Set Off For The Journey

There were two best friends - Sabina and Lucy. They both studied in the same class and loved to go to their school 'Harmony: Educated Lives' together on their bicycle which they deliberately named 'Rocket'. Their class teacher was Ms. Vani Aggarwal. One fine day, Ms. Vani announced in the class "Dear Children, I'm passing you individual circulars so that you can get your parents' signatures over them once they assent for the exciting expedition to the jungles of Orinoco, which we all are going to explore in a day or two. So all you need to do is ready the circular carefully, inform your parents, get their signatures and submit it to me latest by day after tomorrow." All the children got exhilarated. Sabina and Lucy started reading the circular. It read:

HARMONY: EDUCATED LIVES

NOTICE

Dated: 14. 05.2021

Dear students,

Get ready for the fun expedition to the jungles of Orinoco! Remember the following points well:-

Stay with your class teacher every moment.

Carry dry food.

Carry your own Medical and first-aid kits(containing salon antiseptic liquid, 4×4 gauze pads, antacids, etc.) along with you.

First - aid and emergency Medical Services will be provided.

Please sign below...

Parents' signatures

____________________

Looking forward for your cooperation as always.

Thanks & Regards

Tahira Srivastava

School Head

Now, it was time for the dispersal. The school bell Rang and the children went to their respective homes.

All the children including Sabina and Lucy informed and told about the expedition to their parents. They also requested sanctions for the expedition. Both Sabina and Lucy were having a smile on their faces and their parents didn't want their hearts to get sank into despair. Hence they allowed both the girls for the journey and sanctioned by giving their signatures but the parents also instructed Sabina and Lucy to be careful, safe and secure and follow the circular's, plus the teacher's guidelines. The girls thanked their parents and assured with a contented smile that they will obey these instructions.

The next morning when Sabina and Lucy were going to their school on 'Rocket', they discussed among themselves whether their parents sanctioned the expedition. They both became very happy upon hearing that both of them were going together on the trip and that their parents have sanctioned.

When they entered the classroom, they wished "Good Morning,!" to Ms. Vaani and submitted the circulars having their parents' signatures to her.

Both the girls got seated on their benches and looked at each other with a smile.

Suddenly, Ms. Vaani banged the duster and announced "Dear Children, listen carefully. It's a piece of good news for you all! We are going for the expedition to the jungles of Orinoco tomorrow!"

All the children shouted "Hooray". "Shhh! Principal ma'am is on her round. She is on our floor only. So, all to behave like a good and disciplined child, otherwise she'll get a wrong impression about our Class or maybe at the night, I'll become a ghost and make you all sca..a..are!, warned Ms. Vaani. She and the class giggled at her hilarious words and voice.

Once again, it was time for the dispersal and the school bell rang.

As soon as the children reached their homes they enrolled themselves in packing essential items including a first-aid kit and getting everything ready.

The next morning, Sabina's and Lucy's mothers packed dry food for the journey and both the girls left out for their school.

On their way to the school on 'Rocket', they also prepared a few fun activities and games which they decided to play with their friends and Ms. Vaani so that they can enjoy while the other trip.

When Sabina and Lucy arrived at the school, they saw their class assembled in the school field in a queue waiting to board the school bus. They too joined the queue. In a matter of minutes, they boarded the bus. Ms. Vaani told all the students that it may take around 2 hours to reach the destination.

Sabina and Lucy knew that it may take longer to reach and had therefore hitherto prepared a few fun activities and games to spend that time with their friends & Ms. Vaani in a playful manner. Hence, they asked Ms. Vaani if she permits them to play those games which they had prepared with her and the classmates. Ms. Vaani was nice and convivial. So, they assented without any hesitation.

All the children and Ms. Vaani got seated in a group and got ready for the games.

The first game was 'Hangman'. "Hangman is a paper and pencil guessing game for two or more players. One player thinks of a word, phrase or sentence and the other tries to guess it by suggesting letters within a certain number of guesses. We will draw a hangman. The player needs to guess before the hangman gets complete. If the hangman gets complete before the player could make out what the word is, he shall lose. ", explained Sabina. The game was flawlessly clear to all. The game began and enjoyed it a lot.

Then, the 2nd game started. It was 'Atlas'." Atlas is a simple, yet interesting game and is the same as the famous Indian game called' Antakshari '. The only difference between these 2 games is that in' Antakshari ', each player sings the first verse of a song that begins with a consonant on which the previous player's song ended while in' Atlas', each player says the name of any river, city, state, sea, ocean, mountain or place in the world that begins with the letter on which the previous player's place name ended.", explained Lucy. This time also everything explained was clear to all, the game began and everyone had fun.

Just then, the bus stopped and outside the window, everyone could see the picturesque view of the jungles of Orinoco!!

They all then alighted the bus and entered the jungles of Orinoco. The forest was dense and the forest floor was dark. But, Ms. Vaani made all the children comfortable and suggested not to worry and be frightened. Mr. Trevor, the guide was also with them to help. He made them all board a jeep in which they explored the forest.

In the middle of the forest, the children saw a beautiful campsite and on the top, the school's name was written in a fantoosh and calligraphic manner. The jeep stopped there at the campsite.

There were a lot of games, puzzles and activities at the campsite by Mr. Trevor and the team.

They all enjoyed rides like 'The Top Spin', 'The Roller Coaster', 'Bumper Boat', 'The Barrel Train', 'Treetop Adventure', 'The Ghosty Treehouse' and much more!

Just then, Sabina and Lucy got thirsty and asked Ms. Vaani and Mr. Trevor if they allow them to go to the place where all the children's bags and water bottles were asked to be kept so that they can quench their thirst. "Alright then, I will leave you to that place in the jeep.", agreed Mr. Trevor. He then left the girls at the place in his jeep.

When Sabina and Lucy were quenching their thirst, they both suddenly slipped into a tunnel that led them to a strange place. In front of them stood a mysterious golden palace! They couldn't believe their eyes. "How can a palace in the middle of a forest!", exclaimed Lucy. "Should we inform Ms. Vaani?", asked Sabina.

At the juncture, Ms. Vaani and Mr. Trevor cane looking for both the girls. "Are you both okay?, asked Ms. Vaani worriedly." Yes, ma'am, we both are okay. But, look what we've found. ", replied Sabina and pointed towards the golden palace. Ms. Vaani and Mr. Trevor turned and were shocked. " I guess, this palace belonged to a great and rich ruler. ", said Mr. Trevor." All. the gold and money should be given to the government", advised Ms. Vaani. "That's great advice!", exclaimed Mr. Trevor. "I know someone who can help us. My brother is a lawyer. He can reach out to someone and help us.", explained Mr. Trevor. He then dialled his brother's mobile number and made a call to him. He explained everything to his brother on the call. His brother understood the matter and got ready for the work assigned to him.

Then, Ms. Vaani and Mr. Trevor along with both the girls returned to the campsite. They then enjoyed a few more games and departed back to the school by bus.

6 days later, Sabina's and Lucy's mothers received a call from Ms. Vaani. She told both the mums that Sabina and Lucy are rewarded €20,000 by the government for their amazing work. Their mothers then informed Sabina and Lucy about their achievements. Also, this news was published in Venezuela's newspaper 'El Nacional'.

The framed text that hung on the wall seemed to have been placed just for them. It read:

"HAPPY ENDING!"