The first thing I noticed was that it was hot. Good thing Sun Li made me pack shorts. I heard the locals discussing a phenomenon called a "heat wave." I really didn't like being around the locals so I picked up what I needed and left.
I couldn't travel to far because Sun Li and the boys had set up in the market place plaza. First she wanted the boys to observe the culture of the people around them. I thought this was a waste of time, hence the reason I'm not their teacher. I headed back to camp to get rid of the things I had.
Graham and Gavin were polar opposites. Graham was content on sitting and watching the people interact. The people acted the same here as they did at home. Interesting. "Oh cool, Graham look!" Gavin said pointing to a snake charming basket. Bet you a weeks worth of dishes I can get a snake out!" Graham snorted. He didn't like bugs or snakes.
Graham watched Gavin take a seat on the rug. He was pretty terrible at first especially the sounds he made. Even though he'd never hurt an animal, Graham was pretty sure a dying cat sounded better. Over Gavin's hideous clarinet playing abilities, Graham heard a sweet sound. It was beautiful. The song reminded him of happiness. He had to know it.
Graham wandered a few more feet and cut between two more buildings. His family had to be here somewhere. Scary thoughts ran through his head. Graham did the one thing Graham was good at, "Why did you get us lost?" He scolded himself. Instead of a second voice answering, Graham answered himself, "Well I didn't get us lost! It's all your fault!" Graham shouted back.
"Look we have to remain calm," Graham responded calmly.
Graham wanted to cry but he was sure it wouldn't get him anywhere. Plus himself wasn't very helpful. Graham wandered back in he direction he came.
As he walked he heard the tune again. "No," he said to himself. That tune is what got him lost in the first place. He continued walking forward, although it wasn't sure it was the right away. The tune got louder and louder with each step. I'm walking towards it! He squealed with delight, earning him a few looks from the people he was passing by. In a small clearing of people right in front of him, Graham saw a boy his age stop whistling. Graham new better than to talk to strangers in a strange place but he was lost and this boy knew the tune! "Hi, I'm Graham!"
The boy looked at Graham and smiled, "I'm Amal. You look a little lost." Graham shook his head confidently. He wasn't scared anymore. Just lost. "Want me to help?" Amal asked. Graham thought about it. His family was probably looking for him. But what he really wanted to know was the tune. "Sure. But first can you teach me that song you were whistling?" His family could wait.
Amal pulled Graham to an empty alley and began to sing the tune. Amal whistled it twice, "You try." Graham was a quick learner when it came to music notes. He whistled the tune back almost perfectly. "Good start," Amal said, "let's walk and whistle- I have to be home before dark." The boy set off down the alley towards the market place.
In the market, Sun Li rushed frantically everywhere looking for Graham. He was just right there. Sun Li thought. Gavin stopped playing after seeing the distraught on his mother's face, "Mom, what's up?"
Sun Li stopped for a quick breath. "Graham's missing," she said weakly. Why couldn't Graham stay put? She knew it wasn't his fault. She should have been watching him. But Gavin was doing such a great job charming the snake she had to see. Sun Li fell to her knees in defeat. She'd never leave the island again. Nothing good happened off the island.
When Graham emerged into the market place the crowd had thinned so it was easy to spot his mother and brother talking in the distance. He wondered what cool things they did while he was gone. "Mom! Gavin!" Graham yelled running towards them.
His mother quickly snatched him into her arms and held him. He was pretty sure she was crying. Mom's are way too emotional. As Graham pulled away he heard the familiar tune fade into the distance. Graham responded with the next verse. He'd see Amal again tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment