The teenagers and kids brought dozen of ripe and medium ripe guava to their elders for them to share. Then they helped their parents unload the rest of the stuff, trunks and other loads from the big boat. Some of the wet clothes and linens were spread under the sun on the sandy shore. Bianca took a long rope and tied it from end to end on two coconut trees. The children hang their wet clothes and blanket. The sunny sky cooperates and with the wind blowing and cooling their dress, shirts and pants were dry after an hour except for the thick wool blanket which are half-dry. It was past 2:00 pm when they noticed greyish cloud.
"Children you all should gather the rope from the boat, take the extra sail, turf, and the gas lantern and oil lamp," advised Grandpa Gus (pronounced as Gas) "I think there will be another typhoon or hurricane." It's better to be prepared."
Panfilo told the men: Arthur, Elmo, Stephano and Loren to build at least two tent for them to shelter for the night. Loren, Elmo's son climbed the coconut tree and detached some coconut palm leaves from its base with the use of sharp bolo. The teens younger than him asked him what he is doing. But he continued his work, not wanting to answer their question. He unhooked the rope wrapped around from his waist and tied himself to the coconut trunk, this time he was seen gathering coconuts and dropping each nut on the ground. After all the leaves shaped like a sheath-shaped canoes, he went down and gather some of the leaves. Then he ushered the kids to gather some firewood.
While Arthur and Elmo are busy building the tent, Loren and Stephano are building a make-shift house made of coconut leaves. For the posts they had to cut the mahogany trees. With everyone helping out the two tents and the temporary house made of coconut leaves were ready at about 6 pm. They gathered rocks and formed in a circular formation and at the center they had those firewood made of dried twigs and cogon grass. The kids brought box of crackers that they can nibble while they wait for the elders to cook. Dried fish and bread and some grapes. They brought lots of grapes. Signorina Bianca's family owned a winery. Their 20 acre land was a vineyard. Loren, the oldest of the teens and kids in the clan cut some of the coconut in halves never letting go of the coconut juice and poured the juice in stainless cup...and on another cup until everyone had the sweet juice from the coconut.
"This coconut juice will give us the extra strength, vigor, and might be the source of youth!" He made a toast to everyone.
Almost everyone laughed. "You believe such crazy story eh?" Grandpa had his cup up high and toast with him and everyone. All together they cheered in so much gladness and they waited for the hurricane to come.
The wind was just blowing mildly this time. The boat was about to be ready for the next sail maybe tomorrow. Actually the elders finished with the repair yet they are waiting for the children to find out if the island is just right for them to stay instead.
THE SPIRIT OF VERONA
Author: E. Verna Turner
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