A DISTANT, SPECIAL TRIP…
|
A creature of the pupils of the E1’
class of the
second primary school
Rafina’s.
FIRST
CHAPTER
His journey
started some years ago. Ilan, a twelve-year-old boy from Iran, couldn’t have
imagined than he would get involved in such an adventure.
He was living a normal, peaceful life with his family, when the war
broke out in his country. To Ilan’s eyes, this war was unreasonable and
horrible, causing only pain, sorrow misery, uncertainty and fear to all.
As soon as the little boy heard about the war, he ran home where he saw
his mother holding his younger brother and crying.
“What’s wrong mother? Why are you crying?” Ilan asked.
“Your father my dear ...your father … “and she broke into tears.
“What happened to him? Talk to me, please…”
“He is dead, my dear Ilan. He is not alive anymore.”
“What’s wrong mother? Why are you crying?” Ilan asked.
“Your father my dear ...your father … “and she broke into tears.
“What happened to him? Talk to me, please…”
“He is dead, my dear Ilan. He is not alive anymore.”
The boy felt as if the ground had disappeared
under his feet. Had he heard correctly or was it some kind of joke? He kept
trying to figure out whether it was true or a lie… He kept looking at the door,
expecting his beloved father to show up, but…in vain! His
mother’s voice brought his thoughts back to reality. She announced calmly that
it would be better if they fled their country, carrying along Ilan’s little
brother, who was less than a year old. Of course they were aware of all the
risks involved in such a decision and these risks were too many.
Perhaps they would board on some old-wrecked boat to get to Greece or any
other European country, but this did not seem to matter to them.
Their will to follow the road to freedom was really strong.
So, right the following day, Ilan with his mother and younger brother, together with hundreds of other refugees, set off their journey to a European port.
Their will to follow the road to freedom was really strong.
So, right the following day, Ilan with his mother and younger brother, together with hundreds of other refugees, set off their journey to a European port.
They
were filled with faith and hope that everything would go well till they reach
their final destination.
SECOND CHAPTER
Their journey would be hard, tiring and exhausting but
in fact they didn’t know what was awaiting for them…
When they
reached the “Badhar Iman Homeini” harbor in Iran, they saw the wrecked boat and
they felt sad and insecure about the way they were about to leave their country
and mostly about their future.
As they were embarking the boat, they experienced mixed fillings…The so-called boat was so crammed with people that they hardly found a place to sit. Mother was holding Ilan’s little brother tight in her arms, whereas Ilan himself scared and desperate, was sitting quietly in a corner.
During the journey, the weather suddenly deteriorated. Big waves were rising and the boy, looking at his mother’s face, asked her in terror whether they would survive or not.
As they were embarking the boat, they experienced mixed fillings…The so-called boat was so crammed with people that they hardly found a place to sit. Mother was holding Ilan’s little brother tight in her arms, whereas Ilan himself scared and desperate, was sitting quietly in a corner.
During the journey, the weather suddenly deteriorated. Big waves were rising and the boy, looking at his mother’s face, asked her in terror whether they would survive or not.
He didn’t get
any answer, but the look on her face showed her despair………..
She didn’t care for herself, but for her two kids only. The bad weather got worse and the boat was sailing adrift almost hopeless, since the water surged into it, in every way.
Then there was panic. Frantic people, both old and young, screaming children and crying babies were all looking desperately for a way to save themselves. Some were praying silently on that crucial moment. Some of the passengers had trouble wearing their life-jackets in the rescue boat and others rushed to help them.
She didn’t care for herself, but for her two kids only. The bad weather got worse and the boat was sailing adrift almost hopeless, since the water surged into it, in every way.
Then there was panic. Frantic people, both old and young, screaming children and crying babies were all looking desperately for a way to save themselves. Some were praying silently on that crucial moment. Some of the passengers had trouble wearing their life-jackets in the rescue boat and others rushed to help them.
Realizing that the boat would no longer last with so
many people on it, Ilan’s mother grabbed her two boys, jumped into the sea and
swam to the nearest coast. Exhausted and
having lost all their strength, they felt something pulling them. Ilan regained
consciousness when he felt something hot and wet licking him. He opened his
eyes and he saw a cute, brown dog with big, clever eyes which was trying to play
with him. It was the local doctor’s dog. The doctor was going to offer first
aid when he saw them lying on the coast, almost unconscious.
THIRD CHAPTER
Ilan then rose
slowly and followed the doctor’s dog, while his mother on his right was holding
his little brother in her arms. The dog led them to the doctor’s, where our
hero was diagnosed as suffering from hypothermia, so he was given the proper
medication and was wrapped in blankets.
During his recovery, Ilan’s mother did not leave him alone, not even once. They asked the hospital personnel where they were and found out they were in Turkey.
During his recovery, Ilan’s mother did not leave him alone, not even once. They asked the hospital personnel where they were and found out they were in Turkey.
After one week’s treatment and care, Ilan
recovered fully and so they went on with their long journey. During their long
hiking towards the coastline of a Greek island, which as they were told later,
was Lesvos, Ilan’s mother shambled and fell, as she was exhausted and her knees
started bleeding. A nice man who was riding a carriage appeared and offered to
take the family with him. At his home he took care of the seriously injured
mother. The man gave them all his care, attention and affection and some time
later he offered them the choice to live with him without any reward. The
family accepted his offer with joy and relief, as they would be secure and
safe, far from any feelings of insecurity and danger that they would experience
in any other case.
This
kindhearted man, whose name was George, found a job for the woman who was now
working as a teacher in a nearby school and was paid well. Their life had
changed for better. Ilan was thinking about all these one scary night and
thought that his father was protecting them from heaven above. He still missed
his father. A tear rolled down his cheek…
His mother, who was a reasonable
woman, thought realistically that her children should grow up with the presence
of a fatherly figure, even though this couldn’t be their real father. So, she
decided to accept George’s proposal to marry him. After all, he had offered her
his house, he had found her a job and most importantly, he had stood by her and
her children better than anyone else, without even knowing them. As the saying
goes: ‘’Kindness gets back to whoever offers it.’’ After a while, the wedding
took place and they all lived a happy, peaceful life together.
Ilan felt really happy as he had left all the sad
moments of his life behind. He was living a normal life as every child deserves
in this world regardless of colour, race or religion.
THE END!!!
