Voices in the Jungle: contos, #1

By Ricardo Almeida

Embark on a riveting journey with Kayla, a 19-year-old Canadian with a passion for conservation, as she ventures deep into the heart of the Malaysian rainforest in "Legacy of Leaves: A Rainforest Odyssey." Join Kayla and her newfound friend Kedal on a quest to understand the intricate dance between humanity and nature, as they answer the call to protect the rainforest from the edge of extinction.

In this captivating narrative, experience the anticipation as Kayla and Kedal eagerly await a water taxi that will transport them into the mysterious Sava region of Borneo. Feel the pulse of the rainforest through Kayla's vivid descriptions as she shares encounters with local Malaysians, the constant symphony of nature, and the breathtaking scenery that surrounds them.

As they reach Essri's secluded home, a stilted wooden structure standing tall amidst the rainforest, the reader is invited into a world where every creaking floorboard and rustling leaf holds the promise of discovery. The warmth of Essri, his wife Essidi, and their child Hazig welcomes Kayla and Kedal into a life intertwined with the rainforest, where survival and sustainability take center stage.

However, as night falls, the story takes an unexpected turn. The silence of the rainforest is disrupted by a mysterious woman's laughter, setting the stage for an eerie and suspenseful night. Kayla's struggle to comprehend the unnatural quietude and her unsettling feeling of being watched creates an atmospheric tension that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.

"Legacy of Leaves" is more than just a story—it's a sensory exploration of the rainforest's beauty and mysteries. Join Kayla on a quest that transcends borders and delves into the essence of environmental preservation, where every step is a revelation, and every moment holds the promise of understanding the delicate balance between humanity and the rainforest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ricardo Almeida
• Release date: Nov 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223308645

Book preview

Table of Contents

Voices in the Jungle (contos, #1)

Wow, I'm finally here.

This has been a trip that I've been planning for years.

Okay, I'm getting a little ahead of myself.

Firstly, a bit of background.

My name is Kayla, but I'm 19 years old and I'm originally from Canada.

But I've grown up my whole life in Melbourne, Australia.

That's because my parents are crazy about nature and moved to Australia when I was young.

And an effort to save the great white shark population.

Now, while they've established themselves as well-respected as shark conservation is,

I'm wanting to start my own legacy to help the planet.

So I've found myself finally in Malaysia.

These Sava region to be exact.

On the island of Aborneo, I started my efforts in helping save the rainforest.

Also planning from this trip began years ago in 2019 when I was reading forums about families

being affected by the tearing down of the rainforest in these regions.

On one of these forums, I met a man called Kedal, who lives in Iceland.

He shares these same passion as me and we often talked about going to Southeast Asia,

and helping to find ways to sustain these beautiful rainforests.

However, we both agree that we would like to experience a living off of the rainforest

firsthand to fully understand its importance.

So we've posted online countless times seeking this experience.

And that's when just last year, we were contacted by Essri, a man who lives deep within the

rainforest with his wife, Essidi, and their young child, Hazig.

Essri told us that he would be happy for myself and Kedal to stay with him and his family

for as long as we wanted.

That he would be happy to show us the importance of the rainforest and how to live off of it.

Which brings me to the present day.

Myself and Kedal are eagerly waiting for the water taxi to pick us up, and Kedal and I

have traveled together for the past two weeks and we're already good friends.

His long blind hair provides a contrast to my short brown cut, and his blue eyes are

always wide with excitement from the minute that he wakes up right until he falls asleep.

He clings on to his blue rucksack and he paces, waiting for the boat to come and pick us up.

Essri had said that the water taxi only makes this journey once a fortnight, so to be prepared

for that.

He also said that there is very little to no phone service where he stays.

I was surprised that there was any at all to be honest.

Kedal and I away by a little fish in village that we had to take multiple buses to reach.

Along the village runs a river, dark brown water rushes by, leading into a gap in the

trees that flows deep into the surrounding rainforest.

The tall green trees act as a shelter to the river,