Introduction

In this final lesson in the Observing and Describing course, we’re going to look at a short action scene. Storm Boy, his dad Hide-Away, and friend Fingerbone are rescuing a sailor by pulling him to safety.

Have a read.

The sea sprang and snatched at the man on the rope like a beast with white teeth. Sometimes, where the rope sagged lowest, the waves swept him right under. Storm Boy could feel the shock and shudder of the line as the water thundered round it. But the man managed to snatch a breath between waves and he always rose up safely again on the rope. Hide-Away and Fingerbone pulled until their feet dug deep into the sand, and the muscles that stood out on their arms looked like the rope they were pulling. And so at last they were able to haul the man through the thud and tug of the sea to the shore, where he unfastened himself and dropped down onto the sand of the beach. He was shivering and exhausted, but he was safe. Storm Boy ran down to help him up to the humpy.

Storm Boy(1963)

In this lesson, you’ll be describing your own rescue sequence using the same structure and techniques as this passage.

From what you’ve read, what are some key words you can use to illustrate the danger in the scene? You can use words from the passage or your own.

You need to come up with a rescue situation. Like the passage from Storm Boy it needs to be in its last stages, but there’s still danger (in this case, the sailor is already holding onto a rope, but the waves are still a threat - the rescuers need to pull him out before he drowns).

You’ll need:

A situation - what’s going on? A person stuck on a cliff? A dog trapped in a well?
A victim - someone in a dangerous situation
A rescuer (or rescuers - no more than three or four)
A way out - plan how the victim is to be rescued in advance

Let's try it!

Observing and describing in Storm Boy 6: Describing action