2
Dedication
We would like to dedicate this story to the children of the Westmead Hospital, who
are fighting their illnesses everyday. You are our real life heroes. You are your own
Naytug, strive to save the world.
3
Authors – Inside Title Page
Maya Deva
Charlotte Gibb
Caitlin Jameson
Caroline Joyce
Sarah Purdie
Tully Robinson
Lucy Vineburg
Ella Watts
4
Copyright and Acknowledgments
Copyright
Published by Katharine Susannah Prichard Foundation Inc.
11, Old York Road,
Greenmount,
Western Australia 6056
Copyright © 2014 Katharine Susannah Prichard Foundation and Princess Margaret
Hospital Foundation
All rights reserved. This book is copyright.
Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research,
criticism or review, as permitted under Copyright Act, no part may be
reproduced by any process without written permission.
Enquiries should be made to the publisher.
Distributed in Australia and overseas by the publisher
Acknowledgments:
Sponsor: Ascham School
Beneficiary: The Kids Cancer Project | Westmead, NSW
Competition Organiser: Susannah Prichard Foundation
5
Contents Page
Chapter 1: A Peculiar Event.
Chapter 2: A Unanimous Creature.
Chapter 3: A Audio Catastrophe.
Chapter 4: A Love Triangle.
Chapter 5: A Conniving Twist.
Chapter 6: A Manipulative Mortal.
Chapter 7: A Perplexing Expedition.
Chapter 8: A Foreign Civilisation.
Chapter 9: A Tasteful Justice.
Chapter 10: Epilogue
6
Chapter 1
It was a hazy autumn evening and all was quiet, nothing but a reticent breeze weaved
through the dense forest. On the forest floor a wise baboon and his grandmother
perched themselves on stools and sat in tranquillity as they finished their tea. A
penetrating screech followed by a colossal explosion transpired only metres from the
Baboon residence.
“Barry…. What on earth was that?” exclaimed grandma baboon.
“Oh my it was probably just the termites eating through our attic again.” Articulated
Barry the baboon. Both Baboons were unaware of the pure anarchy, taking place on
their front door step.
Sleek silver steel decorated the surrounding forest, it was like a jar of silver paint had
exploded. The dense smog hugged the trees intoxicating all living things around it. A
monstrous spaceship had been driven strait into the forest and pieces of it had been
spread kilometres wide. What was this peculiar machine and how did it get
disorientated enough to land on earth?
Barry and grandma baboon were now outside attempting to fan the smoke with
grandma baboons’ knitted woollen blankets. “Oh grandma I swear the world is going
to end.” Barry the Baboon moaned.
Barry blinded by the thick smog unknowingly approached the spaceship, “Ahhh.” he
howled as his furry paw caught the edge of the slick steel ship. Barry plundered about
what he had found. “Grandma come over here!” …… There was no reply. As
alarming as it was that his grandma was unresponsive Barry continued into the
alluring apparatus.
Barry meandered his way through the slim sterile corridors, looking for answers. He
opened every door, cupboard and flicked every button. Barry had never seen such an
array of technology. The cool metal was smooth and silky under his coarse paws.
7
He opened the final door of the hall way and inside an array of chalices were lined up
on the bench. The corners were as sharp as a knife yet it was also so smooth to touch.
Barry leant forward and peered into the astonishing spectrum of liquids that filled the
chalices, there were so many colours you could make a rainbow.
Barry was now convinced that the space ship was unoccupied, but the whole scenario
wasn't adding up, there had to be an explanation. Barry hurdled back down the
corridor and out into the polluted open air, grandma was still nowhere to be seen.
“CRAACCKKK.” Barry turned on a dime and jumped out of the way as a huge
branch came tumbling to the floor. Barry suddenly felt scared in his own home, his
baboon senses could tell he wasn't alone.
Suddenly an orange haze began to whizz around and around the tree trunk it then fell
to the ground and was fast approaching Barry.
8
Chapter 2
“Greetings.” shocked by the words that had just left this preposterous creature Barry
stepped back tripping on a fallen branch and launching onto a bed of fallen leaves.
“Who are you?” Barry interrogated
“Well I’m Naytug and yes I am a fluoro orange alien and I’m here to save the
world.”
