At School Learning: Term 2 Week 10
Thursday 2nd July, 2020
Jack and the Viper
A giant storm was headed
Directly for their town. Jack and his dad got ready. It was time to batten down. Found the batteries and torches, Stocked up on milk and bread, Taped up all the windows, Secured the garden shed. The wind was unrelenting – It howled all through the night. It tore at trees and fences Till the early morning light. Then came the massive clean up – Time to roll up the shirt sleeves, Cart away the sodden mess And rake up all the leaves. The pool was full of branches, A murky soup of green. ‘You’ll have to dive in there, Jack! We have to get it clean.’ Jack slid in the water slowly, Feeling with his toes Scratchy twigs and slimy things, And what else, goodness knows. He flicked out leafy branches, Ants’ nests and other pests. A sudden shower of green ants Left him really unimpressed. |
He dived beneath the water
To soothe their vicious bite, And that was when he saw it – He nearly died of fright. A jet black coil of menace At the bottom of the pool. A scaly, slippery creature Glistening like a jewel. Suddenly he felt its touch. His heart, it skipped a beat As the long and languid creature Wound around his tiny feet. He thrashed and gulped in water As he scrambled for his life, But as the jet black coils grew tighter, He knew he was in strife. It was a giant anaconda, He imagined in his head. He knew he had to get out quick Or he’d surely end up dead. ‘Dad, dad, come and help me! I don’t want to die. This reptile is going to eat me!’ Was Jack’s loud and pleading cry. Dad raced into the backyard, Not sure what he’d find. Jack’s face was white with terror, Deathly visions on his mind. |
'Jack, Jack, what is it?’
His mind filled with dread. ‘And what on earth are you doing With that hose around your head?’ Jack spluttered disbelieving As Dad wound in the garden hose. This post-cyclonic mix-up He vowed never to disclose. In the corner of the schoolyard With his mates all gathered round, Jack likes to tell the story Of the day he nearly drowned. ‘The viper nearly got me, But I fought him fair and square. I grabbed him by his poisonous neck And flung him in the air.’ Whether Jack’s friends believe him We’ll never really know, But with each cyclone season His story continues to grow |