The Winners
Friends 2026
Category 11-13
Miskine - Zofia
Once upon a time there was a lake. It was a gorgeous pool of crystal clear water surrounded by a thick lush forest blessed by the endless sound of birdsong. Behind the trees stood a chain of ancient mountains, their peaks sprinkled by snow. Nevertheless, the air around the lake was always fresh and cool, yet still perfect for an afternoon swim. The water came from a stream beginning in the mountains and was so clear that if you were to bend down and look at the lakebed you could easily see all the plants and vibrant sealife in it. But apart from all that, an otter lived in the lake. It was a charming animal that spent its days swimming in circles again and again. It had brown fur which shined in the afternoon sun and black pearly eyes. The animal had a simple life, wake up, swim, eat a few fish, swim again and sleep. This of course was a very boring routine which the otter didn’t enjoy very much. All it wished for was a friend. One day, as the animal was enjoying a brightly coloured fish, the bushes in the forest rustled. Something- or someone- was coming. The otter, scared, dove deep into the depths of the lake. After a few minutes, it took its head out of the water and took a look outside and there, standing at the edge of the lake, was a dog. A mix of emotions could be seen on the otter’s face, a flash of surprise, a dash of confusion and a whole lot of shock. For a while, the two animals simply stared at each other, unsure of what to do or how to react. Finally, the dog turned and fled back into the forest. The otter wondered if it should go after it, but the dog was too fast and barely left any tracks. So instead, it simply continued with its usual routine. The next day, the dog came back and once again, the two animals stood still and gaped at each other. This time, the otter got a good look at the dog, its fur was long and black but turned white under its belly and on its neck. It had gorgeous blue eyes, a tail which waved wildly in the air and a bright pink muzzle. After a few minutes, it wandered back into the forest. This cycle continued for about a week until one day, the dog stayed. The otter didn't question it, he was just happy to have a friend. As the weeks passed, the two animals grew closer and closer to each other. They became best friends. They did everything together, slept, ate and played all day and never grew bored of each other. The otter was overjoyed, all he had ever wished for had come true. After a few weeks, a new sound emerged from the forest, the bushes rustled but this time, a woman emerged. She looked at the dog with pure joy and said “ Rocky, I can’t believe it’s you !” and took him away, back home, away from the otter.
Category 14-18
Lost but Found - Kaija Samet
I sit and stare at the clock on the wall. It ticks so slowly I can feel it resonating through my bones. Around me, the room is filled with soft chatter, my classmates giggling and whispering as the teacher speaks. No one talks to me. I’m invisible. They only notice me when I make a mistake, when I say something wrong or when I look at them too long. Then they laugh at me or throw daggers with their eyes. I don’t know why they despise me. Is it something on my face I can’t see in the mirror? Something written in my soul only they perceive?
I never dwell on this for long; they can ignore me all they want. I don’t need friends, don’t need anything. I am content alone.
So, I stare at the clock so intently it might spontaneously combust, until finally it ticks past the four o’clock mark. Ringing resonates through the school and students pile out into the halls, hordes of children running towards the exit. I go in the opposite direction, to my locker, and spot a group of classmates standing in a semicircle in front. Panic settles in. I don’t want to deal with them.
Thinking at lighting speed, I decide to take the staff staircase. Technically only for emergencies, but this probably counts, right? I have no time to think about it. I run down those steps so fast my classmates don’t even notice me.
It’s only as I reach the bottom that I realize I’m on the other side of the school. I don’t want to run back towards the entrance as they would probably see me. That means the forest is near.
I skip into the vegetation, stopping to smell every leaf and flower. I don’t take this path often, so it’s quite a treat for me. The forest provides an escape and a lot of sketching inspiration. Pulling out my sketchbook, I sit in a tree stump on a tiny hill overlooking the bushes. Everything is... disturbingly silent. Not the usual comforting quiet but cold, empty stillness that settles in the absence of sound. I begin to realize that I am lonely. Usually loneliness means peace and simplicity, but today it means an eternal abyss where warmth once lied.
Just as I begin to feel the despair clawing its way into my heart, I hear a rustle in the leaves. As I look around, startled, a figure approaches. As the mysterious shadow and I lock eyes, I realize it’s not an animal but a girl my age. She smiles, points at my sketchbook and-
“You’re quite the artist!” she tells me. I stare at her. I haven’t been complimented in a while. Noticing the beaded tie she’s wearing, I decide to speak.
“I love your tie. Where did you get it?” I mumble. Why can’t I say one sentence properly?
“Thanks! I made it myself! It took AGES!” she exclaims excitedly. As soon as the words escape her mouth, she recoils slightly. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be loud. I know it’s annoying.”
I’m saddened by that. Why does she apologize for being excited about something? That isn’t right. “I don’t think it’s annoying! It’s refreshing for someone to talk to me with such joy.”
“Huh. People usually don’t like me when I get a bit loud. Thanks.” The girl smiles a wide, contagious smile that I can’t help but smile back to.
“I’m Pixie. What’s your name?” she asks, the smile still painted on her face.
“My name is Olive.” I smile back. Pixie is such a beautiful name. “We’re like two fairies. Pixie and Olive.”
Pixie giggles. “I guess we are. Can we be elves instead? I’d prefer that.”
“Honestly, me too.” I nod. “We can be forest elves.” Did I just make a friend? No, she can’t possibly enjoy my presence. Pixie has to be pretending.
So, we talk and talk about everything we can think of. I tell her about my fears and what I love, she tells me hers in return. It’s... amazing.
Suddenly, it’s dark out, and Pixie gets up to leave. “Same place same time tomorrow?” I ask. She grins and nods. I feel a warmth spread in my heart that I squash. Pixie won’t come tomorrow. She probably has enough of talking to me.
The next day, I skip into the forest a bit slower. What if she isn’t there? What if she went right back to her other friends yesterday and they all laughed at me?
I trudge up the tiny hill and look around. I’m disappointed that no one is there. I feel a silent tear stream down my face, slowly, like in a video montage.
Then I hear it. Loudly, “OLIVEEEE!” is screamed and I see Pixie run up the hill with a huge smile on her face. I grin right back.
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