Wilderness Survival with Druid System
Chapter 769 - 111: Baobab Fruit
Climbing the tree to pick the fruit is nearly impossible now.
One reason is it’s already late, and the other is because the Baobab Tree isn’t suitable for everyone to climb.
The Baobab Tree’s trunk is robust, with a smooth surface and fewer branches low down.
Therefore, climbing the Baobab Tree barehanded is almost impossible.
Unless you spend a lot of time and energy digging some grooves into the tree trunk to step on and climb up.
But what they lack now is time and energy.
"What should we do?"
Dennis scratched his head.
He’s not craving Baobab fruit; instead, under the "tyranny" of kangaroo jerky, Dennis wants to use the sweet and sour taste of Baobab fruit to neutralize the gamey taste of the jerky.
Just as everyone was at their wits’ end, Chen Wen looked towards the hawk.
This fallen Baobab fruit is something the hawk tried to get down.
Could it fly up and pick the fruit?
Chen Wen shared his thoughts.
Dennis seemed to remember something, his eyes lit up, and he said, "Hey! You boys might not realize, but this method might just work!"
"The Baobab Tree got its name because, initially, Africans waited under trees for monkeys to drop the fruits, or in some places, they trained monkeys specifically to climb trees and pick fruits."
Upon hearing this, everyone frowned.
But unlike primates with two legs and two hands, hawks don’t have hands!
Seeing this, Dennis continued to share his opinion: "Have you ever seen people picking durians?"
Everyone nodded, showing a thoughtful expression.
Dennis spoke excitedly: "We can completely replicate the durian-picking process, letting the hawk drop Baobab fruit from high above while we use that kangaroo leather made before or some clothing to catch the Baobab fruits!"
After explaining his plan, Dennis paused for a moment, then sought everyone’s opinion: "What do you think of this idea?"
Adam hesitated and said, "It’s indeed a good idea, but Dennis, have you considered something?"
"What thing?"
Dennis was taken aback, not knowing what Adam meant.
Hua Yun rolled his eyes and said: "It’s night time, Dennis. The sky is dark. When you catch the Baobab fruit, there are three potential outcomes: you catch the fruit, you miss the fruit, or the fruit catches you."
Get caught by a fruit?
Dennis pondered for a moment, quickly realizing Hua Yun meant getting hit in the face by a Baobab fruit.
Realizing this, Dennis awkwardly nodded: "True enough."
Ever since being intellectually overwhelmed by the others, Dennis had been trying to regain his reputation.
Unfortunately, this time he was a bit overly enthusiastic.
The plan won’t work at night, only during daylight.
But just then.
Chen Wen shifted his gaze away from the hawk and said, "Actually, it might still work."
With everyone’s attention turned towards Chen Wen, he smiled: "It’s worth a try."
Firstly, Chen Wen has good vision, and with his "far-sighted vision," he can easily see objects at night and catch falling Baobab fruit.
Secondly, Chen Wen recalled the hawk’s other title—the Fire Eagle.
The hawk isn’t afraid of fire!
Thus, it could take a branch, ignite it, then blow out the flame, leaving only the burning tip for the hawk to carry up.
Then observe the position of the burning tip to roughly determine the position of the hawk.
This way, the position of the Baobab fruit could be roughly confirmed.
Chen Wen could also use "far-sighted vision" for slight adjustments without revealing his night vision capability.
Perfect!
Chen Wen shared his idea.
The wildly imaginative idea left everyone bewildered.
Could this plan really work?
As others hesitated, Chen Wen already called upon the daring Dennis.
Dennis went to get the kangaroo leather and clothes.
Chen Wen held a branch with the extinguished flame tip, instructing the hawk.
Soon, the hawk let out a loud call, indicating it understood Chen Wen’s instructions.
The hawk spread its wings and flew away, with the red dot on the branch getting smaller.
Soon, at more than twenty meters above, the red dot stopped shrinking and settled.
Dennis came to Chen Wen’s side and nodded: "Nice, I can see it clearly!"
Chen Wen took the camel leather from Dennis and said, "Are you ready?"
"Let’s go for it!"
Dennis excitedly limbered up.
With Chen Wen suddenly blowing a loud whistle, the hawk above took action!
It grabbed the branch with one claw and moved next to the Baobab fruit, letting the burning branch touch the fruit.
Then the hawk extended its head and gently pecked at the Baobab fruit.
The connection between the Baobab fruit and the tree was not very sturdy,
it was just a matter of moments.
The hawk then easily pecked the connection apart.
Seeing the Baobab fruit fall, the hawk immediately let out a sharp call.
Below, Chen Wen received the signal, quickly alerting Dennis: "It’s coming! You hold that end, I’ll hold this end!"
Using "far-sighted vision," Chen Wen quickly spotted the falling Baobab fruit.
He loudly reminded Dennis: "Step back a bit, then move one step to the left!"
Dennis nervously complied.
A moment later.
Whoosh! With a sound, a Baobab fruit perfectly landed in the center of the kangaroo leather, pressing the leather downward considerably.
"How’s it? Did it bruise?"
Dennis asked anxiously.
Chen Wen chuckled, took out a whole Baobab fruit.
"Wang Defa! We did it!"
Dennis exclaimed excitedly, the joy of harvest commencing!
Chen Wen was also beaming ear to ear.
In Zhuangzi’s "Carefree Wanderings," a mythical tree called the Great Chun is mentioned—spring lasts 8,000 years, autumn lasts 8,000 years.
Chen Wen doesn’t expect to live like the Great Chun.
But he certainly wants to test the Baobab Tree’s 5,000-year lifespan!
Thus, Chen Wen took a deep breath, placed the Baobab fruit down.
It’s not yet time to eat it.
Chen Wen continued to whistle, indicating for the hawk to find the next target.
The hawk immediately moved, while Chen Wen and Dennis steadily followed the moving red dot below.
Not long after, the second Baobab fruit whistled down from the tree.
Chen Wen called out again, instructing Dennis to make adjustments.
Once more, they caught it steadily.
"Woo-hoo!"
Chen Wen was overjoyed, this time gaining a big haul!
With the hawk’s continuous effort and the clever cooperation of Chen Wen and Dennis.
In about five minutes.
They had gathered enough Baobab fruits!
Since they couldn’t carry too many Baobab fruits, Chen Wen wistfully blew a gentle whistle, signaling the hawk to come down.
And Dennis, looking at the ground covered with Baobab fruits, went silly with happiness.
"Hehehe, so many fruits, hehehehe...."