I am Africa Matthias Pascall, Year 6 I am Africa. I go on forever, And shall never fade till the end of all. My patron is mother nature… I know why painted dogs come in packs painted in splotchy patterns; Why lion roars; why zebra is cloaked in black and white stripes; Why cheetah runs faster than light; why meerkat digs up scorpions; Why snakes slither; why stealthy leopard climbs; Why mighty elephant charges; why bee stings any trespasser; Why crocodiles bite anything; why bugs crawl at night or day; Why vultures circle the dead; why people walk; Why leaves are small and thorns are sharp with flowers in white. I know where new bushes will grow; I know which herds will migrate through great plains; How many fish in a lake; how many beasts in a herd; Why caves are open deep in the ground; Why diamonds shine with rainbow brilliance; Why men have work on fields of crop… I have been a great stone, I have been a joyful dog, a vast field, a piece of bark on a tree, An old shovel, a mighty axe, a spear thrown by an arm, A springing impala, a working oxen, a swimming duck, I was battered and moulded on a spinning wheel; I got smashed on the stony ground was drying And wandering wilder beast trod on me. For tree long days I was in his steely hoof. I have been shaped, I have been grown. I am Africa. 25th of April 1915 Marcus Mo, Year 6 It was 0415 and we were slowly heading for shore. We were on the boats, ready to fight, rifles at the ready, loaded by our sides. We had landed on the wrong part of the beach and were in danger of getting killed. We had to shoot up at the Turkish soldiers but it was too late. The sound of gunshots rang in my ears. The air was heavy with the stench of blood. Without warning, machine guns fired down upon us. I knew I had made the wrong decision but I had to push on. Shells flew past my face. As I went to dodge a bullet, I saw it pierce my friend… I am Harold Barker and this is my Gallipoli.