Jump

What if a simple family outing could transform into an epic adventure laden with the magic of nature and profound familial bonds? Join us as we share the enchanting tale of Vim and their journey to a mystical waterfall, as narrated by Lee Rickwood. This isn’t just a birthday celebration; it’s a celebration of love, courage, and the invigorating thrill of leaping into the unknown. Feel the vibrant energy of the sparkling surroundings, the sweet aroma of the earth, and the shared laughter as Vim, along with Aqua and Tor, embrace the beauty of togetherness. This story will transport you to a realm where nature's wonders and the warmth of family create an unforgettable day.

In our exploration of this captivating adventure, we witness the heartwarming connections that define Vim’s family. As the waterfall roars and they stand triumphant at its edge, the bond between Vim, Aqua, and Tor is as strong as the rock beneath their feet. Experience the joy of wildflower crowns symbolizing their heroic return, and the commitment to honor and revisit this cherished landscape. It’s a narrative filled with gratitude and promises, leaving an imprint of the joys and challenges faced and cherished within the embrace of the natural world. Whether you’re ready to imagine your own leap or simply to soak in the warmth of familial love, this episode promises an inspiring escape into nature’s wonders.

This piece is available in Edition I of Voice Within: A Storybook by Storytellers.

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Chapters

• 0:01 Birthday Celebration at Waterfall Jump
• 10:16 Magical Waterfall Adventure Together

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

Ah, if you're here, this is wonderful news, because it means you're here to support the authors, the storytellers and the writers that have entrusted us to share their tales through this platform. Thank you, thank you for your support, thank you for supporting this art form, and I look forward to sharing many more tales with you. So, a cup of tea in hand and a couple of biggies too, enjoy the love of a good story.

Speaker 2: 0:40

Hi everyone. This is Leigh Rickwood and I'm reading Jump from the first edition of Voice Within, a storybook by storytellers that Simone Gallimberti has brought into the world, and I was lucky enough to be in the first edition with this story Jump. I can hear it, I can smell it. We're nearly there. Come on, come on. I call back to the others. I run as fast as I can along the last part of the track and I'm there. Wow, I stop in my tracks. Sparkling light, green brightness, the freshest air, the best smells, birds all crying out and flying off into the air. It's as perfect and as beautiful as I remember it my birthday waterfall.

Speaker 2: 1:39

As I wait for the others to arrive, I start to think about my big plan for my birthday to jump from the top of the waterfall. Even though I've grown, the top of the waterfall looks higher than I remember it from my tenth birthday and although I want to do it today, I'm not sure I'm going to have the courage to jump from the top. It looks so high. I'm glad I haven't told anyone about my plan. Maybe I can work up to it without any pressure, and if I don't jump, no one will know. I've let myself down as gorgeous as ever, declares Mum as she enters the clearing around the waterfall. As gorgeous as ever, declares Mum as she enters the clearing around the waterfall.

Speaker 2: 2:27

Next, tor emerges from the track, happy and relieved to get here. It's a long way to walk for an eight-year-old, and this is the first time he's walked all the way on his own. Go, tor. I congratulate him. My best friend, aqua, arrives next, and this is what I've been waiting for. She drops everything, including her jaw, and then the biggest smile spreads across her face. It really is a magical place, vim. I love it. Following close behind Dad jokes. Now we're convinced the long hike was worth it, vim, but it was touch and go there for that last half hour. There's this big circular playground at the bottom of the waterfall before the forest starts, so there are plenty of places to settle in.

Speaker 2: 3:23

We all head to our family's usual spot, though tucked under some trees on a sandy bank on the far side. Let's go exploring. I urge Aqua and Tor, who are hot on my heels. I urge Aqua and Tor, who are hot on my heels. We race around and Tor and I show Aqua all our favourite things, especially the little cave top of the waterfall and a couple of huge rocks, like prehistoric beings that feel super powerful. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if the one that looks like a giant frog started talking to us. I hide behind the frog rock and in a loud, croaky voice I say welcome to my world. Love to show you're around, but this is my spot, right here, and I'm not budging. I'm the guardian, always have been, always will be. Climb all over me, do what you like, make yourselves at home and enjoy. We know that's you, vim, says Tor, and I spring out on all fours, chasing him in leaps along the track. There are so many colourful flowers around us and they slow Aqua down. She loves nature, beautiful things and is always making stuff. Hey, you two. She calls out after us. Let's collect the flowers to decorate the food for your party. Vim, tor and I race back to where she is and we all gather armfuls of flowers and head back to camp.

