The Jungle

Fear. It was the only emotion going through the small boy’s mind as he sprinted through the huge jungle. His tanned legs had scratches etched into his skin from the variety of dangerous plants on the ground, but that didn’t matter. He was a small twelve year old, all alone, lost in a massive, frightening jungle, and he had a wild boar chasing him. Every step he took was pain. His muscles were screaming at him to stop, and it felt like a thousand hot coals were burning his insides.1

Suddenly, out of nowhere, faster than traffic lights turn from red to green, the boar came charging out of the tall, moist trees. The terrified boy only had time to look into the boar’s enraged, violent face, and stare into its evil, red eyes before he was flying backwards through the air, his black hair waving around his head. 2

Time seemed to go in slow motion, almost stop as the boy silently sailed through the humid air. He was fighting to stay conscious. All of his problems seemed to leave his head for that moment. The warm air rushed past the boy’s limbs, engulfing him in a peaceful paradise. He was almost asleep when he crashed into a pile of green, wet vines. The impact itself didn’t hurt, but it made reality rush back. Pain and fear flooded into the boy’s body and mind. 3

Millions of questions came to his throbbing brain. Where was the boar now? Where was he? How was he going to get out of this jungle? He slowly pushed himself up out of the vines, taking in his surroundings. What was he to do? For one thing, he could just stay put, think of a plan, and wait for someone to come and rescue him. But how long would the rescue take? For another, he could leave the spot, and try to find his own way out of the jungle. But if he did this, would the boar or maybe another beast find him in the jungle? There seemed to be thousands of things that could go wrong with this option, but he chose it anyway, because he couldn’t imagine just staying there.4

The boy cautiously crept along the jungle path, hoping to see the end of the jungle around every corner. The entire effort seemed useless. On either side of him, the only things the boy saw were vines, trees, and insects. The next feelings he felt, apart from exhaustion, were hunger and thirst. The hunger was bearable, but his throat was parched. He just wanted one small glass of water, though he felt he could drink an ocean. The feeling of hopelessness was becoming overwhelming. He had no idea where he was going, and all that he`d achieved was a huge appetite. 5

The boy`s lips began to crack. Blood trickled down, some going down to his neck, some going into his mouth. He tasted it, but it tasted different from that he`d tasted before. This blood had the flavour of hours of torture in the jungle, and it told him how much he needed to get out. He turned the next corner, with the usual hope of seeing a gap in the never ending trees. This time, he saw a change. A small lake was situated 20 meters up from the boy. The child was so excited to see water, the one desire he had been itching for, that he nearly missed the observation that could have cost him his young life. The boar that had attacked him was lapping up water from the lake. It looked even more terrifying than before, because the boy could take in the boar`s attributes fully. It smelled terrible, like sweat and debris. It`s long and disgusting snout sniffed the air as the boy watched it closely, ready to run if need be. Slowly, the beast went back down to drink, it`s tail swishing lazily. 6

After what seemed like forever, the boar lifted his head up again. It turned around, and looked at the horrified boy straight in the eye. The boy was paralyzed with fear and shock. He couldn`t move as the boar started galloping towards him, a fierce gleam in its eyes. It was gaining speed, and was getting closer and closer to the boy. The boy`s legs were still unable to move. It was not until the boar was an arm`s length from the him that the boy regained control over his body. At that instant, he did the only thing he could do – he leaped, straight up. It was the highest he had ever jumped, and he felt a moment of pride at his accomplishment. He landed on both feet, and turned around in time to see the boar`s massive body crash into a tree. It looked dazed, but angrier than ever. The boy took off in the opposite direction, with the boar hot on his heels. He was a fast runner, but the effort seemed hopeless. The boar was gaining on him, and all that lay ahead was the lake. It was glistening in front of him when the boar snapped at his left leg. Pain seared through the boy`s leg, but he dove into the shimmering water nonetheless. 7

It was a different world underwater. His leg was throbbing, but the pain was diminished. He even forgot about his ravenous hunger, and that he was surrounded by what he had been fantasising about. He needed air. He was deep in the small lake, and started kicking his feet, trying desperately to propel himself upward. He flailed him arms, but it was futile. His lungs needed oxygen; he was going to die under the water! Suddenly, his head broke the surface of the lake, and he swallowed the amazing fresh air. He couldn`t seem to get enough of it. He turned his head, and saw the boar rumbling away in the other direction. The boy swam the length of the lake, and stepped out, relieved. He looked back to the other side of the lake, and to his pleasure, the boar was still there, afraid to go in the water. As he turned forward again, he noticed something strange. He was on a trail - made by humans! He sprinted up the trail, heart pounding with excitement. He saw another traveller on the trail, and was ready to ask him for help, but there was no need. He spotted his parents up along the trail, waiting for him, tears of relief on their faces. the boy, or Jimmy Jameson, went to rejoin his parents. 8