Tor and His Magyk Hammer

I got up after my fall and dusted off my cyan clothes cursing at a mud spot on my trousers. Slowly and carefully, I continued walking up a narrow, winding staircase, dreading the sharp twists and turns.  I had never liked this staircase as climbing it meant Test Day.  Test Days were the most horrible days of my life.  As I am the supporting male of my family, I not only have to take the children's test, but the Head of Family test as well.  This is what I have come to do.  I score well on both tests usually so we live in Cyan district, a very comfortable place.  We are supplied with clothes for the members of our family in the district color and the old clothes are given to people moving up into our old district.

"State your name, district, room number and reason to be here!" the guard cried, staring fiercely at me.

"My name is Tor Torsson, I live in the Cyan district.  I live in Block G, Floor 7, Hall 223 in room 16.  I support four other children, Odin Torsson, Freya Torsdottir, Frey Torsson and Balder Torsson.  I am here to take the Head of Family Test."

"Alright, Mister Torsson, go to Seat 223-16-7.  Hurry up now!" he said winking.  Moments later, he whisked me into the shadows of the room and handed me a small hammer saying, "Keep this safe and good luck, little one!"

Two hours later, I walked out of the stinky, dark building waiting to hear the test score and what division we'd be moved up to.  I heard a bell ring the hour and a couple seconds later, the voice of the Head Examiner was heard in the large courtyard.

"My friends, the time has come to announce your test scores and your new district," he said, enunciating each word perfectly.

"Almer Abraham, 85%, Red; Adair Algernon, 88%, Scarlet; Jamin Barthomelew, 83%, Orange; George Cavahar, 75%, Green; Derrick Dorham, 90%, Magenta; Drako E Edinsson, 80%, Red..." and so one he rambled, reading off a paper, until he reached the "T"s.

"Tor Torsson, our youngest exam taker, I don't believe it!  Tor Torsson, 100%, White!"

I yelled, full to the brim of irrepressible joy.  I ran up to get my moving certificate and ran home to tell Frey, Freya and Odin.  Balder wouldn't care about this kind of thing.

At home later, I relaxed on my bed, trying to figure out why I had scored full marks.  I had never ever done that before...

Odin came in.  "Brother, can you make dinner?  Frey and Freya are fighting again because they're hungry."

"Guess what, Odin, this is our last night here!  We're moving to White first thing in the morning tomorrow!"  I was unable to keep my exam score a secret from my brother any longer.  Frey and Freya, the twins, came bounding into the room for a hug.

Odin went and got out our packing crates and put all his stuff into the one marked "Odin".  Balder appeared from nowhere and picked up his crate.  He then vanished once more probably going to his room.  Frey and Freya took their respective crates, fully comprehending what to do now.  I took mine and neatly packed my underclothes and toys into it.  Even the twins knew that we wouldn't be able to take the clothes we were wearing. Even the people in the Grey wore white undershirts, underwear and socks, so that when they moved up, they'd take some clothes with them.  I took the "Kitchen" and "Bathroom" crates and filled them appropriately and Odin filled the "Food" and "Tools" boxes.  After an hour of bustling around cleaning and packing, I proudly announced that we were ready.

First thing in the morning, a doorman brought us 6 sets of pure white clothes each and led us out to a spotless white coach.  We moved all our packing boxes into the trunk and as we were about to leave, Frey and Freya cried in unison, "WE FORGOT OUR BEARS!" and ran inside to get the misshapen, furry animals I had made them from three pairs of brown socks and some cotton bunting.

They tightly hugged the bears as we rode to the White District.  We strode happily into our room, which had the same address as we always had.  Now I felt truly happy...

- Shruti, age 12