Amazon Courage

“Aaaaa!” Joe Minnow called as he dashed through the Amazon jungle, panting hard. “Have mercy on my soul, massive kittens!” Joe was being chased by a stampede composed of cat family members. He scrambled to a clearing and spotted a small and unsubstantial canoe along the river. He dived in, grabbed the nearest oar, and paddled with all his might. The cats stood growling on the shore.

After a few minutes, Joe felt safe and lay back to think. He had entered this ferocious jungle to test his courage. His family included world-famous explorers who’d had courage to conquer the most treacherous mountains and seas, but Joe had never done anything like that before. He had entered the jungle that morning determined to summon the courage to face his fears. He’d lost his food and supplies in the wild chase to escape the cats. This jungle had taken everything Joe needed to survive. Now he had to cross the Amazon alone while suffering starvation and loneliness.

When Joe finally stopped sulking, he peered around. The Amazon was a magnificent place where he wasn’t being chased or eaten. The sun glistened gold in the sky, the tropical trees and exotic plants created fascinating settings, and the water shimmered with rays of blue-green hue.

Joe looked down at his reflection in the water, but suddenly it started getting smaller and uglier. Then something leaped out at him. More of them came and began gnawing at the bottom of the canoe!

“PIRANHAS!” Joe cried. Water rushed into the canoe, and it began sinking. He grabbed the oar, flung off some piranhas that were gaining on him, and pushed off toward the shore. He stood on the edges of the canoe and jumped, landing with his face flat on the shore.

Joe got up and ran. He needed to leave this savage wilderness.

Up ahead was a small village where he could find safety and a port to depart from. He zoomed to it and asked for a place to stay.

His journey was completed. And yes, Joe considered himself very courageous.