Chapter 9: Africa - Madagascar

Warnings: Poverty and Sickness

One day later, I arrived on the island of Madagascar. It was full of green palm trees. I picked up my blue bag and got off of my raft. I wandered through the jungle. I saw a woman with black skin and black hair that was in a ponytail wearing a white shirt and purple skirt with pink birds on it that looked like a towel wrapped around her waist. "Are you lost?" She questioned. I nodded. She came up next to me and offered me her arm. I took it.

She led me to a grey, stone house. Inside, there was a man with black skin and black hair wearing a white shirt and red robe with blue lemurs on it around his legs standing in the middle of the living room. On the floor was a little girl with black skin and braided hair wearing a white shirt and yellow skirt with orange hearts on it that looked like a towel wrapped around her waist. "Hi, Andriantsoa, who's the teenager?" The man asked his wife.

"I'm Anna." I told them.

"Anna, I'm Ampinga and this is our daughter, Anjara." Ampinga pointed to the girl on the floor. I went over to Anjara. I knelt down and waved. She grabbed it. I giggled.

We heard some bells ring. "Chris and Mary have dinner for us." Andriantsoa explained. "Anna, do you want to get changed?". I nodded. She handed me a white shirt and pink skirt with white zebras on it. I went into the back room. I changed. I braided my hair. I came out.

"You look beautiful." Andriantsoa told me.

"Thank you!" I replied.

We went outside and walked to a grey, stone table. A man with white skin, brown hair and eyes, wearing a blue suit and a woman with white skin, brown hair and eyes, wearing a blue dress were standing at the head of the table. There were plates of white rice, brown beef, and pink fish. Ampinga took me to the couple. "Mary, Chris, this is Anna. Andriantsoa found her on the shore this afternoon." He introduced me.

"Hi, Anna, I hope that you enjoy your time here." Mary told me.

"Thank you." I replied, smiling. I sat down. I ate my rice. It was buttery. I ate my beef. It was delicious. I ate the fish. It was tasty.

That night, after we got back to the house, I got ready for bed. I got in my green bed on the floor and took out my journal.

2/8/1627

Dear Journal,

There was a tsunami in The Philippines today. So I got sent to Madagascar. I am living with a family of three: Andriantsoa, Ampinga, and Anjara. There are two missionaries here: Mary and Chris. I hope I can stay here.

Sincerely,

Arianna

I put my journal beside my bed, laid down, and went to sleep.

Five months later, it was time for the lantern festival. "I'm going to a festival in my hometown." I announced after I finished my breakfast of white rice. "Have fun!" Andriantsoa told me.

"I will!" I replied. I ran out of the house.

As I was running towards the ocean, Mary caught me. "Where are you going?" She questioned.

"Festival in my hometown." I explained. She looked confused.

"Explain everything after I get back tonight.".

I arrived in Corona an hour later. The baker was selling cupcakes at his booth in the street. People were dancing and making chalk art in town square. Some people were also selling flags, dolls, and other souvenirs along the sides of town square in wooden booths.

I went over to the baker's brown, wooden booth. "Can I have a mango cupcake?" I asked him. The plump, red-headed baker nodded. He handed me an orange cupcake with green frosting. "Thank you so much!" I told him.

I went into the town square and spun around. The people in the market cheered. I smiled.

I went over to the chalk art station. I outlined baby Rapunzel with the black chalk. I colored her skin with tan chalk. I drew her eyes with the white, green, and black chalk. I colored her lips and gave her some blush with the pink chalk. I colored her dress with purple chalk. I stood up and wiped my brow. "Hey, she drew a picture of the Lost Princess!" A man with tan skin, brown hair, and eyes, wearing a white shirt and brown pants announced. I smiled.

Suddenly, I heard a strong, male voice announce: "To the boats!". I rushed to the docks.

I rowed into the middle of the ocean. As soon as we got to the middle of the ocean, I noticed lights arising from the island. I just watched the lanterns for the rest of the night.

That night, after I got back to Madagascar, I found Mary sitting on the beach. I sat down next to her. "So where are you from?" She asked me. I sighed. "I am the queen of an island nation called Corona." I explained.

"So if you're the queen why did you leave?". Mary had a weird look on her face. She was definitely judging me

"Nine years ago, I was struck in a fight with a witch when I was pregnant. I got really sick. I couldn't leave my bed, I could only drink thin liquids, and I was tired and weak. Rumors started going around about a single drop of sun, that turned into a healing flower. But my one best friend was like, you can't take that, it will curse us all.'." I explained with a stupid look on my face, rolling in my eyes. Mary looked disturbed. "But, they gave it to me anyways, and I had a beautiful little girl. But the next night, the witch, broke into our house and kidnapped her.". Mary just hugged me.

That night, after we got back to the house, I got ready for bed. I got in my green bed on the floor and took out my journal.

7/4/1627

Dear Journal,

I went back to Corona today for the Lantern Festival. Again, like last year, nobody recognized me and I didn't get caught. I had a mango cupcake. It was good. I danced in town square. I drew a picture of baby Rapunzel with chalk. I saw the floating lanterns! I hope Rapunzel sees them and knows to come home.

Sincerely,

Arianna

I put my journal beside my bed, laid down, and went to sleep.

