The Black Hole

Seemingly bored with his dull existence, one man's life is changed forever when the photocopier at work churns out a portable black hole.

Tempted by the possibilities, the man uses the black hole to steal – first from a vending machine, then from the office safe. However, things do not go to plan.

Teaching Ideas

Ask the children to discuss what they would use the black hole for. Can it only be used for 'bad' things? Could it be used for good? If this happened in the school photocopier room, should it be kept or destroyed? Can we justify our answers?

Writing Ideas

• Write a narrative about someone who finds the 'black hole' page.
• Write the next part of the story – who finds the man in the safe? Does he get away with it?
• Write a newspaper report about mysterious crimes occurring – include witness statements describing someone using the 'black hole'.
• Write a description of the place on the other side of the black hole. Is it the same? A mirror world? Slightly different or unsettling in some way?