There are many ways to start a narrative essay. In my experience, both as a student and now a teacher, one of the safest way to start a narrative essay is to memorise one. They usually include some very detailed descriptive phrases and are very illustrative. They can be easily memorised and are usually flexible for most narratives. Do take note of the word count though. Below are some examples.
(Very early morning, 6-7am)
The morning star would dwindle by the second, and the dew
and mist of the morning would luxuriously engulf me. The birds high up in the
forest trees would hum in harmony to the delicate touch of the first rays of
the day. Far away the cockerel would scream at the risk of hurting its throat
to sound a bugle which wakes the day. (64 words)
(Rain during daytime)
The smell of the
approaching rain lingered in the air. The bashful sun hid behind the grey
clouds which were as high as the mountains and as wide as the island. A light
drizzle started and soon escalated into a huge downpour. Rain started pouring
down in torrents. Forked lightning, like the tongue of a cobra zigzagged and
flashed like the blink of the camera’s flashlight. Angry thunder boomed like
the pounding of huge drums. Rain drops sliced down like daggers, glinting in
the streetlight. Trees tossed their branches to and fro, causing their leaves
to fly. The blades of the grass bowed and became wet with mud. (108 words)
