Treasures

Sometimes people do not realize the treasures around them. Sometimes people travel to distant places to see amazing features. How many of them have explored what is nearer to their own homes?

Nikki and Sam took a group of local kids out one Saturday. As small as their island is, some of them had not explored it, and others yet did not know how to swim. Today’s mission was to hit the beach and go kayaking. Three kayaks should do. All Sam could remember was that replacing a small paddle costs $25 each and the large ones are $37. Since Sam did not have any combination of $25 or $37 to spare, so her focus was on not losing any paddles.

The whole group embarked on the day’s water adventure filling three kayaks. It was a breathtaking, sunny, tropical day. The water was clear and cool. There was ever the slightest breeze on the water. After we had paddled out a ways, some of the kids wanted to slip into the water. Not long after they were gaily fluttering about, a quick, tumultuous current streamed through. Nikki immediately went into mommy mode (though all of the kids were her students) concerned over those who could not swim. She leaped into the water and began capturing those young ones onto the shore. The water was not very deep. For all Sam knew, Nikki probably told them to stand up and walk onto the shore.

Sam had other things in mind. She first realized she was sitting alone in the kayak, which was fine since she had no rescue experience like Nikki did. She also realized that no one was sitting in the kayak that was previously inhabited by Nikki. Sam grabbed the kayak and moved all of the paddles into her boat.

Sam contemplated for a bit trying to figure out how to attach one kayak to the other. After finally being able to connect a couple of the buckles, she tried paddling to shore. She soon discovered that paddling on one side of the kayak makes her go in circles.

No problem. As soon as Nikki got the kids ashore, she would come after Sam and help bring the equipment ashore. Sam waited . . . and waited.

The day was so beautiful that she just lay in her kayak, still holding on to the other, and just relaxed. After a while, Sam noticed that the military ships stationed on the horizon appeared closer. She looked behind and saw that the shoreline seemed farther away, and she could not really see the people. She was drifting out to sea. The water did not appear deep, but it is so clear that she could not know for sure. She had not yet reached the reef.

For the first time, Sam began to grow concerned. Should she leave the kayak and just get herself ashore? It was not until later that she knew that Nikki had sent some people on water scooters to find her. They came back empty-handed, but she insisted that her friend was out there.

Ironically, all of that might have happened while Sam decided to lie back and enjoy the day. Soon after, Sam noticed a water scooter in the distance and waved it near. She attempted to attach herself to the scooter while holding on to the second kayak. It was a matter of seconds before the kayaks capsized and Sam was in the water with all of the paddles.

Almost before Sam resurfaced, she had gathered the paddles and returned them to the kayak. She asked that the man on the water scooter bring in the kayak while she paddled herself in. Off to the other side, Sam spied Nikki looking about fervently to see where Sam could be. After signaling that all was well, Nikki looked relieved and returned to shore. Sam also returned, paddles and all. She was greeted by a couple of concerned students who were pleased to see that she was safe. There was one student who in all seriousness came up and wondered where she had been. Sam was slightly annoyed but glad to be safe.

Sam and Nikki continued to have many adventures with the kids in the months to follow. Eventually, each in her own time moved away from the island and continued to have adventures. They appreciated the treasures around them: both people and places.