Picture-Based writing is a skill I learned in school! It was really helpful for this competition. They had given us 7-8 pictures and I chose the one that looked the best a.k.a The HOT-AIR BALLOON. Here's the story I created.
The chill yet crisp air hitting one’s face, witnessing the sun rise (not from the ground but few hundred feet high), getting hit by the occasional cloud, and viewings earth’s horizon from a hot-air balloon ride over the mountains is a breathtaking experience.
The pilot skillfully navigated the balloon and the sensation of rising higher and higher was both thrilling and serene at the same time. The changing colors of the sky as the sun continued to rise add to the magical atmosphere of the experience.
Once we were up in the air, the panoramic view of the mountain landscape below was visible. The rugged peaks, lush valleys, and winding rivers all come into view. The stillness of the balloon ride allowed us to appreciate the tranquility of the mountains.
As we were floating above the mountains, we spotted other balloons. The vibrant colors of the balloon stood out against the backdrop of the majestic mountains. It created a surreal and beautiful scene.
The pilot gave us the chance to take stunning photos. He showed us different perspectives of the mountains. We learned more about the area's geography, history, and wildlife. We even caught a glimpse of local wildlife. This experience enhanced our understanding of the mountainous region.
As we were sailing smoothly, I noticed something shining in the mountains. It was a lustrous object which was in a silvery-whitish color. I questioned the pilot twice but he ignored my question and I found that suspicious. Soon, we touched down on the landing spot.
Everyone's attention was diverted when a horse from the nearby farm had gone loose. We took the chance and made a run for the mountains. We climbed to the cave we noticed during the flight. We decided to explore the cave.
Our backpack usually contained all the gear quintessential for a trek. We wore our headlights and slowly plodded into the caves. Afraid? Yes, we were; but our curiosity just led us deeper into the cave. Using hand signals we signaled to each other about our next moves.
Our heart skipped a beat when we saw a huge movement at the top of the cave. It was coming towards us at swift pace and seemed to only grow bigger and bigger. I signaled and yelled, ‘duck down’, and within few seconds we could see colonies of bats almost attack us.
Thanking our stars, we ventured further into the dark, damp cave, our lamps brightened our path which showed us walls covered in shimmering minerals and fungi. The air was thick and we kept very quiet. The silences only broken only by the distant sound of dripping water.
We reached a turn where we could hear the echo of a few voices. We slowly looked towards the direction the voices were coming from. There were people mining something. Through their dress we could identify it was some dangerous thing that they were mining.
As we stealthily forged ahead, we reached a store like area. We began to examine the contents there and from the maps, packing instructions and leaflets we realized that this gang were trying extract few ‘rare-earth materials. I remember the government passing an order banning the un-licensed mining of these rare-earth materials as they were hazardous and potentially devastate the surrounding ecosystem.
We ran outside and used our binoculars to check if there was an authority near-by. We saw policemen. We shot our red flares that went silently high into the sky. The police reached the spot in 5 minutes. I led them into the cave and showed them the miners. The police read through the material in the store and interrogated them.
They confessed to having clandestinely mining in this area and exporting them overseas by dropping them onto ships through the very hot-air balloons we sailed earlier. The police arrested them and rewarded us for our bravery. The front page of the newspaper of the next day had over story and our pictures.
It's a memory that will stay with me forever. I am grateful for the same.
Hope you guys liked the story. Dhamathi Suresh singing off!