WATER! WATER! I see water! I leapt off Barbie, desperate for water, landing head first, on the
sand. Lucky it was sand, because I did a million somersaults, twisting and tumbling across the sand
dunes. I suddenly halted, dead in my tracks. Dizzy, unable to sit up, or even lift my arms. I lay,
dazed for a few seconds, then, bolted upright to the feeling of spiky pebbles digging into my back.
I drew circles on the sand with my palm, brushing away all the sand that covered the hidden
treasures. My heart was beating, fast…faster…like lightning. I peeped through the gap of my
hands. Huh? Fossils?
Fossils! I pinched myself several times, I’m not dreaming. I must bring them to school for my
project, if only I can get back…
Anyway, I didn’t want to go back yet. I scanned the fossils closely: bits and pieces of an
ostrich-like dinosaur with two, shattered legs that were made for long-distance running. I
hurriedly stuffed them into my bag.
YES! I’ve got the most amazing props for my project! Real fossil bones from the Gobi desert!
Suddenly, a soft padding of feet startled me. I glanced up. Fearsome wild nomads, wearing
face and body paint, and a furry yak skin draped over their legs -- were clutching spears and
bows in their hands, all of them pointing towards me.
“YEEEEE!” the tribe yelled. They swooped in, grasped my backpack and galloped away, like a
flock of gazelles.
I sprinted after them, ducking behind a tree, as they reached their camp, twenty tents
surrounding a huge camp fire. I spied my bag lying on the floor.
I stole around the area, hiding behind each tent, each step drawing me closer to my bag.
Finally, I broke across the final open stretch of ground, grabbed my bag and bolted. Suddenly, a
sound rang in my ears. It was the Barbie laptop giving me a voice message.
“It’s bedtime, Alicia!”
It was mum. Her voice, trumpeting loud, caused the nomadic people to turn around. As one,
they sprang to their feet and bounded after me.
My heart was beating like a drum, pounding in my chest.
Soon, the tribe only inches away from me, breathing down my neck, I tripped over, crashed
onto the ground and tumbling forward. My head bounced against my keyboard; my eyes squeezed
shut, I awaited my fate.
After a painfully long few seconds, the sandy landscape melted and segued into the blue
wallpaper of my bedroom. I jumped up and, whopping for joy, somersaulted around my room.
Calming down, relieved to be alive, I took stock. My head – ouch! My bag – yes! The fossil
bones were still in my bag! I shook all the sand off my clothes and out of my hair before slipping
into my comfy pajamas.
I collapsed onto the bed. My eyelids weighed a ton. Before I slept, I whispered: Thank you,
Barbie laptop!
***
