HELP!!!!

I spoke with a brave and distinct tone” No one panic…A tornado is coming at us at around 180-190 kms per hour. If we all work together, we can make it alive. No one separate yourselves from the group and stick to your partners”.

I started jogging as fast as I could (the rest were slow…very slow). I could feel the strong wind now, pushing against us. Terror covered my entire face. I felt hopeless. Naomi waterfalls passed in a whir, like in a blurry picture. A village could be seen in the distance. As we ran, I was thinking of the vital things to do. “Keep everyone safe, warn others of the tornado…that’s about it”, I thought.

A shrill scream interrupted my thoughts. It was so loud I had to turn and shout. It was not until I turned around did I notice that the tornado was much closer. A fact worse than that, a fact which terrified me from inside out, a body whisked by and was lifted into the air in that fraction of a second. The wicked tornado bellowed loudly, clearing a path, and it was headed right towards us!!! It raced, leaving destruction behind it, wherever it went. Our group ran back into the forest, hoping that we could lose the funnel, but we couldn’t. It took a sharp turn in our direction. We had no hope now. We took a left, back to where the body was whisked. Marion was her name. We darted past the green trees.

She lay there, motionless, with no arms and one severely injured leg. Taking her to a nearby hospital would be impossible. It would take every last of our efforts and we had a tailing tornado, for goodness sake!

One heave and one ho and we were off! She was lighter than we thought but that didn’t mean it was easier. The path we came from in the jeep seemed like the correct route. All of us got in and Dan started driving like he never drove before. The wind blew against my face harshly in two directions. It was starting to get cold, a phenomenon which rarely occurred in Central Africa. It was possible, due to the sun’s movements.

Clouds began camouflaging the sky. A deep grey was all our eyes so see. In a normal situation, we’d be extremely ecstatic about a storm, but this was not a normal situation. It would only make our mission harder and above that, the rain could cause infection to Marion’s arms, so we had to choose between taking shade or we could drive the jeep as if we were psychopaths. Survival in our case seemed out of the question. Rumours were that a storm can lash rain like a whip. It thunder sounded like a bellow by a monster. Only one option was left: Make for the edges!

“Drive!!!

 We haven’t got much time!” came out of my mouth. We left behind a torn-up village with no help. It gave the impression that we did not care about them but I would not mind. The towering trees and the lush green bushes whizzed by. The scarlet hibiscuses and lavender bougainvilleas zoomed, like a blurry picture. It felt heart-breaking to leave the forest. Almost cruel. Who would take care of those animals and plants during the storm? Their sorrow was also mine. I shared a brother-sister bond with Mother Nature’s creations. They were my friends.

I did not have a choice. If I did not take them out of the jungle then my job would go and I would never be able to roam the forest freely. If I left, then I do not know what fate will fall upon God’s children. This thought lingered on my mind. The two angels told me this: “Come on Carter! Your job will go! How can you feed yourself? How will pay for all the bills?”

Another said: “Think of all the plants and animals. You are their only voice. Who else will look after?”

The first one: “Mother Nature created ‘em! She’ll take care of ‘em!” I thought to myself, “He’s right though.” I have to take a break sometime. This was my life.

“STOP!!!!” came out.

Everybody stopped to look at me. Worry was written on their faces so well I could read it like a book.

“Move over Dan!” I said. Nothing happened. They seemed so hesitant to do anything.

“I mean it, Dan, move over!”

A slightly scared Dan moved to the front seat that was to the side. I got out of the jeep and went to sit in the drivers’ seat.

“I’m driving this baby from here on. If anyone makes a single noise, then they’re outta this truck. Get it?” I said, with a thug-looking expression on my face. All nodded in unison.

          I started driving as if I never drove before. The speedometer hit the 100s in 10 minutes. Maybe we could make it. Maybe we had a silver lining on this cloud. What if we did not? What if it was too late for Marion? She was losing blood at a rapid rate. Could she make it in time? Would God spare one life?

