HUMPY
A Children’s Story
“Humpy, you’re the most beautiful, cuddly Camel in the whole world, I’m a lucky boy to have you for my friend”
“ Oh, Amrod, you say such lovely things about me, I am happy to have you as my master and live in this wonderful Oasis way out in the dessert where there is plenty of nice cool water straight from the spring and lots of fresh juicy carrots”
Although Amrod is still a boy he needs to work hard to help support the rest of his family, so along with his best friend, Humpy they make many trips to the Mediterranean city of Barka carrying produce like fresh tasty dates and locally made craft to the city markets, they usually return with a load of flour, sugar and lovely materials of the finest silks for the ladies to make into dresses. It can be dangerous as sometimes there are horrific sand storms which suddenly appear and that means waiting till they pass before continuing on the journey.
“Humpy, tomorrow morning we leave early to go to Barka with a load of dates so we better rest up to make us fresh and fit for the journey’
“Amrod, you know I am always fit and ready to take on the heat of the desert”
Before the sun was up the pair were well on the way for the three-day trip, it wasn’t very long before a dust storm appeared.
“Humpy, better lay down for a while, I have your favourite canvas cover to protect you”
“That’s my boy, you never forget it, cuddle in beside me and I will give you shelter.”
When the storm passed they were on their way again, plodding along in the heat but happy to be together. On the third morning they could see buildings in the distance.
During their stay in the bustling city they always find shelter in a communal stable along with lots of other camels and horses, Amrod always sleeps beside Humpy.
“Humpy, I found some lovely sweet hay for you and your favourite carrots, I will give you a brush down before we go to sleep”
“You are a wonderful master to have, oh, here comes your friend Basrik and he has that nasty little black dog with him”
“Hello, Basrik, nice to see you again, hope you and your family are well?”
“Yes, thank you, Amrod, I am now going to school three days a week, isn’t that great?”
“ You lucky fellow, wish I could go to school too, but my family needs me to help support them, anyway I wouldn’t be able to spend so much time with my friend Humpy”
Basrik said.” Hello Humpy, nice to see you again, is Amrod still spoiling you?”
“Yes, he is my very best friend, I hope your dog is better behaved this time”
The nasty little black dog was yapping around them and occasionally biting Humpy’s legs. Sometimes he follows them out of the city on their return journey but gets frightened when there is nothing but sand and takes off back to the stable.
“Did you have a good sleep, Humpy? We need to load up and be on our way before the sun comes up, we have a load of beautiful silk cloth for the ladies of the Oasis to make into dresses, plus some special silks for a wedding “
They quietly left the stable and were soon out in the dessert.
“Amrod, isn’t it wonderful to be able to enjoy the solitude and quietness with nothing but sand as far as you can see”
“Sure is, my friend” Amrod said as he plodded alongside, reaching up occasionally to stroking Humpy’s neck with tender loving care.
Suddenly in the far distance there appeared what looked like a sand storm on the horizon.
“ Amrod, we had better stop and get prepared for a sand storm”
“ I don’t think it is a storm coming, Humpy, looks more like a group of galloping horses heading towards us.”
Amrod then remarked, “ I hate people who make their horses travel as such a speed in the heat of the day”
Suddenly over the brow of a nearby sand dune came five masked figures furiously whipping their tired horses. They were busy shouting and laughing and must have been amazed to see a solitary camel and boy all alone in the dessert. They dismounted and came over to them.
“ What are you doing out here alone,” said one of the horsemen
“ We are on our way home to our Oasis in the desert with some produce,” said Amrod.
The rest of the horsemen dismounted and rushed over to join their comrade. They attacked Amrod with their whips, then pushed him to the sand, tied his hands behind his back and took turns in kicking him. Next one of the hooded monsters laughed and remarked to the rest about how healthy and well cared for the camel was and that he would fetch a good price at the next camel sale.
The horrible men started unpacking the merchandise from Humpy’s back, soon discovering very expensive and beautiful fine brightly coloured silks.
One of the men shouted, “ These will fetch a healthy profit in the markets”
They repacked the materials onto Humpy’s back, then tied him to a horse and dragged him along, leaving his dear friend and master to die alone in the desert heat. He tried to hold back but one of the men started to whip him cruelly until he obeyed his command.
After many hours of travel the horses slowed down to a walk, which was a relief, Humpy noticed some tents, which must be their camp. The nasty men unloaded the packages when they arrived and tied him up to a stake without any food or water. Humpy was thinking about his dear master alone in the desert without food or water.
As nightfall came Humpy could see the lights of what must be Barka city. Hours later one of the men came and tied him to a horse, gave them a fierce whipping and they were soon heading to the city.
On arrival Humpy recognised familiar surroundings, they headed for the same stables he had stayed in many times. The owner greeted the nasty man and they were soon busy bargaining about a fair price for him. After both agreeing, Humpy was lead to a little outhouse and locked inside.
Sometime before dawn Humpy heard a noise outside, then through a crack in the wall appeared a little black shape, it was the yapping dog that he never liked, he must have sensed something was wrong. Soon the door was quietly opened and there was Basrik.
“I am so happy to see you, Amrod is in big trouble and I’m worried it will be too late to save him”
Humpy told Basrik quickly what had happened and that we needed to escape and try and find him.
Very quietly Humpy was guided out of the stable complex, the little black dog close behind.
“Do you know how to find Amrod?”
“Of course, I am a ship of the desert and very good at finding my way around”
Basrik climbed onto Humpy’s back and they were soon galloping across the sands, he was holding on tightly, the little black dog soon gave up following them.
Just after sunrise Humpy noticed a small form in the distance.
“Basrik, I think we have found Amrod”
“Wonderful news”
Humpy let out a loud bellow when he noticed some movement. When they got close Basrik jumped off Humpy and rushed to his friends side.
“Amrod, can you hear me? Have you got any injuries?”
“Boy, am I pleased to see you, Basrik, lucky I had this old canvas sheet to protect me from the desert heat, I feel very sore from the beating they gave me”
“Here, have a few swigs of water from his water bottle, no not too much at once, just slowly”
Basic loaded his friend gently onto Humpy’s back and they started the journey back to the city.
Amrod spend a few days recovering and catching up on eating and drinking.
“Oh Amrod, I thought we would never see each other again, I will never leave your side again.”
“You are my very best friend, Humpy, I couldn’t bear to be around without you”
“Humpy, thank you for helping to save my friend Amrod’s life, here are some of the best juicy carrots I could find in the market”
“Thank you, I really think it was your little black dog that was the hero, I guess he will now be my friend for life. Word count… 1455
