Under the Bridge

By Jeannie Meekins

“Why can’t I play footy with you?” Michael asked.
“Because I said so,” Jake answered.
“Oh, who made you boss anyway, Jake?” Kyle asked.
“Stay out of this, Kyle.” Jake turned his attention from Michael. “We’ve got nothing against you.”
“What have you got against him?”
“He’s Chinese,” Jake said, as though the answer should have been obvious.
“So?”
“Chinese don’t play football.”

Life can be tough when you’re different – and school can be a nightmare.
Kyle helps new kid, Michael, see the world through different eyes. Together, they show their class’s tough kids that it’s impossible to see what’s inside someone when you only look on the surface.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeannie Meekins
• Release date: Mar 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9780987343536

Jeannie Meekins

Jeannie Meekins is an Australian writer who lives with her children and a couple of cats who think they own the computer. And if her dog could read, he’d be jealous, so it’s lucky that he can’t. Jeannie has also written over 10 books for children, many available through LearningIsland.com

Book preview

Under the Bridge

Jeannie Meekins

Illustrated by AT Davidson

Text copyright (c) Jeannie Meekins (2004)

Illustrations (c) AT Davidson (2013)

Published by Storm Cloud Publishing (2013)

ISBN: 978-0-9873435-3-6 Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please go to Smashwords.com/any online bookstore and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter one

Chapter two

Chapter three

Chapter four

Chapter five

Chapter six

Chapter seven

Chapter eight

About the Author

Chapter one

Kyle walked across the bridge over the creek. As his foot reached the creaking board, he smiled. Exactly thirty eight steps. Beneath the bridge he could hear the moving water. The gentle breeze in his face barely disturbed the trees.

Over the sounds of the creek, he thought he could hear crying. He stood still for a few seconds. Yes, there were definitely sobs.

He walked to the end of the bridge and turned down the embankment. Then he squatted down beside his dog and took the harness off.

Off you go, Bonnie. Go for a run. He patted her head and scratched behind her ears. As soon as he lifted his hands from her, the dog took off.

Kyle put his hands on the ground behind him and carefully made his way down the embankment feet first.

The crying came from beside him. From under the bridge where the afternoon sun cast cold shadows.

Hi, said Kyle.

After a last loud sob, there was quiet.

I know you’re there, Kyle spoke into the shadows. I heard you crying.

A few seconds later a boy spoke in a soft voice. Hi.

What are you doing? Kyle asked.

Running away from home.

Why?

Because everyone picks on me.

Yeah. Kyle nodded and sighed to himself. He turned to face the creek and sat down. A cockatoo was calling and a couple of magpies

Reviews for Under the Bridge

[William Sabin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good book. I like reading about how they dealt with the bully. And how a blind person can do things.