15. It’s cozy on the water

The sun sets behind the mountains and puts a golden glow on Beagle Channel. The wind has diminished. Five canoes are gliding through the calm water, not far off the coastline. There is a cozy, calm atmosphere on the water. It is the perfect time to fish but nobody seems to be in a hurry. This may be because it has been an extraordinary beautiful day, without rain. Everyone wants to enjoy it as long as possible.

From far off you can hear voices, a mixture of men, women and high above them all, the voices of some children. Included in this are the voices of Sisoi and Gaméla. They have small balls of grass which they throw to the children in one of the other canoes. You could already hear it from a distance, but by coming closer, you can also see the joy on their faces. They are concentrating intensely, because if they don’t throw properly or don’t manage to catch the ball, it is lost in the water and the game is over….

The parents let their children continue with the game. The mothers lend a hand by steering the canoes at an appropriate distance for throwing balls. They know that the short-distance is all the more practical for their play and chatter. The paddles plunge gently into the water …

• Now use your imagination… What will they talk about? Do they manage to throw the ball successfully to the others? How many times can you throw a ball without letting it fall to the ground? Have you ever done it? Have you done a similar game with your friends like Badminton or Frisbee?
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