April and May Winners

Cameron Tran – Sophomore

There once was a young lady who was beautiful and talented in so many aspects, and also desperate for food and water. Her thirst was as a forest flower in the most arid of deserts, and her hunger resembled that of a bear or bird of prey, scavenging for their next meal. Everywhere she looked she could not find not one drop of clean water, or one morsel of edible food. Too dirty, too bland, too nothing. She needed something, anything, so she went to the local marketplace.

One day, a Royal official was walking through the world, looking for excitement and something new. He had traveled the world, changed lives, experienced the incredible, and amassed status, wealth, and worldly knowledge like no other. He knew every person, saw every place, and was always willing to share that love. As he was making his way through your average market, he found the starving girl looking for an apple, some leftover bread, hell even roots. But he didn’t see a girl clinging onto life and in dire need of help; he saw someone impeccable and gorgeous and worthy of a regal life. Sure she was tattered and seemed to be acting erratically, but no matter! This woman deserved the best life. A life fit for a princess. 

And so, he offered her to come with him to his palace; and of course, the lady accepted. He with the goal of helping her become noble and learned; she with the goal of getting any source of nourishment. It seemed obvious that an important, royal person must have tons of food and water [at] their disposal. Some might even call it excess; perfect for the girl then. But when they arrived at the palace, you know what the chivalrous man did? He called for the servants to take the girl and get her fitted, dress her up right. Of course the woman objected to this but of course again, the man was looking ahead. He knew that setting her up would help her, and eventually she could be free of worry and stress with all the knowledge and better clothes. So the woman was dressed and fitted and showed her new look, which she did appreciate and like a lot, especially the colorful robe. She liked it even more when the dressmakers paused for a snack break, and she got to eat and drink at least just a little before continuing on. It didn’t last long, and she was sent to go be taught with the man in their education areas.

Now the man and the woman got along pretty well, learning so many things and meeting so many people. But their goals couldn’t be any more different: the man wanted her to succeed, the woman was just trying to survive at the very least. And sadly, attempts to make progress sustenance wise ended up in well meaning dismissals. Instead of proper dinners and breakfasts, she got remarkable jewelry and access to so much art and knowledge, alongside some grapes and bread. Eschew meat and grain, and go for language and mastery of skills and some lemon water. To some, she was living the life. To him, he was doing an excellent job, though was worrying constantly about her fatigue. To her, she certainly enjoyed doing these things, but god what she would give for consistent meals.

Eventually this caught up to her, and on the 15th day of her new life, she fell ill. And of course, only then did he realize his errors. He tried everything to find a cure, he stayed by her every night, he pleaded to all beings and her to stay. 

She passed soon after. It was very quiet in the palace, with the workers leaving so the man could grieve. There were very little attempts at learning and building himself back up for a good while. I don’t know if he ever rebuilt himself, but what I do know is that every 15th day, he sets out a tray of food and water every night. Her only goal, his last respect.