Hope Island
Copyright© 2020 by Yob
Chapter 2: A Hidey Hole
“We just have to survive and avoid capture for four years.”
Mom is not cheerful or optimistic.
“Maybe we can build a raft and leave here for a different island?”
“Doesn’t sound practical.” Rod glumly dismisses my idea.
Rod is correct, and Mamma’s pessimism is well founded. We have to think of something.
“Listen my darlings. Your mama doesn’t have any experience or skills as a fugitive, I’m not sorry to admit, but sorry I’m not more help.
Solving problems I do know something about. First we need to stop worrying and stop being depressed and afraid. Clear our minds of unhelpful emotions and pessimistic ideas.”
“How do we do that, Momma? Can’t just switch them off.”
“Yes you can and must.”
“How?”
“Switch! Stop thinking sour thoughts and think positive. Every cloud has a silver lining. It’s darkest before the dawn. Count your many blessings. There is some good in everybody. Seek and ye shall find.”
“What’s that all mean, Momma?”
“It means, humans have recognized the power of positive thinking for ... for a very very long time. They created these sayings to help remind them, you can consciously decide to look on the bright side rather than the dark side. You can switch between thinking negative and positive. Turn off the dismal.”
“Maybe grownups can do it, I’m just a kid.”
“Okay, a demonstration is in order. The sun is coming up. Promises to be another beautiful day. You don’t care? You should. Where will those leafy green former playmates of yours spend the day?”
“Up on the rim soaking up rays.”
“Which gives us the daylight hours to scavenge and seek places of refuge before night. And set traps.”
“Gee, Mom, I’m feeling better already.”
“Another happy thought. The Leafies don’t see in the dark any better than we do. Hunting us in the dark, the dark benefits us more, nearly as much as the light attracting them does.”
“Then we aren’t helpless.”
“Absolutely not. Think of more things that benefit us. Help me count our blessings.”
“Well, we are surrounded by a freshwater sea, so we won’t get thirsty.”
“The Leafies aren’t eating up any of our human provisions. They re-energize usng photosynthesis. We won’t starve if we can protect or hide the provisions.”
“We have several priorities. Find a secure place to hide before nightfall. One with a backdoor and a fall back position to refuge in, is best. Second, move enough provisions into several caches, each sufficient for our needs over four years. If one or two caches are discovered, removed or destroyed, we need others to avoid deprivation.”
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