17 Farmer Robinson

CHAPTER 17 Farmer Robinson My second year on the island started. I had learned a lot about the island over the last twelve months. Instead of four distinct seasons like we had back home in England, the weather here had a very different cycle. There were only two seasons: one rainy and one dry. It would rain for three months and then it would be dry for the same period of

time. Knowing this meant I could now start to prepare for the rainy months so I wouldn't have to spend so much time outside. It was about time I tried to grow some crops. I had sowed some of the barley and rice that grew in my front yard earlier in the previous year for its seeds. My first attempt to grow anything useful was a complete disaster. Not knowing how the seasons on the island would affect the crops, I planted my first seeds right after a rainy season. Well, that was a mistake! I didn't think about how arid the dry season would actually be! It was a good thing I didn't use all my seeds. I had kept many behind in case I needed to try to plant again. Now that I knew that my seeds needed wet weather, I waited to plant them until the next rainy season. I also thought that it might not be such a good idea to plant them in my yard. The fruit grew so well in the valley. I

decided that soil would be good for my crops. Success! On my second attempt, the crops grew up healthy and strong. Because there were two rainy seasons per year, I knew I could at least count on two different harvests. During the rains, I stayed inside. I kept busy trying to make useful objects. First, I tried to make a basket. When I was a boy, I went with my father to watch a basket maker in town. I vaguely knew how to make a basket, but turning these thoughts into actions, well, that was a whole other story. Before the rains set in, I had peeled some wood from the palm trees that grew near my summer home. These stalks sat near the fire and had been drying for months now. This was the material I wanted to use to make baskets. The first few I wove looked absolutely

terrible. They were all lopsided with uneven weaving. But I didn't care what they looked like and just used them anyway. I made progress and each new basket was better than the one before. They certainly came in handy. I used them to carry seeds, to store my goods, and to move supplies from one place to another. The rainy season came to an end, and sunny days were back again. My mind started to wander, and I started exploring even more of the island. Within a week of the good weather, Shippy and I were off to our summer house. My destination was the seashore on the other side of the island. I stood atop a hill and took a good look around to see what the best way to go would be. This hill was quite a bit higher than any ground near either of my homes, and for the first time, I saw that there was land about twenty leagues out to

sea. Where am I? I thought. What could that land be? I searched my mind for anything I might recognize, but it was of no use. I had no idea. The closest thing I could think of was that I was on an island in the Spanish part of the Americas. And if that was the case, it was very dangerous. The men that lived in those lands were very unfriendly. I had heard so many scary things about them from other sailors on my travels. They really didn't like strangers and tried to keep everyone off their islands. I didn't let these chilling thoughts frighten me. I had never seen another person on my island, so I was safe for now. Shippy and I set off on our little adventure. Maybe it was just to hear the sound of my own voice, but I talked and talked to him. I told him all about my life, about my plans, about where I was before I landed on the island with him. He

trotted along beside me, happy as could be. The other side of the island was very beautiful. There were parrots in the trees and lots of interesting animals. I decided to take a parrot home as a pet. I named her Poll. I spent many nights away from home on that trip. It was a pleasant and enjoyable time, except for the few days Shippy and I spent lost in a vast valley. How glorious home is when you've been away! My eyes feasted on everything! Even my odd-looking baskets put a smile on my face. "Ah, Shippy," I said as I collapsed into the comfort of my hammock, "Home sweet home." This was an important moment. As I lay there, sipping my fruity water, and rocking back and forth in my hammock, I stopped feeling sorry for myself. Yes, I was stuck on this island. Yes, I was all alone. And it's true, this was a hard life, but it was also an