My Grandfather by Sana Azim

My grandfather was part of the government that helped the lives of people from the Maldives. My grandfather was very young at this time. He built schools and educated people--it was like the whole world was on his shoulders. This happened when my country changed from kind to president. But that didn’t stop him from doing anything. He kept doing what he did and now all the people in the Maldives are smart and kind. But that’s not where the story ends.

There was a horrible president. He locked up my family and my mom was left alone in the house at 12 years old. My family had to write on their clothing while they were in jail. They wrote secretly so the police wouldn’t see, and then sent the clothing out. Everybody that was there in my house would try to read the clothes. I still don’t know what the clothes said.

The weird thing was that the president sent my family to jail for no reason. But, now they have gotten out and my house is full of happiness. I know the president will try to strike again, but I’m praying that he won’t. Since my country is so small, it will be easy for him to find us. He might try, but he won’t. I pray as hard as I can every night, and since my prayers have hit the sky so hard, I know he won’t get us. But I know he won’t quit, either. I try to visit the Maldives every year to see if everybody is okay because the people in my family are the best friends they could ever be—they are my family.

My Reflection:

I remember when my mom told me how my family got locked up in jail for doing a good deed. But the president didn’t care about that, all he cares about is himself and that’s the thing that makes me mad because I am the opposite of him and I care about my family. I never want to see them suffering, hurt, or crying.

I care about my country, the Maldives because it is my home and I will never forget it. The special things in the Maldives are what fill my heart with love.

So that night I prayed that the president would stop being so mean to my family. Since my prayers hit the sky so hard, I know they will come true. I know I will get an answer. Some day it will hit me and that day is now.