Chapter 25: The Final Test of the Poisonous River
In the previous chapter, you read that Ali and Sheikh Hamza successfully crossed the bridge over the poisonous river.
Now it was Junaid and the mysterious old man's turn to cross.
The bridge now stood before Junaid and the mysterious old man, appearing extremely dangerous as if it were a warning of impending doom!
As Junaid took his first step onto the bridge, his legs began to tremble.
The old man held him from behind and said,
"Junaid! Don't be afraid. We'll cross the bridge in no time. Stay strong!"
Junaid took a deep breath, gaining courage from the old man's words, and replied,
"Your words have eased my fear. I feel like I can cross the bridge now without any problem."
The mysterious old man smiled and said,
"Very good. Now hold on to the ropes tied alongside the bridge."
After that, Junaid and the old man grabbed the ropes and moved forward cautiously. Step by step, as they progressed, their destination seemed closer.
Now they had crossed half of the bridge. Relief and joy were mixed on Junaid's face as he exclaimed,
"Just a little more... the destination is almost within reach!"
Suddenly, fierce waves began to rise from the river's surface, as if the river itself stood against them.
From amidst the water, a dark shadow emerged—a poisonous scorpion with its tail raised high.
Startled by the commotion, Junaid anxiously asked,
"What's causing this disturbance?"
Worry lined the old man's face as he replied with a serious tone,
"This commotion... it's because of the poisonous scorpion. Highly dangerous and lethal."
Junaid fell into concern,
"So our troubles have increased even more."
The old man encouraged him,
"Don't fear and stay strong! We'll cross the river safely, avoiding the venomous creatures. Just keep moving forward without stopping."
Both moved forward slowly when suddenly the river stirred again—this time even more violently than before.
Junaid (in a frightened voice):
"What's happening now?"
The old man looked toward the river and said,
"Junaid! This commotion isn't just because of the scorpion. A poisonous crab has joined it as well."
Junaid, trembling with fear, replied,
"What! A crab too? That means the danger has increased even more."
The old man remained calm and said,
"Yes, now we need to proceed with even more caution."
Suddenly, the poisonous scorpion and crab leaped from the river and landed on the bridge.
The old man shouted,
"Junaid! Prepare your weapon. The venomous creatures are attacking us!"
Junaid and the mysterious old man quickly grabbed their weapons, which were nothing
but wooden sticks coated with a secret medicine. The creatures rushed toward them at full speed.
The old man shouted,
"Duck!"
Both dropped to the ground like lightning, allowing the scorpion and crab to charge past them on the wooden bridge.
The creatures, in their fury, began cutting the bridge ropes.
Junaid, with a shaky voice, asked,
"What do we do now, old man?"
The old man replied in a worried tone,
"Junaid! Run quickly! They are cutting the ropes, and the bridge can collapse any moment."
Junaid started running fast, but suddenly a part of the bridge broke, and his leg dangled over the edge.
Junaid screamed,
"Old man! Help me!"
The mysterious old man extended his hand and said,
"Junaid! Grab my hand and climb up quickly—the bridge is about to fall!"
He quickly pulled Junaid up.
The old man said,
"We're not safe yet. Run fast—the bridge might collapse any second."
Finally, as they reached the last part of the bridge, it started to fall apart.
Sheikh Hamza shouted,
"Hurry up! The bridge is collapsing!"
Junaid said in despair,
"We are not going to survive!"
Suddenly, the old man lifted Junaid and threw him towards Sheikh Hamza, who caught him but fell to the ground himself.
Sheikh Hamza (shouting):
"Old man...!"
But then...
Ali, with lightning speed, threw a rope towards the old man.
The old man grabbed it in one swift motion, but his balance faltered, leaving him hanging from the rope with the poisonous river raging below—scorpions and crabs swarming beneath him.
Ali's hands were drenched in sweat, but he held onto the rope firmly.
Junaid and Sheikh Hamza! Help me pull the rope up!' Ali shouted.
Junaid and Sheikh Hamza used all their strength to pull the rope.
Suddenly, a poisonous scorpion jumped up towards the old man.
"Old man! A venomous creature is coming at you!" Ali screamed.
The old man tightened his grip on the rope with one hand and pulled out a pin from his pocket with the other.
As the scorpion lunged at him mid-air, the old man stabbed the pin into its body.
The creature thrashed and fell into the river.
"Hurry up and pull!" the old man shouted.
Junaid and Sheikh Hamza mustered all their strength and finally pulled the old man up to safety.
Now the poisonous river had been crossed...
The mysterious old man hugged Ali, but then suddenly...
Sheikh Hamza collapsed and fell unconscious.
Ali shook Sheikh Hamza's shoulder in panic,
"Sheikh Hamza! Wake up... What happened to you?
No... Please, get up!"
Junaid also came closer to check.
Both had deep lines of worry on their faces.
What is the secret behind Sheikh Hamza's sudden unconsciousness?
Is there an invisible enemy lurking around?
Or some venomous creature...?
To know more,
Read the next chapter...
Chapter 26...
To be Continued...