Chapter I
A New Beginning
"Not potatoes again!" Eva complained. "We always have potatoes."
"Eva, be grateful for what you have or you won't get none." Mother said. Eva played with the food on her plate. She took a bite of the spuds and pushed down her throat. I can't believe I used to like this stuff. She thought to herself "I think they're good." Micheal, her younger brother said whilst stuffing his mouth with another spoon of mash.
The O'Brien family lived in a small stone cottage. The stones were coming loose and ivy was crawling up the walls. The roof was thatched and smoke was rising out of the chimney . Inside five people sat around a small fire. There was Eva. She was twelve. Her fiery red hair was messy and dirty. She had lots of freckles on her rosy cheeks, and her frock was green and tattered. Her eyes were a beautiful emerald green. They were deep and they twinkled with happiness. Her older brother, Connor, was tall and thin. His hair was short and brown with bits of mud sticking out. His slacks were dirty, and his shirt was withered. He grinned at the fire as he sang happily. Smiling with glee was Michael sitting on Papa's lap. He was the youngest member of the family. He was six and small for his age. His hair was a chocolate brown and his face was muddy from the garden. Mother sat leaning against the wall, closest to the fire. She had dark rings under her eyes and she wore a withering apron over her dark green frock. She had long red hair the hung down her back. Her frock was old and withering. Her eyes were deep and tired but sparkled with joy. Sitting next to her was Papa. He wore brown dungarees and filthy slacks. "Well children. I think you need to go to bed. Your mother and I need to talk alone for a while. We will come and say goodnight soon." He said in a deep voice. The children silently walked to their beds at the far side of the house.
" What are we going to do" Mother whispered to father quietly. The children were smiling in their sleep dreaming happy dreams. "Those were the last good potatoes and the landowner is getting angry."
"How bad are the other spuds." Father asked
"Awful" mother replied. "They're black as soot."
"We have to leave." Said father. " Tomorrow"
"Where too?"
"America, the land of opportunity."
***********
The next morning, the family woke at the crack of dawn. "Pack your stuff children." Dad ordered. "Were leaving in half an hour."
"We need money." mother said. "Children, do you have any spare change." Eva took a silver dollar out of her pocket. "I have a lucky dollar." Eva gave it up reluctantly. "Connor pulled out 50 cents from his pocket. "Take this." He said. "I don't have anything." Said Michael. Within fifteen minutes the O'Brien family were out of the door walking to the dock in kerry.
One hour later, the O'Brien family boarded the ship teary eyed and miserable. "Goodbye Ireland." Cried Michael.
"There's new life ahead of us. A life that will bring happiness." Papa said wisely. Hugging, the family walked onboard the ship.
The boat was crowded and smelly. People rushing around carrying potato sacks fighting for the best sleeping places. The masts were high and the sails were up. The outside of the boat was black and white with stripes. There was a pole sticking out the bow and the sails were tattered. The family found the nearest corner and sat down with their potato sacks. "The ship will depart in 10 minutes." A deep loud voice bellowed. Suddenly the dock sprang to life and peasants ran on the ship. If it was full before, then now it was unbelievable.
The famine ship left the dock and sailed into the ocean. It was a new start, a fresh leaf, another beginning.
