Chapter 10: Stream
They arrived at the stream. Ragnar stepped onto the muddy bank and observed the state of the water.
The water was dull brown and flowed slowly through a narrow channel about three feet wide. Silt clouded the shallow bed, and broken sticks drifted on the surface. Sparse grass grew at the edge, and a faint, musty smell hung in the air.
Simply staring at the dirty source of water and inhaling its stench irritated Ragnar.
"And people drink this water and even use it for cooking!"
Ragnar began to pity the people even more.
"I will call for a meeting as soon as possible, I can’t accept this," Ragnar concluded with a resolute voice.
"Big brother Ragnar, did you say something?" Robinson looked up at Ragnar and asked.
Because Ragnar was too concerned, he forgot that Robinson was still with him and began to speak his mind out loud.
"I was just humming a song," he lied, and the little kid instantly believed him.
Ragnar returned his attention to the dirty water and resolved to begin the first phase of his plan.
Ragnar and Robinson were still standing at the bank of the dirty stream when they heard footsteps coming from the other side of the stream.
Ragnar held Robinson and both of them hid behind a big tree not so far away from them. Ragnar warned Robinson not to speak and even covered his ears. He pretended he was playing a game to see how quiet he was, and this made Robinson agree at once.