Survival Quotient
By
Walter L. Fisher
John loped across the grasslands of the valley in long, ground-covering strides. His test had started with first light of morning and he had covered many miles during the day; always behind Judd.
For two years he had always been just behind Judd and he felt cursed that today should be the same. Chance had dictated he would take the test on the same day as Judd, and not by himself. This made the test especially hard. It was a test of his fitness to survive, and he knew that it would determine his fitness to remain as a part of the village.
Even without the added pressure of Judd, he knew the test would be hard. Two years before Brian had failed the test.
The three of them had been companions in the village, but it was a difficult relationship. John and Brian were the same age and Judd was two years younger, but Judd was big and strong for his age and closer to Brian in size. John was the smallest of the three. He was slow in growing and developing and this had been the cause of the strain among them. Judd, although he had developed in size quickly, had not developed in wisdom at the same pace. He still retained the attitude of a child, and took delight in using his advantage of size and strength to dominate John. Brain had been the only protection John had against Judd, and two years ago that protection had been removed by the test. Since then Judd had always been ahead of John. In every little thing that could be taken as a competition, Judd would do everything he could to come out better than John.
When Brian had failed to return from the test, John had suffered in two ways. He had grieved for the loss of a friend, and he fell victim to all the pranks Judd could devise.
The sun was fading behind the mountains now, and John looked for a place to make his evening camp. A small woods ahead appeared to be the most likely place. There would be shelter and perhaps water which would attract the small game which could provide him with an evening meal. he had not eaten all day and the long hours of traveling had created a hollowness in him that cried out for filling. It was a part of the test . He have been given no food, only the ceremonial knife that was belted tight around his waist. John wished tis talent with a knife was better developed, because the weapon was all that stood between himself and the wilderness for the three days of the test. He would have to survive on the food that he could provide for himself with his meager skills.
He slowed his pace as he approached the little stand of trees.
There was a running stream along the edge of the woods and there would be game in the undergrowth. It was a good place to spend the first night of the test. His hunger made him cautious in his approach. He didn’t want to scare away the animals which would be the food which could ease the gnawing pain in his stomach.
