We had the sincere pleasure of visiting Český Krumlov during our stay in Bohemia. This idyllic city nestled into the Bohemia countryside boasts spectacular views of the Vlatava River, a castle that dates back to the 13th century, the Egon Schiele Gallery, and, get this: A BEAR MOAT. Students split into teams of 3 to complete a writerly scavenger hunt. Our writers brought back exceptional prose, poetry, and photos. While we didn’t get submissions from all the teams, here’s a sample of their work.
From Team Gummy Bears:
By Lexie.
She came to the garden to think, a perfect safe haven from an imperfect world. Where the cool breeze tickles her skin and the maizes of sunset flowers fill her gaze. Here there could be no pain, the roots absorbed her worries and her doubts were carried with the wind. The garden is as close to heaven as one may ever be. It is warm, and beautiful, and pure.
She comes to the garden to think and inside its protective walls she is safe from a world of waiting evils, but one cannot hide in the garden forever and she knows that once the all consuming pain subsides she must once again face the unknown world beyond the flowers.
By Mathilde.
She didn’t know why the bird made her cry. It wasn’t a pet, she had probably never seen it before. Maybe it had chirped at her from a branch. But it was dead, with a spot of blood at the corner of its beak and a wing bent strangely. It was dead, and she felt the same what as when they passed a homeless man. She searched the whole garden for a sharp rock, then scratched a hole beneath the lilac bush. She buried the bird, and still didn’t know why she was crying.
By Caroline.
View From the Top:
The distant hills look blue and humped,
like cresting whales
who have found themselves on land,
and the mosaic fresco
of steep, tiled roofs in brilliant reds
are in as much contrast
to the hazy leaves of the landscape
as the stars would be to the darkening clouds.
Below me, the bear ambles in lost circles,
Like a toy train fixed forever on its track.
From Team #putneyprague2015:
By Anna.
Everyday, I have to entertain animals who walk on two legs and are often too loud (I’ve heard they travel miles just to see me), I sleep on the same rock that is outrageously small for a bear my size, and I don’t get paid enough for my hard work (being terrifying and adorable at the same time is absolutely exhausting). But at feeding time, everything is alright. For example, I see these two-legged animals holding food that is far too green without enough meat. Sometimes, I even smell disgusting sugary berry abominations. I enjoy berries as much as the next bear, but these “humans” douse perfectly good berries with a copious amount of sugar. Though plain berries make for delicious snacks and side dishes, meat is where it’s at. The weak two-legged animals, or “humans,” bring me meat, fish, berries, and vegetables each day. My favorite is the fish. Yes, everything is alright at feeding time.
By Laura.
The Bear Stare
I peer out of the bushes where I escape to when the sun is too hot. I see them all staring at me, jaws dropped in awe. I meet my eyes with there’s. One girl lets out a yelp and stumbles back. I need to let them know I’m in charge. I run the show.
My duty it to protect. I live deep within the walls, but nobody gets past the palace gate without my stamp of approval. I step out further, one paw in front of the other, gazing at the crowd. They call it my “beat stare”. I pace within my territory, scanning and casting the occasional scowl to anyone who looks suspicious.
Suddenly, I see a laughing man. He wears a false, white wig paired with a blue straight jacket. He was a fake. He was an imposter. I open my mouth and let out a towering noise. I could feel my face heating up. I’m fuming. I ferociously scratch away at the walls with my two front paws. As usual, the walls don’t allow me to jump out and tackle he victim, but he gets the message as soon as our eyes meet. He backs away and I snicker. Like I said, I run the show.
By Maddy.
They stare at me with those wide eyes. I have been born and bred into these eyes. Their inquisitive gazes have been my daily routine since I can remember. They watch me as my skin and I do our job. When I reached my full growth, they assigned me the right side of the palace. I know this is because my father was a great protector, and they expect me to follow in his pawsteps. As I am ready to fight and defend my castle, these beady human eyes watch me. I am supposed to ignore them, but they use flash to capture me in my warrior mode. I wonder if somebody walks into their work and photographs them?”
And some of the sights of Český Krumlov captured by the leaders:
