Writing for Fun
No Barriers - Diane Silverston
June 2014
'Why not?' shouted Jonathan. 'Why can't I go? You always told us to try anything and everything, not to be deterred. You said we should make the most of every challenge and opportunity.'
'It's too risky and you'd be away for so long, and it's so far,' was the reply.
'I know it's a long way and could be dangerous,' went on Jonathan, 'but that doesn't seem a good enough reason for you to say no.'
After a pause Jonathan continued, 'If it had been Philip asking?' He looked across the room to where his brother was lounging on the settee, nose in a book, headphones on. 'You'd say yes.'
'Philip is much older and stronger,' his mother said, 'and when he was younger he was involved in cadet training.'
'It's just not fair!' Jonathan yelled angrily, 'It never occurred to me that you would say no. You've both always been so supportive of us achieving our ambitions.'
His parents glanced at each other, with a wry smile. Philip seemed oblivious of what was happening.
'I never thought this would be a barrier to my dreams.' Jonathan whispered.
Then with an angry shrug of his shoulders, he pushed himself across the room, and carefully manipulated his chair through the doorway, out into the hall.
As Jonathan left, Peter and Margaret looked at each other, then across to their elder son Philip, who had sat up on the settee.
'We've never seen Jonathan so angry, so het up before.'
'Well you've never stopped him before,' replied Philip, 'he's angry because you've shattered his dream. He's been thinking about this for years.' Philip gathered his things up and left the room. His parents were left looking at each other.
'Were we too hard on him?' asked Margaret, 'He seemed so surprised when we said no.'
'As Philip says, we've never done that before,' Peter answered her. 'We've always supported both the boys in their challenges. Perhaps we ought to find out more details about this trip, and what it actually entails.
Here was Jonathan, several months later, seated in his chair, looking around, taking everything in. His eyes almost blinded by the brightness and incredible colours, his ears adjusting to the noise and unusual sounds.
Their group had just landed at a small but busy airstrip, where people were milling around in a chaotic manner, doing little but shouting and gesticulating at each other.
Jonathan closed his eyes for a moment. What had made his parents change their minds? He couldn't believe how supportive they had become. His father had contacted the organisation and sorted things out for him, his mother (tearfully) had helped him gather together what he needed, even Philip had helped him train and prepare. Perhaps that was it, had Philip helped his parents to change their minds?
Whatever had happened here he was, about to start the adventure of a lifetime, his dream for so long. He was determined to make the most of it, a chance to go into the rain forest, to see for himself the exotic wildlife there.
Suddenly there was a general movement, jeeps had arrived, people were beginning to pack the equipment in. Jonathan checked all his belongings were safely stored, pulled himself into the front seat of the jeep, folded up his special chair and saw it put in behind him. Jake, Paul and Martin climbed in.
'Ready for the off?' asked Jake. 'Strap yourselves in and prepare for a bumpy ride.'
As the jeeps headed off, Jonathan took a last look at the aeroplane and crew. He had passed letter to them to be taken back and sent on to his parents.
The trees started to grow thicker, and the road rougher, the temperature rose and Jonathan knew the real adventure had begun. He could feel the lure of the wild embracing him. He became more aware of the new environment closing in around him.It would be some hours before they reached their base camp area. He sat back and took in the ever changing scene around him.
As the evening fell the jeeps came into a small clearing in the forest. Quickly everyone started to make their camp, each person having a specific task. Jonathan's was to set the water tank in a safe, cool place and then fill the kettle for their last drink before bed. Everywhere strange noises could be heard echoing through the forest. Care had to be taken where things were stored, the fire had to be contained and tents set up within the protection of the jeeps.
'My first night,' thought Jonathan. 'What will tomorrow bring?'
As dawn broke, the sounds and calls changed. Very little light was able to break through the forest canopy. Jonathan and the other members on the trip were soon up and ready. Jonathan strapped on his leg supports and found his special sturdy sticks. His chair would be useless here, but his legs were stronger now after all his training. He slung his back pack on, checked his camera and prepared to go.
Would his photographs prove to be as good as those from previous times? Would he succeed in winning the International Photography award again this year? That would be a real extra bonus, but the reward for him was being here, fulfilling his dream.