It was midnight. But Arthur was still on the street, selling Balot while Rebecca and Aya were just at their house, 15 meters away from the river.

It was raining heavily then, from 3 pm until that time. Rebecca could not sleep. Suddenly she heard a loud rush of water with a strange sound like drumming. When she opened the window, she was startled by huge flood-carrying logs from the mountains. Other houses in the distance had swept away, and the flood was approaching them. Rebecca was confused as she cried, and she quickly took Aya. But it was too late.

The news spread quickly. And it reached Arthur, so he quickly went home. He was not afraid to die. All he wanted was to find his wife and his daughter. So he swam in the flood until he heard someone talking in a nearby coconut tree. But because it was too dark, he could see nothing, until a flash of lightning gave them light, and he saw a girl and a mother holding in a coconut tree.

Aya exclaimed as she noticed her father’s appearance, “Papa, help us.”

“Aya? Rebecca, is that you?”

“Yes, Arthur.”

Arthur swam towards them even though the current of water was strong.

Rebecca said, “I thought we were going to die, Arthur.”

Arthur replied, “Thank God you are safe. I cannot afford to lose you both in my life. It’s the fault of those loggers who illegally cut down trees in the mountains. Nature is already charging innocent people like us, because of their inhuman actions and choices to destroy the forest for their selfish interest and own benefit. “

It was dawn. And the floodwaters had subsided. Only five households remained standing; many people were missing. Corpses were hanging in the trees, and others were buried in the mud.

I hope this will be a lesson to all of us that we would rather protect nature than destroy it. Because when nature takes charge and retaliates, we do not know how many innocent lives the payoff will be.

Nature retaliates.

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Melissa Taggart
Melissa Taggart(@melissa-taggart)
1 year ago

Great story, Lotchie! “Nature retaliates” is such a sobering message. I am seeing such an example currently sitting in the 44 degree heat…In Canada we have had heat waves that have broken records this year. It is worrisome. You did a fantastic job painting a mental picture with this story. We should all be respecting this world we live on more than what we do!

A great job once again!

Last edited 1 year ago by Melissa Taggart
Fuji
Fuji(@fuji)
Reply to  Melissa Taggart
1 year ago

Oh my gosh Melissa, I just did a Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion … 44 degrees = 111 degrees? Is that true? That’s horrible for anywhere, but especially in Canada. How are you coping? We’re sweltering here with temperatures of 95 F.

Melissa Taggart
Melissa Taggart(@melissa-taggart)
Reply to  Fuji
1 year ago

Good day, Fuji. I just took another look it has cooled down a bit now 27 degrees with humidity feels like 40. Unfortunately, British Columbia had a nasty heatwave this summer peaking June 28th and 29th shattering 100 records in western Canada. Over 800 people passed away. This summer has been a long and stifling. I’ll be glad when it’s over.

Alan Kemister
Alan Kemister(@alan-kemister)
Reply to  Melissa Taggart
1 year ago

Record high temp for Canada was set on June 29, 2021 in Lytton, BC It reached 49.6 C (121 F). The next day the town was destroyed by a wildfire.

Melissa Taggart
Melissa Taggart(@melissa-taggart)
Reply to  Alan Kemister
1 year ago

Good evening, Alan. The wildfires have only started trending in the right direction today. BC has had a horrible time this summer. There have been evacuation orders lifted finally, as well.

Melissa Taggart
Melissa Taggart(@melissa-taggart)
Reply to  Alan Kemister
1 year ago

Alan, I see that you are also a Bluenoser? I am in Ontario currently but my whole family is still in Nova Scotia. We are both Canadian. So, you would already know these things. My apologies!

Melissa Taggart
Melissa Taggart(@melissa-taggart)
Reply to  Fuji
1 year ago

Also, I just looked and tomorrow it is giving 33 degrees Celsius but is suppose to feel like 45 with humidity.

