Cuthbert by John Evans

On September 4th. 1104 the uncorrupted body of St. Cuthbert was moved to the new Norman Cathedral. A seal told me a seal-story of Cuthbert.
‘Cuthbert lay back and looked at the sky. It had been so long. He thought about how God had created this island and all the animals around. Cuthbert felt the familiar tingling in his stomach as he felt satisfied. Then he felt the familiar rumbling in his stomach as he felt hungry. He stood up and went to his vegetable patch. God had been kind to him. He picked two onions and went to fetch his place. Cuthbert liked onions. They felt soothing. He finished his meal and went to pray …

Dear God,

Thank you for creating me and the world. My island is a paradise for me but I wish I could heal people and animals. I want to feel useful. Amen’.

A thousand years later I saw the Lindisfarne Gospels (the ones dedicated to Cuthbert). They were yellow. All the pages were yellow. And the letters were strange and twisted … and beautiful. They, the gospels, were behind a glass case. All the colours were shining and the bindings were of perfectly crafted leather.

The gospels weren’t important to us at that time. Lunch was more important than some dusty old book but we looked, just to keep the teachers happy! I remember lunch as two sandwiches of cheese, cheese and onion flavoured crisps and a chocolate biscuit.

Now that was beautiful. Cuthbert liked onions too.

The Northumbrian Association’s Young Writers Award 2004
John Evans, aged 11 years: Joint Winner