One week later, Anjara, I, and a bunch of other kids were in the jungle with Ampinga. "Today we are going to play Moraingy. You are going to punch and kick your opponent. But don't hurt them." He explained.

I went with Chris. I gently punched him. He gently punched me. I gently kicked him. He gently kicked me. I gently punched him. He gently punched me. I gently kicked him. He gently kicked me. I gently punched him. He gently punched me. I gently kicked him. He gently kicked me. I gently punched him. "Wow, Anna, you are good!" Chris told me.

"Thank you!" I replied.

"You're welcome.".

That night, after we got back to the house, I got ready for bed. I got in my green bed on the floor and took out my journal.

7/11/1627

Dear Journal,

I played a fighting game, Moraingy against Chris and won!

Sincerely,

Arianna

I put my journal beside my bed, laid down, and went to sleep.

Five months later, I noticed Andriantsoa white string weaving on a brown, wooden frame outside. "Can I try?" I questioned as I sat down next to her.

"Of course!" She replied, handing me a brown, wooden frame outside. I threaded the loom with pink string. I weaved a blanket. "Good job, Anna!" She told me. I smiled.

That night, after we got back to the house, I got ready for bed. I got in my green bed on the floor and took out my journal.

12/25/1627

Dear Journal,

Today I weaved a pink blanket with Andriantsoa.

Sincerely,

Arianna

I put my journal beside my bed, laid down, and went to sleep.

Another five months later, Andriantsoa, Ampinga, Anjara, and I were at a Sunday worship service. The church was a shelter made out of palm leaves. A woman with black skin and hair and brown eyes wearing a yellow robe wrapped around her body with sun designs on it played a brown wooden guitar and a man with an orange robe with hippos on it played brown wooden bongo drums with white, cloth tops.

People were singing, "Out of the flood, and into your light, you lift us, your love is endless" and jumping and shaking. I jumped and shook.

That night, after we got back to the house, I got ready for bed. I got in my green bed on the floor and took out my journal.

5/1/1628

Dear Journal,

Today I went to church with Andriantsoa, Ampinga, and Ampinga. We sang and danced.

Sincerely,

Arianna

I put my journal beside my bed, laid down, and went to sleep.

One month later, I woke up with stomach cramps and a headache. I tried to get up, but I fell. I bumped my head. I vomited. I heard footsteps rush into my room. "Oh my goodness, Ampinga, go get Chirs and Mary." Andriantsoa cried. I heard footsteps rush out of my room. I felt a cold, wet rag on my forehead. I let out a cry. "Shh," Andriantsoa cooed. I heard footsteps rush into my room.

"Anna," Mary gasped. "Okay, let's get her in the cot." I heard Chirs announce. I felt my body being lifted up. I was set down in a sheet. I felt my body being lifted up again. I heard footsteps rush into my room. "Anna!" Anjara exclaimed.

"Anjara!" Andriantsoa exclaimed. I heard footsteps rush out of my room. I felt a warm blanket being put over my body. I felt my body being carried out.

Outside was hot. I panted. I felt my body stop. "Here you go, little princess." I heard Mary coo. I felt my head being lifted up. I felt water being poured down my throat. I laid back down. I felt my body being moved again.

After a while, I felt my body being lifted up and moved again. I was laid down in a warm bed. I cooed. Someone stroked my head. A warm blanket was put over me. I heard footsteps rush into the room. "We will start by giving her water.," A strong male voice announced. I felt water being poured down my throat. I laid back down. Five minutes later, I vomited again. I was bathed and changed by the nurses. I fell asleep in my bed.

Four days later, after the nurses had finished feeding me rice, I heard footsteps walking into the room. "Now, Anjara, Anna is very sick right now, she can't play with you, she might be sleeping," I heard Andriantsoa explain. I heard footsteps run up to my bed.

"Anna!" Anjara exclaimed. I felt her climb on me. I tried to lift my arms, but they were too cramped. I screamed in pain. I heard footsteps rush over to my bed. I felt Anjara be taken off of me. I started shifting on my bed in pain. Someone grabbed my hand.

"Anna, I know you are in pain right now, but I need you to just take a deep breath." I heard Mary coo. I tried to breathe, but I passed out.

Three days later, I opened my eyes. The cramps and headache were gone, and I no longer felt lightheaded. I sat up. Andriantsoa, Ampinga, Anjara, Mary, and Chirs were praying for me. I slipped my hand out of Mary's and lifted Anjara onto my lap. She opened her eyes and looked up at me. "Anna!" She exclaimed. Andriantsoa, Ampinga, Mary, and Chirs looked up. Andriantsoa gasped and covered her mouth.

"Anna, how do you feel?" Mary questioned.

"Much better." I replied. She smiled.

We had decided that it would be better if I got out of there (the water in Africa isn't exactly A-plus quality water). I hugged Andriantsoa, Ampinga, Anjara, Mary, and Chirs goodbye and got on my raft. Once I couldn't see Madagascar anymore, I got out my journal and began to write.

6/8/1628

Dear Journal,

I got sick from the water. It was like the time I got sick in Corona (minus Gothel and Quirin messing up in my life on top of being sick). I wonder where I am going to go next.

Sincerely,

Arianna

I hugged my journal and looked up at the sky.