Inklings Book Finalist: Rithik Atreya

Today we are featuring Inklings Book Contest 2017 finalist, Rithik Atreya! Rithik finished 3rd grade this past school year. The story he submitted is called “Sia’s Bird” We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did!
Leave a comment below on what you thought!

 

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Sia’s Bird

by Rithik Atreya
 

Prologue

+++++Lucius did not attract attention. That little bird was plain. Not much commotion occurred when Sia Agarwal showed off her pet. Sia was not popular. She was a new girl in the town. Sia tries to show a lot of affection to Lucius. But he doesn’t return the same back to her. He sometimes feels he might have a better life somewhere else.

+++++The bird simply kicked around, rather hard, attempting to knock the copper cage onto the floor. Never knowing, he would sometimes fall over. Once he vandalized a China pot since his copper cage toppled over. He would get wounded often. But Sia had a lot of care. A plain parrot seemed to not be smarter than Lucius. This was Sia’s opinion. From the area of Chicago, Sia’s hometown, they had moved approximately two-thousand miles from there. They were now located in L.A., California. As a punishment, there was a probation with zero snacks. Sia knew Lucius hated it more than any punishment. He was a bird with a huge appetite. This happened two months ago.

+++++Evening approached. Dinner (for Lucius) was the same daily thing. Bird food. That disgusting taste was the only thing his taste buds knew. One day Sia relocated the cage towards her well-known room. This was the center of all attraction. It was about one twenty square feet. She wasn’t rich, She was okay.

 

Metal Exchange

+++++Today was fascinating. The relocation to Sia’s room helped a lot. Finally Lucius’ popularity would increase a whole lot. Sia was in bed. Lucius assumed, literally assumed, that he could tell the future; which turned out to be a realistic proper one day achievement. His copper old rusting cage was going to be replaced with a brand new metal exchange! A call from the pet store occurred yesterday. The words clearly marked and projected with a simple small voice call.
The words were:

+++++“The production costs have exceeded a whole lot, due to tax issues affecting stock in our sale. The financial updates are very new. I’m very sorry for this misunderstanding, which brought up the cost to…$1,300!” Sia agreed with an unhappy expression. She informed this to her parents. Was this an infomercial? Lucius’ rapid mind raced through his brain like a shooting star. Sia called another pet shop. This one differed from the rest. The costs were all expensive. But individually, the cheapest one was the first option. Sia wiped her eyes. A tear rolled down her cheek. Lucius really needed a new cage. The next morning Sia’s parents agreed to at least check out the pet shop. In a while they arrived at their destination. Sia walked up to the desk. She cleared her throat. “Excuse me Madam, do you guys have a metal cage for birds?” Sia asked. “Please specify,” the lady at the counter replied. “A parrot cage, and a keyed lock, if you mind,” Sia specified. “Can you tell me the amount?” Sia asked. Sia walked towards her parents. Her mom whispered, “Sia! I’m sure the cost of your cage will be an arm and leg. I can’t spend too much on that bird. We never needed him. This will be your Christmas gift. Soon it will be your Birthday gift.” Sia’s mom never liked Lucius. Every year Sia would not get a gift due to Lucius. “Ma’am!” The lady at the front desk said. “Huh?” Sia asked. “Sorry,” Sia whispered. “You order will be ready tomorrow. Sia gave her a check. “Thank you,” The lady said. Sia and Lucius left for their house. She patted Lucius. “Everything is going to be alright,” She said. But Sia had not been ready for a problem out of the box. Money worries.
 

Christmas Bills

+++++Lucius looked out the window. The gleaming sun shone through a small opening in the Sia’s curtains. “Nice day huh?” Sia was sitting on her bed. Lucius could never ever find out when Sia gets up. But he knew that outside was below freezing. He had experienced the cold and dreary winter days. Never a few cold drops of snow would fall. It was the early morning of Christmas Eve. “C’mon! Let’s go get your new cage!” Sia said putting on her jacket.

+++++The number of trees was a lot but not as much as the tinsel. They were tied around trees and buildings. Sia saw Lucius shivering. Sia took off her scarf and gently wrapped it around Lucius. She reached the shop and discussed the metal exchange. They switched dirty rusted copper to brand new metal! “Bye, and thank you!” Sia said. This time it was another lady at the desk. “Wait,” The lady said. “I have something to tell you,” she said. Sia spun around. “What?” Sia asked. “I see danger. Danger in your eyes,” She said. Sia looked puzzled. “I’m sorry, I think I have to go,” Sia said smiling. She walked out. “Poor girl,” said the front desk lady.

