Dangerous Falls

Taye and Summer were enjoying their canoe ride. Summer had never been canoeing before, but she loved being on the water. Taye was experienced since he’d been several times with his family, so Summer knew she had an excellent guide for her first time out. All of their friends had taken one route on the river, but she and Taye had slipped away from the group and tried a different route. They were hoping to beat the group back and surprise them by being first.

Summer began to notice that the smooth and easy waters were starting to become a bit more turbulent. She also noticed that Taye was beginning to look a bit concerned, as the boat began to be moved by the rapidly flowing water. “Is everything all right?” she asked her guide as she sat up a bit straighter, trying to see what was ahead of them.

“I’m not sure,” Taye admitted as he too looked ahead at the waters that were moving faster than normal. Summer and Taye heard the noise at the same time. The sound of rushing water was loud to their ears. They didn’t have to see it to know what was coming. “There’s a waterfall up ahead,” Taye said to Summer, even though she already knew what was coming. “You’re going to have to paddle hard, if we’re going to avoid this. Can you do it?” Summer nodded her head vigorously, even though she was suddenly terrified.

She and Taye worked hard to move the canoe away from the swiftly running stream, aiming the small boat for the nearby banks. At one point, Summer felt sure the pull of the water was about to take total control of the boat, but somehow she and Taye found the strength to guide the canoe near the edge. Summer looked up and saw a branch hanging over her head. She grabbed the branch and wrapped her feet around the seat in front of her so she would not be pulled from the boat. Then she used all of her strength to pull the boat along with her closer to the bank.

Finally, they were out of the dangerous water. Taye pulled the canoe to the side of the bank, and he and Summer walked along the edge to see the waterfall up ahead. When they both saw the huge drop-off, they knew they’d had a close call. It would be a long walk back, but they were safe, and that was what mattered.