The orange creature was slimy looking like a fresh tub of putty, it moved as if it was
boneless, which it probably was but the most peculiar thing about this un documented
creature was an extra facial feature which it had acquired, a third eyeball.
Naytug reached out to Barry suctioning to his furry arm with his sticky pad fingers,
“Please show me your world, I have never seen anything so…so…. serene.” Barry
was very reluctant, he was known for being stubborn and bitter, but that only came
from the torment he endured in his junior years………….
“Barry has a pink butt, Barry has a pink butt.” The endless years of torment from
Koby the Kangaroo were vivid in his memory, was he really ready to get involved
with another animal, let alone an out of space creature like Naytug.
His ear was twitching which was never good. Barry was seeking adventure and
decided to assist Naytug with his quest to save the world, but from what Barry
wondered...
Barry and Naytug started on their journey, they packed a basket full of all the
necessities, juice and grapes for Barry and numerous substance concoctions for
Naytug. They were ready.
Barry and Naytug roamed through the forest and when the conversation stopped
Barry seeked answers…
“So Naytug, where is it exactly that you have come from?” Naytug took a moment to
think; maybe he couldn't find the English translation for his story.
“You see Barry I come from another universe, a planet not nearly as peaceful as a
place like this my planet is in a never ending war against each other.” Naytug’s
complexion changed dramatically you could see he was becoming upset. “My planet
has an uncontrollable savage streak that motivates them to be precarious, it was an
unsafe place for me to be in.”
“I’m very sorry to hear that Naytug, please let me know how I can help I insist.” “The
only important thing is that no one form earth goes there other wise it won’t only be
my planet that goes into peril, but yours as well.” Abruptly an immense volume of
music broke out and flashes of bright pink lights and glossy disco pants flashed
between the tree trunks.
What on earth was ahead of them?
9
Chapter 3
The screech that came from each high note Mercedes hit pierced through the forest
and caused an up roar from the blue birds in the trees and the emus that were being
used in the music video sprinted from the glaring site of the set. Finally Mercedes
yelled cut before screaming, “my voice aches, someone bring me my Voss water…
NOW!” In her peripheral vision she caught sight of a fury, pink bottomed, stumpy
baboon watching her with lust filled eyes. Then, Mercedes shrill voice penetrates the
air shouting, “What are you looking at me for, I know I’m amazing but it’s rude to
stare.” Mercedes turned back towards the crew before she shouted “what are you still
doing standing around someone get me my Voss Water already arghh.” She felt a
wrinkly tap on her fake tanned, moisturized shoulder that made her shudder as she
turned towards the red faced baboon looking at her with fascination as he held her
long awaited Voss Water. She reached forward with her dragon like hands to grab her
precious water as something orange hurdled into the clearing shrieking about red
lasers while pointing at her red, luminous hair.
“What is that and why is it looking at my hair,” said Mercedes, but her voice and the
sounds around the alien were already fading as he looked at the red colour of her hair
that symbolized his father’s death, and he started to flash back to that day that ruined
his life. Red lights and lasers flashed around Chamakhama as terror filled the air.
Naytug shouted out to his father who lay next to him, with red blood seeping through
his shirt, but the screams from all around them drowned out what he was saying, and
Naytug’s father smiled for the last time at his son, before he closed his eyes and all of
his three hearts stopped beating. The lasers of red in colouring were being shot and
beamed all around him and he couldn’t be the hero he knew his father and everyone
else around him needed. Suddenly the green of the tall, swaying gum trees came back
10
into his line of vision as Naytug came back to the present time and tried to forget the
day that was always replaying in his mind. He looked up in daze to see the faces of
the baboon, who had followed him and a frowning, judgmental face that belonged to
the women with the fiery red hair.
11
Chapter 4
“Now, what are you and why are you here on my music video set?” Questioned
Mercedes.
“I am Naytug. I come from Ch-Ch- Chama khama.” Stuttered Naytug.
“Well. Go back and get out of my set! You are ruining my spotlight and my video!”
“I can’t. I c-c-crashed my ship as I was coming here, and I can’t get back. Please help
me.”
“Wait, you come from another planet?” Mercedes exclaimed as an idea started to
form in her tiny, little, glossy brain. If there really is another world out there, maybe I
could dominate and rule it with my stylish ways and my beauty! But how will I get
there, and how will I get them under my command? She questioned herself.
