I have spent my entire life seeking something more. Something bigger. But for the most part,
something more exciting. My life as a farmers’ boy in Falkirk certainly lacked that. Excitement. I dreamed of a life as a soldier. A man, brave and strong defending the honor of king and country.
I was 17 when I first heard of William Wallace and his uprisings against Edward, who with no right occupied and terrorized our Scotland. He was a smart man, to be sure, but unlike Wallace, he had no honor, and his thirst for glory and power never-ending. Wallace embodied everything I strove to become. A man longing for the freedom of his beloved country. With Falkirk being relatively close to English strongholds I have felt the restrictions of their occupation stronger than most. The constant limitation and suppression only made me wish even more to break free from my dull and repetitive daily routine.
The little time that I had for myself I spent researching about the great independence warrior. News about his triumphs in Lanark and Scone traveled fast and as his troops began to move towards Sterling Bridge, I couldn’t help but feel excitement and hope. Adventure and change were within my grasp. Sterling Bridge was only a few miles away and the Scottish troops could surely use my help. If not as soldier, then as footboy or helper. I was ready to take any position as long as it would get me out of this immensely tedious village. However, all this was just me daydreaming. My mother would never let me go to the front lines and I wouldn’t make it two miles trying to sneak away through the woods around our village. So, I forced myself back into reality, focused on my tasks and tried to ignore any urge and emotion. Days later I heard a rumor that Wallace, against all odds, won a great victory at Sterling Bridge and left over 5000 English dead, littering the field surrounding the cross over and was now moving further south towards Falkirk. And so was Edward with a 15000 men strong army. I knew immediately what this would mean for us. My brothers and I would have to join
Wallace’s troops. I should have been mad with joy.
A few days later I found myself standing on a hillside south of my town armed with nothing more than a small silver dagger which has been passed down for generations in our family. I could barely see the English with their neat uniforms on the other side of the marsh. My senses were heightened like never before. I could smell the scents of the hot July winds. I could hear a man softly praying a few lines behind me. I could feel the silver getting heavier and hotter in my hands. My brief moment of peace was interrupted by a voice howling: “I have brought you to the ring. Now dance if you can!”.
I turned around and ran.
Illustration by Andrew Hillhouse
Marie Hefele is 17 years old. Born and raised in Hungary, but her parents are German so she enjoyed a childhood filled with Hungarian and German traditions and now speak both languages fluently.
She loves being in nature and traveling is one of her favourite things to do. Once the Pandemic is over, she would like to go on a trip to Scotland where, among other things, she is planning a tour through the Highlands.
With this banging start to her literary career, we predict great things for Maria.
The winner of the adult category, Sandra O’Donnell, will be published in Issue 14.
On the judging panel for both categories, Jen (our editor) is delighted to spread the creativity inspired by Falkirk, Scotland, around the world.
Thanks to the Great Place Falkirk scheme for organising the competition and doing such a great job of preserving the area’s culture, people and natural heritage. Marie’s piece, with Andrew’s amazing illustration, is now featured on their website: www.ourstoriesfalkirk.com/
The project is run in partnership with Falkirk Community Trust, Falkirk Council, Scottish Canals, and Central Scotland Green Network Trust. It is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Great Place Scheme is a pilot programme, investing in 9 places around Scotland with the goal of enabling heritage organisations to make a step-change in how they work together and enhance the role that heritage plays in the future of each place.