Aquilla

A close encounter

Nov 24, 2019 4 years ago

“Plums! Plums! “I chanted to myself as my siblings and I stepped off my Dad's truck. The sweet aroma of ripe fruit filled the summer's air. Every tree on the plantation was laden with a tempting, juicy load. Summer in the country was the best time of year for my siblings and me. We set out on a mission to get the ripe, juicy plums from the huge tree that lay on the hilly part of the plantation. There was one problem that we faced every year, Mr. Moore's, our neighbour's, vicious dogs roamed the pathway. The only other way to the plum tree was through the undergrowth that leads up the hill. We trekked cautiously through the bush, hoping that we would not be discovered by the guard dogs. Blades of grass and prickles ripped into our skin as we crept silently through the undergrowth. These injuries would soon be forgotten when we got our prized possessions. Finally, we could smell and see the red, juicy plums on the tree in the distance. Our eyes grew wider and our mouths watered as though we could have already tasted the delicious fruit. As we approached the brow of the hill, our lively chatter stunned Mr. Moore's cow. It mooed loudly and its cry echoed through the air. The sound startled the dogs. The loud, ferocious barks coming from the direction of the road, could be heard getting closer and closer. The dogs dashed off in furious speed in our direction. “Run! Run! Let's get out of here!” screamed my brother at the top of his voice. “I don't want any dog bite. “ He continued as he dashed off. With the dogs on our heels, we forgot about the plums and hurried towards where Dad worked in his garden. I, being the smallest, could not keep up with my older siblings and I felt I would soon become dog food. “Help! I'm too young to die.” I screamed desperately as the dogs inched closer. I fell down into a grassy trench but no one paid attention to me. My other siblings continued running without even looking back. I thought I was done for. I closed my eyes and waited to be eaten by vicious dogs. My body was paralyzed with fear and I was unable to move any part. That's when I heard a voice. “Enough! Come here!” whistled Mr. Moore as he called his dogs to his side. It was a voice I recognized and I felt relieved. “Are you okay, Lisa?” asked Mr. Moore pulling me out of the trench. Shaken and wobbly, I answered as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Yes, I'm,” I replied while dusting the dirt and brush off my clothes and knees. “Where are the others?” inquired Mr. Moore. “They left me behind,” I responded holding my head in shame. “Nothing to be ashamed of. I'm sorry about the dogs. Here's a bag of ripe, juicy plums for your troubles. That's what you were going for?” inquired Mr. Moore.

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