I really had no idea where to put this...
Giant Eagle Jungle
The rusty, decrepit old jeep bounces wildly over the gnarled old roots that are sprawled across the jungle floor. Tall, imposing trees form a narrow aisle, rising up on either side of the treacherous path in an impenetrable wall. The hot, humid air presses in on me, making me feel drowsy and strangely heavy.
Suddenly, a bushel of lime green bananas lands on the seat next to me with a soft thump.
“We can have these on our cereal next week,” Mom says over the buzzing of millions of insects. She’s in prime tour guiding form, effortlessly steering the jeep down the trail. She clutches a tattered old map in one hand, but she barely glances at it as we drive along. “Now, where did I put that coupon?”
I roll my eyes, then turn back to scanning the shelves – I mean, trees. An old lady rumbles by in a jeep loaded with what can only be monkey meat. I catch a strong whiff of lavender and cat litter as she passes and wrinkle my nose.
The roar of the old lady’s vehicle gradually fades into the distance, leaving the jungle feeling strangely quiet. Too quiet. The calls of birds and the insects’ buzzing have suddenly fallen suspiciously silent. The entire jungle has fallen still in the space of few seconds.
I feel a prickle of unease and glance around nervously. There’s not a living thing in – No! What’s that? There, crouching on one of the higher branches, is a jaguar! It’s fierce tawny eyes flash green as it stares down at me. White fangs longer than my fingers gleam in the dim lighting as the big cat curls it’s lips back in a snarl. I cower in the jeep, an odd mixture of terror and awe paralyzing me.
The jaguar shifts. I see powerful muscles ripple under it’s spotted pelt as it prepares to spring at me.
“Mom!” I manage to squeak. I point at the predator with a violently shaking finger.
“Ah, yes, tomato soup,” Mom murmurs mildly. “Thanks for reminding me.”
I stare at her in shocked disbelief – doesn’t she realize what terrible danger we’re in? – and then look back to where the jaguar had crouched moments before. It’s gone now, probably lurking in the shadows somewhere. I breathe a sigh of relief.
We continue on our dangerous expedition, Mom plucking fruit off the trees as we go. Suddenly, the sound seems to turn back on. The rustling of plants and the deafening cacophony of animal cries returns with renewed vigor, along with something else – the chaotic sound of rushing water. Mom brings the jeep to a screeching halt just before we plunge into the murky waters of a huge river!
“Oh, dear, someone’s spilled some sauce,” Mom says, pursing her lips. Her silver heart earrings jangle as she shakes her head in disapproval.
Daringly, I lean over the side of the jeep and stare down into the river. Who knows what terrifying monsters lurk beneath the muddy surface, just waiting for an explorer to venture into the raging waters?
To my relief, Mom backs the jeep up, and we neatly skirt the river. There will be no encounters with alligators or piranhas today, but who knows what other creatures lay ahead?
We careen around the next bend, nearly hitting a moss-covered tree. A cool, light mist is drifting gently onto an array o exotic and queer looking plants.
“Lettuce and tomatoes,” Mom mutters, peering at her list – er, map. The appointed foods drop into the jeep. It’s starting to become rather crowded in here. I fidget a little, accidentally nudging a jug of water with my foot.
And then I see it. A huge snake is dangling from a tree right next to Mom’s head! Unaware, she continues to scan her map as the beast inches closer and closer to her, little pink tongue flicking in and out.
I stare at it in horror. The snake is at least six feet long, with emerald green scales that are splotched with large red spots. This must be the deadly Sippy Cup Stealing Snake! All of my guidebooks have warned me of it. Not only is it lethally poisonous, it also likes to steal sippy cups from innocent young explorers like myself.
The snake is right by Mom’s head now. I swallow my fears. Now is the time for action!
“Mom, look out!” I scream, chucking a banana at the snake just as it opens it’s mouth. With a hiss of surprise, it falls heavily to the jungle floor. I’m not done with it, though. I keep throwing anything I can get my hands onto as Mom drags me out of the jungle, her face red with anger.
“Kiara!” she screams as she marches me through the automatic doors. “What is your problem? It was a jump rope!”
“No, Mom, it was a snake!” I wail, ignoring the stares of passerby. How could she not have seen it?
Mom’s rant continues the entire ride home.
“I think too much Dora is messing with your head,” Mom snaps as we pull into our driveway. “First the incident at Wal-Mart, and now this! Next time I go shopping, you stay home!”
“Fine,” I say, defeated. She just refuses to believe that we were almost attacked by a snake. I clamber out of the car and head into the house, calling back, “If you need me, I’ll be in the bathroom, sailing the Nile.”