HELP!!!!

“C

ome on people! Follow me!” I shouted out, to the ten people behind. “We’ve still got ‘bout five km to go!”. I guess you could say I was a guide showing around 10 foreigners the beautiful and mesmerising rainforests of Central Africa. Although It’s kind of annoying when you have to explain every single thing to the guests, since they do not know much about the forests but the beauty and glory it presents, it makes me breathless. I feel blissful at the fact that I’m this lucky to be able to roam the jungle without any problem.

        “Here we have the famous Naomi waterfall, known to be the second tallest, after Angel falls. This mighty waterfall holds at least 10,000 species of insects, birds and animals. Anyone up for swimming?” I shouted, making my voice clear and confident. They all yelled back in unison “We sure are!”

        We all jumped into to the closest area to the lake at the end. The water felt soothing against my sweaty skin, cooling it off instantly, like eating ice cream after a hot summer’s day. The tourists came at a bad time though. At times, temperatures would soar to 55^o Centigrade.

        Thankfully, there were no children on our trip, these were just honeymooners out for some adventure.

 ”Well team, its time to get back to camp. We don’t want to get ourselves lost, now do we? We have other places to discover tomorrow and if we’re lucky, we might even see a tiger!!!”

“Huuurrrraaayyyy!” I think that was a very nice response.

To find the way back was easy. I knew the Masud forest like the back of my hand. Sure it’s full of creepy animals, scary insects and weird birds but this forest screamed out LIFE. Camp was located in a meadow north of the forest, so that animals wouldn’t find their way in. We set up camp about two days ago. We stay up here in the forest for five days, in the mountains for another five days, the coast for five days and an island located near Madagascar for the last five days (a package of twenty days). Just like little kids, we set up a fire (themselves of course, I only help them in lighting it) and cook their food. We told spooky stories but the scariest was my, which I tell to spook the tourists.

“One lone night, a man was reading a horror story when he suddenly saw a shadow. It loomed in front him, in a midnight black cape. No eyes, no teeth, no face either. Just a sinister hood covered its evil head. It was the old ghost. Rumours were that whoever entered the house would never live to see another day. Guess where the house used to be! Right on this very……” but I never got to finish the story, because out of nowhere, a loud whirring noise filled the background. I stealthily climbed a tree with my monkey friend Guana, just to double check what was happening.

What I saw frightened me to the core. I froze, unwilling to move my feet, afraid that I might fall into nothingness. A giant wind funnel hung over the horizon. It approached by the second. “Okay, Carter, don’t panic. If we all work together, maybe we can survive this.”


Rest will be posted on 
10th of December

Peacock

This is another style of writing poems.They are called the Haiku.It is a Japanese style of poems which is mostly base on syllables.First line has 5 syllabeles,the second line has 7,and the last line has 5 again.

The rain went pit pat

It shook its feathers gracefully

in the shiny night!

Flowers

A cinquain poem is a poem with only five lines. The first line has the title,the second line describes the look the the title, the third describes the smell, the fourth describes feeling and finally, the fifth line states the the title again.Also, each line has a specific number of syllables.

Flowers

Great, beautiful

Always smelling quiet nice

Gives a quiet natural feeling

Always

Continuation from                                                                                           From Sasha’s view     

22^nd of September                                                                                         

 A strong wind blew against the tiny cottage, shaking it. Both of us were silent. Neither spoke. The glass windows revealed a grotesque scene outside the house, speaking with a voice of its own. ’Stop it! Stop it! End my misery!’ “What do you want?” I asked, curiosity coming up to my throat, so much so that I had to give every ounce of effort within me to keep my voice straight. Again, no reply. It was getting annoying now.

The cottage abruptly turned cold, a shiver neither of us could repress shook through us, just like the petite hut.

