theChatterbox

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theChatterbox summer 2011

vol 1 issue 1

reading and writing for the fun of it

SAMPLE COPY 1

Page for sponsor inside front cover

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Hi Kids Meet the cover artist

Lindsay Wagener lives in a tree house, slap bang under Table Mountain. She shares her house and garden with a whole bunch of dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, parrots, pigeons, a stripey fish, a hamster and three lively squirrels.

To make the cover for this issue Lindsay first took some waterbased paint and sponged in the sky. Then she used corrugated cardboard to print the ground. She splattered some brighter colours around on the background with an old toothbrush. Next she used magazine and coloured paper to build all the things you can see.

Finally she used ink to draw in some details. The cover grew and changed a few times.

Lindsay likes art that turns corners and shows up something new.

Welcome to the very first issue of theChatterbox.

When I was your age my parents gave me a subscription to a kid's magazine. On the day it arrived I ran upstairs, locked my bedroom door and read it from cover to cover. It was full of adventure stories, puzzles and interesting facts. Nobody – not even my devious older brother – could pry it away from me.

It felt like the magazine was written just for me.

theChatterbox is written just for you. It is jam-packed full of fabulous short stories and great artwork. In fact, I asked some of our best local authors and illustrators to entertain and inspire you. Turn to page 8 to read a creepy tale called Inside – or find out on page 23 whether Zola makes it safely across a crocodile infested river. …

There is something for everyone – from crafty activities and challenging puzzles to fascinating facts. Try the Old Sayings crossword on page 13 or, for the eagle-eyed, rise to the challenge in Hidden Object on page 5. If you’re an adventurous chef, you will be tempted by a recipe for Edible Eyeballs on page 22. They really are yummy. And if you are curious to know what other kids in Cape Town are doing and reading – read their Reviews, starting on page 14.

theChatterbox is your magazine. I want to hear from you.

Send a letter and tell me a bit about yourself. Write a review.

Interview your best friend. Draw a cartoon or send in your best creative writing: a really good story or perhaps a poem.

Look carefully at the submission guidelines on page 36 to see how you can contribute. With a bit of luck you might get published!

Until then

theChatterbox KEEP it, PASS it on or RECYCLE it ... just don't throw it in the rubbish bin.

theChatterbox has been printed on recycled paper with waterbased ink: perfect for recycling. So, just like the water we drink is recycled over and over again (yes, it could be the same water that the dinosaurs drank), let's keep on recycling this paper.…

If you don't have a paper recycling bin at your school, get one!

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Contents

Your letters We would love to hear from you!

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STORIES AND POEMS

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Poems Inside | Help! Bobby has disappeared in an old mineshaft.

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What is scraping its claws in the tunnel?

The Burglars who came for tea | Taliep, Jamal and Ali decide to burgle Ma Koffie’s house.

Island Crocodile | Zola needs to get back across the river, but there’s a fierce crocodile lying in wait.

The Big Smoke | A comic: The Devil and Van Hunks battle it out on top of Devil's Peak.

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29

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NATURE

Birds in our backyard | Do you know these common Cape residents?

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A plant called Pigs’ ears | Grow them from a cutting.

Beware the Giant Bullfrog | It can bite.

PUZZLE PAGES

Hidden Objects Published by Jackalberry Press PO Box 770, Rondebosch, 7701 Printed by CTP Printers theChatterbox is published quarterly and distributed free of charge to schools in the greater Cape Town area. email: info@thechatterbox.co.za fax: 086 516 2732 Annual subscription (4 issues) costs R 100 which includes postage inside SA. email: info@thechatterbox.co.za Submissions are welcome, but will not be returned. theChatterbox retains the right to change, shorten or use in part unsolicited copy for publication.

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5

Spot the difference

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REGULARS

Make this! | Inchies and Twinchies

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12 Reviews | Books to read, places to visit, things to do 14 Recipe | Edible eyeballs anyone? 22 Interview | An interview with one of our readers 35

Wild about words | Weird words and a crossword

Rendezvous | Solutions and how to send your contributions

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1 Your letters P I heard you were publishing a new magazine and I would just like to say that I really like drawing. It would be a lot more fun if you put a little drawing competition in each month.

