Island Survival: Starts by chopping a tree-Chapter 31
The girls, seeing that he left, their focus remained on the coconut. "Should we really use the knife, just like what Jeff said?" Jessica asked the two.
Ariana and Layla pondered about it for a bit and nodded, "I think using a knife is the right way, since we’re too weak to remove it using our hands," Layla replied.
"Yeah, using a proper technique rather than brute force seems to be a smart way to do it," Ariana added.
Layla then sat on the ground, placing it on the solid surface. Using the knife, she did what Jeff instructed.
She made the cut into the husk, but doing it was harder than imagining it. She made it as her starting point.
After that, she exerted some strength to insert the blade of the knife. She then twisted it with all her strength, after a while it just caused some pain in her hands.
"Umm, Layla, you need help?" Jessica asked.
"Yes, here you do it. My hand is now turning purple," she said, passing it to her while looking at her palms.
"Ariana, you hold it still in the ground while I twist it to pry away the sections of the husk," Jessica commanded. Ariana followed, holding it firmly.
Jessica then twisted, and yes, it worked. The process became easier when she used both of her hands.
"What are you girls doing?" A mature voice sounded behind her.
Stopping and looking back, they saw that it was Charlotte and Emma, making their eyes light up.
"Big sisters, actually, we’re removing the husk, so we can make a coconut cup. Do you want to help? Our strength is too weak," Jessica suggested.
Since the two were much bigger and older than them, so maybe the two of them were stronger than them.
"Making coconut cups?" Emma muttered, confused since the two of them weren’t here not knowing why they are making that.
"Yes, the captain instructed us to make five coconut cups while he does something," Layla explained what Jeff did and how to do it the right way.
The two of them nodded their heads as Charlotte and Emma helped. The work had become much easier since there were five of them doing it.
In the other side Jeff then went towards the gathered resources, as he put his hand on his chin, racking his mind about what to make for the temporary shelter.
Then an image of one of the book guides that he remembered for making that shelter using only some basic resources.
(Image in the comment!)
"To build a basic A-frame shelter, I’ll need a few essential tools and resources," Jeff mumbled, in deep thought.
He already had a knife for cutting branches, leaves, and vines. For the axe, he could use it later on for chopping some larger branches and trees if needed.
For ropes and vines it is to tie the branches together securely. While the branches and poles or bamboos for the main structure and supports.
Lastly is for the leaves and foliage, it is for covering sides and of course the roof.
So, what he went to find first is some sturdy trees, since it seems to be the only thing he lacked in here. After finding one he then began his work.
He first placed a tree trunk upright in the ground. To ensure it was fully secure and stable, as this would be the main support for their shelter.
After that, he went towards the gathered resources and used the axe to cut two long, sturdy branches. These would form the main supports of the A-frame.
When that was done, he positioned the two long branches on either side of the central tree trunk, leaning them together to form a triangle shape.
The process was much easier since the shelter he was going to make wasn’t that hard. He then tied the tops of the branches securely to the tree trunk using the ropes that were made by the girls.
To make it even more secure, he gathered more branches to create a horizontal framework. He then attached these smaller branches horizontally across the main supports to create the sides and roof structure.
After that, he secured the horizontal branches to the main supports with the homemade rope.
"Finally, the last step will be the roofing," Jeff stepped back and looked at the almost finished work.
He then collected large banana leaves, but as he examined them, he realized that using only banana leaves wouldn’t be enough.
They would be too weak on their own, and the structure would easily fall apart or be ruined.
"Should I create a double-layer roof for the A-frame shelter to enhance protection and insulation?" he muttered. After a while, he nodded in approval.
So, he decided to use coconut palm leaves to be use as the inner layer, while the outer layer would be the banana leaves.
He then walked out for a while, spotting a coconut palm tree. He climbed and gathered some palm leaves. After gathering a bunch of them, he got down and returned.