“Child, I thank you so much. I cannot thank you enough for your kindness, and to make you feel better, this tea is excellent. Would you mind if I could have something to eat?” she asked, with a light breath, as soft as feathers. “Of course…would you like some cookies?” I exclaimed, rushing into the kitchen. The kitchen was small, but just enough for two people. I was one, so no problem.

The hut shook again, however, this was more violent than before, the house was stronger than people thought. It was not some lonely little structure made up of walls and a roof. It was a brave soldier, its goal to protect itself and the people who dwell within it. I came out with a tray of freshly made cookies. The old woman took a bite and closed her eyes. I could tell that she was very hungry. She reopened her sapphire eyes, glistening in the dim light.

“Sasha, did you know that there is still a royal family ruling the island of Tasmania?” she said, looking at me, straight in the eyes. My mouth dropped open like a cod fish. For starters, this is the 21^st century, for goodness sake!!! Plus, how on earth can there still be a royal family ruling Tasmania?

“Pardon me, but did you just say that Tasmania still has a royal family ruling…? “I said, thoughts seeding through my mind? “I mean, don’t you think that ruling was, like, centuries ago? And why exactly are you telling me this?”

“Yes there is a royal family ruling Tasmania, and I am telling you this because there is a secret I must tell you…”

           My eyes narrowed, wondering where this was going to. Thoughts raced against each other, very second thinking up something different.

“I am the queen of Tasmania! The correct ruler of this island!” said the woman. Again, I looked like a cod fish. The rain outside died down, to alight drizzle. I could hear the light pit pat on the roof. I thought that she was going to say ‘You are the rightful heir to the Tasmanian throne‘but I was wrong. She didn’t say anything like that. I was glad she didn’t. I most definitely did not want to be part of the noble family. I was fine right here. “Child…” she began, turning in my direction” I was wondering, would you mind if I could live here, with you? I promise, on the God, that I shall not as put a scratch on you. Please, may I stay with you?” Once more, I looked like a cod fish. My eyes widened, my feelings rose up to my throat. I felt gagged and ran in to drink some water. “Look…what’s your name, miss?”

“Sarah Renaldo”

“Alright, Miss Sarah, you want to live with me???”

“I don’t see why not, seeing that I’m old and feeble, and not even capable of hurting myself.”

“Ok, give me sometime to think about it, okay? Till then, why don’t you rest in the bedroom?” speaking in quick breaths. She went in, slowly strolling across the hall to the bedroom. Which gave me time to think. I was used to being alone, but could I make room for another person?

Save the tigers!!!

Tigers are

living signs of majesty

Day and night

they live in fear and anticipation

Never really knowing

when their lives shall end......

Their dens being their abode

the only place of real protection

now turns into a mysterious

again,never knowing when their lives

shall end....

Tigers are magnificent

even with their sharp claws

and spiky teeth

They roam these lands

with their heads held up high

but lately,these creatures

have come down with number

and with their heads down

Don't you think it is

our very own responsibility

to look after these regal beings?

Help now,or it will be too late...

Lake of tears...

          The path curved into a slight arc and she walked down it, her sleek brownish-black hair sweeping the warm ground. Even being a human, the earthen floor felt like velvet beneath her feet, and her eyes scanned the scene ahead her. Fairly calm, she thought, letting her feet drag against the soil.

 She turned back down the path, leading to a small cottage not bigger than a backyard garden. Even though it was little, she loved it more than her own life. How could she not? It had kept a roof over her head for more than two years now and created a shelter against rain, snow and cold.

She entered the house and put a pot of water to boil. As always, she was wet and it was raining heavily. A thick blanket kept her warm and she sipped her tea. The glass window faced the glorious woods and she stared at it, fixing her eyes on one particular tree….

Why does it look as if it is trying to say something? She waved that thought away, thinking about something else. She moved her attention to missing her parents. Both her parents had died in an accident two years while at school. She had an uncle who sent her money just enough for her to live alone. Being 14-years-old, who could blame her?

The tiny cottage shook slightly, as the fierce rain battled against the powerful wind, howling like a pack of wolves. Raindrops beat the outside of the hut with rage and she was quivering a lot, and she thanked God for keeping her a cover on her little head.