Aimee Dames, 12 I love word searches and I like them to be a little tricky. I also enjoy jokes that make me laugh until I cry. I am looking forward to reading theChatterbox.

Farheen, Rondebosch East I love to play soccer. I hope you guys have lots of things to do with soccer and Manchester United. I would also like to see lots of quizzes and puzzles. I do love a challenge.

Aneeq Ryan, 12

Send in a cartoon

ons, If you enjoy drawing carto ur send us a photocopy of yo . best one, like Sashia did Read HOW on page 36

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I really enjoy reading, swimming, playing arcade games and iceskating.

Zeenat Singh, 11 Could you include some thing on nature in theChatterbox? I go walking a lot with my parents and we see all sorts of interesting things. Sometimes I can spend hours looking at nature.

Luke Graham, 9 Durbanville I attend Golden Grove Primary School. I would like to see articles on how to draw, comics and lots of fun activities to do.

Please include some jokes, science experiments, sodoku and competitions. It would nice to feature a recipe to make wonderful cakes, burgers and many other types of foods.

I look forward to seeing your magazine.

JĂŠan Isaacs, 11 Crawford

Write a letter

Send it by post or fax it. ur Remember to include yo live. name, age and where you m you.

We would love to hear fro theChatterbox PO Box 770 Rondebosch 7701 fax: 086 516 2732 Please make the stories good to read. The one thing I don't like is boring stories. Sometimes I get a book out of the library and it is so boring I can't believe anyone would EVER read it.

But then when I look in the back I see some people have!

Lutho Maho, 12 Muizenberg Has anyone seen a Golden Mole? They are really cute!

Jessica Adams, 10

Cartoon by Sashia Czech, 10

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Poems Illustration by Tasia Rosser

Friends Friends are very crazy friends are very fun I just really love it when we're playing in the sun Some of my friends are fat some of my friends are thin some of them are her and some of them are him Some of them are silly but I don't really care because when all else fails they are always there Nathan Nadler-Nir, 10

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Find the

Illustration by Natalie Hinrichsen

Hidden objects

4 bees 4 notes 4 boards 3 cards 3 mice 2 boots

2 bats 2 brushes 2 pencils a golf club a fish a banana

a ruler a mug a saxophone a spider a pizza a footprint 7

make this

m s 25 m that i

What are they?

The latest fashion craze?

A new kind of mp3 player?

A sugar-free snack?

Inchies are 1x1 inch

m s 25 m that i

INCHIES and Twinchies

Wrong, wrong and wrong again.

Inchies and twinchies are small, square, works of art. They are mostly made from paper and material scraps – and are traded between friends and artists.

Twinchies are 2x2 inch

An inchie measures 1 inch by 1 inch (that is 25 mm by 25 mm), while a twinchie is 2 inch by 2 inch (50 mm by 50 mm).

There are no rules when it comes to making them – you can ink, colour, stamp, emboss, stick, paint or splatter.

Start your own swap group with friends. Decide on a theme, make a batch, keep one – and trade the rest. Your collection will start to grow.

Theme ideas to get you going: summer; food; tea time; let’s play; red; Cape Town.

You may find it a challenge to work at such a small scale– but don’t be intimidated, set yourself a time limit – and remember – it’s just for fun!

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that is 50 mm

that is 50 mm

is the theme of s twinchie f o n io t c e ll o c this

BLUE

(

spot the difference

Difficulty: medium â—‰ Differences: 10

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INSIDE

by David Clatworthy

My brother disappeared on his tenth birthday. One minute he was right behind

Illustrated by Chantelle Thorne

me as we stumbled in the darkness of the old mineshaft, the next, he was gone. He vanished without a sound. I was left standing alone in the dark, wet tunnel with nothing but a few bats for company. Further down the tunnel, something scraped its sharp claws over a rock and then everything went quiet.

Behind me, a dim pool of sunlight reflecting off the ancient walls showed the way out. Ahead was nothing but blackness. I stood as still as the rocks around me, listening. My ears strained to pick up the slightest sound – a footstep, a breath, or anything that would tell me where my brother had gone. But the silence wrapped around me like a thick woolen blanket. Nothing.