+++++Sia hopped home, opened the door and went to her room. She put Lucius on her table. “C’mon,” Sia said. She gently let Lucius climb on her arm. She slowly kept him on his perch. “Aren’t you excited for Christmas? All the presents-” Lucius pecked her arm gently. “Oh right. No presents,” Sia replied. “At least it’s a fun day!” She said. “SIA!” her mom called. “I’ll be right back,” Sia told Lucius. “Look at this. The price for that cage is too much! THAT BIRD!” Her mom yelled. “Mom! Please calm down! He’s just a simple parrot,” Sia cried. “I DON’T CARE WHAT HE IS! SOON WE WON’T BE ABLE TO PAY MORTGAGE FOR THIS HOUSE!” She roared. “What?” Sia said. “What do you mean we can’t pay the mortgage for the house?” Sia asked. Her mom sighed. “Just go. Go from here,” Her mom said. Sia went out. Just at that moment, Sia remembered the lady from the front desk. I see danger. Danger in your eyes! This could be what she meant. Sia shook her head. “What nonsense!” She wondered aloud. This was really bad.

+++++The next day, Christmas didn’t turn out so well. This time a mail from the insurance company had come. This is what it said:

Dear Agarwals,
We have not received our monthly payment. Since it is
Christmas, we will give you time to pay till January
ninth. If we don’t receive the payment, we will not
accept you to have our insurance anymore. For
instance, if you don’t have enough, it isn’t our responsibility.
So please remember your due date for completing your payment.
Thank you.
Sincerely,

Your Insurance company
Malina Aber

For a kid like Sia, this was too much for her. Lucius on the other hand was not really understanding what was happening. But this was just the beginning of this tragedy.
 

Daylight on Dark Days

+++++December was coming to an end. The Agarwals had nearly a ten dollar bill. Slowly the dark days were coming in. They had sold a lot of items but had to use that money to pay the bills. But they still didn’t have enough for their insurance. The new year flew by. Still nothing. Nothing at all.

+++++This was it. More days flew by. Soon it had come to January ninth. As a bird, Lucius still wasn’t able to understand a thing that was happening, except the telephone ringing a thousand times. Sia was often depressed. Especially her parents. But then something worse began to happen. Sia’s mom had called her into her room. She leaned over to Sia and began saying, “Our only option to live is to sell- Sell what?” Sia interrupted. “Sell the bird,” She said. It is useless to say how bad Sia felt. In a day or so, Lucius would be off Sia’s eyes. Forever. But that day had approached. She gently stroked his fur and put him into his metal cage. “Farewell, Lucius. I’m sure we’ll meet again,” She said sniffling. Tears rushed down her eyes like waterfalls. She picked up a piece of paper and a pen. She wrote with her hand trembling:

If you have this bird, please treat him with
respect and kindness. His name is Lucius;
he would prefer that name than any other name.
clean his cage every day and give him a
meal that suits for birds. Try to avoid moldy bread,
And most of all do not let him get in contact with
chocolate. Thank you for your appreciation,
and please do your best to take care of him.
also, give him a shower. If you want to study
about this type of bird, it is called a parrot.
Thank you again.

Sia taped the note to the top of the cage. She again reached her hand into the cage to pat Lucius. She gave Lucius to her parents. But this wasn’t the end.

 

The Penultimate Peninsula

+++++As the wind swept across the roads on which the Agarwal’s house was located, Lucius had been sold. It was absolutely terrifying for Sia on the other hand. She had been with him for an extremely long period of time, but now that ‘Period of time’ was completely over. On the other hand, Lucius, was in his cage which was in a rusty unoiled automobile driving across the roads. Thankfully it was not a convertible. Lucius feared convertibles for one reason. Anyway, the automobile drove into a rickety road causing Lucius’ cage to rattle and slide back and forth. For one moment, Lucius thought he would topple over. But just then there was a thud causing him to officially topple over. The car skidded rotating rapidly in round circles. Lucius’ cage banged against the wall. Then the car window burst and shattered all over the floor. But the car hadn’t stopped. It still continued to skid down, down, down. Lucius came to consciousness when he felt his cage being held upright. There were people who had formal hats on and a uniform all over. There was a car which had parked next to the crashed car. It was saying ‘Emergency Medical Services’. Of course, Lucius couldn’t read. He was studying it with his black round eyes. His thoughts were interrupted by somebody saying, “Is everything okay, madam?”