The baboon, that was gazing lustily at Mercedes, cut off the conversation she was
having with herself by asking her
“Do you need anything, water, food, hair supplies, anything to help your beauty?”
Mercedes heard what Barry had said and a new idea started in her head, as she knew
from that moment on he was going to be under her spell from the way he gazed up at
her with love and yearning for her in his eyes.
12
Chapter 5
Mercedes decided to start singing again, this time to impress the baboon, and it
certainly worked. From the corner of her eye she saw the baboon watching on with
awe, his furry feet tapping along with the beat of the music. The emus became very
restless with the music, the high notes hit by Mercedes penetrated their ear drums,
while waiting for their time in the music video.
“This is who I am,” she sang, “no one said you had to like it.”
“Perrrffeeccttt Merc!” Shouted the director. Mercedes was extremely tired after the
long day of filming so she took a seat besides the nearby gum tree, which provided
refuge from the burning Australian sun. As she leant against the gum tree she
overheard the baboon talking to his grandma.
“Do you think this has anything to do with the spaceship we found earlier?” asked the
baboon in a hushed tone still to be heard by the eavesdropping singer.
“Don’t be so idiotic Barry, of course it’s not. Just forget about it, ok?” snapped the
impatient elderly baboon.
“Yes Nanna,” he sighed obediently, however he was still curious.
After hearing the conversation that took place, Mercedes seized the chance to corner
Barry and interrogate him about the spaceship he had discovered. She walked up to
him and proclaimed “I never got a chance to properly thank you for that Voss you
gave me” She winked at him as his already flushed cheeks became an impossible red
“Y-y-y-ou’re- w-w-w-e-elco-me” he stuttered, awed by her ‘beauty’. He had never
someone with such fiery red hair before, and it enchanted him.
She awed at his awkwardness, “so I overheard you talking about some spaceship.
Could you show it to me?”
“My grandma said-“he began to say
“I don’t care about what your grandma said. Take me NOW!” she yelled menacingly.
The baboon shrunk back, while taking one last furtive look at his grandma, he led
Mercedes to the remains of the mysterious spaceship he saw earlier that day.
Once they arrived at the site, Mercedes surveyed the remains. A tangled mess of
metal was all that was identifiable among the ruins that were once the alien’s
spaceship. She didn’t think it was going to be this bad. How on Earth would she ever
fix this trash and get it flying once more.
Mercedes noticed an orange antenna sticking out of the ruins, it finally clicked in her
brain. If she gained the trust of the baboon and the alien she could convince them to
fix it and then take her to the planet that the alien calls home. From there she would
rule the planet and be the most powerful person there. “I’ll help you fix it” she
exclaims loudly so the alien could hear.
13
Slowly but surely the alien came out of his hiding and approached the baboon and the
suspicious red headed singer. “Hello, again. I heard you is willing to help me rebuild
my space vehicle.” He spoke clearly to the two.
“If I help you, you have to promise to take me to your planet.” Mercedes negotiated
happily, her plan was falling into place.
“Whatever you wish, as long as I get my spaceship back.” He said strongly.
14
Chapter 6
Barry the baboon and Naytug the alien worked tirelessly under the cruel rule of
Mercedes Bennzz, doing all the work while she sat in the shade of some old
Australian gum trees. Barry never grew tired as he was motivated by the thought of
impressing and hopefully winning the heart of Mercedes. He never thought about the
harsh treatment he received and how easily he was being manipulated into doing
hours of laborious work.
But neither did Naytug, he was blinded by the idea of getting back to Chamakhama,
finding a way to stop the never ending war and finally being the hero and meaning
something. He worked non-stop with the image of him arriving back and being the
hero imprinted in his mind.
Three days later the space ship was ready, the silver discus like shape was shining in
the blazing sun, the circular control room at the top of the spaceship was lined with
many different coloured and shaped lights, to see through the black space for when it
would fly once again. Ten turbo jets attached to the bottom of the shuttle allowing
maximum speed for the journey back home.
