Tsunami

by Robin Stewart

Chapter 6 At home in the wilderness

  Beyond the beach, Noah saw mountains covered in rainforest, and a river. The river gurgled and tumbled over stones, threading its way out of the forest and onto the beach. As it meandered across the sand and then emptied itself into the sea, it seemed to sigh softly.

  The river’s long journey was over. But for Noah and his grandmother, their adventure was just beginning.

  Feeling like an explorer, Noah announced, "I'm going to call this place Wilderness Cove."

  But Gran’s mind was on other things. She could see no sign of other people. What would they eat? Where would they find shelter? What would happen if they got sick?

  Noah and his grandmother were each so wrapped up in their thoughts that they failed to notice the approach of the storm. Noah was the first to feel cold spiky spots of rain strike his face. He looked up into the darkening sky then called out to Gran, "It's going to pour!"

  Heading for the shelter of the forest, Noah began to run. But then he remembered his grandmother. Turning back he saw her stumble on the rocks that separated the beach from the forest. But faithful Prince was by her side.

  "I'm sorry," panted Noah, as he reached his grandmother's side and helped her over the rocks, "I forgot about you losing your glasses."

  "I mustn't trip or fall," gasped Gran, taking hold of Noah's arm. "There are no ambulances, hospitals or doctors here at Wilderness Cove."

  Seconds later, forked lightning slashed the sky. Thunder rumbled and roared. The wind howled. Then rain poured down in bucketfuls.

  Star was terrified! Flying her long floppy ears like an aeroplane about to take off, she bleated hysterically. Noah bent down and scooped her up in one arm, while supporting his grandmother with the other. Prince stayed by Gran’s side.

  Coo flew in the lead and was the first to reach the shelter of the dense rainforest trees. She cooed and bobbed her head up and down as she waited for the rest of her family to arrive. Finally, they huddled together, safe and dry for the moment.

  Pulling up the collar of her jacket and giving a shiver, Gran said, "My ears and nose are numb with cold. Let's light a fire to warm ourselves."

  "And dry out our wet clothes," added Noah, wandering off to collect some dry ferns and leaves, twigs and sticks from the forest floor.

  In no time at all, Noah had collected enough wood to light a fire and had struck a match to the kindling. A curl of smoke rose from the leaves, and as Noah blew on the single flame, the fire burst into leaping flames.

  "I think we'd better keep the fire going both day and night," said Gran, staring into the sparking, crackling fire, "so we don't run out of matches. There was only one box with the emergency gear."

  Poking the fire with a long stick, Noah thought of toast and honey, of sizzling sausages, curls of crispy bacon and hot baked potatoes. His stomach grumbled.

  He chased these thoughts from his mind, however, and then said, "When it's dark, the fire will give us light."

  Sitting on a damp log that she’d placed alongside the fire, Gran added, "Yes. And a fire is cheerful too."

  But her thoughts were not cheerful. Clasping her knees to her chest she worried about how she'd manage to feed them all, with so very little.

  As far as the pigeon and goat were concerned though, the rainforest contained plenty of food. There were soft leaves and buds, seeds, berries and grasses. And fresh pools of water from which to drink.

  Prince's food was not that easy.

  Noah squatted beside the river and scooped up the clean, icy water with his hands, and drank. At least they had plenty of fresh water.

  With the campfire flaming and the worst of the storm over, Gran noticed that the day was drawing to a close. "We must get busy," she said, "and build a shelter for the night."

  Noah was exploring. When he discovered a small rocky cave, he said, "If we build a lean-to shelter here, we can use the cave as a bedroom."

  "That's a good idea," agreed Gran, looking into the dark cavern. She noticed tough tree roots holding together the roof.

  Noah looked around for strong wooden poles to support a lean-to roof.

  "I'll collect a bundle of leafy branches and ferns to thatch the roof," said Gran. She was pleased to leave the main building to Noah. Thank God for my grandson, she thought, as she watched Noah drag back saplings from the forest, with Prince carrying a branch too.

