When Land Crabs Attack or how not to climb a tree

I am a bit of an adventurer. I sometimes imagine myself as an explorer, when I arrive at a new location that I have not visited before. Bold, confident, sure of myself, I bravely step into the unknown to find out what is around the next turn.

Most of the times, these little adventures of mine take place within a new city that I am visiting for the first time. But sometimes, the adventure truly becomes an adventure (of sorts).

A long, long time ago, on one beautiful Indian ocean day, I found myself on a small little island. The island had the shape of a horse shoe (somewhat), and is very flat. The highest point on the island looked to be only about ten feet (3.2 meters) above sea level. A small installation was constructed on one side of the island where most of the people lived their lives; seemingly, unaware of what the island had to offer. I had some time to myself, so I decided to do a bit of exploring.

I took off walking away from the installation, heading in no particular direction, by following the land as it slowly curved upon the ocean's surface. I was mesmerized by how deep blue the ocean was, and how calm the ocean waves seemed to be as the beach only extended about 20 feet from the water line to the palm trees.

On one area of the beach, you could see that from the waters edge, the land extended out for only about five to eight feet, before the ocean floor plunged down to hundreds if not thousands of fathoms.

Now, I know how to float in the water very well; yet, I do not know how to swim. What we be the point of swimming in the ocean. Before arriving at the small land mass known as “Diego Gracia”, the ship held a swim call. A swim call is when a ship stops in the middle of the water and allows those that want to jump into the ocean for a swim, to do so. This particular swim call was very eerie to me.

At this point, we are close to the equator and I think the moon was on the other side of the planet; because the ocean was like a sheet of glass. There were no waves other than what the ship had made getting to this spot; and then, after time passed, those waves were gone as well.

With marks men posted to the highest part of the ship (on the look out for sharks), people started jumping in. Not me! There is something unsettling to me above the ground being five to seven miles beneath my feet. But it still was an experience for me none the less. After swim call was over, the ship headed for Diego Gracia, which is how I ended up on that beautiful beach.

I decided to walk in the forest for a while. Interesting, I thought. On a small island, is a large grouping of trees called a forest or a jungle? I wondered, as I stepped more into the palm trees. I then noticed a somewhat large hole in the ground. As I focused more on the ground, I realized that there were at least several hundred of these holes in the ground. I then realized that maybe I am in an area that I should not be in. So, I decided to turn around and go back the way I came.

Then, with out warning, it happened. Out of these holes in the ground, these large crabs appear. It was as if they were all on their cell phones saying to one another, “wait for it ... wait for it ... wait for it ... NOW!” All the crabs came out at once. I leapt from the ground to the nearest tree trying to climb it.

On a side note, you can sometimes learn something about yourself when you are frightened. For me, I learned that I can not climb a tree to save my life when I am initially scared.

Here I am, trying my best to get up this tree, and I see that most of these crabs have stop moving and are focused on me. I thought to myself, dinner time, and that I was the main item on the menu list, of course.

I also realized that even when I am scared, I have multiple trains of thoughts running threw my head. One of those thoughts was as follows:

These crabs are thinking ...

        Hey everyone, hey Joe, look at this thing.

        My word what is it George?

        I don't know, replies George.

        What's is it doing Mike!

        I know, I know, states Mike. It's scratching itself on that tree.

        I do not think so, says Joe.

        Best if everyone stays away from it; pass the word, shouts George.

Now, I'm still trying to get up this tree, and making no headway when all of a sudden, all the crabs turn away from me and go about their merry little business.

As the crabs move further and further away, I realize that they are not interested in me.

So, I went back to the installation; using my most nonchalant pace; RUN!!!

Just in time for the start of dinner. I asked, “What is on the menu?” The reply was, “Crab!” I asked, “Do you have any hamburgers?” I have had enough of crabs for one day.

The next day, the ship had to leave. The image of these crabs coming out of their holes was burned into my memory like a photograph. So, time to “Sail On” and forward. Next stop ... Djibouti!

Thank you for reading my hub. This was my attempt at a short story, loosely based on my real life experience.

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