The Time Twister
Aug 06, 2025
The auspicious day started like any other: an 8:00 alarm, a shower, a series of exercise and a filling breakfast. Despite the ordinary morning the afternoon wasn’t; Akbar was going to St. Micheals museum! Throwing on his hat and flinging on his jacket, Akbar rushed to his school bus (which he called a huge banana) and off he went…
After seeing a few houses and skyscrapers, the towering set of doors were burst open by the crowd of impatient students. “Wait … Stop, you’re not supposed to be here this early!’’ But the pupils were uncontrollable like a herd of bulls.
Suddenly, Akbar found himself in the ‘Aisle of the Eastern Realm’ – “Yes my favourite!” He squeaked. Venturing onwards, Akbar stumbled upon an entrance, intricately designed. From its heart, a peculiar light emerged, trapping all forms of darkness. The illuminating star cast out a sense of curiosity and wonder – Akbar trudged closer. Closer. And closer. Until he was sucked into the vortex of luminescence.
Akbar stood powerless in the centre of a jungle. Towering plants and tangled weeds blocked his view, making it impossible to see what lay ahead. The area was abundant with the sweet melody of birds but the questioned remained. “Where was he…?”
As he pushed through the undergrowth, his foot struck something solid. Curious, he knelt down and brushed aside the dirt and leaves. Beneath it lay an ancient stone tablet, cracked and weathered by time. His fingers traced the worn carvings.
It was a riddle:
Pillars and walls as white as snow
A Queen’s burial place
Where the wind doesn’t dare to blow
A site that catches a soul’s gaze
A place that everyone goes
“What could that mean?’’ bellowed Akbar.
“I don’t know – nowhere in my mind would I think Pataliputra was a place of riddles?” Babur replied, scratching his orange-black striped ear.
“Hmm… White as snow, a Queen’s burial place – OOH, IV’E GOT IT!” shrieked the boy, shooting into the air.
“What… What is it?”
“The Taj Mahal, come on we must haste; the King may be there soon” His hazel eyes flickered with hope – his brown skin receded to a soft pink. Leaping onto his pet Tiger, the boy’s heart pounced with adventure, as the team fled to where the treasure waited for them.
As the blinding light of the moon pierced the night, the adventurous boy beamed at the sight of the Taj Mahal. It was substantial – it was like a fortress, that protected the emperors of Mughal India. He dashed inside, the gem was left unprotected. “Woah, lucky me” he murmured.
“Really!” A voice echoed. “You really thought a juvenile commoner, like you, could stop me?” The man’s voice was like a lightning bolt that stabbed the sky.
“The King!”, Akbar’s face began to rapidly build up sweat. Trembling into the light, Akbar revealed himself, leaving the title ‘a shadowy figure’. In an instant, Babur pounced on the King, making him unconscious. “Quick, he won’t be asleep forever!”
Following the commands, the boy embraced his sidekick and grabbed the crystal. Once again, he stepped into a portal, leaving another realm behind.
When Akbar opened his eyes, he was suddenly in bed. His head throbbed and as his vision cleared, he saw a tall, young man standing over him.
“Well, I’ll take that, thanks,” the man said, reaching for the crystal.
“Hey, that’s mi—”
“Shh,” the man whispered as he pressed a finger to his lips. “I know you’re curious, but the King might hear us. My old friend Babur won’t be able to keep him unconscious forever.” He smirked.
Published with Permission of Dixons Manningham Primary School
