A Novel's Retelling

Author's Note: This is a retelling of the novel The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I hope you notice the intensity and voice I've tried to convey using the reading skill "retelling". 

In the ashes of what was once North America, lies the nation of Panem. The shining Capitol of the nation is surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year the Capitol forces every district to send one boy and one girl from the ages of twelve to eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games. This brutal and terrifying fight to death is televised live to everyone in the nation. Twenty four tributes enter the arena, and the last person standing is crowned the victor of the Hunger Games. 

Revived from the Ashes

Author’s Note: Every year we remember the tragic events that have happened in the past. We look up to the people who have given their lives to protect and honor our country. Today we stand here as a united nation, only because of what we have gone through. In my piece, please look for the voice and emotions that I have tried to convey through words.

September 11^th, 2001 will always live in the minds of the people who lived through it that day. The imagery of having an aircraft strike at one of the most populated buildings has never left their minds. As the smoke filled the air and lives were ending one by one, the news spread across the country. The emotions and fear of every citizen was unimaginable.  It will always be a devastating moment of history for everyone. The terrorism attack on the World Trade Center and Washington D.C. has been described as an act of war and a tremendous defeat for the United States; a defeat that shall never be repeated and a loss that must be avenged. In my mind, I think the opposite of others. This attack on September 11^th was not a defeat for our country, but a victory. The people of the United States of America certainly did not give up. There were members of the community coming out to help their fellow citizens. Because of this horrific event, our country has only become more unified, more proud, and more devoted to this place we call home.

It was eleven years and three days ago that our country was under attack. The lives of innocent people were taken away. The distress and sorrow in the people who have lost their loved ones, makes our eyes tear every time we hear of it. People from all over the city came to help. Not everybody knew how they could, but they had to. It was almost like it was their duty as a friend, most importantly as a citizen. Many helped but the ones who were on the spot trying to save everyone else as best to their abilities, are truly heroic. They are the heroes of our country. Regular human beings did all they could to save a life of another and by doing their job, they have risen to the top as a hero. From that day onwards everyone was unified as a nation. The same thoughts went inside everyone’s mind, the same emotions, and the same reasons to cry. It was only twenty minutes, that changed the lives of everyone in the United States.

There were many heroes that have come out of this tragedy, but the fact that truly amazes me is how much pride was spread across the country afterwards.  For the weeks to come, all you could see were American flags being held. So many people were proud to say that they were from the United States. It was hard to overcome everything, it took months for people to realize that what has happened, is done for. There is nothing that they could do to go back in time and change what had happened. As days went on the spirit in everyone and the red, white, and blue was spreading across the horizon. Nobody had ever seen us be more of a country since then.  Our flag still swayed proudly in the air before and after the attack. No matter what the cost, the flag and the people were one; a country.

In just twenty minutes, nearly 3,000 people died. For our country to realize the unity and devotion, it took away people’s lives. But, because of 9-11 our country has grown enormously. The people have changed, everyone looks up to the USA as  something larger than themselves. I think that it’s because of how great we have stood together until this day. Everyone has different opinions in everything, but together as a country everybody is the same. We might’ve lost something huge, but we have gained so much from just less than a half hour. Something great has come out of something so tragic. It’s hard to believe, but this is the truth. There will always be a little light, no matter how dark it is.

Year by year, we look back upon this heartbreaking event and remember what has made us grow as a country. To me, I think that this was just fate. We had to get through the climax to get to the end. In everyone’s lives they’ve had to jump over so many hurdles, that’s the same thing that our country had to do.  Not everyone’s graph of life will be a consistent line, there will be some low and high points. We’ve reached the bottom, right now is our time to step back up to the top once again. As the graph of this country continues, so does the memories of each story behind 9-11.

Our victories on the 11^th of September and the days following were more important than mere military victories. The way we have handled this situation reflects upon our spirit, national character, and unity. If we become one as a nation, all of us can achieve anything we possibly dream of. 9-11 was not only a tragic and sorrowful event, but it has given us the strength and will to move forward. Like Francis Scott Key once wrote, “The rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.” That star spangled banner should always be risen high and proud, it shall wave across the nation with triumph and glory protecting the people who live underneath it for all of eternity.