Tick-Tock Who's There by Sayla Martinson

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Tick- Tock - Who’s There?

By Sayla Martinson

The old clock hangs from the wall in the old laundry room where people rarely go, sad as can be. As sad as rain on a little kid’s birthday. “Oh, look at the time!” said the old man who lived in the house with his wife and his two children. “We must get going!”

As soon as the clock heard that word, it perked up with a ding! It had not heard those words in forever! Six and a half months to be exact. It had been counting.

“These people never go places, they're such couch potatoes,” the clock said angrily. “They hardly ever go places, but when they do, they don’t tell me where they're going! I get so mad with these people sometimes!” the clock screamed. “They just leave me here in this dirty laundry room, lonely as can be, and don’t even bother to tell me where they're going! I just want to be useful!” the clock screamed even louder.

“Why are you screaming so loud?” came an unknown voice.

“Who are you?” said the clock.

“I am the clock right next door,” said the unknown voice.

“WHAT???” said the clock, shocked.

“I am the clock right next door, in the living room,” the living room clock repeated calmly.

“I heard you! But I didn’t even know you existed!” said laundry room clock.

“I might be the reason nobody ever looks at you because they look at me every day,” said the living room clock.

“EVERY DAY?” screamed the laundry room clock.

“Yes, every day. But can you please stop screaming? You are hurting my gears,” said the living room clock.

“Yes, sorry I am just so excited because we can be friends and I won’t be lonely anymore!” said the laundry room clock with a thankful sigh.

“Wait, you’re lonely?” asked the living room clock.

“Yes, I am lonely every day,” said the laundry room clock.

Excitedly, the other clock said, “OMG! Same here!”

“Does this mean I will be useful being your friend?” said the laundry room clock.

“I believe so!” said living room clock.

“YAY!” yelled the laundry room clock.

“Wait, if we're going to be friends, you need to work on that screaming issue,” said the living room clock.

“Oh alright. I’ll try my best,” said the laundry room clock. “Hey, do you think there are any other clocks in this house we haven’t met?"

“Great, thanks,” said living room clock. “Hmmmm maybe there are!”

Just as the living room clock asked that, the house began to shake with the ticking of arms.

“WHOA! What is that?” asked the laundry room clock.

Creeeeeeek went the door. The family was back from seeing the movie, Wicked!

As they stepped through the door, the ticking stopped immediately.

The mom, Kathryn, said, “I loved that movie. It made me cry!”

“I liked it too!” said the dad, Ian.

“Wait, what's that loud ticking sound?” said their daughter, Sayla.

Ian said, “It sounds like it’s coming from the laundry room.”

“Clock, what did I tell you about the screaming?” whispered the living room clock.

“Oh right, sorry! I'm just so, so, so excited that I have a friend now! And maybe more!” said the clock in the laundry room.

“Me too,” the other clock replied, “but make sure you are quiet around the people!"

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Sayla Martinson is a 5th grade student from Chicago, Illinois. While in school, Sayla enjoys reading, writing, and being with her friends. When Sayla grows up, she wants to be a first grade teacher.

Our Stirring Words issue is all about odd, interesting, or inspiring words and phrases. What is your favorite word right now? 

My favorite word right now is probably wise because right now I am trying to be wise with my decisions, big or small. 

Your story, "Tick-Tock Who's There?" brings a clock to life. Can you tell us a bit about why the word tick-tock stood out to you as the inspiration for this story and why you chose to personify the clock?

The phrase tick-tock stood out to me because that is the phrase that all of the other characters hear when the clocks are having their conversations. I chose to personify the clocks because then the readers can know more about what’s happening between the clocks and feel more involved in the story.

What is your favorite topic to study in school?

My favorite topic to study in school right now is definitely reading/writing. I love reading and being creative with my writing skills, and I find reading and writing fun. 

What is the most interesting thing you recently learned?

The most interesting thing that I have learned recently is the difference between 3rd person limited and 3rd person omniscient in reading and writing class. 

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

I am currently reading two books. Those books are Whale Eyes and The Final Gambit. I would definitely recommend The Final Gambit and the two books before it in the series. I have just started Whale Eyes, and so far, I would recommend it.