The Case of the Missing School

Boto Rosa, the enchanting pink river dolphin from Amazon Forest, notice a trio of kids splashing water around when the sun was up in the sky. He thought to himself those kids were to be at school.

“Hello!” he said in a friendly tone.

“Boto!” they all shouted in unison, greeting the fantastical creature.

“I can’t believe it! Is it really a Boto Rosa?” said one

“I told you he exists!” said the other child.

The third ran into the water as deep as her feet could keep touching the ground and her chest and head were above the water. Deep enough for her to touch Boto.

“I can’t believe it’s really you!”

“Believe me, child.” Said the Boto “It’s really me and I wonder why you lot are not at school.”

“Oh! Our school has vanished! No one knows where it went!” said one child

“And the closest school is so far, our parents would have to stop working all day just to take us.” Said the other

“Plus, there’s the danger of Onça, the jaguar” feared the third

“We have no books.” Explained the first child.

“We have to figure that one out!” the Boto said in an intriguing and worried voice. “Curupira!” he shouted loud and clear. In a blink of an eye, the forest guardian with bright red hair and backward feet appeared amongst the children.

“Yes! Who is damaging the forest? Tell me, tell me and I will give them a fright!” he said angrily and purposefully.

“Calm down, friend. Today, our problem is the children school! It went missing!”

“How can a school be missing?”

They all raised their shoulders.

“Saci!” he called his friend. He called once, he called twice and when he was about to shout the third time, the little red hooded boy showed up.

“At your service, your majesty” he said.

“Would you have been capable of misplacing an entire school?”

“Curupira, old friend. Boto, my dear brave and gracious source of wisdom. I may be cheeky and messy but I would never, ever, ever, ever in a million years mess up with a school. Why would I do such a thing and make the kids have no place to study?”

He sounded genuine. Boto and Curupira didn’t doubt him.

“You’ll help us find it.”

They searched for clues, from footprints to truck marks. Boto called up his river friends. Even Cuca, the crocodile sorcerer came to the rescue, putting her evil traits aside. Meanwhile, Curupira called upon the land friends for aid. Boitata, the fiery serpent of the forests, emerged from the shadows, ready to assist. Onça Pintada, the majestic jaguar, brought in the strength of her muscles and her young cubs.

Nothing could be found. Until the Piranha told them “It was the pororoca, the giant river wave. We saw it. It took everything away”

Iara gasped “It cannot be! We need to rebuild the school.”

“And now, we will build to protect it from any river flood or waves!” explained the Boto Rosa, skilfully tell them, the school needed to be e 30 meters from the river margin. The kids smartly added they needed to be on stilts as their houses were.

“Iara, Boto Rosa, our river friends can help transport the resources needed for the school,” suggested Curupira.

“Absolutely! I’ll call upon the river animals to aid us,” affirmed Iara.

“And I’ll make sure everything is loaded safely on the rafts,” added Boto Rosa, flipping playfully in the water.

“Together, we’ll build a school for the tribe children,” declared Curupira.

The friends embarked on their respective tasks. Iara and Boto Rosa orchestrated the river transportation, guiding rafts loaded with books, writing materials, and building supplies down the Amazon’s winding waters. The river friends created a harmonious convoy, ensuring safe passage for the cargo.

On land, Curupira, Boitata, Onça Pintada, and Saci worked tirelessly. Boitata’s fiery glow illuminated the forest, providing light for their endeavor. Curupira’s forest magic intertwined with the surrounding flora, shaping the school’s structure in harmony with nature.

“Pass me that log, Saci! We need to build the walls sturdy,” directed Onça Pintada, balancing effortlessly on a tree branch.

Saci hopped around, mischievously handing over the needed materials. “Careful, don’t let the wind take these away!” he chuckled, twirling his whirlwind hat.

As the school gradually took shape, children from the riverside villages watched in awe and anticipation. Their faces lit up with hope at the sight of a school emerging in their midst.

Tupa, the Tucan, organised the air friends who went far to get books and supplies.

Finally, the school stood proudly—a place where knowledge could flourish, dreams could take flight, and children could learn and grow.

With hearts full of joy, the river and land friends gathered, their laughter echoing through the forest. They knew that their collaboration had created more than just a school—it had woven a bond between nature and education, ensuring a brighter future for the children of the Amazon.

Written by humans. Copyright ©Saci Books 2024