Vegetarian Journal's Essay Contest Entry

SHARKY

For as long as Sharky could remember, he ate meat. Little did he know that was all about to change.

Let�s start from the beginning. �Hi, Sealeo. Have a nice summer?� asked Sharky. �Yeah,� said Sealeo. �Want to play after school?� �Sure,� Sharky replied.

So, after school they went outside to play. Just as they started to have fun, Sharky�s mom called, �SHARKY.� �Coming,� Sharky replied in an annoyed voice. �You too, Sealeo,� came a sudden call from Sealeo�s mom. �Mom, why did you come so early?� complained Sharky. �It�s salmon season. The salmon are passing by during their migration,� replied Sharky�s mom. So Sharky went home.

When he got home his father said, �D� you want to go salmon hunting with me?� �Okay,� said Sharky. Outside there was a swarm of salmon. The swarm was swimming so fast that you could die if you got hit. Sharky and his father were skilled and would not get hit. �There�s a big one,� said Sharky. Sharky swam up to catch it and then he bit. It started to cry. It was Sealeo. �I�m so sorry,� said Sharky. Sealeo swam home crying. �I�m never hunting again,� screamed Sharky.

After a couple of minutes, Sharky had decided to become a vegetarian. The next day, when Sharky went to school, he told Sealeo that he was sorry. But Sealeo was too sad to talk.

At lunch Sharky decided to have a kelp (seaweed) sandwich. The other kids had fish sticks and electric eel lo mein. After school Sharky sadly walked over to Sealeo�s house. Sealeo was really depressed and Sharky felt really bad. �If it makes you feel any better, I stopped eating meat,� said Sharky.

�Sealeo, will you forgive me for biting you?� Sharky apologetically asked. �Of course,� replied Sealeo forgivingly (as they munched their kelp sandwiches).


SRS is not an official participant in Vegetarian Journal�s essay contest because of a conflict of interest. If you are interested in vegan fish recipes, see Nancy Berkoff �s Vegan Seafood book in The VRG catalog (page 34) or visit www.vrg.org/catalog/veganseafood.htm.

Annual Essay Contest Rules

To enter VRG�s annual essay contest, just write a 2-3 page essay on any aspect of vegetarianism or veganism. There are three entry categories: ages 14-18, ages 9-13, and age 8 and younger. Winners will each receive a $50 savings bond.

All entries must be postmarked by May 1, 2009, for this year�s contest. Entrants should base their entries on interviews, personal experience, research, and/or personal opinion. You need not be vegetarian to enter. All essays become property of The Vegetarian Resource Group. Only winners will be notified.

Send entries to:
The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203

Please make sure to include your name, age, address, phone number, school, and teacher�s name.