  Before long, Noah had the saplings dug in as corner posts. The next task was thatching the roof and the walls. Noah discovered that brush and fern fronds form a dense mat, when woven together. One side of the shelter was left open, facing away from the wind.

  "No rain will get in now," said Noah proudly.

  "You've done an excellent job, Noah. The only thing missing is some loose bark to cover the earth floor -- --."

  "And a pile of fern fronds for our beds," added Noah, "as well as a perch for Coo, across this corner here."

  Nestled into the cave, their home away from home looked snug and safe. Prince, Star and Coo thought likewise.

  The dog and goat agreed to share a bed near the entrance. "We need you to protect us from danger," said Noah to Prince, who thumped his tail happily. His friend Star was certain that the lean-to shelter had been built for her amusement alone! She leapt and danced around their new bedroom, kicking her feet high into the air.

  Coo landed on Noah's shoulder then hopped on top of his head. Bobbing her head up and down, the pigeon told Noah a story. Her story about the tsunami and how she discovered their dingy, then led them to this mountain hideaway. Coo was proud of the part she’d played in their rescue.

  "Oh, no, Coo!" cried Noah, half-laughing. "Did you have to do a poo in my hair?"

  Coo pretended to be offended. She flew up to her perch below the roof, fluffed out of her soft grey feathers, and then tucked her head beneath one wing. Noah wondered if Coo was sulking. Or if -- like him – she was simply exhausted.

  It was almost dark.

  Gran settled herself on a log beside the fire and opened the yellow plastic lid of the box of emergency rations.

  Peering into the box, Noah announced, "I’m hungry."

  "I'm hungry too -- and worried," said Gran, "because there's no sign of any other people or shops. No electricity. No mobile phones. No cars.

  "And we haven't got much food left," continued Gran, "only a few biscuits, some sultanas and a little condensed milk. No more chocolate. No more peaches, baked beans or sardines. No more toilet paper either."

  "What will we use instead of toilet paper?" asked Noah, looking unsure.

  "A smooth stone from the river or a large leaf will have to do," said Gran. "We’re going to have to improvise. Plates made from bark or leaves -- -- --. Dried kelp platters -- -- --. Our life jackets and plastic capes as blankets -- -- --. This old sack of your grandfather's as a food-gathering basket."

  The vision of a steaming cup of tea played around in her mind. She shook her head sadly. Then she looked around at the trees in the forest. Perhaps she could make lemon-flavoured tea from the leaves of a paper bark tree?

  Looking up into the dark, misty mountains Noah asked, "What about bush foods? And food from the sea?"

  While his grandmother searched the pockets of the emergency rations box she said, "I'm surprised your grandfather didn't put in some fishing line and some hooks, sinkers and a reel. Without proper gear we won't be able to go fishing."

  "There isn't a net either," said Noah, looking into the last pocket.

  Noah sat on a large log he’d dragged from the forest and placed beside the fire. He hugged his knees. He was cold, tired and very close to tears. His eyes and nostrils stung with the acrid smoke that swirled from the smouldering wood.

  Blinking away his miserable feelings and sniffing loudly he poked at the fire with a stick and said, "The wood is too wet to burn properly. Tomorrow I'll find some drier bits."

  But now it was time for bed. Noah and his grandmoth
er were exhausted.

  As Noah relaxed his body into the cosy bed of ferns, his mind, unfortunately, kept busy. Now they were on dry land, and the immediate crisis had passed, Noah thought about his life on the island. He wondered if he'd ever be back there again. He thought of his mother and father, and his two brothers. Of school. Then of his friends back home.

  Would he and his grandmother grow old here in the rainforest? Would they remain lost for ever?

  Perhaps another boat will come, thought Noah hopefully, as hunger gnawed in his stomach. Maybe someone will see the smoke from our fire and come to our rescue?

  He thought of slices of hot toast spread thickly with peanut butter, with slices of tomato on top. His stomach rumbled noisily. He wondered if they’d fade away to skin and bone. Then die. Of hunger.

  The forest slept. Eventually Noah slept too.