Text copyright©Award Publications Limited

Illustrations copyright©Yasser Hayat

All rights reserved

This edition published in 2023

15 1

Printed in UAE
THE MATH COMPETITON
Lisa woke up, put on her glasses, and changed into her school uniform.
She wondered what she was going to do for today’s test since she had
fallen asleep while studying. She went downstairs to find her mom
cooking breakfast. Are you ready? Lisa’s mom asked. For what replied
Lisa as she sat down on the table. For your test, said Lisa’s mom, well
you could say I am half prepared, said Lisa. Don’t tell me you fell asleep
again, said her mom, maybe, replied Lisa. Now hurry up and finish your
breakfast, or you will be late for school said Lisa’s mom. Lisa quickly
finished her breakfast and headed outside for the bus. She sat next to
her friend Dana. Dana was poor her family can’t even afford a proper
uniform, but Dana was still Lisa’s best friend. Lisa was determined to
do anything to at least give Dana enough money to buy proper
furniture. As they reached school Dana asked Lisa if she was prepared
for the test, Lisa replied “you know how much I hate studying”, “yup I
know you must have fallen asleep again” said Dana. As they made
their way into the classroom their teacher said well as you know you
have a test today and I hope you all studied well, and then handed out
the test paper, during the test however Lisa had no trouble doing the
test at all, it was like she knew all the answers by heart. After the test
it was break and all students were playing except for Lisa, she was not
feeling well, she was felling very dizzy. After break the test results
came in and the teacher said only one person got an A, and turned the
test papers around so no one could see, and then started handing
them out. When the teacher gave Lisa her test paper it was written on
it see me after class. Lisa got scared what if I got an F she thought and
did not even bother to look at her results. After class Lisa walked into
her teacher’s office and stood still in front of her teacher. Just when
Lisa was about to say something her teacher said do you know why
you are here? No said Lisa, check your results replied her teacher.
When Lisa checked her results, to her surprise it was written A, but
said Lisa. You have been getting A in all of your tests in math since the
start of this year said Lisa’s teacher, what replied Lisa, that’s why you
are representing our school in a math competition Lisa’s teacher said,
as she entered Lisa in the competition. Lisa left the room in shock.
When she came home she told her parents what happened. When
Lisa’s dad Sam heard the news he got excited and looked a bit nervous,
he got a book and started flipping the pages, Ah… here we go
kangaroo math said Sam. What’s that asked Lisa, the best competition
practice, we will start tomorrow. Yeah but what’s the reward for
winning asked Lisa, money replied Sam, Lisa’s eyes lit up as she
thought I could give the money to Dana if I win, Lisa got excited and
went to bed. A gust of wind from the open window blew Lisa’s test
paper on the newspaper Lisa’s mom Eva was reading, an A she gasped,
Sam come quick she hustled. As Sam entered the room, Eva said look
an A+ you know what that means, yes I do when Lisa does a test or is
in pressure she would do everything perfectly for 5 hours’ straight but
the consequences are she might well sick or dizzy said Sam. This is
dangerous said Eva, yeah but you know how much this competition
means to me, yes said Eva I will allow it, but she has to study not use
her power, ok replied Sam. During this conversation Lisa heard
everything and thought I don’t have to study I can just use my powers
and went back to sleep. The next day Lisa was relaxing when her dad
Sam came in and said it’s time to start, Lisa looked at her and said I
have a power and I don’t have to study, Sam gasped how do you know
he asked, I heard you last night replied Lisa, ok said Sam but you’re
not going to use your powers instead you are going to study, fine
replied Lisa forcefully. Promise me said Sam as he knew Lisa won’t
break her promise, promise said Lisa. For the next few days Lisa
studied hard. One day Lisa gave up, it’s too hard she said I don’t want
to study anymore, that’s when an idea stuck Lisa’s head what if I go to
the owner of the competition and ask him to remove my name, then
I won’t have to study or do the competition at all, Lisa started packing
for the journey ahead and went to bed. The next day Lisa went to
Dana’s home and rang the doorbell. Dana came to the door and said
hi Lisa what’s up, Lisa replied come with me, where said Dana, on a
journey said Lisa, ok can I bring my stray dog with me, sure said Lisa.
As Lisa and Dana was walking Lisa remembered that she was going to
win and give the money to Dana. That night they slept in a tent that
Lisa brought with her, Lisa was thinking I really don’t want to study
and do the competition but I want to give money to Dana what should
I do. Just then the dog started speaking hey don’t think that hard and
do what your heart says, you can talk Lisa screamed. Of course haven’t
you ever heard of a talking dog, no Lisa replied, then she said what do
you mean do what your heart says. Try saying both options in your
heart which ever option you say when your heart feels fuzzy is what
you should do replied the dog and went to sleep. Lisa tried saying both
options and when she said I want to give money to Dana her heart felt
warm and fuzzy, from that moment Lisa knew what she has to do and
went to sleep. The next morning Lisa and Dana were sitting on the
bench when Lisa said how am I going to study I don’t have any books.
We can ask my cousin who studies in eastern elementary school, she
can lend you books said Dana. Really asked Lisa, yeah replied Dana, ok
said Lisa we will go to that school. Lisa and Dana walked all day until
they reached eastern elementary school, when they went inside they
saw corridors, classrooms, offices, and much more. When they
reached the third floor a girl called Amina was looking around, then
Dana said that’s my cousin, “Amina”. Lisa and Dana approached
Amina. Amina said, hi Dana what are you doing here, Dana replied I
