The Heroic Roadrunner by Matthew Lau

Saguaro Bird, by Jess Burbank in Issue 10: An Ekphrasis Adventure

Issue 10: An Ekphrasis Adventure is an appreciation of artwork and the poetry and stories a work of art can inspire. We're excited to feature stories and poetry by young writers who submitted their work for this theme.

Thank you to Matthew Lau for sharing his story, "The Heroic Roadrunner," which was inspired by the illustration, Saguaro Bird by Jess Burbank.

---

There once was a roadrunner that lived in a very pretty cactus. The roadrunner's name was Rooper. His friends and family laughed at him and made fun of him for living in a cactus. Only sister and brother didn't. They said they were a family so they would always be with each other and work together.

One day they encountered a sandstorm. Everyone was running, but Rooper didn't.

Everybody yelled, "Rooper get over here!"

But it was too late. The sandstorm consumed the cactus he was in. They came back to their houses. They were surprised that he survived. His sister recalled he survived a less dangerous sandstorm, but they all thought he was lucky. Now they all started living in cacti. Rooper's cactus was in the middle. One day a brawny sandstorm came and knocked down all the cacti except Rooper's. People think his cactus is legendary, but others think he is lucky all the time.

---

Matthew Lau is 8 and in 3rd grade. He likes going ATV-ing and fishing. He would want to go to Maine if he could travel anywhere in the world.

Our Ekphrasis Adventure issue is about using visual art as inspiration for poetry and storytelling.

Can you tell us about what stood out to you in the illustration you chose to write about? What in the image sparked the idea for your story?

It stood out to me because It gave me an idea for a good story.

Do you have a favorite artist, or a picture book, comic, or graphic novel that you love and want to shout out?

I don't have a favorite.

What is your favorite topic to study in school?

I like Math and reading,but If I had to pick It would be Math.

What is the most interesting thing you recently learned?

I can't think of anything interesting I learned recently.

What book are you currently reading or read most recently? Would you recommend this book to other readers?

I most recently read I Survived the Children's Blizzard. I'm trying to read the whole series,and I recommend both the book and the series.