I woke up to the bright sunlight peaking through my window. My eyes still hurting from last nights party. As I stumbled out of bed hitting my toe on a present. Cursing under my breath. Grabbing it, I was ready to chuck it across the room. Unwrapping it, it was a chest. A chest with a letter given to me from my grandfather.

Dear, great grandson. Today is a special day. You’re finally old enough for this gift. All the legends and stories I told you. They’re true. This here is a map to treasure island. I’ve searched years for it, please continue my journey. This had to be a joke. Gramps was crazy in his old age. Always making up tall tails, and re-telling them differently every time. Oh what was the harm to see if it was real. Gramps.. was right. This map is real!

I rushed to the attic where we kept all his old stuff, such as his book. Here it is! Yes! Treasure Island. This story as a kid was my favorite. Opening it, a letter fell out. Grabbing it, reading it carefully, all the pieces came together.

I ran to my room and packed for a long journey ahead. Grabbing all my cash from my money jar, past birthday's, and summer jobs. This was at least enough for a plane ticket, and a bus ride. Starting off where Gramps left last. This is it. My new journey. I had waited years for something exciting. My patience has finally paid off.

Arriving in Tahiti. I was exhausted. I had never been on tiny plane in my entire life. Let me tell you it was tight, crowded with people and animals. Exactly what you see in movies. It would all be worth the jet lag and sweat. Catching a bus to my next location on the map. I showed the bus driver where I wanted to go. Obviously not knowing the language did not help. Gramps taught me some of his funny words he told me as a child. I was just nine years old. The "I don't care stage". Now approaching my stop, the bus driver grunted at me. This must be it. The city had changed over the many years since my gramps last came here. Things did not look like it did on the map to what the city is currently now. Great. If I can't speak the language, how am I to ask for directions. No! This not the end to my journey. I waited years for this. I was not giving up.

Moving forward. I looked for some local who could possibly speak English. There. A young woman. Hopefully she can help me. Using all my hand gestures and broken words, I got the point across. By some broken English, she showed me where the next clue was on the map.

Hours have passed, and I can no longer feel my feet. I have to find some rest stop. Night is approaching.

I found a small barn with hay, it was the only place that would not cost me a night to sleep.

Yes, the hay was itchy, and not as soft as it looks. Poked by each little piece was not fun. No matter, I fell asleep some how.

Day two: What a back ache. Tired and hungry. With a few dollars left, I searched for a market with fruit. Grabbing a few pieces of fruit and bread, I began my journey once more.

Next stop on my map. I needed to get to a fishing dock. I searched for a decent size fishing boat and traded some of my food with the man. Ugh... I forgot I am seasick. Finally getting to the island, I saw how it shrunk. The water had grown deeper from all the rain. Dropped off, the man stayed so I had a way to get home. Even if it cost me the rest of my food, and my watch. Now to walk past these trees and a rock that looks like a crest moon. Past the water fall that has poisonous flowers. I need to be extra careful when passing as their thorns can kill a rhino. Great. The bridge is gone. I have to cross here, but how? Searching around my surroundings I find some vines. I am about to Tarzan this. Grabbing all the vines I could, I tied each one together. Using my handy swiss army knife, I took a piece of wood and made into a stake. Putting the two together, I swung it across the deep valley. Taking off my shirt I used it to zip line across the valley. Making it across with not falling was a miracle. Whew! My heart was racing fast. I can't believe that worked! All excited with adrenaline I continued my journey. This was it. The last place my gramps made it to. Just a few more steps to get to and I would find the TREASURE. I don't understand why he stopped here? I am so confused? No warnings?? Now I see. The hill full of the poisonous flowers. Come on! There has to be some way around it, some path way?

I was ready to give up hope. My heart ached. Gramps would be so sad to know that his grandson gave up. NO. This is no time to feel sorry for myself. There has to something in my backpack to use. Yes! This scarf will be a mask, and extra clothes will protect me. This should do. I can use this stick to push away the flowers. I hope this works.

Here goes nothing...

I pray that this works and God protects me. I want to make my gramps proud.

Slowly pushing the flowers away, and not making any spores spread. One wrong move and it's instant death. Half way through. I'm so close to the top of the hill. I can hear a waterfall. I'm nearly there. I..I. I made it??? Yes!! WHOO! O my goodness.. Wow.. If only gramps could see me now. The Treasure is just behind that waterfall. I'm so close.

I got to watch my steps and these slippery rocks. This waterfall is amazing... God has such wonderful creations.. amazing. Alrighty, ten steps forward.. turn right and walk five steps. Look for a crest moon shape rock. I see it! Now push it in. Woah! A secret door! Sweet! Ok ok..

My eyes have never seen such a marvelous wonder. The room filled with gold and jewels. Years of treasure just lying here. There must be traps set. I need to find what my gramps wanted me to search for. The Golden harp. There it is! I need to be careful. I could activate a trap, one wrong move.. and this whole place can come down.

Sweat dripped down his face, heart racing.. palms sweaty and fingers sticky. Thinking smart, he throws a rock to set off the trap. I only five minutes to grab it and escape. Feeling like Indiana Jones, he swipes the harp and bolts out of the cave. Being quick on his feet, he manages to dive into the water, before the cave collapses.

Being proud on his adventure, he learned a very valuable lesson.

Don't open gifts from gramps. Going on a wild adventure, is thrilling. The next time he goes out on adventure, he'll make sure to grab a friend.

THE END