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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Hangry (01/23/25)
Benjamin wiped the sweat from his brow with the heel of his hand and looked back. The dreams of a lifetime had come true as he took another step backward away from the rest stop. The pressure he’d known for as long as he could remember was gone. Never before had he had the chance to hang out for two months at an oasis and relax without someone looking over his shoulder.

Finding this last oasis in the first place had been a God-send. The shade protecting everyone from the heat was a luxury and the springs bubbling up brought so much joy and pleasure to young and old alike. There had been a water shortage for a while after their first encampment had featured a water source that was too bitter to drink. Somehow, it all got repaired but now the potential of being back in that same situation arose. Some of the family members who hadn’t chosen to sign up for the adventure were letting their unhappiness show.

It only took a word to raise the level of the grumble meter. Of course, the issue was food again. It always came back to that. Benjamin couldn’t label who spoke first but the words were clear. “When are we going to be there? It’s hot enough to die out here.”

Another behind him took the verbal baton and added to the dialogue. “Whose organizing this trip anyway? There’s no place to get supplies and it feels like it’s every man for himself.”

A third traveler entered the fray. “I’m mad enough to die. This part of life is no longer fun. I wish God had put me out of my misery before I got into this mess.”

Benjamin turned and fell into step with the grumblers. “At least we’re not slaving away every moment of the day. Think about it. The place is a disaster zone back there. We’re free.”

The first grumbler jumped in right away. “What planet are you living on? Back there we had all the food we wanted. Out here, my stomach hasn’t stopped gurgling. We’re on starvation rations. This is not what I signed up for.”

“You have to admit,” Benjamin said. “Things came together rather quick to make this happen. One day we were going, the next day we weren’t. There’s a lot of people to pull together for such a big change.”

The second grumbler cleared his throat. “Look! The trip coordinator is standing up on that rock trying to our attention. See if you can hear what he’s saying.”

Benjamin strained to catch the words and then passed them on. “He is saying that the provider for the trip is aware of the shortages and will ensure that there is enough for each person each day. When the food becomes available, we are supposed to take only what we need for each day.”

“Rations?” the third grumbler said with a snarl. “Who made these people God, telling us what we should have and not have? If we’re supposed to be free, we should be free to have what we want and to do what we want. Why are we going in this direction if there are so many restrictions on everything?”

“There’s more,” Benjamin said. “The leader wants us to know that on day six we need to collect double portions because the provider is taking the seventh day off. I think he said that this is some kind of test to see if we’ll do what he says.”

“A test?” the first grumbler said. “That’s all we need. We finally get free from one tyrant who kept us doing everything he demanded and now we have another tyrant trying to push us around. What was the point in leaving?”

“What’s on the menu?” the second grumbler asked.

“Quail for dinner. Bread for breakfast.” Benjamin craned his neck to hear more. “Apparently the bread will melt in your mouth or it’ll melt in the sun. You’re to take only what you need.”

“You mean we have to go out and gather bread off the ground every day?” The second grumbler pulled a covering over his head. “Daily bread. How do we know the provider will come through? I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m taking my share and then some. I’m not taking chances on running short.”

Benjamin stepped back from the three. “I think trusting the provider is what this trip is all about.”
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This article has been read 263 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Linda Lawrence 
01/30/25
Wow! Well-done!
Marlene Custer 
01/30/25
Good job of giving us some insight of how people can react to a stressful situation. And that journey was stressful.
Bonnie Kronberger 
01/31/25
Well written picture of man’s complaining nature in the midst of God’s loving provisions.
The name Benjamin threw me off because I thought of Jacob’s Benjamin in the beginning.
JK Stenger
02/06/25
A lovely picture you created. A fun read. I love these 2 sentences “It only took a word to raise the level of the grumble meter.” and “ Another behind him took the verbal baton and added to the dialogue.” Such things make for an engaging read. The sentence: “Who made these people God, telling …” confused me. I had to reread it several times and I get it. Still, I would change the wording a bit for a better flow. Bonnie’s comment is right about the name Benjamin, as I was instantly thinking of another bible story. But regardless, I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.
JK Stenger
02/06/25
A lovely picture you created. A fun read. I love these 2 sentences “It only took a word to raise the level of the grumble meter.” and “ Another behind him took the verbal baton and added to the dialogue.” Such things make for an engaging read. The sentence: “Who made these people God, telling …” confused me. I had to reread it several times and I get it. Still, I would change the wording a bit for a better flow. Bonnie’s comment is right about the name Benjamin, as I was instantly thinking of another bible story. But regardless, I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.