Nala the Wild Child -Nala’s travel journal
When I stepped onto the deck of the Two If by Sea, I recognized that there was a long journey ahead of me. But I tried to put that depressing thought behind me. I would just care about this very moment. I concentrated on the stepped pyramids, the caring man leading his camel to a distant oasis.
As soon as the ship departed, I dashed to my cabin. I was not stunned by what I saw. Inside was a small rope hammock with a leather blanket carelessly tossed over it. In the corner was a good-sized washstand with a helpless photo of a house above it. This was much different than my luxurious retreat in Alexandria. Well, I thought, it will do. I sat on the hammock and, though it was not time, fell quickly asleep.
Indiko, the kind captain, awakened me by calling me up. As soon as I set foot outside, he pointed towards a black lump in the distance. But as my eyes adjusted to Ra’s precious beams, I saw a lengthy workshop. Upon closer inspection, I saw an abundance of workshops, and factories! “That is Memphis,” said Indiko. Then he pointed at a temple, and murmured something incomprehensible in Egyptian. My eyes immediately blocked out everything except the temple. At that moment, Indiko said, “That is the temple of Ramses.” It had many pillars, and was made out of dazzling white granite. It was likely to be three times larger than our ship.
After I was finished staring at the immense temple, I attempted to access my room, but Indiko stopped me. “Come with me to my cabin, Nala, you look like Set has laid his gnarled hands on you!” I reluctantly followed him to a large wooden room. As Indiko pushed aside a simple white curtain, my ka almost floated out of my body. A capacious room it was, with large sea-sprayed windows. The entire circumference of the room was covered with Egyptian maps. Some were frayed and old, or crisp and new. Some depicted lands I didn’t even recognize! Indiko led me to a table, and ushered me to sit down. After sitting, he started, “Once there was a wealthy young trader who lived in Saqqara, but had traveled to Thebes, trading his wares. He made good money, and was extremely popular. One hot day, a portly old man, Set, came to examine his wares. He said, “I would like that red crown, but have no money with me. Please hold it for me.” The young man put the diadem beside his feet. The next customer asked for a red crown also. The man gave him the red diadem, and at that moment Set struck him down. It is said that at night, you can hear the man’s ka floating through Thebes, wailing.” I shivered. “May I be excused to my room?” “Yes.”
That night, a vicious storm belched me out of my hammock, and hitting the cold, scratched floor really woke me up. At first, my false belief that I rolled myself off of my hammock had satisfied me. But one glance out my tiny, circle window proved me wrong. “Son of Set!” The water of the Nile, usually calm, was biting the side of the boat, spraying my window with froth. Deciding to see if Indiko was ok, I grabbed my cloak; dashed up the steps and onto the deck. “Nala?” asked Indiko. “Yes, it’s me. Are you ok?” Indiko grunted. Why was it that he was sometimes timid, or sometimes bold? I looked up into the face of Nut, barely visible. Receding to my small room, I fell asleep.
In the morning, I went to the washstand, and splashed cool water upon my face. After the cook brought in my fruit and warm milk, I left the washstand. Consuming my fruit and slightly curdled milk, I glanced out my window. I spotted a pyramid standing strong, rising out of the dust. That must be the Great Pyramid. I ran to the deck, took a deep breath of the sandy air, and coughed. “By Amon, be careful, maiden!” Indiko said. Shrugging it off, I saw another pyramid, slightly smaller, and next to it was the Great Sphinx. I inhaled deeply because one of my greatest dreams was to actually see it! When I was a child, a long time ago, mother had told me I would never get to see it, but here it was. “Yes, that is the Great Sphinx. Its head and body were carved out of one block of limestone. It is said that his head is that of Khafre,” Indiko stated. I stared at the pyramids, and then flew downstairs to my room.
I plopped down on my hammock, and noticed the edge of a Hounds and Jackals game protruding from under the washstand. At that moment, the cook came in to deliver my small evening meal. She started for the door, but my interruption stopped her. “Would you like to play Hounds and Jackals?” I asked her. “Yes, ma’am,” her voice was high and smooth. It was an involving game, but she proved herself to be better than me, and then she left the room. I lay down upon my hammock.
When I woke in the morning, it was early, for Ra had not finished his tedious trip through the Underworld. On deck, the cool air welcomed me. Watching Ra rise, my eyes noticed we were anchored for the first time. I looked starboard and saw a large rigid rock. But as Ra became brighter, I noticed what it was, and recognized it. We were sailing past Beni Hasan! Studying it closer, I saw that Beni Hasan was a rock, with rooms carved into it and firm iron gates. Supposedly there were 32 rooms, actually tombs, in all. Indiko then interrupted my dreaming, said hi, took up the anchor and we started our journey again. I stared at Beni Hasan until it was out of sight, and then went downstairs to write, because I am and was a scribe.
After I wrote my fill, I laid down on my flimsy creaking hammock. I missed my home, the high ceilings, fine furniture, and great tapestries. My head was not near my gold headrest and intricately woven quilt. But none of that mattered right now.
I stayed up long after Ra left that night, mainly gazing out of my small window. I had seen nothing for the last hour. But then, a seemingly everlasting wall popped out of nowhere. No, not a wall… that was Deir el-Bahari! I spotted the temples, the group of them. Why was it that Thutmose’s temple was the smallest of the three. I could not understand why. It was said that part of Hatshepsut’s temple was built into the wall. It would be cool to have a house like that. Anyway, I couldn’t stay awake much longer, so I retreated to bed.
I was awakened by much clatter outside. I ran on deck, and was shocked by what beauty I saw. The Luxor temple, grand in appearance, was rising before me. Its turrets pierced the sky, and its white walls reflected the face of Ra. Why, it was even greater than Hatshepsut’s temple! I must be in Thebes, a great trading city. Running to my room, my feet thudded softly along. I had snatched my large chests, slipped a heavy gold chain around my neck, and washed my face in a blink of an eye. When arriving on deck, Indiko happily gestured me towards the wooden dock. I waved bye, and then stepped onto firm land for the first time in many days. My journey was over.
I headed to Anubis Street, my feet disrupting the dirt path. I was soon at my mother’s house, the smallest house on the street. When the door opened, I said, “Hello!” and stepped inside.
-Bella D. Sep.5th, 2011