He could even spot the girls who were still not finished making the coconut cups. Not disturbing them, he continued his work.
Once he arrived, he started with the inner layer by laying coconut palm leaves on the framework of the A-frame.
When that was done, he placed the leaves, so they overlapped, starting from the bottom and working his way up to ensure rainwater flowed off smoothly.
He then secured it by using some ropes. Once the inner layer was securely in place, he then started by adding the banana leaves over the top.
He overlapped them again, just like with the coconut palm leaves, starting from the bottom and working his way up, overlapping the leaves to create a shingle effect.
Then, he tied the banana leaves down with additional rope, ensuring they were firmly in place. Then, he wove and layered these materials over the framework to create a dense covering.
This would act as insulation and protection from the elements of the island. He ensured the covering was thick enough to keep out rain and wind.
For safety, he tied some additional rope over the foliage and leaves to hold them in place and prevent them from being blown away.
"Now is for the ground cover," he said, wiping the sweat on his face. His clothes were drenched, but he didn’t stop.
He gathered some soft materials like leaves and banana leaves, to create a comfortable ground cover inside the shelter.
This would provide insulation from the cold ground and add comfort, of course. Walking back, Jeff looked at his finished work with satisfaction, since, of course, he made that.
His shelter, from the left side, was covered with branches and double-layer leaves, creating a dense barrier to block wind and rain.
Smaller branches were woven horizontally between the vertical support poles, and leaves were layered to ensure no gaps were left exposed.
For the right side cover its just similar to the left side, the right side is also covered with branches and double layer leaves.
The covering is dense, providing protection from the elements while allowing some ventilation.
Ahhhh Ventilation
Well for the roof of course I have to explain it. Well its an A shape so you can get the idea that it is covered with a thick layer of branches, leaves, and other natural materials.
This layer is arranged in a way that allows water to run off easily, keeping the inside of the shelter dry.
[You just made a Shelter. You have gained 5 experience points & 1 points.]
[45/100 exp. Remains to unlock a skill]
Seeing the notification bar, he knew that the experience he would get would be much lesser, since it wasn’t comparable to his first creation.
"Wow, captain, we just finished our work to make you impressed, but why are we the ones who are impressed?!" Ariana exclaimed, almost making him jump in surprised since she was behind him.
"Our work is really easy compared to yours. Comparison is really not a good thing," Charlotte exclaimed with a hiss.
"I couldn’t help but agree with you for that. We’re just like kindergartners struggling at something so easy, while he’s making something that is 10x times harder than our own," Emma responded to her.
"Just by looking at it, sleeping inside their must be comfortable," Jessica spoke, looking at the insides where the leaves were used as the mattress.
Jeff’s face was feeling shy from the compliment, but he shook his head and focused on his work.
"Captain, are you going to build more shelters? If you are, I want to help," Layla said. She’s beginning to become more productive than ever before.
Jeff, hearing this, didn’t decline her request, since having more companions would make the work much faster. He even took like 40-50 minutes to make that.
"I want to help too," Ariana said, raising her hands.
"Well, we know that we all want to help, so count us all in!" Emma bellowed with excitement.
Jeff released a slight as he nodded his head, seeing them being so expectant. "Well, what I lack now is large branches, leaves like banana leaves and coconut leaves. For the ropes, it will be enough. So, can you gather these materials for me?" he asked.
"Sure," all of them muttered in unison.
After a while, with their help, Jeff finished the shelters in just about four hours. The one he made was a little bigger so three girls could fit in, which is Layla, Jessica, and Ariana’s shelter.
The other one is for the two women, Emma and Charlotte. He positioned the entrance facing the fireplace so the heat could reach them to avoid the cold and also, it would be easy to go out and add fuel to the fireplace.
[You just made a Shelter. You have gained 7 experience points & 1.5 points.]
[You just made a Shelter. You have gained 7 experience points & 1.5 points.]
[59/100 exp. Remains to unlock a skill]
