Children's imagination takes flight at Mayo bookshop

A few years ago, we at Tertulia bookshop had the bright idea of encouraging children to write their own stories, and to make it fun, holding a competition with lots of prizes. The Tertulia Short Story Competition for Kids was born.

In 2023, we had 100 entries, which astounded me, but in 2024 we had 178 entries – even more astounding! Entries came from all over the county this time and from far flung counties like Kilkenny and Donegal. Westport’s Crossing the Line Productions Ltd has continued to kindly sponsor the event, and Mayo County Council also came on board to give support in 2024.

Once again, I got to visit many of the schools in the area. I was bowled over by the warm welcome I received and the fantastic engagement of the kids and the teachers. The theme this year was ‘Trees’, and I spent a number of privileged days reading through all the huge range of of imaginative entries that this topic generated. Acclaimed children’s author Sarah Webb was the final judge, and we thank her for her support.

Many of the stories centred on magic, fairies and creatures that we associate with the wonder of trees. There were stories of family trees and heritage too. Another popular theme touched on the power of trees and their crucial importance to the climate. After reading all the entries from all these amazing children, I was left with a feeling of joy, wonder and optimism about our future.

We had five categories this year, from 2nd to 6th Class, with six winners and 18 finalists. Everyone receives a certificate of congratulations and participation. We held a prize-giving event at the bookshop just before Christmas and had a completely full house. Here are excerpts from the winning stories. Enjoy!

Excerpts from winning stories

From ‘Tree World’, by Hannah McCallig, Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí, Baile Dhún na nGall, Co Donegal, winner of the 2nd Class category:

HI, my name is Hannah Tree. I go to Woody National School. My friend’s name is Molly Wood. She is very good at maths. So am I, but she is better.

I love to play rootball. Rootball is the tree’s version of football. But I also love to dance, but not any old dancing, it is called Irish dancing. It is really fun. I also love playing leafball. Leafball is trees’ version of basketball. I love all of my hobbies.

I like going to the shop with my mum, Carmel Tree. In the shop I always buy tropical bars. I really like Leaf Teddies because they’re so soft and smooth. I love watching TreeTube. TreeTube is the tree version of YouTube….

Hope you have a tree-full day.

From ‘Discovering Life’, by Iseult O’Reilly, Scoil Phádraig, Westport, Co Mayo, winner of the 3rd Class category:

THERE once was a little boy who always spent his time inside. His mum was constantly telling him he would regret it. He didn’t listen, but finally one day his mum made him go outside. He protested, but she made him go anyway.

When he stepped outside he first seemed a bit mad. But then a voice in his head said ‘Listen and look!’. Suddenly, he could hear birds singing, leaves bristling, flowers blooming. He could see beautiful things he’d never seen before.

He walked into the dark, gloomy forest [and] was greeted with a little piece of a log.

“Hello,” said the log. The little boy stood in shock.

“What are you?” asked the little boy.

“I’m Iggy,” said the log.

“How are you alive?” said the boy….

From ‘Fir’s Big Dream’, by Mark Coakley, Scoil Phádraig, Westport, Co Mayo, winner of the 4th Class category:

HAVE you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Christmas tree?

To be chosen from the Norwegian forest in December is all that Fir had ever dreamt off, but up until now she wasn’t tall like her relatives, her branches weren’t strong enough to hold heavy ornaments and she certainly didn’t have a strong pleasing aroma.

But this year was going to be different, she could feel it in her needles. She was turning 13 and had matured into a perfectly shaped spruce.

December 1st was a very exciting day in the forest, because the lumbermen came and tagged the most-perfect trees with a red bow. Fir held her breath as the men surveyed each tree, and then, just like that, they place a red bow on her branch.

She was taken to an underground warehouse. It was dark and cold. This was not what she expected at all. Her prediction was all wrong….

From ‘Branching Out’, by Emma Barry, Scoil Iognáid, Galway City, Co Galway, winner of the 5th Class category:

LOLA sat high in one of the straying branches of a giant oak tree. “Why can’t all your leaves just stay the same colour?” she asked. “You know I just hate change”.

The tree rustled its leaves in dismay.

“I personally like when your leaves are golden.”

The tree rustled harder this time, showing no approval.

“That’s just my preference,” she exclaimed, trying to get the tree to stop rustling.

The next morning as Lola went outside towards the oak tree, a crisp chill was sent through her body, from her head to her toes, wet from the fresh morning dew. A blanket of leaves covered the grass’s mossy green texture.

Lola could not believe that in less than a month everything would change. She had overheard her parents plan to move to the countryside, where rent wouldn’t be ‘as high’. For Lola this meant [moving] away from her friends, her original life and even her tree. Maybe that’s why she didn’t like the tree anymore. She was scared of a hard goodbye….

From ‘The Sylph’, by Leisa Davies, Castlebar Primary School, Co Mayo, winner of the 6th Class category:

IN a mystical forest, where sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, there lived a community of fairies known as the Sylphs. These fairies were guardians of the trees, each responsible for a different tree; the species flourished in their realm.

Each Sylph got a tree especially assigned to match their unique personality. Among them, a particular fairy named Cecile was tasked with watching over the ancient sequoia trees, some of the oldest and tallest in the forest.

Cecile loved to explore the forest, fluttering from one majestic tree to another, listening to their stories. The trees were wise and had witnessed centuries of change, their bark etched with memories of the past.

One day, while wandering deeper than usual into the forest, Cecile discovered that the annual gathering for the spring had begun. Lights twinkled everywhere, like stars scattered across the night sky, filling the trees with a warm, enchanting glow. Animals of all shapes and sizes gathered, their eyes sparkling with the lights surrounding them.

The fairies’ celebration erupted into a dazzling spectacle. Luminescent orbs of light danced through the air, and melodious laughter echoed among the trees. Vibrant flowers bloomed in response to the joyful energy as the fairies twirled and spun in a kaleidoscope of colours, celebrating their bond with nature, each shimmering under the moonlight.

Little did they know, their laughter and dancing had attracted evil presences, ready to disrupt their joyous gathering and test the strength of their unity and magic …

Bríd Conroy and her husband Neil Paul run Tertulia – A Bookshop Like No Other at The Quay, Westport.