Wenzel August Hablik: Student Showcase

Utopian Architectural Landscape, by Wenzel August Hablik (Germany, b. Bohemia, modern day Czech Republic) 1921

Creative writing students at Arrowhead Union High School in Hartland, Wisconsin, recently engaged in a project centered on seven distinct works of art. Using these pieces as inspiration, students crafted original stories, bringing their unique visions to life. Each class participated in a rigorous peer-review process to read and critique 30 of the 86 student-authored submissions. Ultimately, the students took on the role of editors to select the most intriguing pieces for publication, celebrating the diverse literary talent within our writing community.

Terri Carnell, teacher

**
​
The Plumber’s Perspective
 
Liquid leaked from the rusted pipe, leaving a pool around Mario’s heavy work boots. Black oil streaked across his face in the damp heat of the New York basement. He tightened his grip on the wrench until his knuckles turned white. Beside him, a massive toilet built from green stone vibrated. “Mario, leave that drain alone,” Luigi, his brother, said, voice trembling like a snapped wire. “The landlord expects this to be fixed by noon, Luigi,” Mario grunted. He thought about the stack of overdue bills sitting on the kitchen table. If I stop now, we lose the shop. Mario ignored him and threw his arm into the swirling water. Suddenly, he was dragged towards the drain. The toilet swallowed both brothers, spinning their bodies through a tunnel of screaming wind. Their tools scattered into the darkness. 
 
They fell into a soft mound of neon grass. Above, massive chunks of land drifted through the skies like lost birds. 
 
“Where did the city go?” Luigi gasped. 
 
Still gripping his wrench, Mario stood. The air tasted colorful. This place feels alive. A small mushroom guy ran forward, eyes wide with panic.
 
“The King of Koopas snatched Princess Peach!” the creature shrieked. “He took her to the Dark Lands!”
 
Before they could even process what had just happened, a sound came from the tall grass. A dinosaur with scales the color of emerald stepped out. It let out a chirp and nudged Mario’s hand.
 
“What…is…that?” Luigi whispered, backing away.
 
“He looks like a Yoshi!” the mushroom creature explained. “He will guide you through the secret paths of the Forest of Illusion!”
 
Mario climbed onto the creature’s back. The saddle felt more natural than any chair back home. Yoshi took off, his legs pounding against the ground. Luigi climbed onto a second, yellow Yoshi, and the four of them vanished into the horizon.
 
They all ran for hours, determined to save the Princess. Eventually, they reached Soda Lake. Mario and Luigi thought they were stuck until the Yoshis leaped into the air, fluttering their legs to fly. Mario felt a stronger bond with the animal than with any machine he ever repaired.
 
They reached the edge of the Dark Lands. Stone towers rose ahead like jagged teeth. Mario felt the heat of the lava baking his skin. However, he didn’t feel fear; he felt focused. Inside the King’s room, the ground shook under a massive, spiked beast. Bowser. The King of the Koopas. Bowser swung his massive tail, smashing the floorboards into pieces. Mario dodged the attack and climbed the chains on the ceiling. With one strong kick, he shattered the bridge below. Bowser screamed as the lava consumed him. “NOOOOO!” The sound echoed through the castle. 
 
After saving the princess, the kingdom settled into a quiet hum. She took the brothers back to the meadow where they came. A swirling portal hung in the air. Beyond that portal, the grey, trash-filled streets of New York waited. Mario looked through to see the flickering street 
lights. 
 
“The path home lies before you,” Princess Peach said.
 
Luigi walked for the exit, but Mario stayed still in the grass, his hand resting on Yoshi’s snout.
 
“Go on without me, Luigi,” Mario said.
 
“You want to stay in this nightmare?” Luigi asked, mouth hanging open.
 
I choose the monsters here over the landlords back home,” Mario said.
 
Luigi stepped into the portal and vanished. The only sound in the field was silence. Picking up his heavy wrench that was lying on the ground, Mario turned towards the Mushroom Kingdom and began his journey.
​
Caleb Hicks
​