HAPPY TRIP 15: Palanca wannabe Part 2

While other kids were busy squeezing gifts out of tight-fisted ninongs and ninangs last Christmas, my eight-year-old little princess had her nose in a book the entire time. She actually finished volumes 5 and 6 of the Harry Potter series over the holidays. In-between reading books, she found time to write a short story. She didn't want me to read it at first because "it isn't finished yet". Well...here is her unfinished work:

The Bog Monster

By: Chloe S. R.

Hi, my name is Drew Brockman. I live in a town called Timberland Falls. I’m not very sure why they call it Timberland Falls though. Nobody cuts trees for timber, and there aren’t any falls so why Timberland Falls? I have a friend named Lily Evans, who lives just next door. She’s a very pretty girl who most boys have a crush on.

In our town the Grade 12 pupils have a field trip to the forest outside town. On the way, the teacher tells us about the bog monster, which is rumored to live in the forest. I was so excited. Then the teacher would group us in pairs to explore the forest. I got grouped with Lily. “Gosh, do you think there is really a bog monster?” she asked. “Well, we’ll find out soon enough, won’t we?” I replied. Then our teacher spoke, “Alright everybody, go on and find that monster!” she said.

There was a murmur of excitement. Then my friend James Parker said “Hey Drew my man, would you mind switching partners?” I looked to see who he got grouped with. Then I let out a roar of laughter. He got grouped with his super crazy and insane ex-girlfriend Courtney Brown. “And what is that supposed to mean?” she demanded. Lily and I roared with laughter as Courtney dragged him away. Then, remembering what we were supposed to do, we went into the forest. The forest was so beautiful. I saw a lot of animals but no bog monster. Just then, I heard a terrified scream that sounded like Courtney. We went to the place where James was standing, rooted to the spot. “What’s wrong?” we asked him. Apparently, he was too terrified to speak. Then he gulped. “It was the BOG MONSTER.” “WHAT???” Lily was downright scared. “It ….it attacked her then kidnapped her.” he said softly. There was no mistaking it. Lily was as pale as chalk. “Are you sure?” I whispered. James merely nodded. “How did it happen” I asked softly. “We were walking around then it just happened,” he said in a voice barely more than a whisper. “Where did you see it going?” I asked. He pointed over to a clearing in the forest. “James, come with us. We’re going to find that monster.” I said gravely. I sounded braver than I felt. James nodded.

The path led us to a filthy and slimy place. Just as we were getting near the end of the place, I checked my watch. It was nearly 5:00. So we went back to the school bus. The teacher asked us where Courtney was. We told her that she got lost in the forest, and we checked everywhere. So we just went back to town.

The next day, I went to the library to return my borrowed book. James went with me, to return a book too. When we arrived, however, the door was locked. So we decided to try and get in an open window. However, when we found one, we saw something peculiar. The librarian was all covered in goo. When we were just about to leave, the goo was spreading all over the librarian. When the goo stopped spreading, James spoke to me in a terrified whisper. “That’s the Bog Monster, Drew,” he said softly.

We ran back to school, excited to tell our teacher about what we saw. However, when we were halfway to the school, we realized it was Saturday. The school would be closed. So we just went back home. We have never been more disappointed in our life. Well, I don’t know about James’ life of course. However, on our way back, the most peculiar thing ever happened. Courtney Brown was walking down the side walk, looking perfectly happy and fine. James ran to her, looking as though he had never seen anything stranger. “Courtney! I….. I …… I thought you were….?” “What?” she said. She had a look of surprise on her face. “What are you babbling about?” she added. “I thought you were kidnapped by the Bog Monster,” he said. Courtney giggled a high pitched giggle. “What nonsense! What Bog Monster are you talking about?” she said gleefully. James looked as though he was struck by lightning. “You mean, you don’t remember?” he said. Courtney just sniggered and walked away.

“What is up with her?” James would always ask me whenever he saw Courtney. “ I don’t know” I would always answer impatiently.

To be continued....

FIRST TRIP 13: Bubalus mindorensis

When I first set foot on Mindoro island four months ago, I declared to my co-workers that I wanted to have my picture taken beside a tamaraw. They all laughed at me. Forgive my ignorance but I really thought the tamaraw was much like our friendly neighborhood kalabaw. It turned out it is a wild animal and so fierce that attempting to pose beside it is next to impossible.

But then I proved them wrong. Today I got my picture taken with not one but two tamaraws! Here’s the proof: ta-daaaa!

OK, I cheated. Sort of, hehe. Because the two tamaraws are kept in captivity at the Gene Pool Farm in Rizal town. There are only two of them left there now: mother and calf. The calf, named Kalibasib, was born in the farm.

Tamaraws are found nowhere else on earth except in Mindoro. Sadly, it now ranks among the most critically endangered species on earth, its population dwindling to a pitiful 263 heads due primarily to destruction of their habitat. If only we can ensure that they continue to have a place to live in – the remaining forests of Mindoro – then perhaps they will have a chance at avoiding the way of the dinosaurs.