Andy woke up early to say a prayer to the Almighty.She said thank you even though her family didn't have much.She was born in a destitute family.She warmed some food that was left over from the previous day for her father,and placed it on the stool.She hurriedly wore a ragged,blue uniform dress and grabbed her plastic bag that had her books.

  “Papa,I’m off to school.Finish the food before heading to work,”Andy told her sleepy dad as she headed for the door.

She hummed as she walked to school,which was half a mile away.She arrived in 20 minutes,just before the bell was rang.

Everyone knew Andy as a conservative person and she liked to keep to herself.She has a high IQ and was one of the  brightest student in her grade.She got in Biology class and sat next to her best friend,Alicia.Alicia is bright,generous and kind.She is talkative in a good way and has a great sense of humor.

“Open your books on chapter 5 and work on the notes,”a voice was heard from the front of the classroom.Mr Titus said this as he started filling in the attendance.

Andy and her father have had it rough since her mother died from breast cancer nine months ago.Her father had been struggling to make ends meet by working small jobs he could find.She reached home after a few minutes.Their home was old,the roof was of corrugated iron and the paint was coming off.She saw her father sitting outside the door,gazing up at the sky.He wore a sloppy sweater and jeans.They hugged and Andy sat next to him.

“I miss mum so much,”Andy said feeling empty as she was in a daze.

“I miss her too Andy.I know we have been through a lot and I want you to know that I love you,”As long as we are together,everything will work out eventually,”her dad said feeling remorseful.

They  had hope for living a better life despite the circumstances.

PART II

Fractured Fairy Tale

Mulan - China

Once upon a time,a thousand years ago in the land of China,there lived a young girl named Mulan.As the only child in her family,she felt responsible for upholding her family´s  honor.One day,news from the emperor came that there has been an invasion from the enemies into the country.There was an uproar all over China about their safety.Every man from each family was asked to join the army so as to protect everyone.