The Banana Tree

Gustus and his family are running to seek shelter from the hurricane that is hitting Jamaica. Gustus is the oldest of seven children.

Being the oldest, Gustus's father makes him work all the time and he's not allowed to be a kid. All he wants to do is make money from his banana tree so he can buy new shoes to play Cricket. He leaves the the school to brave the hurricane to get to his banana tree.

Gustus makes it to his banana tree after staggering from tree to tree and fighting the fierce winds. After trying to save his tree, he gets knocked down as the wind blows around him.

When Mr. Bass found Gustus, he was very relieved. He wondered why Gustus would brave the hurricane just to make it back to his tree.

Gustus explained that he wanted to buy his shoes so he could go places and do things like a normal kid.

Mr. Bass then realized the mistake that he made by not letting Gustus get his shoes and be a kid. He felt very bad but was relieved that his son was alive. Even though his banana tree didn't survive, Gustus was safe with his family.

The storms bad, Chil'run, real bad but it'll blow off.

Das true wha' Pappy say, the good Lord won' gi more than we can bear.

I almos' hol' you that time...Come solid like that again, an' we fight like man an'man!

Mi bwoy! Mi hurricane bwoy! The Good Lord save you...

I did want buy mi shoes, Pappy. I...I can't go anywhere cause I have no shoes...

Even though my tree didn't survive I'm safe.