Howard ran to the waterfall and murmured: “Hmm, there is no house here, it’s just a waterfall.” “Of
course there is none, we live under it, ”responded Jacky. “Catch your breath and hold it!” exclaimed Jacky as he
grabbed Howard tightly. Howard took a deep breath while Jacky dove into the pond under the waterfall. Finally,
they arrived at a large basement. Jacky knocked on the front door*knock knock*! A soft, feminine voice came
out from behind the door.” Who’s there?” it asked. “It’s Jack” Jacky responded as the woman opened the door.
“
Ohh, hello Jack, welcome back! And……this is…. my master, Howard.” “Ohh, nice to meet you master
Howard! Why don’t you two come in? I’ve prepared hot grass mud for you my dear.”
Howard and Jacky walked through the sunflower door frame and sat down on a grass-made comfy sofa in
front of a fire place. Howard looked around the house, where there were many photos of Jacky and the woman
plus a sunflower lamp on ground of soft hay.
It was a warm cozy house. ”Here you go, hot grass mud, go on ,have it while it is still hot as it doesn’t
taste nice when it’s cool” offered the woman.
“
May I ask your name Miss? “
“
I’m Ms Jacky Flora and Jacky is my beloved husband” she said as she leant over Jacky. “Hmm, why do
we have to stay underground?” asked Howard. When Flora heard this question, she sat up straight and she
sighed, shook her head and said: “No one, No one would like to live up there. The Ramainia is in danger, the
Great Wall can’t hold up much longer because it has become fragile after all these years”
“
So other insects would easily come in?” asked Howard.
“
Yes,” she replied and continued: “There were wars between ants and hoppers and many hoppers died.
Due to the fact that the number of ants is countless, we lose every single war. Ants have taken all we have in the
city and have run away.”
“
But I saw how it is still beautiful up there” responded Howard.
“
Of course,” she continued. “We rebuilt it, but the wall is too ancient for us to renew. Oh, it’s almost night,
why don’t you two gentlemen go to bed? I want to sleep”. So, Howard and Jacky when to bed but Howard
couldn’t sleep well because he was worried about his family and Ramainia. He questioned himself, and the more
he questioned, the more stressed he became.
The Leak
“
Wake up Master Howard! Wake up!” Jacky rolled Howard hard “Whaa?” was Howard’s response. “We
have to go!” implored Jacky. Howard woke up quickly but he still had a lot of questions in his head. “What
happened Jacky?” “No time for explanations! Just come with me quickly! ”said Jacky as he pulled Howard
tightly to him and rushed out of the house. Navigating their way to the surface quickly, Howard felt as if he
were choking. “Sorry Master, but we’re in serious danger,” confided Jacky. “What happened?” asked Howard,
brimming with curiosity. “There is a leak in The Great Wall and there were countless numbers of ants which
broke through our defenses and they are approaching Ramainia. I have to get you to safety, Master. Come with
me,” pleaded Jacky as he clutched Howard’s hand. They hastened to Ramainia which was miles away. “Where
is Flora?” Howard asked. “I’ve already sent her to the hill that I’m taking you to and you two will be safe there,”
answered Jacky. “Where are you going after we reach the hill? ”inquired Howard rather nervously. “I’m going
to fight against the ants till the end, ”said Jacky proudly. “Noooo, you cannot do that!” remonstrated Howard.
“
Sorry master, it’s in order to protect you, ”retorted Jacky. Howard felt frustrated and scared as Jacky put him
down on the hill.”Goodbye master, goodbye hon” Jacky quipped as hopped back to Ramainia. Meanwhile, Flora
cried harder as Jacky hopped away. “Don’t lose hope Miss Flora, Jacky will come back, right?” said Howard
comfortingly to Ms Flora. “You’re probably right, Howard,” gasped Flora amidst her tears. “We should not lose
hope but there is more than one way of solving this dilemma without risking one’s life. Right? ”Howard agreed
and then an idea popped into his head and he plucked up his courage and asked Flora for some assistance.
The Flashback
“
Ms Flora, may I ask you to hop me to Ramainia?”
“
Howard, what are you trying to do? Ramainia is in danger.”
“
I know a way to defeat those ants. An ant‘s weakness is water, water will flush them away. I have to
tell Jacky!” said an excited Howard.“I’ve already lost my husband. I don’t want to lose you too!” pleaded Flora.
“
But, responded Howard,” if we don’t give it a try, armies of ants will take over Ramainia!” Ms Flora sighed
and said “Okay……but be careful.” Ms Flora hopped him back to Ramainia and dropped him off at the
waterfall. Jacky saw them and ran to them, calling, “What are you guys doing here?” “Howard says he’s got a
way to defeat them,” answered Ms Flora. “A way to defeat them? How?” asked Jacky increduously.“It’s to use
Water to flush them away!” she informed him. While they were discussing Howard’s solution, the army of ants
arrived, but the hoppers were ready to battle them.”Look! Here come the ants! Come with me to the
underground” commanded Jacky. So, Flora, Howard and Jacky went to the underground, “Master Howard, there
is a stream of water here,” announced Jacky. “Great,” responded Howard, “we can defeat the ant army up