Short Story:

Annie’s Test

“ Solving a problem requires both determination and inspiration.”

                “ I don’t need anyone causing trouble in my camp.” The captain, was looking right at Annie, and she was mortified.  Disguise as a man, she had just arrived at the training camp and she was already making mistakes! Because of her, a huge cauldron of rice had been knocked over and there was rice everywhere.

               

                “ Thanks to your friend Ping,” Captain Dan continued, pointing to Annie,” you will spend tonight picking up every single grain of rice. And tomorrow, the real work begins!” The other glared accusingly at her. She groaned inwardly.

                The next morning, Annie was awakened by her friend named Mitch .” All right. Rise and shine, sleeping beauty!”

                Annie was exhausted from staying up the whole night before, and every muscle in her body ached. Pulling her clothes on as fast as she could, she rushed to catch up with the rest of the men.

                Captain Dan was already addressing the troops. “ You will assemble swiftly and silently. And anyone who acts otherwise will answer to me.” He pulled an arrow out and drew his bow. The men in the front row jumped back, terrified. The captain fired the arrow at a high wooden pole behind him.

                He motioned to Ben, one of the soldiers who had been taunting Annie earlier.” Thanks for volunteering. Retrieve that arrow.”

                “ Oh, I’ll get that arrow, pretty boy.” The disgruntled soldier sneered at him.

                “ You seem to be missing something,” said Captain Dan calmly. From a box, he removed two heavy bronze disks and tied them to Ben wrists.

                “ One represents discipline. The other represents strength. You need both to reach the narrow.”

                Confident, Ben approached the pole. But as he tried to climb it, it became obvious that the weights were too much for him, and he crashed to the ground. Ping and Annie also put all their effort into climbing the pole, but they both collapsed at the bottom, drained.

                Disgusted with this pathetic lot of soldiers, Capt. Dan decided to begin the rest of the training. Annie tried to practice with the others, but they were only interested in tricking her into looking bad. Feeling discouraged, she started to think that maybe she wasn’t cut out to be a soldier.

                Seeing that Annie was about to give up, Captain Dan handed Annie her horse’s reins, and nodded at her approvingly. He was glad that this soldier was at last beginning to realize he did not belong in the army. Shoulders slumped in the defeat, Annie took the reins from him and turned to leave. Then, something inside her made her turn around and look at the pole again. At that moment she made a decision: She had to succeed! She had joined the army to save her father’s life and she would not give up.

                Her brow furrowed in fierce determination, Annie dropped the reins and marched over to the pole. She started to climb it and feel again. Then, an idea came to her. Tying the bronze disc together, Annie used their weight to help pull herself up the pole.

               

                In awe, the rest of the men watched her shimmy up to the top. With her courage and determination, she had finally gained their trust and admiration. From now on, they would be proud to have this soldier as part of their army.