Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Australia or New Zealand (01/15/09)
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TITLE: Hidden Treasures | Previous Challenge Entry
By Janice Rogers
01/21/09 -
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“Hey, Yank! Jump ship and we’ll take care of you!”
Robert mockingly cupped his hand behind his right ear. “What’s that familiar cacophony I hear?” He turned and squinted into the crowd of passersby until he recognized his long-time buddy, Keith.
Keith tossed Robert a dusty rock, flashing dark blue in the sunlight. Black opal ore; nice.
“Ready for an adventure, old man?” Keith smiled broadly. “White Cliffs are mined clean, but you can still find a few good gems in the billabongs near there.”
Robert’s cheeks lifted in a smirk as he spoke. “Does Katie know about this?”
“Regale us with some high seas tales, and we’ll all forgive your absence, mate.”
Robert could only grin as he grabbed his duffel and jumped into the awaiting Jeep. Keith and Robert had known each other since Robert’s first Navy cruise in Vietnam; Keith’s second tour of duty as an Air Force pilot.
The two fell easily into banter until reaching the modest underground home of Katie and Keith. Pink dust flew in the sweltering summer heat; the burrowed-in houses provided a naturally cool respite. A winding white rock path led to Katie with wide welcoming arms.
“Katie!” Robert feigned seriousness. “You aren’t feeding me any of those Vegemite sandwiches, are you?”
“I’d say you don’t deserve one after being gone so long! How was your trip?”
“Boring, then wobbly; still getting my land legs back. Where’s the young Petey?”
“Collegiate now, you know; owns the world as he sees it. Studies molecular engineering and tries to convert his old man to atheism.”
“How’s that proselytizing going?” Robert queried. No doubt his friends were saddened by their son’s dissection from his Christian upbringing.
Katie shook her head. “Peter is insistent we are hurting others through believing. Science is his god.”
“He has to be willing to change on his own, though,” Robert thought aloud.
Just then Peter stepped through the door, whizzing a hardback textbook directly into Robert’s ankle. Robert grimaced and buckled. The significant sound of crack-snap indicated broken bone.
Peter snapped as hard as the book. “You think you can come into our home and try your religiosity on us? I run into your type everywhere!
Raised voices ensued while attending to Robert, who passed out from pain. Soon three angry people plus Robert sat in Coober Pedy Hospital’s emergency bay 5, trying not to look at one another. A technician wrapped Robert’s foot, ankle, and lower leg in a plaster cast. Keith begged off to grab a coffee; Katie followed on impulse, leaving Peter to fume while Robert groggily spoke cheerfully to no one in particular. He was hoping Peter was listening.
“Hey, Petey, what do molecular engineers do for fun, the nano-dance?
Peter’s scowl softened, realizing his family friend was overreaching for a joke through the medication. “Do you really believe the things you so readily preach?”
“I do. Surely you know my life hasn’t been pristine, like one of your dad’s polished opals. Jesus’ life paid the ultimate price for every human life, so we could have riches beyond our imaginations.” He sighed. “Is there any part of you that looks at these incredible works of science you study and tells you that there has to be something more than what meets the microscopic eye?”
Peter furrowed his brows, seemingly deep in thoughts not forming words. “If I say yes, then I admit defeat in the scientific arena.”
“Never, Peter! People want to believe that science is god, that earthly knowledge is the only veritable one. Pete, forgiveness is there for the asking….”
Katie and Keith slowly and quietly slipped into the room, heads down. Peter forced eye contact, apologizing. “Rob’s been telling me some outlandish stories, but I am absolutely wrong for throwing the book at him in more ways than one.” He nodded towards Robert. “What can I do for you before your shore leave is up?”
“Promise me you’ll consider what I’ve said.” He gave Peter the dark ore Keith threw to Robert when he first docked.
“I will give the topic a more thoughtful look. Incidentally, opals are considered by ancient peoples as having all the virtues of every stone combined. Humans are in some ways like that.”
“You don’t say.”
“Designed in the image of and handcrafted by the Creator….”
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