SEA 2023 Creative Writing - The Last Picnic

The following is a prompt from SEA 2025 exam for Creative Writing:

Sample Essay

“The weather is perfect today!” I hollered, as we raced to our favourite spot.

It was a gentle hill behind Grandma’s house, where wildflowers danced in the wind and the sky stretched wide and blue. My younger sister, Anya, ran ahead, her braids bouncing with every step. Our cousins followed with blankets and baskets, and even Grandma, walking slowly with her cane, had insisted on coming up to the hill one last time.

We had spent nearly every school holiday on that hill—climbing trees, flying kites, or simply lying in the grass watching clouds drift by. But this day was different. Grandma’s house had been sold, and after today, we would all be moving away.  Still, none of us mentioned that. We wanted this moment to last.

We spread the blanket under the samaan tree and unpacked the picnic. The smell of homemade bakes and cheese, spicy pholourie, and cold mauby filled the air. Grandma handed out slices of her famous coconut sweetbread, smiling at each of us like she was taking a photograph with her heart.

As we ate, she told stories we had heard a hundred times but none of us stopped her. Her voice was soft and warm, like the breeze. Even the birds seemed to quiet down and listen. After lunch, Anya pulled me up. “Let’s roll down the hill!” she giggled. We tumbled down the slope, laughing until our stomachs hurt, grass in our hair and sunshine in our faces.

As the sun began to dip below the trees, Grandma held my hand. “I hope you always remember this hill,” she whispered. “And each other.”

“I will,” I promised as we packed up slowly, each of us looking back at the hill before walking away.

Years later, I still return to that moment. Whenever life feels heavy, I close my eyes and hear Grandma’s laughter in the wind, see Anya’s bright smile, and feel the sunlight of the perfect day we spent together—our last picnic on the hill that held all our best memories.

Essay Breakdown

🔸 Content: 5 – Exemplary

• The story develops beautifully from the prompt, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

• The use of a farewell picnic at a cherished family location adds emotional depth and meaning.

• The characters (Grandma, sister, cousins) are clearly introduced and contribute to the warmth of the moment.

• The theme of memory, love, and farewell is powerfully and gently conveyed.

🔸 Language Use: 5 – Exemplary

• Excellent use of sensory details: “smell of bakes and cheese,” “soft and warm like the breeze.”

• Figurative language and descriptions (“taking a photograph with her heart,” “sunshine in our faces”) are rich and memorable.

• The tone is heart-warming, reflective, and gentle—perfect for the emotional weight of the story.

🔸 Organisation: 5 – Exemplary

• Paragraphs are clearly structured, with smooth transitions between events.

• The pacing flows naturally from excitement to reflection.

• The final paragraph provides a satisfying and emotional resolution.

🔸 Grammar & Mechanics: 5 – Exemplary

• Grammar, punctuation, and spelling are all correct.

• Sentence structures are varied and effective.

• Dialogue and internal thought are punctuated and used meaningfully.

🌟 Total Score: 20/20

Final Comment:
This is a heartfelt, nostalgic story that balances joy and sadness beautifully. The language is vivid and emotionally rich, and the organisation guides the reader through a memorable day.