I scooped up the prickly pine needles, and slid them under the wooden structure I had constructed. It was nearly pitch black and I could only see the area that my headlamp had lit.
I reached into my pocket and grabbed the smooth fire starter. When I pulled it out it shimmered under the moonlight. I struck the fire starter with all my might. Sparks shot out into sky cutting through the darkness of the night, but none landed near the kindling I was aiming for. I struck again and again but only got the same effect. Shouts of encouragement came from all around me pushing me to go forward. I struck again as a frustration grew and grew. Then I remembered patience. You are never going to get a fire going without a calm attitude and patience. I cooled myself down and struck again. A tiny little spark fell on the pile of leaves and caught. I took long slow breaths and fed the fire as it grew until its top was licking the dark night sky. The fire blew up in a big burst one more time and died down. Until there was nothing but a pile of glowing ashes. I plopped down on my knees as I blew and blew as nothing happened. “Want this?” a booming voice came from behind me. He handed me a sheet of cardboard.
“For the fire?” I ask.
“No to fan the fire, like this.” I could feel the heat from the embers touching my face as it exploded into flame once again.
I reached into my pocket and grabbed the smooth fire starter. When I pulled it out it shimmered under the moonlight. I struck the fire starter with all my might. Sparks shot out into sky cutting through the darkness of the night, but none landed near the kindling I was aiming for. I struck again and again but only got the same effect. Shouts of encouragement came from all around me pushing me to go forward. I struck again as a frustration grew and grew. Then I remembered patience. You are never going to get a fire going without a calm attitude and patience. I cooled myself down and struck again. A tiny little spark fell on the pile of leaves and caught. I took long slow breaths and fed the fire as it grew until its top was licking the dark night sky. The fire blew up in a big burst one more time and died down. Until there was nothing but a pile of glowing ashes. I plopped down on my knees as I blew and blew as nothing happened. “Want this?” a booming voice came from behind me. He handed me a sheet of cardboard.
“For the fire?” I ask.
“No to fan the fire, like this.” I could feel the heat from the embers touching my face as it exploded into flame once again.