Speaker 2: 5:00

Time for a swim. Ah, how good it feels to plunge into the icy, cold water after the long hot walk on what feels like the hottest day ever. I love hot days, though I wonder if those born in summer like hot weather and those born in winter like hot weather and those born in winter. Like cool weather, it certainly fits for my family. I take a few moments to explore the pool, diving down into the deepest parts Still can't reach the bottom.

Speaker 2: 5:33

All of us kids scramble up the rocks beside the base of the waterfall and shimmy across to stand behind the veil of pounding water. After all the summer rains, there's certainly a lot more water coming down than there was last year. It's so loud back here we can't even hear one another. We scream at the top of our voices, but still the waterfall is louder. As we slip out the other side, we jump back in the pool and I shout out to mum and dad come in, come in, in, in in. Tor starts the chant and our voices, warmed up after all the screaming behind the waterfall, join in together, getting louder and louder. It doesn't take much to persuade them, though, and it's not long before they have stripped their clothes off and are running toward us. Next thing, dad is up to his tricks, chasing and catching us and throwing us into the air one by one. We all make funny poses before we land in the water. Taws is the funniest. A strongman's pose. I'm going to be stronger than you, dad. I'm going to be the strongest man in the whole wide world. He shouts as he emerges from under the water. You reckon Tor? And the battle is on Just when Tor has Dad in a headlock that Dad pretends he can't get out of. Dad booms out lunchtime and we all race over to our spot.

Speaker 2: 7:05

The feast prepared for me by the rest of the family is perfect All my favourite salads and fruits, prepared with a special twist and wrapped in palm leaves. Yum. And it looks extra beautiful with all the flowers spread around, so much colour and such sweet smells. Almost too good to eat. Oh, no, no, no, I can't resist. But first it is my birthday. I need to say the special thanks and then we go for it. So good, we spend the afternoon doing all my favourite things storytelling, singing, dancing, more exploring and swimming and before I know it it's nearly time to head back.

Speaker 2: 7:54

It's now or never that I jump from the top. Just thinking about it, I can feel my heart beating loud and fast. And feel it beating loud and fast. Hear my fast and shallow breath in my ears. I really want to do this. I can. I know I can. I jumped from halfway up last year and it was easy. I can do this. I keep chanting to myself to urge myself on, step by step, moment by moment. As I look up at the waterfall from the pool, I think about how brave I was last year, how good I felt after I jumped, how fantastic it had felt flying through the air from only halfway up. I commit, I'm going to gradually work my way up to the top, climbing up higher and higher to jump each time, step by step, moment by moment. I can do this.

Speaker 2: 8:55

Tor and Aqua cheer me on and before I know it, I'm at the top of the waterfall and I've built up the momentum and the rhythm and so off I jump, just like that. I'm flying through the air and I've done it. Amazing, the best feeling ever so alive. What a birthday celebration. Everyone's cheering, everyone's laughing, everyone's beaming, everyone's so happy for me. I need to share this with someone. Dad, come jump with me. I yell, we climb to the top. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one and we leap off together. Dad lands in a bomb and splashes a huge wave over Tor and Aqua and another battle of water is between everyone.

Speaker 2: 9:50

I've got to jump one more time. My buddy tells me Now you, mum. Now you, mum. I scream over all the noise. Come on.

Speaker 2: 10:02

I encourage mum, but she resists. I know she's done this before. I want to share this with you too. I beg her Yay, she's coming. We're climbing, we're counting down. Suddenly she stops counting.

Speaker 2: 10:16

She feels like I felt when I first looked up at the waterfall. Today I know I got over that hump. I can give her my strength, as she's given me her strength so many times. I look inside my mama and knock on her belly with my power. I can feel the words building together in us Three, two, one. And we're in the air, side by side, like two powerful eagles soaring toward our destination. Oh, what a magical feeling to share.

Speaker 2: 10:54

We splash down and it's all just crazy. Everyone laughing and shouting and clapping and going wild. Jumping on my own was special, but sharing it with mum and dad the best. Dad gives mum the biggest hug and I get that beautiful feeling I get when I see them dancing together and all lit up. We need to start getting ready to go. We've got that long hike home and I reckon, looking at the beaming tour, that he'll make it back under his own steam too. And there's adorable Aqua weaving crowns for us all, out of all the wild flowers. We're returning as heroines and heroes. What a perfect birthday it's been. So many good things for all of us. Bye, my treasured birthday waterfall, bye Frog Rock, see you next year. And thanks for having us. It's been special. Bye pool, bye rocks, bye creek, bye sky, bye sun, bye everything that is shared today with us. Thank you, we promise to take care of you as you always take care of us. Thank you.