A quick rap came from the door and she wondered, who could be outside at this time of the night and storm? She opened the door quickly to give the person a shelter and it turned out to be an old woman! “Please come in! “She exclaimed, assuring her in. She went into the kitchen to get a pot of tea ready for the aged lady. “What are you doing, in this cold?” No response. She asked again. No response. After that she just kept quiet and let the woman drink her tea. During this silence, she noted how the woman looked. She was beautiful, no that seemed like an understatement. She was beyond beautiful, more like mesmerizing. Even with the wrinkles, her skin looked like satin and her elderly eyes dazzled in the light. They shone and her face was really attractive and she wore a kind of trousers with a shawl on.

“What is your name child?” the old said, her voice barely above a whisper. She said “Sasha….”with her head down, eyes staring at the floor. Who was this woman? And what does she want?

 Rest will be posted

on the 30-09-2010

                                                                

Attack!and no home......

I skipped to the glass window, staring outside at the numerous amount of planes-stationary or otherwise-and gave a huge grin. I was fascinated with anything aerodynamic and my passion for it grew with every passing year.

            My family-my father, Mark, my mother, Emily, my younger sister, Alex, and I-were headed to Brazil for a fun-filled family holiday so we had to stop at the Caribbean. The airport over looked the Nagahama forest with sheer grandeur. The sky was crystal blue and the day sunny. I, being 13 years of age, took the responsibility of my two year old sibling. I lifted my sister, saying “Look Alex, these are really big birds, aren’t they?” Alex squealed in delight, excited about the idea of being on a bird.

            “That’s weird…” I thought “What was that whirring sound?” My thoughts were interrupted by my sister’s demanding shrieks to view the birds again. As quickly as it had come, the sound left without another disturbance. Half an hour passed by, and Alex and I were eating a yummilicious, margarita pizza! Our teeth bit into the bread like lions and were thinking of all the activities and games we would do.

Then, out of nowhere, a siren blared deafeningly from behind the sapphire wall. A dull green plane burst through the thick wall, splattering chunks of concrete when finally breaking through the viewing glass. Silence. The plane was out of earshot and sight. Suddenly, men with brown and green uniforms started shooting everywhere. BANG! BANG! BANG! went the rifles and one bullet literally raced through my baggy trousers. Grabbing my sister on to my back, I sped through the lounge, trying to escape each passing bullet. I was terrified that my sister might get hit, and my heart suddenly beat even faster, at the same time my legs pushed me quicker, as if wanting to protect my sister.

Beads of sweat poured down my forehead, and my hands became wet. “Okay, Alice, what do you know at this moment?” I asked myself, breathing deeply for each word in my head. I knew my parents were dead, I knew their bodies lay lifeless on the ground, but I also knew this was no time to mourn and grieve for mine and Alex’s losses. The violent scene drifted behind me as I crossed the forest’s boundary line and only slowed down when I was absolutely sure that we were far enough. Unexpectedly, my eyes saw black and I saw nothing else………

The lush grass sparkled in the moonlight, the glistening moon perched in the beautiful night sky. Nocturnal birds chirped to glory while I lay on earth, looking at the magnificent work of Mother Nature………

Reality tugged on me like a vice, pulling strongly. I didn’t see the aggressive airport lounge full of departed bodies. The souls could never fulfil their dreams, they would never see their children or grand-children, and they would never be able to be successful in their careers. My sister lay beside me, sleeping peacefully. I lifted her gently, so as not to wake up. The poor thing, this was too much to bear with at such a young age.

The only three things I was sure of were these: 1) I’m, stuck with a two-year-old girl in an unknown forest, full of deadly animals and insects. 2) We were safe (from the men anyway). 3) This was the very forest where the famous professor, Professor Collin, got lost. Some say he disappeared; others say never made it back to civilization alive.

