Fast Forward and Ivy
What happens when you have the power to fast forward time, your dog can rewind it, and the aquarium workers turn into squids? In this episode, Faith (who introduces herself as 'Strange' because she's thinking the workers are strange for not blinking) and her dog Ivy are visiting the aquarium. Faith finds it funny when Ivy barks at the fish. But where are the workers? Suddenly they appear around the corner. They haven't blinked once. They ask: 'Can we show you something?' Faith says 'Sure' with hesitancy. They show Faith and Ivy a large empty fish tank. Then the workers change into squids, then back into people, and lock Faith and Ivy in the room with the tank. 'It was the craziest thing I could imagine.' Faith and Ivy think of a plan: use Ivy's rewind powers to get themselves out of this mess. It definitely works. They rewind back to Ivy barking at fish, see the people, see them turn into squids, hear them say 'we've got something to show you.' And this time they know exactly what to do. As soon as the workers walk in, Faith locks the door and runs out with Ivy. Fast-paced, cleverly structured with time-loop problem-solving, and featuring shapeshifting squid people, this is a story about thinking fast, using your powers strategically, and the perfect partnership between a girl and her time-rewinding dog. This story proves what one Year 6 student told us: "The only superpower you need is imagination." About the Story Story Type: Time manipulation adventure with shapeshifter mystery Themes: Strategic thinking, human-animal partnership, using failure to learn success, trust your instincts Setting: Aquarium (empty of workers, then suddenly full) Why This Story Matters This author has created something brilliantly structured: a time-loop story where the protagonist fails, learns, rewinds, and succeeds using knowledge from the first attempt. That's sophisticated narrative mechanics. Faith and Ivy don't just have powers, they use them strategically to solve problems. Notice the character voice: 'Hi I'm strange. Oops. I meant to say hi I'm Faith.' That self-correction, that self-awareness about social anxiety, is psychologically authentic. Faith thinks she sounds stupid, so she doesn't tell people her actual name. But when danger appears, she's decisive and clever. The shapeshifter reveal is perfectly paced: workers missing, suddenly appearing, not blinking (uncanny valley warning), transformation into squids, back to people, lock the door. Each beat escalates the threat whilst Faith processes: 'It was the craziest thing I could imagine.' When children are given complete creative autonomy, they write stories where: Powers have strategic applications (rewind = do-over with knowledge) Failure isn't the end, it's information for attempt two Human-animal partnerships work because each has unique abilities Social anxiety doesn't prevent heroism (Faith doubts herself but acts decisively) Villains are genuinely weird (shapeshifting squid people at aquarium) That ending, locking the door on the shapeshifters and running out, is perfect role reversal. They tried to trap Faith. She trapped them. That's using your enemy's plan against them. About StoryQuest⢠StoryQuest is a validated methodology that achieves 100% engagement across all learners, including reluctant writers, boys, and students with SEND. The approach is simple but profound: give children complete creative autonomy over something that truly matters to them. Resources & Links Bring StoryQuest to Your School: Visit my-storyquest.com to download the curriculum guide and discover how your students can become published authors. Start Friday Night Storytelling at Home: Download Gabriel's StoryQuest Family Kit at theadventuresofgabriel.com Read Gabriel's Adventures: The international #1 bestselling series that started it all, co-authored by Kate Markland and her son Gabriel Khan. Available at theadventuresofgabriel.com Connect with Kate: Website: katemarkland.com Share This Episode Know a teacher struggling with reluctant writers? A parent whose child says 'writing is boring'? A school leader looking for proven literacy solutions? Share this episode with them. Because every child has a story. And when we give them the freedom to tell it, extraordinary things happen. Keywords Child authors, creative writing for children, literacy education, reluctant writers, StoryQuest, student engagement, children's storytelling, authentic writing, educational innovation, child-led learning, time travel, time loop stories, shapeshifters, squid people, dog sidekick, aquarium adventure, Bradford UK, UK education, December Story Celebration Next Episode Subscribe to Stories Without Borders to hear more incredible stories from children around the world who discovered their voices through StoryQuest. Tomorrow: Another story from our December Story Celebration, 31 stories over 31 days. Production: StoryQuest "When given complete creative control, children don't just create great stories, they discover their voice. And that voice deserves to be heard." - Kate Markland