Robinson Crusoe HubNuggets

"The night was thick and hazy

When the 'Piccadilly Daisy'

Carried down the crew and captain to the sea;

And I think the water drowned 'em

For they never, never found 'em

And I know they didn't come ashore with me."

ripplemaker pushed salt-laden hair out of her eyes, and absently brushed caked sand from her sunburned arms. It had been hours since she had washed up on this lonely beach, hours since the freak wave had capsized the HubNuggets Teams's out-rigger canoes, dumping them into the storm-lashed waves - hours since she had seen any of her friends, and she wished desperately she could get that stupid poem out of her head!

"Isn't that just lovely - nothing for miles and miles but miles and miles of nothing." ripplemaker scuffed her sandaled toe in the soft white beach sand, and stared out to sea. "... and this island is so small I can walk around it twice in less than an hour. It is tall, though," she mused, glancing over her shoulder at the green slopes of the single mountain rising sharply out of the tiny patch of jungle directly behind her.

"At least I won't be thirsty. " A dozen or so coconut palms clustered together at the foot of the mountain where a clear stream splashed its way down from rocks above to form a crystal pool of fresh water. just in front of a snug, dry cave.

Oh! 'twas very sad and lonely

When I found myself the only

Population on this cultivated shore;

But I've made a little tavern

In a rocky little cavern,

And I sit and watch for people at the door.

"Good grief, this poem was funny when I memorized it back in Grade 4, but it sure isn't now!" Suddenly, ripplemaker noticed a dark spot on the horizon. The spot grew steadily larger, resolving itself into two very wet and bedraggled kitties clinging to the broken mast - all that was left of their out-rigger canoe.

"Are we glad to see you," exclaimed RedElf as the cats scampered gratefully ashore.

"Too right!" Enelle Lamb swept off her hat and held out a salt-stained parchment. "We managed to save the first batch of HubNuggets when the storm struck. Let's read and vote on the nominees for Politics and Social Issues - then we can make some plans."

ripplemaker and the kitties avidly devoured the first six nominated articles and immediately plunged into heated discussion.

"Hey, you three - give me a hand!" KoffeeKlatch Gals clattered ashore, sloshing sea water from her cup and saucer as she struggled to drag a semi-inflated life-raft out of the reach of the curling surf. "I think I saw someone around the other side of the island before I hit that rock. Then, my raft started losing air and the current washed me up here."

As ripplemaker and the kitties helped Gals haul the raft up the beach, above the tide line, Enelle spotted something under the rear seat.

"What's this?" Hauling out a soggy knapsack, she quickly unbuckled the straps and pulled out a damp parchment - another list of six more HubNuggets nominees, this time in the Travel and Places category.

"Gals and I will make a fire to dry this out while you and Elfie check out the other side of the island."

ripplemaker and RedElf lost no time in heading around the very small island. Sure enough, they found not only Patty Inglish MS, but also ladyjane1. And not only were they safe and sound, they had somehow managed to hail a passing yacht. The crew was busy setting up a delicious picnic on the sandy shore, while Patty, ladyjane1, and the yacht's owner relaxed in elegant lounge chairs.

"And I thought only cats landed on their feet," laughed ripplemaker.

"Pull up a chair and enjoy some HubNuggets nominees," called Patty, waving a parchment with a list of nominees in the Books, Literature, and Writing category.

"Our new friends have invited us to spend the week cruising with them," added ladyjane1.

"Well, this is one for the record books," said RedElf. "We've barely been marooned, and we're already rescued. You get started reading while we go get Gals and Enelle! I can hardly wait to start our cruise. Jason, Maddie, and Simone are never gonna believe this one!"

Charles Edward Carryl, American poet (December 30, 1841 – July 3, 1920) for "Robinson Crusoe's Story"

RedElf (HubNugget Team Member) for all her hard work and help!