Once I had to go to Allahabad to join a ceremony. Many other relatives had come. It was a bathing day. So we decided to go on a boat from Baluaghat to Sangam. The idea was liked by all. So we started on foot to Baluaghat. We were 16 in numbers. Many boatmen requested us to sit in their boats. We chose a small boat painted in blue. The wages were settled and we sat in the boat. There were two boatmen. They asked us to sit properly on both the sides of the boat.
The boat sailed. It moved gently. We saw the buildings on the banks. It was a pleasant sight. We were going down the current. So the boatmen had not to work hard. We passed by the side of the famous fort of Allahabad. It was built by Akbar. In about an hour we reached the Sangam.
We unweared our clothes. Then we took bath in the water. The water was not very deep. As soon as we had taken our bath, we got into the boat again. The evening was drawing near. We wanted to return home quickly.
The return journey was difficult. The boat was going against the current. The boatmen had to work hard at the oars. We saw the glorious sunset. It was a beautiful sight. The sun’s rays made everything red. The weather was clear when we started.
Now suddenly, the sky in the west became dim. The boatmen cried “A storm!” They seemed to be frightened. So we became more frightened. The storm was growing furious. We were in the middle of the river when the water rose high. The boat shook from side to side. The balance was disturbed. The boatmen asked us to sit still. The boatmen worked harder and harder.
Suddenly the boatmen cried ‘the bank, the bank’. We had reached the bank. We got down quickly and thanked God for saving us. Alas! It was a unforgettable jouney.
Vocabulary
Frightened—scared
Shook—moved uncontrollably
