Chapter 5

I am now seven and I was playing on the beach near the coconut trees, when I was disturbed by a parrot. I kept trying to chase it away, but it kept flying right at me and around me. Then I realised why, it had something tied to its foot and it let me take it off its foot. Then it flew off. I found it was a peace of paper with something written on it and it said.

Dear Isi, if you have received this message, please tell me where you are? I am living on the North shore of Isola. I will try to find you as soon as I am 14 years old, which I will be in a few days time.
Love from your Sister, Tiare.

PS the parrots name is Lau, so to return a message call Lau. Lau will find her way back. Just say to her, “Go back to Tiare."

I was pleased that my older sister Tiare, that I had not expected to hear from and I wanted to tell her where I was. But I did not have anything to write with. Then I thought of asking Papu, he always seemed to be busy, that I did not like to disturb him. I really wanted to send a message to Tiare and in the end ask Papu for something to write with.

I went up to Papu who was by now an Elder and said, 'I know you are very busy but could you help me with something?'
Papu said, ‘Of course I can I am never too busy to help out Isi, so tell me what the problem is?’
I said, I got this note from my sister Tiare, it was tied to a parrot’s leg called Lau!!!’ I showed Papu the note.
He read it and said ‘I am pleased that your sister is alive and well and you want to return a message?’
Yes please, if you don’t mind,’
‘Not at all, and Yes we have writing materials in the research hut.’ Papu explained.

I followed Papu into the research hut where I usually go when I find an item for the scientists. I never really explored the inside the large hut, but it had so much stuff that had accumulated over the years that it needed a good clean up and I wondered how they could find anything among the clutter. Papu went straight to the place where they kept the writing materials and brought out some paper and some kind of pastel to write with. I used a table to write the message and I wrote on it.

Dear Tiare I got your message and I am living on the West shore of Isola.
Love from your sis, Isi.

I called for Lau using a whistling sound and Lau landed on my shoulder I managed to tie the message to its foot. I said, ‘Go back to Tiare.’ Then she flew off towards the north. I wondered if Tiare would come looking for me. I was all excited to know that I had a sister living somewhere on Isola and maybe one day we would meet up.

TO BE CONTINUED