Jacobs Desert Flight

A children't story about pride, courage, and friendship.

Jacobs Desert Flight

Jacob was no ordinary Lizard, he was special. Jacob decided he was more extraordinary than all the other lizards. His ability to dive into the water, further and faster than anyone, and to lie in the sun for hours at a time and not get a bit thirsty or bored, made Jacob one in a million, at least that’s what he kept telling everyone else.

“I’m one in a million!” he exclaimed to his brothers and sisters, arching his back in such a way that the sun danced across it and reflect back onto the water.

“You’re one in a million alright.” His mother said, as she swept the doorstep of the burrow. “Maybe you could use some of that special talent to help clean your father’s armchair?”

“I’ll do it later” promised Jacob, as he slunk away quickly towards his favorite branch of a tall tree. Jacob was sneaky and changed his color to make his body very hidden. His shiny green skin had changed to match the dusty brown of his cool hiding place.
Jacob slept so soundly that none of the commotion at the watering hole woke him up. He didn’t hear the thunderous squabble of two hippopotami, and he slept so soundly that a huge eagle approaching did not catch his attention at all.

“Hello! What’s this then?” Eagle said to himself, since everyone else, except the brave hippos, had already hidden.  Jacob snored and rolled onto his back. While he’d been asleep, the sun had moved and was aimed directly at his body, which now turned back to its green color. He was no longer camouflaged.

Jacob woke up with a jolt as Eagle lifted him into the air, far above the forest. Twisting his body around in the birds talons, Jacob could see the trees become smaller and soon all he could see was the sand of the desert, nothing but hot yellow sand.
Jacob wondered whether his mother had seen his capture, and whether his father had already set off to find him. Jacob was scared. Just then, the most unusual thing happened, Eagle dove to the ground, set Jacob on the soft sand, and flew off.

“Don’t wander too far!” Eagle laughed, “I will be right back.”

Jacob noticed right away why Eagle had done this.  Two more eagles were flying an attack right towards Jacob’s captor. He stood and watched the eagle fight, and wasn’t sure if he hoped that his bird would win or lose. Either way, he thought, one of them will eat me.

Always remember how smart you are Jacob He could remember his father saying. Don’t ever give up a fight. You may not be the strongest creature in the forest, but you are a chameleon, and you can hide!

Jacob took heed. He turned and ran as fast as his little legs could go, not looking back until he was literally out of breath – which didn’t take very long because Jacob was terribly out of shape. When he couldn’t run anymore, Jacob burrowed quickly into the sand and stayed very still. He could hear squawks from the bird fight, and then all went quiet.

“Hey mate, where’d you run off too? You know I’ll find you. I’m a very patient eagle. I can dive faster than anyone else, and I can stay in the sun for hours at a time without getting thirsty or bored. I’m one in a million, I am” declared Eagle.  Jacob knew he had met a difficult foe. He wanted to yell at the bird, I’m one in a million too!” but he knew better and kept silent. It was going to be a waiting game.

It seemed like forever before Jacob could trust himself to think clearly about what to do. You’re a Chameleon Jacob! He thought to himself, and knew that if he concentrated very hard, and slowed his breathing, and tweaked his skin, and added just a little bit of anger about his precarious situation, that he could turn as yellow as the sand. If that happened, he could walk back home and Eagle would never see him.

Jacobs plan worked. He snuck past Eagle, and ran off across the sand.  After a while, Jacobs fear came back and his color started to change again. He realized just how thirsty he was, and that he was definitely lost. Deciding to be the bravest he had ever been Jacob made a different plan. He stopped walking, and yelled as loud as he could possibly yell. Soon, the great eagle was staring down at him, smirking.

“I am Jacob. I am one in a million!” he challenged the bird.

“No, that would be my claim,“ said Eagle “nobody can dive faster than me, or stay in the sun longer than me, without getting bored or thirsty.”

“Well I can, and I’ll prove it to you!”

“How can you do that, you can’t fly”

“I can dive deep into the water, and I can lie in the sun near the water’s edge.” Jacob looked way up and knew he had caught Eagle’s interest. “If you eat me now, you will never know who the one in a million is”

Jacob convinced Eagle to fly him home, where they would prepare for a contest. Judges would be selected from all the creatures at the watering hole. The winner would be able to make his claim as the most special ‘ONE’ once and for all.

It was the best sports day ever. Eagle had so much fun he forgot about eating Jacob, and Jacob decided to ask Eagle to be his new best friend.  By the end of the contest, Hippo ruled that no contestants could eat the other – and everyone agreed. He then voted the contest a tie.

“You are both one in a million!” he declared. And everybody cheered.


977 words. For the Writer's Cramp Contest.