After the adrenaline of a hard couple of days working non-stop for the spaceship
Naytug and Barry sought shelter inside the spaceship for a good sleep, unknown to
the fact that Mercedes was scheming her diabolical plan to take over Chamakhama for
herself outside in the setting Australian sun. She never thought it would be this easy.
As she took her final look at the planet she called home, she couldn’t wait to finally
leave, to finally have the power she always dreamed of.
15
Chapter 7
Mercedes crept into the cockpit and sat herself down in the pilot’s chair. She took one
final glance behind her to check that Naytug and Barry were definitely asleep before
breaking the deafening silence with the roar of the engine. They were sound asleep
and it was safe to begin. Her pink acrylic nails clicked each button, sounding like high
heels in a corridor. She came across the starting lever, which was standing out like a
sore thumb. She clamped her long, skinny fingers around the red handle, clenching
her hands until her knuckles went white. She was ready to take off. Mercedes pulled
the lever down with all her might and the humming of the engine began. As the floor
started to shake she worried that the others would wake up. Mercedes glanced back
but she was safe, they were still oblivious.
3,2,1 lift off. The ship levitated off the damp grass below and was rising up above the
surrounding towering trees. As the ship got higher and higher, Mercedes gained
confidence and drove the ship with such dexterity. She was on her way to
Chamakhama now and nothing could stop her.
A few hours into her journey, Mercedes Bennzz had driven into a meteor shower.
Large boulders crashed into the side of the already decrepit ship, shaking it vigorously.
Naytug woke up with a shock. The silver of the space ship was a blur of colour, his
eyes still adjusting to the light. Crash! Another meteor hit the side of the ship, sending
it flying. Naytug was now fuming. He had realised what Mercedes had done and
stormed into the cockpit leaving Barry alone, still asleep. There was no way Mercedes
could bring the ship out of this meteor shower and land successfully. She was in too
deep and the meteors just kept coming. It was now up to him to land this ship safely
on Chamakhama. Naytug finally had a chance to become the hero that he had always
wanted to be. He grabbed the control lever and pulled it towards him. The ship slowed
and the spinning came to an end. Naytug had gained control, guiding the ship back on
course.
The ship continued the drift towards Chamakhama passing planets and constellations
that Mercedes had never seen before. She was mesmerised by their beauty, as the
stars seemed to twinkle into the oblivion.
“Mercedes! What have you done?” Naytug yelled as Mercedes stared through the
small window.
“Be quiet you stupid orange blob. If you don’t land us safely I’ll get my manager to
deal with you.”
“Don’t be dumb, of course I’ll land us and I’ll deal with you when we land.” Scowled
Naytug.
16
Chapter 8
The planet of Chamakhama loomed below, its large castle dominating the rest of the
city. Naytug knew he was home and had one final challenge, landing the space ship.
His sticky pads began to slip as he frantically searched for the release button. Once he
pressed this the legs of the ship would unfold and landing would be a breeze. All three
of his eyes scanned each side of the control pad until he finally found it. Beep, beep,
beep, beep, beep!
“What are you doing? That doesn’t sound right. I knew you would ruin this, we are all
going to die! We are crashing, that’s what the beep means doesn’t it!” Mercedes
screamed across the cockpit at Naytug.
“Shut your mouth Mercedes, we’re fine. It’s just the legs unfolding. We’re landing.”
“Oh, I knew that. Landing a space ship is simple.”
The ship hit the ground with a large thump and on impact Naytug heard a groan from
the back of the ship. It was Barry.
“What’s going on?” Barry moaned, his voice still hoarse from just waking up.
“We’re on Chamakhama, Mercedes hijacked the ship after we fell asleep. Just keep a
low down profile and I’ll sort everything out.” Naytug reassured him.
Naytug was still explaining what had happened to Barry when he heard the space ship
door open. He heard the clack of her heels as she strutted her way down the metallic
stairs, leading from the ship to the ground. It was too late to stop her, Mercedes had
officially landed on the war torn planet of Chamakhama. Lasers were firing and
gunshots filled the air. Small aliens, similar looking to Naytug, ran across the dusty
surface. The planet was absolute chaos, hectic screams breaking any silence.
