By: Anaruth Carias and Rebecca Vaughn

There goes another day of sitting here all alone. I wonder how it is out there, on the other side of these walls. I see the humans walk in and out of Paul’s grocery store all happy. Every day I look at the window to see something yellow shine within the blue sky. I hear that it’s called the sun because I’ve overheard the humans saying that the sun is beating down on them today. I really wish I could get out of here. No one wants to play with me, so what’s the point of staying here? Should I stay or should I go?

Here’s my chance. The doors are wide open; do I take a leap of faith? Here we go, 1...2...3…

Ah, I think I’m going to visit the park for a nice stroll in this magnificent town called Middleton.

At the park, I see this rusty trash can being rude to others. That’s not right, bullying other people isn’t right. I think I’m going to tell this fella something. “Aye you, leave them alone!”

Next thing I know, this guy grabs me and throw me within himself.

What’s this, well this fella is named Magana, hum, weird name. Magana is mighty big and for sure he gives me the jitters because his voice is deep, and his eyes are green like the grass 

*cough, cough, cough* It smells terrible, like gas. Next thing you know, I get tossed out only to land on a pile of what seems like garbage.

I see a sign saying Middleton Landfill. No wonder it stinks so much. There’s so much garbage here, garbage that could be recycled and reused.

Poor bird, looks like she’s got something around her neck. I think I’m about to go and help her.

I asked her “How in the world did you get this thing stuck around your neck?”

Her sweet little voice said, “The humans, throw away garbage everywhere, and I was in the water for a nice lit-tle swim. Then I dived under, and I didn’t see this thing and next thing you know it’s around my neck.”

This lady looked like she got the life absorbed out of her because this thing is choking her.

Does every human do this?

“Well of course not, but not many recycle and all of the trash ends up here. Soon, we’re not going to have enough space.”

But, a lot of this stuff can be recycled and become reused. What would happen if humans would recycle?

“Hun, there wouldn’t be so much trash winding up in waters. Al-so the landfill wouldn’t be as filled up.”

I began to think, what if we convinced others to recy-cle? Recycling prevents the landfills filling up like this, and saves energy because the recycled items will be re-made into something useful.

One thing I know for sure is that recycling can sure make a difference because there are hu-mans that can recycle and have trash that can be recycled.

AHHHHHHH!!!What the? What is this stuff? *cough, cough, cough*

(Next Day) I feel strange, the apple up three seems mighty good. Yet, I’m too short. WHOA! *Grows tall-er* Gotcha! *grabs apple* Now how do I get back to my normal size? *shrinks back to normal size* I’ve got super powers! Maybe with my powers, I can make a difference and convince others to recycle.

What if I go on a walk? I could help so many re-cyclables. Even convince others to recycle while I am walking around.

(Later that day) Is that Magana? It is!!! Here is my chance to make a real difference!! If I can convince him to recycle I can help so many recyclables!!

“Hey you, remember me?” “YOU!!! You are going to the dump with the others!!” “Not today!” “Want to bet?”

I grew and then grab Magana and toss him into the dump “See how you like it!” “No please don’t leave me here to rot” “Then why don’t you recycle? Don’t you see how much it can help?” “No!! Never ever!! I am going to stay here for the rest of my life you’ll see!”

I decided to leave Magana there for a week. Maybe he would change his mind if he seen what happens there.

(a week later...) “Where is Magana?” “Little Timmy he is in the pit.” “What pit? There is no pit.” “He dug one.”

“Why?” “Well he was collecting recyclables of course.” “Since when has he ever done something so good?” “Since about three days ago. He started to under-stand what they are going through and he wanted to help.” “I won't believe it till I see it.”

“Magana!! What are you doing!?!” “I’ve never realized the damage I was do-ing. Look at those animals sitting over there; they all died because of me.”

“Magana, recycling can make a huge different. All you have to do is tag along” “Ok, I do want to help” “First, help me collect all the recyclable items in here and let’s take them to their rightful place.”

“Wow Tim, recycling saves us space, helps with the human’s energy, and doesn’t harm the animals. Maybe I should change my job into a recycling bin”