Short Story
Lucy and the Talking Backpack
Lucy didn’t think anything exciting would ever happen to her. She lived in a quiet town where the most thrilling thing was when the ice cream truck came down her street in the summer. But everything changed one rainy Tuesday morning. It started like any other day. Lucy rolled out of bed, stretched, and groaned at the thought of math class. She grabbed her purple backpack from its usual spot on the hook by the door. But as she reached for the zipper, a voice said, *“Do you mind? A little warning before you yank me open like that!”* Lucy froze. “W-what?” she whispered, looking around. Nobody was there. Just her bed, her window, her books—and her backpack. “I said, a little warning next time!” the voice repeated, clearly coming from the backpack. Lucy dropped it and jumped back. “You… you talk?!” The backpack sighed. “Yes, and I listen too. You’ve been singing terribly off-key every morning for the past year.” Lucy blinked. “I’m dreaming, right? I must be. Backpacks don’t talk.” “Most don’t,” said the backpack, “but I’m not *most* backpacks. Name’s Baxter. You’re my new human.” Lucy leaned in cautiously. “Why now? Why are you talking all of a sudden?” “I was under a spell,” said Baxter. “A very boring one. I’ve been stuck silent for years. But last night, when you spilled hot cocoa on me and mumbled something like ‘I wish school was more fun,’ it broke the spell. Congrats. You’re the lucky winner.” Lucy stared at him. “So… what do you *do* exactly?” Baxter unzipped himself and glowed faintly. “Well, I’m not just for holding books. I’ve got *secrets.* Magical ones.” He opened wider, and inside was not the usual clutter of pencils and notebooks—but a glowing tunnel that seemed to stretch deep into another world. Lucy gasped. “Is that… inside *you*?” “Yup,” said Baxter proudly. “Want to explore?” She hesitated, but her curiosity won. She leaned in—and the next thing she knew, she was sliding down a soft, glowing tunnel. When she landed, she found herself in a forest where the trees had leaves shaped like stars and the flowers whispered secrets when you passed by. “Welcome to the Realm of Reusables,” said Baxter, floating beside her. “Where forgotten backpacks, lunchboxes, and pencil cases retire—and sometimes, adventure begins.” As they walked, Lucy saw a notebook flapping like a butterfly, a ruler swordfight happening on a stump, and a pair of gym shoes skipping along a trail, laughing. “This is amazing!” she said. “But why bring me here?” Baxter’s voice got serious. “The realm is in trouble. Someone’s been stealing the zippers. Without zippers, no bags can open or close. Total chaos.” “Who would steal zippers?” “The Velcro Queen,” Baxter whispered. “She thinks zippers are outdated and wants everything in the world to switch to scratchy Velcro. She’s building an army of sticky folders and noisy sandals.” Lucy giggled. “That’s ridiculous… and kind of awesome. So, how do we stop her?” “You have something she doesn’t,” said Baxter. “Imagination. Courage. And… me.” Together, Lucy and Baxter set off on a mission. They crossed the Crayon River in a canoe made of notebook paper, outsmarted a grumpy stapler troll by answering riddles, and finally reached the Velcro Queen’s lair—a towering fortress made entirely of Velcro walls. “Quick,” said Baxter, “you distract her. I’ll sneak in and zip the master zipper.” Lucy took a deep breath, then burst through the front doors. “Hey Velcro Lady! I’ve got a zipper and I’m not afraid to use it!” The Velcro Queen hissed. “You dare challenge my rule with your old-fashioned ways?” “Zippers are cool,” Lucy said boldly. “And quiet! Ever heard a Velcro wallet in a library? Nightmare.” While the Queen fumed and ranted about her vision of a scratchy, zip-free world, Baxter slithered through the fortress walls and zipped up the master zipper—restoring balance to the realm. A wave of soft “zip-zip” sounds echoed through the land. The Velcro Queen vanished in a puff of lint, and all the stolen zippers flew back to their owners. “You did it!” Baxter cheered as he zipped open a new portal. “You’re officially a hero of the Realm of Reusables!” When Lucy stepped back into her bedroom, it was like no time had passed at all. Her mom called from downstairs, “Lucy! Don’t forget your backpack!” Lucy looked at Baxter and smiled. “Oh, I won’t.” Baxter winked. “Same time tomorrow?” “Definitely,” she said.
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2016 CAVALIERS. Top Story - April 2025.
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