It was Mercedes nightmare. No one paid any attention to her, they were all absorbed
in something much more important. She couldn’t handle it. She came to the planet to
spread her fame, not be ignored. Mercedes ran back into the space ship and grabbed
the emergency flare gun. The bright red gun shone in the sun as she held it up to the
sky. Hot flames streamed up above her, the noise was deafening. The battle stopped
and there was silence.
“That’s better!” She exclaimed, feeling proud of herself.
But within seconds the battle recommenced. The silence is broken and no one cares
for Mercedes. She had absolutely no control over the people of Chamakhama and she
hated it.
17
Chapter 9
“Why aren’t they stopping?! Everyone always listens to me! This is so unfair!”
Mercedes whined. “Stop fighting! Stop fighting! STOP FIGHTING!” She shrieked
again, feeling cantankerous, as she stamped her feet and jumped up and down with
her arms waving and flailing around her. To Mercedes’ despair, the hectic scene in
front of her still played out, with the red lasers that dominated Naytug’s nightmares
and deepest fears shooting out from all around them. Screams penetrated the air and
loud booms shook the ground of Chamakhama from the guns and cannons firing.
“You did say that your world was in war, but I never could have imagined this,”
whispered Barry, his voice filled with sorrow. “This is the most despairing sight I
have ever seen. Why have war, when you can have peace?”
“We have never known what to do apart from war. War is how we were formed, and
we don’t know how to fix being in this horrid situation we are in without war. How
are we supposed to decide who is our leader, and who should rule us without war?”
Naytug muttered sadly.
“Peace,” exclaimed Barry. “Peace and meditation is the answer to everything.”
To everyone’s surprise, he started to crouch on the ground with his legs crossed, his
hands on his knees, and he began to mutter incarnations under his breath. “What is he
doing? What the-,” began Mercedes, but she was cut off as Barry slowly started to
float in the air, rising and rising until he was over the top of the whole battlefield as
silence from astonishment echoed.
“Follow me, dear Chamakhamakins,” Barry’s voice broke through the silence. “I will
show you the way to make decisions and chose your leaders without battle and death.
Peace is what you need, and peace is what I can show you under my rule. I found the
right way to live in my life through meditation, and the situation of battle you are in
saddens me to my deepest sorrows. Let me help you and show you the right way!”
Slowly everyone started to drop their weapons and face Naytug, whom they realised
had brought this intelligent, amazing being to their world. This unusual creature had
showed them the way to peace and justice, and they all cheered for Naytug, who was
the hero that had brought Barry to them all and saved their world.
“Hurray for Naytug and Barry the all-intelligent leaders of Chamakhama” Shouted all
the Chamakhamakins, who decided to agree with Barry, and let him lead them out of
their misery.
“No!” Mercedes shouted. “No! I am your amazing, beautiful leader. Not Barry, who
is a stupid baboon! I am the prettiest, most stylish and amazing being on this planet
and I should rule you all-,” But once again she was cut off as a group of
Chamakhamakins grabbed her and started to carry her away from the battlefield, as
she kicked, screamed and shrieked around, but with no avail as she was held in a very
tight grip from a group of cantankerous Chamakhamakins.
18
“What shall we do with her your highnesses?” The Chamakhamakins asked the now
royal Barry and Naytug.
“She shall forever be a slave of this world, and she shall be forced to sing forevermore
as a punishment for her crimes,” Shouted Barry and Naytug together with joy.
Finally, they all knew that there would be no more problems on Chamakhama, and no
more evil, crazy singers trying to take over ever again.
Naytug had finally become the hero he always wanted to be and he knew his father
would have been proud of what he had done today.
And then everything went black.
19
Epilogue
“Oh no, the money has run out” Sam whined, “Do you have another token?” he asked
his older brother.
“No, I don’t. But it was a stupid game anyway. Let’s go home.”
The two brothers left the arcade, leaving ‘Saving Chamakhama’ to be played by some
other kid.
20
Follow Mercedes Bennzz, the try
hard singer that wants the world;
Naytug, the alien who just wants to
be a hero and Barry the baboon, who
just wants to be loved, as they
embark on an adventure against all
odds to save Chamakhama from an
endless war.
CREDITS –
Thank you to Dr Manning
for supervising our room as
well as the Ascham English
department for organising
this experience. Thank you to
Write a Book in a Day for
giving us this opportunity.
We recommend this book for
children aged 10 – 11.
21