Homework WE 2/11/15 - A Vital Lesson

[Shelley Hansen]

Interesting prompts this week, Maureen! You nearly caught me with "turgid water". I made an initial assumption that "turgid" meant "murky" ... but then I thought, never miss an opportunity to check the dictionary! Just as well I did, for I discovered that it is "turbid" that means "murky", whereas "turgid" means "swollen, inflated". Good on you for continuing to test our comprehension and inventiveness!

A Vital Lesson
(c) Shelley Hansen 2015

The promise of earth's riches had enticed his feet to roam
along the path to Razor Gorge, which took him far from home.
He parleyed with a caterpillar, dallied with a snail,
and tiptoed over busy ants that crissed and crossed the trail.

He hoped to spy a platypus within a fern frond's shade -
but when he reached the creek a new discovery was made.
A boiling rush of turgid water swelled the swilling stream
as leaf boats bobbed and danced to dodge the sunlight's silver gleam.

Forgetting his surroundings in this wonderland of play,
he hadn't meant to wander quite so very far away.
The sun began to vanish as he realised with fright
that he was caught between the days and shortly facing night.

The darkness grew. He didn't want to think what was in store.
Quite suddenly it wasn't fun to be here anymore.
He didn't like this hunger game, and thought about the tea
his mother would have cooked for him. How worried she would be!

Imagine his relief to hear a single shot ring out!
He heard his father's coo-ee and he answered with a shout!
A cold and hungry, frightened boy - to safety soon returned
with tragedy averted and a vital lesson learned.

[David Campbell]

Clever, Shelley...good to see a positive interpretation of the "single shot"!

Cheers
David

[Shelley Hansen]

Thank you so much David - and no doubt you also picked up my channelling of "The Ant Explorer" - wonder where I've heard that recently ????

Cheers, Shelley

[Maureen K Clifford]

Well done Shelley - a great use of the prompts to craft an interesting yarn that led the reader on right to the end. Very enjoyable read.

[Catherine Lee]

Excellent as always - Shelley strikes again! A great story with clever use of the prompts and a happy ending.