Hilda, Frida and David were out hiking with their Sparrow Scout troop in some of the higher mountains near Trolberg. Ms. Hallgrim had got them all excited telling them about the various sights and fauna she had seen on previous hiking trips on this particular trail. But she had also given them fair warnings about how dangerous the mountains could be. ("It's important to be aware of your surroundings in nature, that's why we must respect it," she had told them.)
They came to a small overhang where a couple of rocks had apparently been set up in a strange circle.
"These look like the various circles trolls tend to set up," observed Hilda.
"And if you look at the markings near the top Hilda, you will find that this was indeed the work of trolls," answered Ms. Hallgrim. She told the kids that they would eat their lunch there but to try not to get too close the cliff. Hilda, Frida and David naturally ate their lunch together.
"Y'know, before I moved to Trolberg, this was they type of hike I would take Twig on. It's a pity he couldn't come along," Hilda told her friends.
"You ever miss those days?" asked David.
"Well yeah, there was something about the peaceful solitude I enjoyed, but don't get me wrong, I love being able to hike with you guys too. Sometimes it's just nice having nature as your sole companion," said Hilda.
"Yeah, but bear in mind, it's a lot safer traveling in a group," pointed out David. Hilda didn't argue with that, she just nodded and continued chewing her peanut butter sandwich. After lunch, the whole group continued an ascension, looking down, they could easily see themselves literally get above the place where they had eaten lunch. A few more corners and they reached their destination. The Sparrow Scouts could see for miles, the clouds moving around the trees and the rolling mountains. Birds could actually be seen flying beneath them.
Then they started making their way down, but just as they rounded the corner to where they could see the place where they had stopped for lunch again, David had himself a great fall, tripping over a rock and then falling into the branches of a tree that was right beneath the tree! Everyone gathered around.
"David! Are you alright?" called Ms. Hallgrim.
"I think so, this tree caught most of my fall!" he answered back, trying to move out of his predicament.
"David! Try not to move so much, I'm going to-" but it was too late, the branch David attempted to put his weight on broke, and he fell to the ground, landing on his side! Everyone who was there would have wagered his scream could have been heard for miles. Ms. Hallgrim told the rest of the Sparrow Scouts to keep to the path as she led them the safe way down to David.
"Stay right there David! We're going to help you!" she called out to him. She rushed right to David and wasted no time getting the first aid kit out.
"My arm! My arm!" he called out.
"Oh dear, it's broken in two places, well, we're just going to have to make you comfortable until the paramedics can look at it," observed Ms. Hallgrim. She grabbed two nearby sticks and using some bandage she had in the first aid kit, she made a splint for him. Then she gently helped him to his feet, and using her radio, she called for help so that when they made it back to the bottom, the paramedics would be waiting for them.
At a brisk walk, with David near the lead, the Scouts made their way back down the mountain. They were about two miles from the trail head when they were met by some park officials who had received Ms. Hallgrim's message. They hoisted David up onto a stretcher they had brought and carried the poor boy to their vehicle.
"Do you think David's going to be okay?" asked Frida.
"Let's hope so," replied Hilda, now she was beginning to understand why it was that David had told her that sometimes, it was safer to travel in a group.
The following Monday at school, David showed up with a large orange cast on his arm. Everyone came over to see him, asking how he felt.
"Well, it's not so bad now, doctor said it could have been a lot worse. If it hadn't been for Ms. Hallgrim's first aid, the walk down would have been plain miserable. The best was, the nurse who helped take care of me signed it as I was leaving the hospital," he said, pointing to where there was sure enough a signature with little hearts in place of the dotted I's. That gave Hilda an idea. She pulled out a Sharpie she had in her backpack and approached David's side.
"Would you like me to sign it as well?" she asked. David obliged, and soon enough, the whole class, including Ms. Hallgrim herself had signed his cast. He felt like the most popular kid in school and smiled. Getting a bad boo-boo almost made it worth the admiration he was getting. Later, Hilda pulled him aside.
"David, I just want to thank you for helping me realize how it is better sometimes to be with a group. I never realized how dangerous the forest could be when I was alone. But you know something, you're a real trooper," she said before pulling him in for a hug.