PSLE: An Eventful Camp Trip

Going for a camp trip always sounds like fun.  I had one two years ago.  It was definitely an eventful one.  In fact, it is so memorable that even now, my fellow scouts still tease me about it...

The night was as dark as a dungeon, except for the dim rays of moonlight that filtered past the opening flap of the tent.  It was silent and tranquil except for the occasional breeze that weaved among the leaves and made them rustle.  It was a survival camp for the scouts and they learnt how to live in the wild.  Everyone was exhausted after a flurry of activities in the day and I was fast asleep in a tent with three other boys. 

Unfortunately, we had uninvited company.  Ssss, ssss. A malicious snake had stealthily slithered in. It was a gargantuan python as long as a van.  Its beady eyes darted from side to side as if it was looking for a meal.  A juicy meal.   

In the midst of my deep slumber, I felt something heavy.  Unknown to me, the insidious creature had started to twirl itself around my legs and I was not even aware of it. “Hey, get off me,” I cried, thinking  that it was my friend.  But there was no response.  I opened my eyes and saw my friends with a torchlight staring at me as if they had just seen a ghost. 

“What’s wrong, guys?” I asked, rubbing my bleary eyes. Thiru, with his face as white as a sheet, curled his trembling finger and pointed at my feet.  I stared in dismal unbelief when my eyes met the glinting eyes of a humongous python, its tongue flicking non-stop.   Temperature immediately dropped to sub-zero.  I froze in paramount fear as a chill instantly ran down my spine. 

“Ahhhh! Get off me, you monster,” I yelled, trying to wriggle violently out of its tight grip.  My every move incited its wrath even more and it constricted further.  Oh no!  My legs were getting numb and the reptile’s toned-bronze frame had already managed to slip further up my torso.

“Someone, help me,” I pleaded, my tears falling liberally down my cheeks.  No one dared to move a muscle. Everyone cowered behind Joken.  With some hesitation, he decided to ram punches onto the elongated snake with his clenched fists.  His knuckles turned red and painful and his face was flushing pink with fatigue.  However, no matter how hard he tried, the adamant snake refused to budge.  It was crushing the life out of me.

“Hey guys, let’s think of Plan B.  Let’s get the camp master’s help!” Joken suggested. The three boys ran to inform the camp master, Coach Gabriel, panting breathlessly as they sped. 

Alarmed by the report of the trio, the camp master, together with his assistants, grabbed his bag and dashed to help.  By this time, all the scouts had gathered and circled outside the tent.  Everyone was on tenterhooks, their eyes fixating on me.

Coach Gabriel tried hard to pry the snake away with the help of his two stout assistants but it was in vain.  In desperation, he dug out a penknife and started stabbing the snake furiously.  The stubborn snake finally relented and loosened its grip and slowly slithered away.  Everyone was overcome with relief.

Phew!  It was a close shave.  Except for some minor injuries and leg numbness, I made a complete recovery within days and was back to my exuberant self.  It was definitely an eventful camp for me.  I was saved from the clutches of death and have definitely learnt to value life more than ever.