The Waterfall of Hope

Seeking for the Last Hope

The next day when the sun wakes up from it sleeps, Rado, Fauzi, Haikal, Dina, and Febi are already in the east of the village, more precisely on the border between the village and the forest. Their parents and several villagers escort them to the border. “Be careful, Febi. Don’t forget to remind your friends for always be careful. This eastern forest has many ravines and wild animals. Be careful when you walk, don’t let your guard down. Bundo prepares water in three large bottles, five lunch boxes fill with rendang and rice, and some bread in your bag. Share it with your friends. Come back safely, my daughter,” says Febi’s bundo. Febi replies, “Okay, Bundo. Febi and Febi’s friends will always be careful in the forest later. We will definitely find the waterfall and return safely. Thank you for the prevision my lovely bundo.” The parents prepare the provisions for their children. Some of the villagers also provide them with what they have at their house. “There are only bananas and sweet potatoes at my house. You should bring these bananas and sweet potatoes with you. Always be careful and come back safely,” says apak Zul. “Thank you for these bananas and sweet potatoes, apak Zul. We will always be careful, find the waterfall, and come back safely,” says Fauzi. “Amak doesn’t want you to go to this forest, son. This forest is very dangerous. There are many ravines and wild animals there. But because that waterfall is our only hope, bundo will let you go, son,” says Haikal’s bundo as she rubs her cheeks which are wet with tears. “Bundo, don't worry. Haikal will find that waterfall and return safely,” says Haikal while hugging his bundo. After their parents and several villagers convey advices to them and provide them with provisions, the five children enter the forest to find their last hope for their village. They step steadily without hesitation into the forest.

Armed with a compass and uncertain location directions, the five children embark on their adventure to find a waterfall which is the last hope for their village. They continue to walk to the east because apak Zainal said that the young man who had been looking for this waterfall said that this waterfall was in the east of this forest. Once they enter the forest, they walk towards the east of the forest following the compass. Big trees surround them and the shady leaves seem to be natural roofs that shade them. They start to hear the sounds of birds chirping and other animal voices. The fresh air and the smell of the forest start to get into their noses. Leaves fall from the tree onto the ground. They walk on it. The path they walk so far is still the same as the paths in the other forests they explored before. There are no ravines or wild animals in sight yet but they must always be careful. “Finally, we can go on an adventure,” says Rado. “Yes, we don't even think that we can enter this forest. Our parents are always angry when we ask them permission to come here,” replies Fauzi. “But we also have to remember that we are here to look for the waterfall,” says Dina. “Yes, I remember. Let's keep going,” says Rado. The five children continue to walk towards the east of the forest while discussing the experiences that they experienced in elementary school. They also talk about the times when they met each other for the first time, the first time they went on an adventure together, when they couldn’t go on an adventure because one of them was sick, and when they built a tree house that became their headquarters. They don’t feel tired because pass through this together.

While they are walking and chatting to each other, a young Sumatran cochoa bird falls in front of them. The five of them immediately run to see the hatchling. “Poor baby bird,” says Dina. “Wow... This is a Sumatran cochoa hatchling,” says Haikal. “Yes. You are absolutely right, Haikal. This bird is so rare. The researchers are competing to find it so they can research it,” says Rado. “Look at the color of this bird’s feathers. They are different from other bird feathers. The colors of the feathers of this bird are shiny blue and black. Usually these birds build their nests in the middle of a tree branch,” says Fauzi. In unison the five of them look up at the tree where the Sumatran cochoa hatchling fell. “There is a nest there,” Febi says excitedly, pointing to the nest she sees. “Let’s return it again. The parents of this hatchling must lose their hatchling. After all, let them live in the nature and breed so that their numbers can increase,” suggests Febi. “All right, let's return it to the nest. Let me climb up,” says Rado. Rado lets his bag falls to the ground and then climbs the tree. When he reaches the nest, Rado whispers, “Friends, there are other Sumatran cochoa hatchlings here.” Haikal immediately carries Fauzi on his shoulder. Dina picks up the Sumatran cochoa hatchling very carefully and hands it over to Fauzi. Then, Fauzi receives it carefully with both hands and hands it over to Rado. Rado receives it very carefully and returns it to the nest. “Yeay… We did it,” says Febi proudly. “Wow... I’ve never seen the Sumatran cochoa bird directly. So far, I’ve only seen it through pictures. It’s stupid that I didn’t recognize that bird,” says Dina, hits her head lightly. “It is okay, Dina. The important thing is we already saw it directly and it was a valuable experience for us,” says Rado. Haikal, Fauzi, and Febi nod together in agreement. They continue their journey but before they leave, they don’t forget to say good bye to the Sumatran cochoa hatchlings.