A sacrifice worth making

I sighed with relief as I joyfully sat at the edge of the chair, pulling my tattered corners around me. The day could not have been so long, although it beyond our control. My legs had been itchy due to long hours of walking, in an attempt to save Vedder, one of my friends. We had gone for a picnic with a couple of other friends, with the aim of spending a day out and enjoy the adventure. It had been a joyful trip, with the boys chuckling with excitement.

I had had some characteristics of leadership and a sense of influence over my friends. It had taken some time for me to come to terms with the truth that my friends had so much believed in. I had been timid at first, and mingling with friends had been a great challenge. Had it not been for their persuasiveness in pursuit of removing me from my nutshell, I would have remained around my mother’s skirts. I usually thought to myself, isn’t the last born supposed to be under the protection of everyone else? Little did I know that a time comes when the reality must take control.

I had managed to get my ideas across to my friends and organized that particular trip. It had been an enthralling experience for all of us. We penetrated the deep forest, taking precaution not to go deeper and attract any jeopardy. After the lunch break in an open place, we set ourselves moving to enjoy the scenery of a nearby swamp. The area looked attractive (hopefully to all of us). There was the temptation to walk over the swamp since it was covered by grass, and one could think that the ground was dry. Having a previous knowledge about such seemingly attractive places acquired from books, I had cautioned my friends to take care.

A little walk to a nearby bush changed everything. One of my friends was so mischievous and wanted to try everything, especially the ones not dared in order to emerge a hero. He was a pain in the neck and could not listen to peers. I heard some woes and cries that attracted my attention. With the swift of an antelope, I dashed to the sight. It was Vedder! How could that happen? We were almost ready to start the journey back home, and that was the last thing I could expect. In a mix of rage and fear, I felt my head tilt an inch. Here was Vedder, our friend, and a neighbor’s son, stuck in the mud, in a depth that no one knew. On the other hand, darkness was engulfing us.

Something had to be done, but nobody was ready to take the challenge. Being uncertain about the depth of the swamp, it was hard to know where to start. I knew that if people had been fearful of daring, the beautiful things that we enjoy today would not have been. I decided to brave it all. Putting my shoes aside, I stepped in. A few steps pulled me deeper into the mud. I kept trying to penetrate to the spot where he was stuck, enduring stitches from some thorny trees. I kept encouraging myself, that I must make it. Through many hassles, I finally got there, tired from pulling my legs in an attempt to lift them. I momentarily forgot my pains and concentrated on pulling my friend out. No way, we could not depart without him.

It was like a bulls’ fight. I had a slightly higher weight than Vedder, barely enough to lift him. Had an adult person happened to pass nearby, he would have pitied the young boys. I had to apply wits to ensure that we reach the edge safely, no matter how long it would take. Encouragements from two of my other friends anxiously waiting at the edge gave me hope. I knew there was a light at the end of it all, and my heart’s hopes kept going even when my legs got stuck.

After what seemed like an eternity, we eventually managed to get to the edge. Our appearance was astonishing. We had mud from head to toe, pricked by thorns and sticks that also stuck in the ness and dragged our tired legs home. Our other two friends gave us warm company. We were grateful that darkness covered our hippo-like appearance. At last we were home, where our parents were so worried and did not know where to start looking for us. I sighed with relief and gave thanks to God, as I sat at the edge of the chair pulling the tattered clothes to myself.

I realized that my friends had seen something golden in me and was grateful that the happenings of the day left my character molded anew. I was grateful that they made me believe in myself. I learned the importance of minding others and not concentrating on myself so much, which has helped me to this day. Focusing on others and how to solve their problems adds a person’s value and brings relief, the way I felt after rescuing my friend Vedder. The world requires people who breaks their cocoons and pushes beyond themselves, to make life meaningful for another person out there. For sure, some sacrifices are worth making.