The Great Green Forest

 

I have been challenged by the teacher I work with to complete a piece of writing similar to the children are doing in class, inspired by the book The Great Green Forest by Paul Geraghty. The children have been asked to write as if they are one of the animals in the forest, threatened by the destruction of their homes by humans cutting down trees. 

So. here is my written piece from the perspective of a jungle frog (chosen by the lovely Mrs C for me to tackle!)

Sitting silently on my side of the tree I call home, I was watching the beautiful evening sunset when I was suddenly stirred by an alarming noise. Curious, I leapt as high as my little legs could jump, offering a better view of whatever was making that horrendous din. It was a peculiar sound, louder than the roar of a leopard and deeper than a booming elephant.

Using my sticky footpads to stick firm to the bark of the tree, I was shocked by the rumble of a huge mechanical beast , roaring its way through the once peaceful jungle, leaving a trail of fallen trees in its wake. It's eyes glaring through the vegetation and almost blinding me with the brightest of lights, glaring hotter than the sun.

I closed my eyes in panic, hoping to blend into my surroundings but then taken by the realisation that blending in would only lead me closer to danger. Camouflage would not save me today as it would with other predators. This as a totally different beast, almost alien and not from this jungle! I had to move.....and fast! I was no match for this humungous monster with its engines churning and black smoke billowing from its chimney and into the clear, crisp atmosphere that wrapped my home in safety.

I took a long, deep breath, trying my hardest to be brave. I leapt as far as I could, hoping my feet would land somewhere more harmless and a quieter, calmer environment. The air seemed thick between my webbed toes as I flew silently through the air. Once I landed safely, I wrapped myself underneath one of the fallen leaves and closed my eyes tight shut, waiting for the thundering sound to disappear. Once it had passed, the jungle was left in an eerie silence. Not even a bird could be heard in the trees. 

I snuggled into my leaf tighter and waited, scared and alone for someone to come.