contest winners

ANIMAL TRICKS

In the October 2006 issue, we asked you to photograph an animal doing something particularly curious and strange. Then in a brief statement you took a stab at describing the animal's behavior. What was motivating or challenging it? What was the animal trying to express artistically? We commend you for your findings.

Hurry up! Take the picture already. I've been standing here barking my tail off for a half hour. Let me in! What are you, deaf?

Brynn D., age 11, Iowa

Japanese Macaque #1 (with its hand on the fence)

Japanese Macaque #2 (on all fours)

This is what I think is happening:

#2: What are you doing?

#1: Escaping.

#2: WHAT?! Why?

#1: I want to go back to the beach.

#2: Can I come?

#1: Sure. I guess.

#2: Let's go!

#1: Not NOW you dimwit!!

#2: OK. (It said quietly.)

#1: Now go eat some sweet potato and don't say a word!

Leila B., age 11, Virginia

P.S. In this picture, they are actually beach macaques.

Deep in Thought . . .

In the picture below, Mr. Owen is deciding what to have his class learn today.

Mr. Owen's thoughts: Well, we already learned how to look cute and get food from a human. I think that's about all they really need to know.

Emma S., age 9, Pennsylvania

Horse: This is so mortifying! This is the third time this week that lousy servant of mine forgot to fill my trough! And while he's off enjoying himself, I'm stuck here trying to persuade random pedestrians to operate this water-spewing device for me. It's humiliating! Why, oh why, couldn't they have made this thing with foot pedals instead of that insane button? And these people can only laugh! Next time I think I'll make 'em get me a Coke.

Lia P., age 13, Illinois

This calf is definitely going to Broadway. Expert researchers (like me) believe that it was trying to sing; possibly the next Annie? (It has the red curls, anyway.) Too bad the cow only speaks Cattle. Those expert researchers also believe that the pasture will soon become a stage-the horse tells me that the sheep are begging to be the chorus! I have heard chickens make excellent stage crews. If you want to get tickets, hurry up, because I understand a herd from Wichita just got most of them. More expert researchers will be on hand to observe.

Note: My dad took this picture. I was standing next to him "researching" and laughing my head off.

Meg B., age 12, and Mark B. (Dad), Pennsylvania

Detective Math (the giraffe), a well-known detective, has yet another case to solve. After successfully conquering a hard sudoku puzzle (#3,472,112,632, not that you needed to know that!) he has moved up. The math mastermind has got an evil sudoku sitting patiently on his desk.

After about an hour of trying to get the pencil in between his two toes, he started.

He stared at it blankly for a few moments. It was practically impossible. Could not even the greatest math magician figure it out?

One day while he was looking at the dreaded piece of paper, it slipped off the desk, and while picking it up he found a message which seemed to be in code. It appeared to be spelled backward, so he took it to the mirror. It read:

TRY SWITCHING TWO OF YOUR NUMBERS.

This seemed simple enough, so he started narrowing down numbers. When he was finished, he checked it and ... EUREKA! It worked!

Noah K., age 10, California

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Moose Playing Soccer

Mooseyus Soccerus

Moosaldo fakes to the left then posses to the Ralmooso on his right. This picture was taken during a moose soccer tournament.

When a moose reaches a certain age, a hormone in the moose's brain enjoys fast-moving objects. Almost all mammals have this hormone, and it is similar to the one that makes teenagers drive too fast. The best way moose content themselves at this stage is by kicking things with their powerful legs. The coach for the US 2010 World Cup soccer team is hoping to recruit moose because, "The team's hopeless without them."

Theo N., age 12, Alaska

muse contest

LOSER MUSES

Tenth anniversaries are all very well, but most of the time the magazine is ruled by the number nine-nine Muses, that is. That's how many we started out with, and there are no plans to expand the team.

But what about when the team was first being assembled? For all we know, hundreds of applicants from Kigali and Kuala Lumpur and Ashtabula may have flocked in tor auditions, only to end up hearing the fatal words: "Thank you. Next!" Take Me-me-me, the Muse of Self-Absorption, or Putrid, the Muse of Bad Smells. Never heard of them? Of course not. They didn't make the cut-and a good thing, too.

For this month's contest, wed like you to describe another of the unlucky Muse wannabes. Tell us his, her, or its name and Muse-ish specialty. Include a picture. Our favorites will win a second chance for lame here on the contest page. Beyond that, who knows? There's always American Idol.

Contest Rules

1. Your contest entry must be your very own original work. Ideas and words should not be copied.

2. Be sure to include your name, age, and full address on your entry.

3. Only one entry per person, please.

4. If you want your work returned, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

5. All entries must be signed by a parent or legal guardian, saying it's your own work and that no help was given. For detailed information about our compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, visit the Policy page at www.cricketmag.com.

6. Your entry must be received by January 31, 2007. We will publish winning entries in the May/June 2007 issue of Muse.

7. Send entries to Muse Contest, 140 S. Dearborn St., Suite 1450, Chicago, IL 60603 or via email to [e-mail]. If you send digital photos, please scan at 300 dpi. No faxes, please!

© 2007 Carus Publishing Company Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.