Melissa Taggart
Melissa Taggart(@melissa-taggart)
Reply to  Lotchie Carmelo
1 year ago

It is too hot to cook. All you do is sit with fans on, and pray that it is soon over. We got a huge thunderstorm last night. And a heavy and fast rain. My basement flooded. I can’t believe people still deny climate change!

Fuji
Fuji(@fuji)
1 year ago

A well-written story, Lotchie, with a very timely message. Our trees are one of the greatest gifts of this planet, and part of our protection against climate change. We don’t have to be climate scientists to notice that coming off a busy street into a shady yard is about a 20 F degree difference in temperature. In the old days, Native Americans built their villages close to rivers (source of water) and… Read more »

Paul Lewthwaite
Paul Lewthwaite(@paul-lewthwaite)
1 year ago

A very vivid, sobering story, Lotchie. The impact of deforestation on climate as well as on individual lives is clearly stated in this good tale.

Julie Harris
Julie Harris(@julie-harris)
1 year ago

Your story really spoke to me, Lotchie. I live in a small town with lots of old trees – huge deciduous trees that keep us cool in summer, provide beautiful colors in fall and the excitement of new blooms in spring. Even in winter, the bare branches look like graceful dancers. I feel very close to my trees, and even give some of them names. I often think that the trees hold… Read more »

Alan Kemister
Alan Kemister(@alan-kemister)
1 year ago

Another picture of the power of the nature we’re so badly maligning. In North America we’re focused on wildfires, but floods are the ironic flipside of the same problem. Well done.

Linda Rock
Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
1 year ago

I love the last line of your story Lotchie – Nature retaliates. It’s amazing how just two words can express so much. The many comments you have received regarding trees reminded me of something a friend of mine, who lives in Chicago, told me. Mayor Daley had commented on the lack of birds in the City, there was no birdsong, and had introduced a tree-planting project to entice the birds back. Our… Read more »

Thompson Emate
Thompson Emate(@thompson-emate)
1 year ago

What a lovely story, Lotchie. Thank God Arthur’s family was preserved despite their huge loss. Oh! The third paragraph to the last is so touching. A nice ending too. Well done.

Greene M Wills
Greene M Wills(@greene-m-wills)
1 year ago

I loved your story, Lotchie and felt Arthur’s anguish at the thought of losing his loved ones. You depicted Nature not as something but as someone alive, powerful and vengeful because of all the harm we bring to her. Well done!

Christer Norrlof
Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
1 year ago

A very realistic and down-to-earth description of what a catastrophe looks like for a family in a poor residence area. You also found a photo that illustrates such a situation in a perfect way. Is this something that has happened in your part of the Philippines?

Sandra James
Sandra James(@sandra-james)
1 year ago

Lotchie, I am in awe…I think English is not your native language and yet your story reads beautifully, very well constructed and full of emotion. Very well done! And, the storyline with its message is sobering. Often we don’t realise the long term problems that remain after the initial destruction. You are an inspiration, Lotchie  ? 

Marianna Pieterse
Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
1 year ago

Lotchie, that last line is so powerful. I think it is something that will stay with me as a reminder that we need to care for nature. Your story had me hooked from the start. I am glad Arthur and his family survived. It is sad to think that this is based on real happenings. Well done.

Henry Vinicio Valerio Madriz
Henry Vinicio Valerio Madriz(@henry-vinicio-valerio-madriz)
10 months ago

A sad reality because of governments that don’t do their work properly… I was able to feel the pain and chaos by means of your story. Thanks for sharing.

Heather Chrzanowski
Heather Chrzanowski(@heather-chrzanowski)
10 months ago

I think it is so important to bring awareness to climate change and your story did just that! Not only are we putting the earth and animals at risk but we also endanger ourselves! You did a great job incorporating these points into your writing. Thanks for sharing Lotchie.

Deborah Goulding
Deborah Goulding(@deborah-goulding)
28 days ago

Lotchie, a story that rings true all around the world. Happy for Rebecca’s family, sad for the families that didn’t survive.

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