Voting has now ended in Amazon.com’s Beedle the Bard Ballad Writing Contest, and the winner who will receive a weekend with the handwritten work by J. K. Rowling has been chosen. As we told you previously, the competition had been narrowed down to two finalists, which would be voted on by Amazon.com members from around the world. Sixteen year-old Rhiannon D. from Australia was voted the grand prize winner for her personal and moving entry. In a statement, Rhiannon says of the contest and winning:
“I am so thankful and honored for all the votes I received from Amazon customers in this contest. I’m flattered that they felt my entry was worthy enough to win this fantastic prize, said Rhiannon. “I can’t believe I get to read this special book, and can’t wait to spend a weekend with Beedle the Bard!”
Her winning submission was as follows:
When I was six, he was eleven
I learnt how to be brave.
When I was seven, he was twelve
I learnt to misbehave.
When I was eight, he was thirteen
He taught me how to cry.
When I was nine, he was fourteen
He showed me how to try.
When I was twelve, and he fifteen
He taught me to forgive.
When we were fourteen and sixteen
I learnt what it was to live.
When we were fifteen and seventeen
He showed me he could bleed.
But growing up with Harry taught me,
mostly, how to read.
This lucky winner will receive a trip for two to London, England to spend a weekend with The Tales of Beedle the Bard. As readers will remember, this work was purchased by Amazon.com at a charity auction earlier in the year. This unique and rare book was handwritten by Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling and contains the five wizarding tales mentioned in the “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” novel. Photos of the book, along with more information, can be seen via Amazon.com.
FIRST! YAY! Good for her! Her’s was the best, I voted for it. It definitely rings true. I wish her the best of luck on her visit to Beedle the Bard and I hope, that if she feels up to it, she’ll give leaky an account.
My sincere congratulations to Rhiannon. Hers was the most heartfelt and profound of all the entries, and the only one that really tugged at my heart. In a way, she spoke for all of us whose lives have been touched by JK Rowling and Harry. In the midst of all the crap going on with the RDR lawsuit, this is an oasis of very welcome news.
Congratulations Rhiannon, I loved both of the finalists, I did vote for Laura’s but it was really close and I’m sincerely happy for the chosen winner. It was the beautiful simplicity of it I think that scooped it. No you BETTER inform us on that weekend Rhiannon, go on PotterCast
I am so happy Rihannon won! The other entry was really great, but being a bit sentimental and patriotic, I was a little bit excited that a fellow Aussie won!
That was fantastic! I didn’t read any of the other entries, either, but this poem is absolutely wonderful. I’m nearly 30, and there was no book or book series that was nearly as captivating as HP when I was a growing up. Rhiannon really opened a window to what it was like to grow up with Harry for those of us who joined the fandom late or as adults. Thank you, Rhiannon, and congratulations!
FIRST! YAY! Good for her! Her’s was the best, I voted for it. It definitely rings true. I wish her the best of luck on her visit to Beedle the Bard and I hope, that if she feels up to it, she’ll give leaky an account.