Tidal: A Story for Global Hope

By Paul Gilpin

Isn't it curious how your entire life can change drastically from one day to the next? How the world must welcome a reality they no longer know how to recognize? How children seem to be closer to the door of knowing? How five seemingly entirely different lives can be joined through a profound connection to the natural world and a shared dream for a different future? This is that story, the story of five young people leading separate lives in Angola, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and Brazil, who each wake up to a responsibility they could never have imagined, called through different tongues to a place where they share in a feast and dream in peace. This is the story of a tidal wave that rides into a new future, a future full of freedom, connection and hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Aug 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9780228832508

Paul Gilpin

Paul Gilpin (Cree-Métis and Filipino ancestry) comes from many worlds and uses story-telling to bring them together. He believes in the power and magic of the natural world. Since retiring form his professional career, he is now able to put pen to paper and journey even deeper into his imagination. His stories explore the convergence of light and darkness, fear and hope and unexpected heroes who lead us in the way of love. Paul believes that humans are physical, emotional and most importantly spiritual beings and he hopes that his stories can feed all parts of us. His love for story telling began by sharing his dreams and imagination with his two daughters who are the source of his joy and faith. Silence is a gift. Move slowly through this world.

Book preview

By

Paul Gilpin

Tidal

Copyright © 2020 by Paul Gilpin

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Tellwell Talent

www.tellwell.ca

ISBN

978-0-2288-3251-5 (Hardcover)

978-0-2288-3249-2 (Paperback)

978-0-2288-3250-8 (eBook)

To Michelle for your constant love and joy.

To Erynne and Emilee for keeping me in touch with my inner child.

Special thanks to Nour Aladdin for her guidance and support.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Epilogue

About the Author

Chapter 1

Billy rubbed his eyes awake to the rising sun. He yawned and stretched the kind of stretch that feels better the longer you do it. He loved being outside and working his body, but he was sore from cross-country practice the day before. Being a young Cree-Metis boy made him the different kid amongst his friends, but it was probably his Cree genes that made him the fastest runner in his school. It was nice to stand out for a good reason, he thought.

Lost in thought, Billy snapped to attention at what sounded like fighter jets flying overhead. Billy loved anything to do with aviation. He ran downstairs where his mom was busy making breakfast and his five-year-old little sister, Mary, was eating her cereal. Billy ran out the front door and saw the jets fly away, heading east. He’d seen fighter jets at the local air show before, but there weren’t any military air bases near his town.

What is going on? Billy wondered, now fully awake. 

Just then, another jet screamed over his house, only a few hundred feet above the ground. His mom ran outside, looking up to the sky.

What’s going on, Mom? Billy asked. 

I don’t know, but something is up. Run inside and turn on the news, Billy, she said.

They ran back into the house and flipped on the television, but the local channel displayed nothing out of the ordinary. 

Maybe it was just a drill or some kind of emergency exercise, his mom said.

Yeah, maybe. Can you pop some toast in for me? he asked his mom with a smile. 

Sure thing, babe, replied his mom. 

Mom, have you ever seen jets fly by that low?

She responded slowly, No, I haven’t.

The phone rang and his mom answered it. It was Billy’s dad. His mom and dad didn’t live together anymore but they were still friendly and respectful to one another. His dad lived in another town thirty minutes down the road. He worked as a firefighter there.

Billy could hear his mom talking to his dad. She said the usual words like um, hmm, okay, and hmm. Then she put the phone on speaker. 

Can you hear me, Billy? asked his dad.

Sure can, Dad. Are you okay? 

Yes, I’m fine, Billy, but something is going on and I need you to be brave and take care of your little sister and mom today, okay buddy? 

Yes, Dad. What is going on? asked Billy. 

There has been some kind of national emergency, but we haven’t been given all the details yet. I just need you to stay home today and not go to school. 

For sure, Dad, but can you tell us anything? Billy pleaded. 

I’m not supposed to say anything, and I need you to keep this to yourself and Mom; don’t tell anyone else, okay, Son?

What is it, Dad?

We received a message from our federal authorities, the people that run the country, and they are saying something strange…. They are saying that the entire continent of North America is shifting.… Turtle Island is moving, son.

Chapter 2

Nokwe was playing soccer on the beach with his friends. It was evening and they were burning off their dinner. He loved his beautiful country of Angola. He and his family lived in a small village just north of the larger city of Sumbe along the west coast of Africa. Nokwe was fourteen years old. He had just received a pass from his teammate and friend, Kozi, so now he had to run with the ball. He had a perfect line of sight to the goaltender. He took the shot, trying to bend it like the pros he saw on TV. The ball went into the far corner of the net.

Nokwe jumped and cheered but something strange happened. The ground that had been only a foot underneath him when he jumped was now about five feet below him! He fell to the ground and looked around. His buddies were running for the trees a hundred feet away.

Kozi ran over, grabbed Nokwe and helped him up. Let’s go, Nokwe. We have to move. 

Together they climbed over a ridge of sand which had now formed all along the beach.

That ridge, where did it come from? questioned Nokwe.

I don’t know, but we have to move, now, Kozi replied.

The boys ran to the forest and then looked back across the beach and out towards the water. Something was happening far out in the deep ocean. The waters were not receding but swirling in a huge circular pattern. Nokwe could see fishing boats racing back towards land fighting the current of the swirling water. He felt a warm breeze brush across his face and