The teacher of an institute speaks out against the government’s brutal invasions of surrounding countries. One day, he disappears, leaving only a map with a sketched path. His students believe that the government has kidnapped him and follow the map’s path to rescue him. In this scene, his students have almost reached the end of the sketched path.
The morning sun shone upon the three travelers sleeping under the forest’s thick canopy. Jon woke with a yawn. He stood and began to prepare breakfast using the eggs that they had stolen yesterday. Soon a pot of boiling water was merrily splashing above a roaring fire. Vic and Shelia both stirred. “Good morning,” Jon greeted them.
Vic grunted, sat up, and then collapsed back onto his grass sleeping pad. Shelia stood and poked Vic in the side with her finger. “Get up, sleepyhead. If we hurry we should be able to reach Teacher by nightfall.”
By now the eggs had finished boiling. Jon poured the water out and handed Vic and Shelia an egg each. “If we’re going to rescue Teacher, we need our strength and wits. Eat up.”
About half an hour later, the students were ready to leave. Jon led the other two through the dense forest, scanning the map every other minute. The forest which they had trekked through for days was starting to thin. Soon Jon came to a fast flowing, wide river. The water crashed dangerously against the sharp, jagged rocks in the riverbed. “We won’t be able to cross the river without killing ourselves. Why don’t we look for a bridge?” Shelia suggested.
They hiked farther downstream. Suddenly, Vic came to a halt. “What?” Jon asked.
Vic pointed through the trees. “Soldiers,” he whispered. Indeed, two men clothed in green coats were standing at attention, guarding the bridge.
“We’ll have to go back upstream and look for another bridge,” Shelia said.
“No. There are probably soldiers at every crossing point at this river.” Jon replied. They trekked back up to the point where they first saw the river.
“Do we have rope?” Vic asked, breaking the silence. Puzzled, Jon opened his knapsack and handed Vic a thick cord. Vic put it on the ground, measuring its length. Then he nodded. “I’m going to have to cross the river,” he said.
“What?!? It’s too dangerous!” Shelia cried.
“No, I’m the biggest and strongest. I can cross the river and tie this rope to a tree over there. Jon, you tie the other end to this tree here.” Vic pointed to a tall beech tree near the riverbank. “Then you can pull yourself across the river using the taut rope,” he continued.
“Are you sure you can cross the river?” Jon asked.
“That’s the only way we’re going to rescue Teacher.” Vic replied. After Jon had tied an end of the rope securely to the beech tree, Vic grasped the other end and jumped into the river.
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