Relic Short Story: Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears

I found this in a tablet box today. I wrote it in sixth grade—the assignment was to write a myth or legend, and since I couldn't think of anything better, I decided to piggyback off of a title I had seen in the children's section of the library: Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears. I figured since I didn't know anything about the storyline, it wouldn't be plagiarism, and if the teacher asked I would just play dumb. She did, and actually had a copy in her classroom library, but was impressed with the story overall. It's not bad for an eleven-year-old's work, but I still wonder why the drum was stolen in the first place, and why the three animals who are in on the heist are so adamantly against the justice that should be served them. I guess the moral is "no one likes a tattletale."

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears

By Austin Ballard

          One day, Mosquito heard that someone had stolen Sky God’s drum. Sky God had offered a reward for anyone who found out who had stolen it. Mosquito wanted to find out who did it, so he went off to find out.

          After a while he found Gopher. “Gopher, Gopher,” he said, “Have you stolen Sky God’s drum?”

“No, no, Mosquito, I have not Sky God’s drum.” Gopher replied, but Mosquito saw the drum behind Gopher’s back.

“Gopher! You have stolen Sky God’s drum! I shall tell Sky God about this!” And he flew up to Sky God.

“Sky God, Gopher has stolen your drum!” He exclaimed. Sky God was so mad he created a bolt of lightning and flung it at Gopher. Gopher threw the drum to Fox, and Fox ran away. The lightning bolt hit Gopher and he screamed in pain and fell into a hole. That’s why gophers today are ground animals.

          Sky God commanded Mosquito to find out who now had the drum, and Mosquito flew off.

          Mosquito found Fox laying by a river. “Fox, Fox,” he said, “Do you have Sky God’s drum?”

“No, no, Mosquito, I have not Sky God’s drum.” Fox replied, but Mosquito spotted the drum behind Fox’s back.

“Fox! You have Sky God’s drum! I shall tell Sky God about this!” And he flew up to Sky God.

“Sky God, Fox has your drum!” He exclaimed. Sky God was so mad he created a ball of fire and flung it at Fox. Fox threw the drum to Fish, and Fish swam away. The fireball hit Fox’s tail and he screamed in pain. The fireball was so hot it scorched Fox’s tail tip so that it turned white. And that’s why foxes have white tips on the ends of their tails even today.

          Sky God commanded Mosquito to find out who now had the drum, and Mosquito flew off.

          Mosquito found fish in his favorite pond. “Fish, Fish,” He said, “Do you have Sky God’s drum?”

“Yes, Mosquito, I have the drum,” said Fish. “But you shall never tell him! I shall never have the same fate as Gopher and Fox!” And fish splashed some magic on Mosquito. Mosquito started to change.

          First, his eyesight went blurry.

          Then, his voice disappeared. Instead, all he could do is buzz.

          Mosquito was furious. He flew out in search of Sky God. To this day, Mosquito can’t tell if someone is Sky God or not, so he flies up their ear and tries to whisper, “Fish has your drum!” But all that comes out is “Bzzz bz bzz bzzzzt!” And that’s why mosquitoes buzz in people’s ears!

The End