All types of trees surrounded me like a huge army. I had to defend myself, come what may. The damp floor was camouflaged by red, brown and yellow leaves. The path took a twisting route through the woods, something which no one could make out. Alex finally   came round and we were sitting beneath a huge banyan tree.

She was perched on my lap and I sang her asleep. The Banyan tree was huge and the leaves could have been dancing in the splattering rain for all I knew. I thanked God for giving Alex this shelter and moved a bit back. For some reason my back never touched the bark of the banyan tree. My eyes just zoomed past the wet forest and all I saw now was air. My legs hit something bouncy but wasn’t I supposed to be screaming at the top of my lungs??? Wasn’t Alex supposed to be crying?

I got answers for my questions when I felt a soft hand on me. I look down and saw an earthen looking trampoline. I hesitantly looked behind me and to my surprise my eyes met a brown pair “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you!” His smile was warm. My body refuelled a bit at the idea that I was not alone. “Here…” offering a hand” come on in.” He led us to a small underground cottage. Opening the door, he said “The name’s Jasper. You must be wondering why I live here, in this deserted forest, where no one can live alone? I’m about 15 now, I think… ”thinking off into space “Boy, am I!”

“I got lost in this forest in 2005. No one noticed I was missing, since my parents dies when I was 10. He strolled into the kitchen for five minutes and came out with two steaming hot cups of tea and a glass of milk, along with a plate of home-made biscuits. “I lived with my uncle for 5 years. He died 4 years ago and I had no friends.” He said.

“Some terrorists attacked the airport. Both my parents are dead. I have a two-year-old sibling and have no home” I whispered, glaring at the boiling tea. “Maybe you can stay with me! It gets lonely around here sometimes, so……”

Alice thought about it. Should she trust Jasper with her and Alex’s’ life? Or maybe she should say no, they barely knew each other?!?! Maybe they both should go together, on a quest to find their own homes? Question was: Where is home?

           

Ganapathi Bappa , MOREYA!!!

The bells ring

like loud chimes

in the mandir

Everyone is praying

to Lord Ganesha...

Beautiful flowers

are sprayed everywhere

Everyone is praying

to Lord Ganesha...

The pooja is over

everybody are making

they're way out

Everyone has prayed

to Lord Ganesha...

The processions begin

everyone is dancing and singing

This is the festivals's highlight

when everybody are together

immersing the statue

in the blue waters

of thriving Mumbai...

Nights are real

When does the sound of crickets arrive?

When do the lotuses bloom?

No one knows the true beauty

of night time.

The glittering flower

The shining insects

As the dew gently

drop from the emerald leaves

night birds twitter in delight

to see

such grace and beauty

Beauty around them fills

them with pleasure

to realise they have such a quiet

yet quite gorgeous

HOME…

Home for them......

Home for real......

Nights are real......

Teachers-How they are special...

Who are teachers?

Teachers are our second parents

They nurture us slowly

revealing us bit by bit of this fast-changing world

Anyone who tells us

something new is a teacher

Anyone who cares about

you and tells you why

is a teacher

There are many teachers

in this wide world:

Gandhiji, A.P.J Abdul Kalam ji

our parents.....so many......

Yet we don't realize

what sacrifices they've made

for us, while we grow up

before their very eyes......

At night

The ear-shattering howl broke

through the thin, crisp air

like sharp teeth piercing flesh

The moon shone in the clear sky

glaring at the earth

eyes full of envy for

Earth’s beauty

but at this time of the night

Earth’s creatures were only prey to

ruthless predators

who roamed on those lands……

STARS

Never do the stars stop shining

In the glittering moonlight

Calling out to the Earth

They live at such a great height

Giving us hope giving us faith

Always by our side

Don’t give up

Shine like a star again….

We have our moments

We have our time

No way to turn it back

Just be happy with what you have

Keep a smile again

We have our friends

We have our foes

Be grateful you have both

Life has its twists and turns

Remember that again

Shine like a star again………..