Free Shipwreck Island by S. A. Bodeen Page B

stopping to face the first row of trees. He pointed and called out to Yvonna. “See those trees?”
    Sarah looked where he was pointing.
    Three very tall trees had grown together, their thick, wide limbs sprouting out of the enormous trunks. The numerous branches—laden with green leaves and pink flowers—formed a huge umbrella-like canopy that shaded a massive stretch of grassy ground.
    â€œI read my Flora and Fauna of the South Pacific on the plane,” said Nacho. “Those are monkey pod trees! They’re called that because those flowers grow seed pods that you can actually eat.”
    John said, “Well, I think those monkey pod trees would make a good shelter. Let’s make camp under them.”
    Sarah reluctantly pushed Ahab away and stood up, almost losing her balance as she still felt like she was on a boat. She hoped that feeling would go away, but she grabbed ahold of Ahab for help. He stayed right at her side, wagging his tail, his tongue hanging out as he panted. With Ahab at her heels, she dragged her suitcase through the sand, stopping every few feet to catch her breath. “Stupid wheels.” Finally, she reached the shady grass under the trees and let her suitcase fall on its side.
    Marco dropped a plastic bin right next to it. “There’s more stuff to carry.”
    â€œI’m catching my breath,” snapped Sarah.
    Nacho dumped a load right next to the other stuff and smiled up at her. “Our own desert island! Isn’t it cool?”
    â€œYeah.” Sarah scowled. “Just fabulous. ”
    Nacho patted the tree trunk nearest him. “Did you know that these trees are also called rain trees?”
    â€œNo, I did not know that.” Sarah rolled her eyes.
    Nacho nodded. “See how the grass under the trees is really green?”
    Sarah glanced down at her feet, where the grass did seem extraordinarily green and lush. “Yeah.”
    â€œFirst, there’s the canopy.” Nacho pointed overhead to the branches that formed an umbrella over them. “That keeps it shady and cool under here. Then at night, the leaves curl up, so rain gets past to the ground easier. And the reason the grass is super green is from the nitrogen, which comes from the seed pods.”
    Sarah sighed. “Good to know.”
    After being stuck with the Murillo family in such tight quarters all night, she was not about to stand around getting a lecture about the life of trees from a far too chatty ten-year-old. She headed back over to the pile and grabbed two jugs of water. Ahab sniffed at one as she walked, then, with his long, pink tongue, he licked the outside.
    â€œAre you thirsty?” When she reached the other things, she set the jugs down and dug in the plastic bin until she found a bowl. She poured in some water and set it on the grass. Ahab lapped at the bowl, draining it in seconds. He looked up at Sarah, swishing his tail so hard his bottom swayed from side to side.
    â€œMore?” she asked. Without waiting for an answer, she filled the bowl again.
    Marco said, “Hey. Don’t waste all the water on a dog.”
    Sarah put her hands on her hips. “He has to drink too.”
    Her dad reached them with an armload of supplies. “What’s going on?”
    Marco said, “She’s giving all our drinking water to the dog.”
    John looked at her and scratched his chin. “How much drinking water do we have?”
    Yvonna came over then, and pointed to the jugs. “Those two, and then a couple of cases of bottled water.”
    â€œSo not a lot,” said John. He circled around and looked into the trees. “It looks like a pretty big island. There could definitely be some fresh water somewhere.” He wiped his hands together. “First I’d better make a fire. Did I see a bag with emergency supplies?”
    Yvonna pulled a red canvas bag out of the pile and handed it to him. He reached in and pulled out