Part thirteen:The green dragon

Washed Away

“All aboard the raft, quickly!” ordered Prince, as the position of the old schoolhouse groaned and shifted suddenly.

Kelly, his Irish colleen, Timothy O’Leary, the good leprechaun-cobbler and Ambrose, the Irish terrier, scrambled onto the raft as quickly as possible. It was not a moment too soon either.

The entire building groaned again, twisted and started to break into pieces, as the force of the floodwater moved the old schoolhouse off its foundation.

Everyone was frightened, but tried not to show it.

A few minutes later, only the fireplace and the chimney of the old schoolhouse remained. Some of the heavier pieces sank immediately, but most of what was left floated towards the river.

“Thank God we built this raft out of the wooden logs from the tables and benches, as quickly as we did. I anchored the raft with a large rock.”

“We could have been sitting on the rooftop,” replied Timothy. “Good work, son.”

“I can still tie this raft to the stone fireplace and chimney, as they are still standing,” said Prince, making a decision to do so immediately. “Then we will be even more secure.”

Prince also tied the wooden ladder to one end of the raft. The school bell, he placed on the top of a tall pole that he had erected for a tent in case it rained. Everything was in there, including a tin pail and dipper.

“We are safe, for the moment,” said Prince. “The floodwater should begin to recede shortly.”

“I hope so,” said Timothy. “Regardless, we still have a fire and dry wood. There is wood floating in the water. What about snakes?”

“I don’t like snakes, either,” said Kelly, gazing at the water fearfully.

“St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland, remember?” Prince said. “I used to worry about them, when I was a frog.”

Kelly smiled. She suddenly recalled her third wish and the three gold coins from Timothy. She knew she could use them, if necessary.

“Oh no, that looks like a green dragon!” said Timothy, gazing at the distant horizon. “Now, we are in trouble!”