+++++“Yes, thank you,” said the lady who was driving the car. Lucius’s new owner. “Do you need assistance driving home?” the man asked. “No, thanks. My house is nearby,” said Lucius’ new owner. “Just which way is hotel Quigley?” “Oh, it’s north of Parallel Avenue. Once you reach there, turn right on Crease Boulevard, and then you turn left on the Penultimate Peninsula. On your right, you will spot Quigley. “Thank you, sir. I am very messed up with my routes,” She said. The police smiled. “Try the car again,” he said. She pulled Lucius into the car. She pulled a lever sort of thingy. There was only the sound of the engine. No movement. “Try the ignition!” The police called out. The car engine roared. But, thankfully, it could slightly move across the street. Lucius slowly leaned down.

+++++In a while, the car had stopped in a parking lot. The gleaming afternoon sunlight shone into the smashed car. “Well, I guess we’re done with this ol’ car!” Lucius’s new owner said. They were at the Penultimate Peninsula. His new owner once again lifted his cage and took him outside. Finally, Lucius would get some clean fresh air! In front of Lucius and his new owner was a large building. Lucius caught a glimpse of very large letters spelling out ‘QUIGLEY’. Lucius’ new owner pushed open a transparent large glass door. “Welcome to hotel Quigley, Madam- Oh blimey! Is that a bird?” A uniformed man asked. “Yes, are there any objections on pets?” Lucius’ owner asked. “Yes madam. But we will allow only if he doesn’t come out of that cage. If by chance, we receive any complaints of guests anywhere around the building, we will have you to take him out. He is allowed anywhere except the lavatory, the lounge, and the bar. Also, try avoiding the cafè. Are we clear madam?” He asked. “Yes, we are.” Lucius’ new owner told the man something quickly and left the lobby and went towards the elevator. “Room 303,” Lucius’s new owner said. Lucius sighed. I am pretty sure you are thinking that birds do not sigh. But in this case, it was a bird-like sigh. Lucius’ new owner slid a key into a keyhole and then she opened the door.

 

George and Fiona

+++++“My name is Miranda. You better set the best example when my children come home” Lucius’ new owner Miranda said. She ripped off the note on Lucius’ cage and crumpled it into a ball. Lucius was horrified. She tossed it straight into a bin. Anyway, at that moment the door swung open. Lucius spotted two children. One was a boy and one was a girl. “George! Fiona! How was school?” Miranda asked. “Oh, mom it was great!” the boy replied. “Well, guess what? I’ve got a surprise for you. “Ta-da!” Miranda said pointing at Lucius. “A bird. Seriously, I come home happy and you give me a filthy creature? Man, you’re crazy,” George said walking towards his room. “Hey, watch your language!” Miranda shouted. “I don’t care!” He said and banged his room door. Miranda sighed once again. “He’s so cute!” Fiona said screeching. “I know right?” Miranda said with dramatic irony. Lucius could tell that because of her sarcastic smile. Fiona immediately dragged Lucius’ cage into George’s room. They both had the exact same room.

+++++George looked at Fiona. “MOM! Fiona’s annoying me!” George yelled. “Animals,” Miranda mumbled walking toward the room. “Fiona kindly get out of this room,” Miranda said. She always could never control George. After all, he was the oldest kid. Fiona began to cry. But, Lucius was the most annoyed. But he laid still in his cage. He kept thinking about Sia. He really wanted her back, more than ever.

 

In The Center

+++++George and Fiona were fighting literally every day. In the morning they fought over who got the bigger meal for breakfast. During the day after their school, they fought about who had lesser homework. And at night, they snored the loudest snores you’ve ever heard. Lucius was only peaceful around eleven in the morning. Thankfully, he would get a meal the same time Sia had fed him. But he had to manage to eat a new type of bird food. That was often delightful for Lucius because he would have a change in his old food Sia used to give him. But, still every day he would have a moment where he thought of Sia. It is very sad to lose someone you know very well. But, you never know what would happen next in life.

+++++It took a while for Lucius to figure that Miranda was a dowager. Lucius had realized this in his first weekend at her house as her husband never showed up, even, on weekdays. Lucius had not lost just one thing. He had lost everything except his new metal cage. Miranda’s inconvenience was at least better than Lucius’. Sia had erupted in tears that day he left. Lucius had remembered every small little tear of hers. Just at that moment, a light smell of smoke reached the room. The counter Lucius was on was directly in front of the window. Like anyone would do (or any bird), he looked out the window. Giant puffs of smoke were easing into the air. A building was burning down just like a rocket.

