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Simon writes:

Most of the stories that have come to me for this guest writer section have been attached to e-mails from hundreds if not thousands of miles away. The following was handwritten on a sheet of lined paper and was read aloud to me within moments of it being completed. I think it's an excellent story. Especially as it's written by a ten year old. I may well be guilty of bias, too. Helen Clark is my daughter. The following story reveals two of her passions in life: the TV series Friends and Egyptology – an intriguing combination. Now, does anyone think Helen might be a chip off the old block?

When I was at home watching Friends (Joey, kiss kiss) it was a brand new series. Joey was cuter than ever. I lay there with my bed unmade, but then a strange glow came from my cupboard, so I went over to it. I moved my clothes off of it. I saw it was covered with shiny gold with diamonds; the texture was all soft and silky. The pattern was very strange because it had Ra, Isis and all those gods. When I opened it I saw there was a pile of papyrus inside. I picked one up and started reading it. When I finished it I was standing at the foot of a grand palace.

I was in Egypt! Ancient Egypt! Then all of a sudden a servant came running down telling me my father needed me. I looked down at myself. I was a prince. He ran off with me to the throne room. The guards let me in. I looked at the man I was just told was my father. He came down the steps to me. I asked what was wrong, so he said he'd been bitten by an asp! The most deadly snake in Egypt. He started again, 'The doctor says I will die. Will you do me a favor?'

'Of course,' I said without knowing what I was getting myself into.

'Your treasure is around here. You must find it before I die. Now go.'

So I went into my chamber to see if it was there. Even though I searched it inside out, but nothing. The same again in the palace. Still nothing. Suddenly it came to me. His pyramid! While I was going to my chariot I saw a blue charm. When I got to the pyramid there was a guard guarding it. I showed him the charm so he let me in. I ran along the passage.

Then I found it. I opened the door to find a guard. He told me he'd bring the chest back. When we got home my father said his last words. 'You are the Pharaoh.'

Now, Ramesses the 3rd. I am the morning and evening star... 'Wait! Pharaoh speaks!'