.

5 days after the full moon.

The food is almost gone now. We pray to the goddess every night for some sign of land. I have not been feeling well the past couple days. Mom says it is probably heat sickness. Mom and dad paddle as much as they can during the day but we can not much more than drift during the night. Hopefully we find something soon. Simon and I play little games sometimes and I let him draw pictures in the back of my journal. We try to get him to talk but he still just shakes his head. He has nightmares at night too.

8 days after the full moon.

We finally spotted land today. Dad says it’s only about a day off. Finally Eowen has come through for us. Our food would have run out in a couple more days and we were only eating small meals already. Dad has lost a lot of weight. We will be on land soon. Simon finally started talking today. Mom said Eowen must have come to him the night before and gave him back his speech.

10 days after the full moon.

Our boat was destroyed as we approached the shore. There were really sharp rocks surrounding the small island. We managed to swim the rest of the way. There is only a small inlet and the rest of the island as far as we can see is surrounded by thick jungle. We hope that Eowen will bless us with safety here. Dad constructed a small bamboo hut with only one room for us to stay in. I help mom collect berries during the day while dad tries to catch fish and works on improving our hut. It has not rained since before my birthday and the land is dry, but at least we have berries and fish. Simon follows me and mom around and carries a little basket of berries. He likes to help us.

11 days after the full moon.

We finally got rain today; it was nice because mom, Simon and I danced in the rain. We have not seen any of our fellow villagers since the first night on the water. Mom says hopefully Eowen blessed their travels as well and they made it safely to land. Dad added a room onto our hut today and said that was mine and Simons room. I found a little garden today on the east side of our inlet near the jungle. Mom warned me not to venture in and said it was dangerous but told me if I water it every day flowers will grow. I saw a little monkey today too, he was eating some bananas. Me and Simon played with him a little bit when mom was gathering berries.

The night of no moon.

Dad managed to catch some crabs today for us to eat. They were really good. I have gotten my strength back too. My little monkey friend comes around in the afternoon and plays with me and Simon in my little garden. Dad found a small crate today floating just off shore and brought it back to our hut. It had some tools in it, probably from another villager’s boat that didn’t make it. The tools will help dad work around the island. We have seen things around the island that make us believe there was once villagers here too. The run down garden, a semi carved stone on the east side and we found a broken basket near the jungles edge. There is a cave on the north side of our inlet that is blocked by some large boulders as well. We wonder what happened to them. Mom says Eowen will protect us.

10 days before the full moon.

We have a surplus of food now in a storage hut that dad built. We have decided to carve the stone to honor our goddess Eowen. It will take a couple days. Mom also found some herbs around the island that we can use as medicine. There is a small lagoon to the north west of the berry patches. This is where we wash our clothes and bathe. It is really pretty. The water comes off a small waterfall into the little lagoon. The water is very refreshing and sparkling blue. This is what we use as drinking water also. Still no sign of other villagers. We hope maybe some landed on another part of the island. Dad may go exploring tomorrow. Eowen has been good to us.

7 days before the full moon.

Dad went exploring a couple days ago and to our surprise he came back with a friend of ours, Mr. Tuman. He was pretty sick and mom tended to him most of the day. He said no one else that was on his boat made it and his boat too was destroyed on the rocks of the island. Dad says he will make it ok, and can help us to start a new village. Mom found a plant near the lagoon that has very special fruit that makes us feel really good. It also helped Mr Tuman to get better sooner. Mr. Tuman was an alchemist in our old land. He will be of great help to us here. He said he once read a book at our village library about an island called the Island of pearls. He wonders if this is where we are. The book was very vague and was based on a travelers account who had landed on our island a long time ago. He spoke of a prophecy involving a golden child, and treasure. He said it is unknown what had happened to the other villagers on the island as the traveler had refused to talk about it but he is pretty sure this is the island he read about. I wonder if we are on the Island of Pearls.?

4 days before the full moon.

Dad and Mr. Tuman built another hut today so he could have a place of his own to live. We are doing pretty good in our new home. My garden has some pretty flowers in it now too. Me and Simon have been watering it with water from our lagoon every day. Mom gave me some great news today. She told me that Eowen has blessed us greatly in about 9 moon cycles they will have a baby. I am very excited. Mr. Tuman was able to combine some of our herbs and make them stronger as well. We also finished the statue honoring Eowen yesterday. It looks as though things are going pretty good for us now. It is sad what happened, and I miss my friends, but Eowen has been good to us and I thank her every night.

The day of the full moon.

It has now been one moon cycle since we left our old island and everything we knew. I have learned a lot since we landed here on this island and I take care of my brother Simon a lot while mom, dad and Mr. Tuman work. Mom says maybe one day my writings can go into our new library that we plan to build here. I wrote a little poem today. Here is how it goes.

On this island we now call our land
With a small white beach all covered in sand
A Lagoon up north with water crystal blue
A garden to the east that we have made a new.

A prophecy of a child covered all in gold
On this island of pearls where a story was told
A home weve made with Eowens blessing
A new life we build with each days passing.