Dedicated to “Grandfather”

This would be our last chance to purchase fresh food and fill up with water. Ian filled the dual gas tanks with petrol before we jumped into the truck and continued north to Daintree. We'd only traveled the length of Main Street when suddenly one of our burlap water bags became loose. Ian pulled over to the edge of the road to tighten the strap.

As I got out of the truck to sit on the cool grass, I heard a shout and looked up to see a skeletal-thin Aboriginal man smile and wave at me. His wiry, gray hair ballooned thick and magnificent. Encouraged by my returned smile, he teetered forward on legs as thin as my arms wearing only tan, baggy shorts that almost lost their hold on his frail, naked body.

He pointed to the camera around my neck and back to his people who sat at a picnic table under a huge rain tree. We shook hands, and he spoke in a language full of oohs, uuus and lllls, which I didn't understand, but I knew from his gestures that he wanted me to follow. The group rose to meet me as I approached and gathered around, all smiles and giggles, while the elder spoke to them and indicated my camera.

After I took the photo, the old man pointed to me and began to converse with a youth in his early twenties. With a couple of gentle nudges from his elder, the young man shyly introduced me to each member of the group, and then said, “My grandfather says you took our picture so the world will not forget us.” ~ Excerpt" Naked in Eden