Happy and healthy. We were together. She was cuddling me. We shared our secret smile. I wrapped my arms around her ... but then I woke up ... and she wasn't there.

There she lay. She lay alone in her dark, gloomy room. The only light was from the blazing sun coming through the window. Chrissie clung onto her stuffed rabbit like it was the only thing she had left.

“Chrissie!” Aunt Angie called her into the kitchen. She had taken Chrissie in as her own when her parents had died. Aunt Angie is caring and sympathetic towards all living things.

“Good morning, sleepy head!” she laughed. “I'm making your favourite lunch today - coconut soup! However, last time I made this, we ran out of coconuts. Would you go get some from the beach?”

Okay, I'll be back soon!” Chrissie called from the door, and she set off.

On the pebble path, toward the beach, Chrissie began to sing a Caribbean song to her parrot, Tiki. Flowers danced to the music. The wind whistled along. In the distance, the waves crashed among rocky beaches. Palm leaves reached out and brushed Chrissie's smooth skin. The trees enveloped her as she continued to walk.

At last, Chrissie arrived at the beach. She hurried to where all the coconut trees stood. Since Chrissie had done this many times before, she was extremely good at climbing. She shimmied up the tree trunks and grabbed six coconuts – which was more than enough for two people.

As Chrissie slid down the last tree, she heard someone shouting. Who could it be? Why were they shouting?

Chrissie ran hard. She was desperate to find the voice.  All of a sudden, she stopped in her tracks. Someone or something was three feet ahead of her. Chrissie crept closer, quietly. When she got a better look, she could see that the shadowy figure was a lady. The woman turned around.  “Hello there!” she said with a smile.

“Uh ... hi ... my name is Chrissie. Are you okay? I heard you shouting from over there.” Chrissie pointed to where the palm trees stood.

“I am fine. I just tripped over a rock. My name is Mary-Anne. Pleased to meet you!”  Mary-Anne held out her hand.

“What are you doing out here all alone?” Chrissie asked.

The lady somehow looked older as her smile faded. “I live here.”

A homeless lady, Chrissie thought. She felt so bad for her. Always having to search for food or build a shelter at night. Chrissie winced at Tiki's claws in her shoulder, but continued to think. Ever since she moved in with her aunt, Chrissie had been miserable about losing her parents; meanwhile this lady didn't have a family at all.

Chrissie broke the silence by saying, “It was very nice to meet you; however, I must get these coconuts to my aunt!”

They waved goodbye, and Chrissie hurried back home through the trees and bushes. She had a plan. Her aunt was waiting for her when she got there. Together, they made the soup (delicious as always) and Chrissie told Aunt Angie about her encounter.

“Well Chrissie, I think we should let Ms. Mary-Anne have a taste of this soup. After all we have plenty extra!”

So Chrissie and her aunt packed a basket with apples, water, and, of course, the coconut soup. Back to the beach Chrissie went, but not noticing the nature around her, as she was excited to see Mary-Anne.

The woman was still there when Chrissie arrived. “Mary-Anne! Mary-Anne!” Chrissie shouted. With a startled look, the woman searched around.

“Chrissie? What are you doing back here?  What is this?” she asked, accepting the basket.

“It's my aunt's coconut soup! We decided to share it with you!  I felt really bad that you had nothing to eat. So we can eat together!”

“Oh that is so kind, dear. You've made my day!”

Together, they sat in the Caribbean sunlight, sipping the coconut soup. The waves tickled the sand as the clouds watched from above.

Chrissie had found a friend to share stories with, and the stories would last forever.