The Mountain Climb
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Lily Falla, Grade 4, Kalinda Primary School
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Short Story
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2021
Excellence Award in the 'Play On Words 2021' competition
Climbing the mountain my feet slip as rocks move from under my small feet. I look around at the thick mist that surrounds me. It finds its way into my mouth and a taste of coldness floods my throat. I clench onto the sharp rocks as my eyes fall down the mountain. I realize that I am only half way up.
I keep climbing until I can't go any further. My legs are aching and sweat pours from my forehead, but I can't give up. This is my one chance to prove to the wildlife rescue team that I can save this panda. I won’t fail my mission. But as soon as I said that to myself I tripped on the rocky ground beneath me.
Shakily I reach for my orange backpack. I unzip the bag as carefully as I can, trying not to increase the pain. My hands are numb. I pull out my yellow woolen gloves and slide them onto my hands. I hesitantly stand up using a rock to boost me.
I put on my blue puffy coat over my cold and skinny arms to warm up. My long blonde hair blows in the wind. I strangle it into a bun and keep going up the narrow path.
A little while later my blue eyes catch a glimpse of the sun setting in the distance.That's my cue to set up camp.
Once the camp is set, I snuggle into my small red tent and make myself a blanket cocoon. As I drift off to sleep a viscous growl fills the silence. I hug myself in fear and close my eyes.
In the morning my eyes pop open ready for the day ahead. I crawl out of the tent and a ray of sunlight soothes my skin. But I find myself looking at a total disaster. My food supplies and first aid kit are ruined. Suddenly something flinches behind me. I feel goosebumps run up my back.
I turn around and a massive snow leopard is standing in front of me, his jaw opens and I see his teeth glaring at me. The snow leopard's huge paw reaches for me. I try to run but it was too late. Stumbling backwards I lose my balance and begin falling down the mountain, I close my eyes and ready myself for the impact.
When I wake up, I am hurtling through the sky in a helicopter. I try to move but I am strapped to a stretcher. A lady in a white jacket and green glasses asks me what happened. All I know is that I failed my mission.