Dated: Thursday, April 18, 2013

by Sundus Fatima (Class V-A)

I was all alone on the island and looked around and saw nothing new. I am a scientist. It had been 28 days since the waves brought me here. I was going on a voyage with my companions, to an island which yields gas. This gas is rarely found anywhere but we found out about this island near the Arabian which yielded huge amounts of this gas. Actually we were experimenting on reducing the dangers of ultraviolet rays and our project needed huge amounts of this gas. As we were moving towards the island a strong storm hit the sea, our ship got damaged and it sank. My companions were wearing life jackets and were in the sea when a strong wave came and pushed me in another direction completely. Now, I had lost connection with the others. The water was all over me and I couldn’t breathe. Soon, I fainted but when I woke up I found myself on this unknown island, all alone, helpless, frightened and without any help or food.

Now I was doubtful about my survival, for 28 days had passed like this and I hadn’t seen any ships or aero planes coming close. My hopes were drowning. I drank the last remaining drops of water and leaned against a tree. My eyes became heavy when my blurred vision saw something. I couldn’t believe what I saw. A ship was coming close to the coast! I was so happy but soon all my happiness disappeared when I saw a pirate sign on that ship. I quickly hid in the trees and peeped from there. The pirates anchored their ship. They had hostages with them. ‘Oh my God!’ I said. The prisoners were all men and wearing the uniform of Pakistan Army! The pirates dragged the hostages along and tied them to the trees. They were five Pakistani soldiers and three of them were badly injured. On the other hand the pirates were seven in number.

I now knew why I was here. Allah wanted me to help these men. I told myself I had to think of some way to free those hostages. I decided what I had to do and waited for the night. The pirates had picked a place for themselves and lighted a fire, for it was cold. They had an early dinner and soon after they were all sleepy. Two of them were told, by their leader, to watch the hostages while the rest of them slept. They had guns with them so I had to be careful. I sneaked and swam towards the ship and climbed on to it. I already had no energy and so I was gasping for oxygen lying on the deck. There was a bottle of water close to me and I drank from it. Then quickly I moved towards my plan. I searched for a radio on the ship through which I could communicate with the Pakistani Government. As I have told you that I am a scientist and fortunately I knew how to operate such kind of machines but still it took me hours to succeed and make connection with the Government. My main mission was complete, now all I had to do was to wait. I got off the ship and swam towards the coast slowly and very quietly sneaked back to the trees. It was still very dark. I hid myself in the trees and prayed to Allah with all my heart.

After two hours of prayers, I heard some noise. My prayers were finally heard. The officers of the Pakistani Army were here to help us. Both the pirates, who were watching the hostages, ran towards from where the noise was coming. Meanwhile, I untied the hostages and told them about the situation. Within half an hour all the pirates were arrested. The officers took all of us with them and we were given medical help and food. I could not believe what had happened. All the hostages were thanking me but it was Allah who had guided me so we all thanked Allah (S.W.T). Although my experiment is still incomplete but I am grateful to Allah that He chose me to save the lives of five brave Muslims. No doubt Allah is the Provider of everything!