This week James and his teacher researched what life in Ancient Egypt might have been like.  One of his writing assignments was to write a story about a boy or girl living in that time.  James was particularly interested in the disparity between rich and poor and his essay reflects it! He chose to write in first person which makes the story interesting and poignant.  He did laugh a lot while he wrote it so while the ending seems sad and reflective of his life I think he really enjoyed expressing himself in this format. Here it is:

IN ANCIENT EGYPT I LIVED A MISERABLE LIFE.  MY NAME IS TOM AND MY FAMILY WAS POOR.  I HAD TWO SISTERS THAT WERE MARRIED OFF YOUNG AND I AM STILL SINGLE AT HOME. EACH DAY I ROT AWAY ON THE FARM WHILE THE RICH BOYS STUDY AT SCHOOL. THEY  HAVE A FEAST WHILE I EAT BREAD AND WEAR FANCY CLOTHES WHILE I WEAR A SKIRT. I AM SMART YET KEPT FROM LEARNING AT SCHOOL.  SO I SNUCK IN TO TEACH MYSELF YET I COULD NOT SAY ANYTHING I KNEW. I SPENT MY LIFE WANTING THE RESPECT I DESERVED INSTEAD OF SHOWING THE WORLD WHAT I REALLY WAS. I WONDER WHAT MY LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN IF I HAD CHOSEN HELPING MYSELF INSTEAD OF SELF PITY. NOW THE PAST IS TOO STRONG TO HAVE A DIRECT CHANGE.