PSLE: A Camping Trip

The rising sun dispersed the chill of the night as it rose above the horizon. Tim, Tom and their father, Mr Thomas, were trekking up the woods. The sun rays filtered through the foliage of leaves and gentle warmth permeated the woods. Flowers dotted the trees and perfumed the entire trail with their lovely scent.

“Tim, why are you so slow?” Tom called out to his brother who was way far behind him. “You’d better hurry up or a bear may appear and eat you up!”

“Stop scaring me!” Tim pulled a long sulky face and panted as he dragged his heavy legs forward.

“Boys, look at this awesome spot! The ideal place for our campsite!” Mr Thomas exclaimed.

Overwhelmed with excitement, the two boys rushed over and surveyed the place. Refreshing cool water was gushing down a nearby waterfall. At the side was a flat clearing with grass patches that were dancing in the caressing breeze.

It was the perfect spot to pitch their tent. They took out their poles and joined them together to make the shape of the tent. Next, they put the plastic tarp-like sheet over it and staked down the edges so it would not fly away. Finally, they completed pitching their tent. The boys beamed with pride.

Mr Thomas decided to get some firewood and left the boys on their own. Feeling bored, an idea hit Tom, “Let’s go swimming!” The boys were like fleas in a doghouse and immediately jumped into the gushing river. They were having a whale of a time enjoying themselves, swimming, splashing and sploshing about. Soon, Tim’s stomach growled noisily. Tim went to the tent in search for some snacks while Tom continued playing in the river.

All of a sudden, an ear-piercing shriek sliced through the silent air. Alerted by the scream, Tom rushed out of the river to find out the source of the din.

“Hey, Tim! You scared the daylights out of …” Tim exclaimed. Before he could even complete his sentence, he halted.  The scene that greeted him shocked him to the core. A gargantuan black bear, standing on his hind legs, loomed over the Lilliputian Tim. The poor boy freaked out and his legs trembled like wobbly jelly. His cherubic face blanched ashen white in horror. He was nonplussed and did not know what to do.

"Run, Tim!  Run!" Tom's voice rang out immediately.  Tim, jolted out of his trance, ran for his dear life. He had never run so fast in his life before!  In fact, he was so fast that he would probably win the 100-metre Olympic sprint hands down!

The huge monstrous bear gave chase, growling and snarling crazily. His rows of sharp teeth, wet with dripping saliva, shimmered in the brilliant sunlight. Alas!  Tim tripped over a gnarled root of an ancient tree and landed with a dull thud.

The bear’s silhouette hovered over his tiny frame. Tim could feel the hot breath on his face. He thought this would be the end of his life. He was going to die! The bear's sharp paws scratched gashes into his tender silky flesh. Even though it was painful, Tim dared not make a whimper for he feared to provoke the  bear further.

Just then, a loud bang pierced through the air. It was followed by another series of gunshots. The bear turned and saw Tom holding a rifle in his hands.  Livid with rage, it charged towards Tom like a bull to a red rag. Unnerved, Tom fired another shot. Bang!

This time, the bullet whizzed through its huge head and crimson blood gushed out and stained his black fur. Within a split second, the bear tumbled to the ground and fell dead.

By this time, Mr Thomas, alerted by the noise of gunshots, rushed to the scene. He was astonished by the sight. Tim was unconscious while Tom stood there like a Roman statue.

“Tom, are you alright?” his father asked. That snapped him out of his daze. Mr Thomas quickly got his first aid kit and bandaged Tim. Fortunately, Tim regained consciousness and was still able to walk. Together with the boys, they quickly made their way out of the woods and rushed to the nearest hospital.

It was a close shave for the boys. Tim was forever grateful to his older brother, Tom, for his quick wits. If it was not for him, he would have been dead by then.