Journey to the little island

Three children ran down a rocky path to the seashore. Alex went first, a small, pale boy of eleven, his red hair gleaming in the sun. He looked at the two girls following, and his blue eyes twinkled.

The girls were twins, and looked quite alike, each with a pony and deep blue eyes. They were 9 years each. They had come here for a holiday, staying with their mother in a fishing village on the south-west coast of New Zealand. Their father was away for long. People said he disappeared.

They had a great friend-Bill who was thirteen. Bill was dark haired and green-eyed and was a fisher boy. Bill liked the three children very much and often took them out in his little boat. He taught them how to swim, and climb rocky cliffs.

Bill was sitting on the side of his little boat and was waving at the children. The children went down to the little boat and Alex asked "Bill, did u ask your father for going out for a trip on a little island".

"Yes, and he said yes," said Bill

"Wow really! How lovely!" Said Anne in excitement. "I never expected your father would allow us for a trip in his boat to the little island!"

"I was pretty surprised too," said Bill. "But he knows I can handle the boat as good as him. So we can start tomorrow, we need to take plenty of food, and we can spend a day and night and come back the next day. So we will start tomorrow at dawn and don't forget to bring all the essentials."

At five o' clock the next morning the three children got ready hurriedly. It was a sunny day. They kissed their mom goodbye and set down to the boat.

When the children reached there they were surprised to find Bill very serious.

"I don't think we should go" he said, as soon as he saw the children.

Bill! You are kidding right. Why?

"Maybe you didn't see the sky in the morning. I think a storm will be blowing today or tomorrow."

"Don't be a coward Bill. We will be there before the storm." Said Alex.

"Ok fine!" said Bill. Come on let's start.

They were sailing and it was half past eight. And then Alex shouted "when are we going to have our breakfast. I am starving."

And then they had their breakfast. It was the most peculiar breakfast with pineapple chunks, boiled eggs and chocolate.

At around two o' clock Bill told the children that a storm was going to blow.

"Will we be there before the storm comes?" asked Nancy.

"We will try our best" said Bill.

But it was too late the storm had shown up.

"Get down to the cabin, quick, and shut the door and stay there" said Bill.

They obeyed immediately as Bill looked so stern and commanding.

The storm blew all night. And their sail was torn.

Next morning was a sunny and pleasant morning.

"Have we reached the island?" asked Alex

"I reckon we've passed it" said Bill

Alex stared at Bill in silence. Past the island! No sail! What were they going to do?

For long time the boat went on and on.

The girls came out of the cabin. "What a terrible storm!" "Are we nearly there to the island?"

"We have passed it Bill says," said Alex gloomily.

Oh no! Look, the sail is also gone!" said Anne shocked.