Lucia was crying for what seemed to be forever. We were walking through the Amazon rainforest but got separated from the tour guide. We followed something that seemed to be a gravel trail. At some parts there were toucans staring at us from the trees; I even saw an ocelot! I’d been marking some of the trees we passed with a marker I found in my backpack. I asked Dad how much further we had to walk, but all he said was soon.
We’d been walking for ages until we stopped at a huge waterfall. It was massive! Next to it was a little house. Mom suggested we stay in the tiny house and all the adults agreed. I hated the idea but it was the only good one. I sulked the whole way there because it was a long walk. Dad had helped us change our watches to the time zone in the Amazon so I could read the right time. I checked my watch, it was five twenty.
I screamed that we should hurry up, and we did. When we knocked on the house’s door, an old man opened it. He was skinny and held a cane in his right hand. The man had a long grey beard and the hair left on his head had a slightly lighter grey color. His eyes had a certain twinkle in them, like he was excited and I bet he was. When Dad explained our situation, he gladly let us stay for the night.
For dinner, we had a strange meal: bread made of cassava flour with mashed guava and cupuaçu slices. I myself was a very picky eater, but I knew I would rather try the food than starve to death. Lucia had her own meal of Acai berries and Stella had eaten all the dried mangoes so that left me and the adults with what I hated.
I wanted to try the cupuaçu first because it smelled like chocolate, but it tasted sour and had a chocolate flavor with a hint of tropical fruit. I crinkled my face up like a rotten cherry. I yelled that it was absolutely disgusting, and then the man just smiled and handed me a red banana. I thanked him but he just smiled again. What happened with the bread is a different story, though. I devoured half of them in seconds.
The next day, we thanked the man for his hospitality and followed the trail of trees I marked yesterday. I said it had been quite an adventure and everyone seemed to agree. About an hour later, we found our way back to the hotel. Lucia was biting a lizard while Stella attempted to pry it out of her mouth. We walked up the stairs to our room to grab our belongings and then caught a bus to the airport.
And that was the end of our trip to the Amazon.
About the Author
Maria Kalen is an 9-year-old girl who lives in Werribee, Victoria, Australia. From a young age, she has always loved telling stories, whether it’s sharing imaginative tales with her friends or creating epic adventures with her favorite toys.
When she’s not busy writing, Kalen, as she is affectionately called, enjoys exploring nature while going for weekend park runs and cycling. She also loves playing with her two younger sisters, whom she often includes in her imaginative play.
In school, Kalen is known for her enthusiasm and creativity. She excels in subjects like English and math. Outside of school, Kalen loves visiting the local library, different parks, and play centers.