MY TRUE SURVIVAL STORY

Everyone needs to learn survival

By

LEO PONDER





I leaped the log in hot pursuit, tree limbs slapping my face, my home made spear at the ready. Bramble burrs snatched at my trousers, reducing my speed, but with surges of super effort, I managed to keep my prey in sight.

I was nearly dead with hunger and I knew that this might be my last really

good chance to snare a decent meal. I had been reduced to some kind of pre-historic monster forced kill for my food. In other better times, I would have been nauseated by the level of savagery that I had now sunk. I had no qualms about what I would do if I caught this prey. I would snap the neck, tear out the heart and wolf down my spoils with much relish and blood.

Suddenly, I came upon a clearing that ended at the brushy banks of a river just in time to see my prey disappear in the brush. In two or three bounds I crossed the clearing to the spot where it had entered. My heart dropped. It wasn’t a river, just a small stream. It would escape by running downstream. What rotten luck! He would have been trapped if it had been a river!

But I hadn’t been trained by the best to be outwitted by even such an intelligent animal as this. An animal that was so ferocious that nothing could withstand it’s attack. I knew exactly now what it was up to. It was not running but circling to gain an advantage. I had to admire it, even though at the moment we were mortal enemies.

I wheeled and headed across the clearing to cut him off downstream. It was my only hope. This species had never been known to cut a chase and run scared. It didn’t ever consider itself prey. That’s how many had died violent deaths, just at the moment of seeming victory.

It was legend that this particular beast had psychic powers that defied

Explanation. Probably not true but I seemed to hear my name from a distance during the chase. If it was true I would just have to ignore it. I remembered the old adage, “Sticks and stones (and beasts) will break my bones, but names will never hurt me.”

Crossing the clearing to the right I slid down the bank into the small stream, my heart thudding like jungle drums announcing terrible news. What if I was wrong? What if the beast went upstream instead of down? But that would be stupid. They know their scent would wash downstream giving away their location. Firmly anchored in my survival techniques, I decided that I was in exactly the right spot.

I found a flat heavy rock with a deep hole in the middle and pushed the butt of my home made spear firmly into the indentation. I positioned the rock on the stream bed with the spear pointing straight up. On my knees I grabbed the spear firmly in both hands. Now I had a strong, deadly trap that would easily pierce the toughest skin. If and when the beast sprang, and these always did, I would guide the spear straight to his heart

Sitting quietly, I noticed that darkness was not long off. I could not see to the far end of the stream but considered that an advantage. If the beast came close without seeing me, then I could pull the old surprise bit by making a sudden noise when he was close, he would spring from instinct and without any caution.

Suddenly, again, I heard my name. This time it was very close. O.K. names won’t hurt. I cut my breathing to small gulps but my heart wouldn’t co-operate. It felt like a sledgehammer.

This was it! Here he comes! Moving so stealthily and furtively, he seemed to be part of the stream. Thank God for my training. He stopped very near, huge gathering muscles preparing for attack. He had seen me but I could still use the spear for the strike. My name-My name, right behind me. He must be trying to confuse me so he can spring! So that’s how so many have lost their battle with this brute. And never lived to tell anyone. But I will be smarter, I will not look behind me. I will kill this thing and live.

He sprang! Something behind me cuffed my ear and I broke the spear in the rock where it fell useless, into the rippling stream.

Watching the beast in mid air, knowing I had only a split second to live, I at least wanted to know what had caused my demise. I twisted to look behind and seen the most awful sight a small boy could behold in those circumstances. My Mother!!

Hey! Hey! I’ve been calling and calling. Sakes alive, boy, can’t you hear at all! There’s more of that you just got on your ear when we get home. Get up out of that water. I done told you not play in this creek again. Now trot yourself straight home and call that good for nothing dog with you. He’s just as muddy as you. Lord, I don’t know what I’m going to do with you two. You’re going to take your bath and go straight to bed without any supper.”

If she had been only a few minutes later, and not interfered I would have had my supper.