am here on a journey with my friend Lisa. Before Dana could say
anything else, Amina said quick I brought my rabbit with me and lost
it, I need to find it before the supervisor finds out could you help me,
sure replied Lisa and Dana. Great, I have looked in all the floors except
for the fourth floor, let’s go. Lisa started looking in the bathroom but
nothing was found when Dana said come quick, what said Amina, look
said Dana in the supervisor’s office the rabbit. Oh no said Amina what
am I going to do now, wait said Lisa I can distract the supervisor while
you and Dana get the rabbit. Lisa said to the supervisor what a lovely
day today outside, yes replied the teacher. Dana and Amina quickly
collected the rabbit and ran. When Lisa noticed Amina was gone Lisa
said bye I have to go. Lisa, Amina, and Dana met in the bathroom.
Thanks said Amina, your welcome said Dana and Lisa. Just then an
announcement came on the speaker all students meet up at the grand
hall. Sorry I have to go said Amina, can I come asked Lisa, sure but you
will have to wear uniform said Amina and gave Lisa and Dana her extra
uniforms. When they reached the grand hall the principal said there
will be a sports competition starting at 5 today whoever wins will
receive a signed copy of the henry’s math book. All the student started
talking to each other. Lisa asked Amina what is henry’s math book,
Amina replied only the best math book in the world. Lisa’s eyes lit up
I could win the completion with that book she thought. At 5 all the
competitors lined up. the first task was push ups. The top 5 will move
on. Lisa tried her hardest but she could do no more than 56 push ups.
They result were in the top 5 were Amina, Lisa, Alex, Sara, and Ahmad.
Lisa was so happy but realized that Dana didn’t make it. Its ok said Lisa,
yeah replied Dana. That night Lisa and Dana slept in Amina’s house.
The next day at 2 the next round started, they had to do at least 250
sit ups in 20 minutes, and only the top 3 will move on. In the beginning
Lisa had no problem, but at half way Lisa body started to hurt, but she
only did 175 sit ups. Lisa felt like she could not do it anymore, when
her heat said to her “don’t give up for Dana’s sake”. Just then Dana
felt fire in her body it’s like she got her energy back. She quickly
finished 200 sit ups with 5 minutes to spare. The top 3 were Lisa,
Amina, and Alex. Lisa got so tired that she went to sleep at 6 PM. The
next day was the last round, the contestants had to run a race. Lisa got
ready by warming up because they had to run 5 huge laps. On the
second lap Alex gave up and got eliminated. It was only Amina and Lisa
left. As they approached the last lap, Lisa felt that she was short in
breath and she was tired. Dana realized that Lisa had stopped so she
cheered on Lisa as loud as she could. When Lisa heard Dana’s cheer.
Lisa got inspired and kept on running. When they reached the finish
line, it was a close call, but Amina won by 1 step. Lisa was sad. Just
when they were exiting, Amina said, hey Lisa don’t be sad it was a
close match. Yeah replied Lisa, then Amina said here you have it, while
giving Lisa the book. But why said Lisa, because I wanted to thank you
for helping me find my rabbit, besides I have many books. Thank you
said Lisa happily and left the school. From that day Lisa studied and
studied all day and all night. One day Lisa asked Dana to take a test.
Meanwhile some bad guys were listening to Lisa’s answers. Hey she is
smart she might even beat your son boss said one of the bad guys,
quiet said the boss no one beats my son, as I have a plan. Tell me the
plan said one of the bad guys. I will send my son to become their friend
when the time is right I will look that girl and then my son can do the
competition and win. What a great plan boss. The boss send his son
named James. As soon as Lisa saw James she said hi. Hello replied
James what are you doing here. We are going to a math competition;
do you want to come? Asked Lisa. Sure said James with a sneaky grin.
Lisa studied some more and then she finally head out to the
competition. Meanwhile Lisa’s parents were watching the news when
they saw Lisa, Dana, and James. The head title was kids going to a
math competition alone. Sam and Eva were looking for Lisa for so long.
Now is our chance lets go, said Eva. Yes, but the competition is 3 days
away said Sam, it doesn’t matter said Eva I just want my daughter
back. Lisa, Dana, and James reached the competition and Lisa made it
through all the round and into the finals. James as well made it to the
finals. On the day before the finals, James called his dad in secret and
said I am ready to take Lisa away said James, great said James dad I
will be there in five minutes. James’s dad came and took Lisa far away
in a jail type room. What, James I taught you were my friend said Lisa.
Lisa cried in the room, when she heard barking and sniffing. Hey is that
you, Dana’s dog, yes said the dog holding the keys. The dog unlocked
Lisa’s cage. Lisa asked the dog, how did you find me? The dog replied
by the smell of dog food on your hands from when you were feeding
me that day. Good boy said Lisa. Lisa and the dog headed to the
competition. Meanwhile the finals started Lisa’s dad and mom
reached and were shocked that Lisa made it to the finals. It was James
turn first and James got 1 question wrong. Finally, it was Lisa’s turn
the director called Lisa’s name 2 times but Lisa didn’t come. As soon
as the director was going to call James the winner, Lisa came on the
stage with Dana’s dog and said I’m ready. 23, 505, 8321 replied Lisa. It
was the last question if Lisa answered this correctly Lisa would win but
if she answered it wrong she would lose. 230 multiplied by 645 said
the director, Lisa remembered doing this with her dad, 148350 replied
Lisa. Everybody was silent when the director shouted correct, we have
a winner and handed Lisa the 500,000$ check. Lisa happily ran to Dana
and handed the check to Dana. But why said Dana, I just wanted you
to live a happy life. Thank you said Dana. Lisa then went to her mom
and dad and hugged them. And, so Lisa and Dana lived happily ever
after.

THE END