Down the Betel Nut Tree

One day I was playing around, and I decided to climb a betel nut tree. I climbed up to the top and I was pulling on a branch that was ready to come off. I came down the tree holding on to the branch which was loosly connected to the tree. I was pulling on it as I was going down and was almost to the ground when the branch suddenly disconnected, and I fell into the trunk of another betel nut tree. It knocked the wind out of me. I could not breathe—it seemed like for a long time. Then BuBumeri (Grandma) and Mama heard me gasping and Mama ran over to help me. I was grateful that I did not get hurt worse.

—Judah, age 8