 

The Eye Of The Peril

+++++More and more smoke rose from the building. But worse, the building was attached to the hotel! Sirens filled the air. Fiona came in with her sibling and mom. “Did you see that fire!” George said clamorously. It was inconceivable for their family; other than Lucius, who denied living there but was reluctant, to not notice the burning building was completely attached to their own building. The person who called the fire department had only told the dispatcher that the building that was burning wasn’t that big. Lucius could not penetrate Miranda’s hostile criticism. Although it wasn’t that bad. Being annoyed wasn’t that bad. Fiona’s caring was not that bad. George’s hatred on Lucius wasn’t that bad. Even Miranda wasn’t that bad. Hotel Quigley wasn’t that bad. Probably one day everything wouldn’t be bad at all. First of all none of this would have happened if Lucius’s real mother had not been retrieved from the South American Amazon. In other words ‘Mission Amazon’. Suddenly, thicker smoke came into the room. It was too late. The fire had completely reached the hotel. If the dispatcher had heard that the burning building was connected to the hotel they would at least have a chance of survival. Hopefully.

 

Engulfed In Flames

+++++Blobs of disgusting air came into the building. That’s when the door heated up. Miranda slowly realized what was happening. Lucius looked outside again. But the smoke was so thick he could hardly see a thing. But after a while, Lucius saw a few spectators, ambulances, police cars, and only one fire truck! Faintly more and more fire trucks approached the hotel. But not in time for the fire to reach room 303. The flames first extended out to the kitchen. Miranda swooped out as fast as she could. It crossed the door and starting reaching out to George and Fiona’s room. They were already out and questioning Miranda very anxiously. When shattering and burning noises began to take place, the fire had come towards Lucius when suddenly – click! The padlock swung open. Miranda smiled at Lucius. She had finally done something nice. But this was no time to keep looking at each other. Lucius pecked open the cage and flew out through the open window. But something on his tail stung. He chose to land on a Sequoia tree right across the hotel. But as he lowered, his tail began hurting more. And then, he went down, down, down till everything was completely black.

+++++“Parrot? Parrot where? I need to see! Excuse me! Pardon me!” a loud voice was yelling. Lucius felt a gentle shaking. “Lucius! Lucius!” called a familiar voice. Lucius looked up. And that is when everything changed. The person was none other than Sia! Lucius looked in amazement as she smiled her biggest smile, looked her largest look, and patted her normalest pat. Sia looked at his tail and looked worried. Luckily there was a truck from a vet. So they left off in it.

 

A Deal

+++++Perplexed, Lucius looked around. Suddenly he felt a budge on his tail. For a second, it stung more than ever, and then it felt like nothing had happened. “You are lucky your bird survived in such a terrible fire. You’re also lucky that he only got a little burn on his tail,” said the vet. Sia talked to him for a few minutes. Lucius didn’t understand what was happening, but as he always does, he assumed it as something bad. During that time, Lucius reflected on everything that happened. Penultimate Peninsula, Miranda, George, and Fiona, Hotel Quigley, Engulfed in Flames, Many things had happened. Soon voices started calling out loudly in Lucius mind. “My name is Miranda”, “Farewell Lucius”, “Did you see that fire!”. Just then, Sia’s mom entered. “I talked to Miranda. We can re-purchase Lucius if you want,” She said. “Really? Thanks, mom!” Sia said. She lifted Lucius’ cage. “C’mon. Are you ready to come with me?” Sia asked smiling. Of course Sia. If this happens again you don’t need to ask me. Just do it! Lucius thought. He did a bird-like nod. Sia’s mom and Sia smiled. They both looked at each other happily. “It’s a deal,” Sia’s mom said. “Okay!” Sia said and hugged her mom. “You’re the best, mom,” Sia said. “Let’s start over our lives as a newer better life,” Sia said. “My life will be the best life anyone has ever had.

 

Starting Over

+++++Usually, I’m sure you would close your curtains before nighttime. Sia closed them, but not fully. She always left a tiny opening in the curtains so in the mornings, broad daylight would shine into the house. Sia’s parents had done something which helped them get their money back. This time, Lucius was sure nothing bad like this would happen again. Sia’s mom began to show more kindness towards Lucius, as Sia’s dad had gotten used to him even before he left to Miranda’s place. In memoriam of hotel Quigley, Lucius would always look right while driving down the Penultimate Peninsula. Life was much better now. Sia was right on starting over. Soon, it was autumn. Sia had to start her first trimester in school. But Lucius would always wait patiently. Those were all pros. There were also cons. Lucius had to eat the same old bird food. The new metal exchange for his cage slowly became the old metal exchange But still, Lucius appreciated living with his true owner. He was now officially, Sia’s bird.