“Bobby?” I called softly. My whisper echoed down the black passage, bouncing from wall to wall “Bobbybobbybobby…” The sharp claws clicked in answer and the echo kept sliding down the shaft until all was silent again. I called out a few more times, but the answer was always the same. I was alone.

I turned and headed out of the tunnel. Maybe Bobby had managed to creep outside without a sound. Maybe he was playing a trick on me and I’d find him grinning his mad grin in the sunlight, his eyes sparkling with the delight of having caught his older sister out.

I blinked as my eyes adjusted to the bright light.

I was ready to flash my own smile, but Bobby was nowhere to be seen. I stood alone at the entrance to the mineshaft, looking out over the bush. There

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was an ominous silence. Not even the birds were singing. I sat on a rock and tried to fight back the tears that were stinging my eyes.

Where could he be? How could he just disappear? Today was his tenth birthday, for goodness’ sake! People don’t disappear on their birthday! Maybe he’d gone home, I reasoned. But he’d never leave me without telling me he was going. Bobby was a good, sensible kid – hardly the adventurous type at all. In fact, I’d had to drag him out to the old abandoned mine with the promise of lost treasure, otherwise he’d never have come. Now he was gone. And it was my fault.

I gave one last agonised cry into the wilderness: “Boooobbbyyyyy!!” No answer. I looked back into the darkness of the mineshaft, then turned and headed for home. I wondered how I was going to explain to mom and dad that their ten-year-old son had mysteriously disappeared while I was supposed to be looking after him. I could hear their shrill voices in my head already: “What do you mean disappeared?” and “How can you be so careless?” and then “We’ve told you a hundred times to stay away from the old workings!” Yep, this was going to get a lot worse very soon.

I hopped over our backyard fence. George, our golden Labrador, woofed and bounded up to me with glee, his ears flapping up and down like tiny wings. I expected him to jump up as he always did, but suddenly he stopped. He cocked his head to one side and stared – first at me, and then to my left. His lips pulled back over his teeth into an ugly snarl, and a low growl rumbled in his throat. I quickly looked left, expecting to see something, but there

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was nothing. George growled again. He looked from me to the empty space. The dangerous snarl became a worried stare as his eyebrows lifted quizzically.

“What’s it, George?” I asked. He looked back at me and whined softly. With a final glance to my left, the dog turned and ran away. A cold and nasty sensation tickled down my spine and I shivered.

I quickly set off after George. At the back door I looked around. Near the fence where I’d jumped over, the air shimmered briefly. It was going to be a hot day.

I sat at the kitchen table staring at the ice cubes in my glass of water. Droplets condensed on the outside of the glass and trickled down to form a small puddle. The water was completely still.

The ice cubes looked like small square mirrors.

Outside, George barked furiously – probably a cat in the tree again I thought.

Where was Bobby? I’d searched the house from top to bottom just in case, but he wasn’t there.

I looked at the ice cubes… mirrors reflecting silver. George’s bark was beginning to sound a bit hysterical. I’d have to call him in soon. Suddenly, one of the ice cubes rolled over and I caught a brief flash of green. Bobby had been wearing a T-shirt the exact same green. I looked around the kitchen – no green in sight. I looked at my own clothes – red shirt, blue jeans. So where did the green come from?

By now, George’s bark was high-pitched and frantic. I went outside. He was standing near the fence where I’d climbed over, barking into the air. I called, but he ignored me. Or maybe he was barking so loud he couldn’t hear me. I walked up to him. “George!” He stopped, glanced at me, turned back and whined at the air again. There was a shimmer about one metre above his head. “What is it, George?” The dog came over, took my hand in his mouth and pulled me back to where he’d stood.

I suddenly felt as though I’d stepped into a glass of ice-cold water. The air was thick and freezing!

George released my hand and watched me, making sure that I’d felt the temperature drop.

He looked back into the air and gave one short, excited bark. I slowly reached my hand out into space. The air grew colder and thicker and my fingers started to ache. I pushed my hand forward.

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George leapt up, grabbed my shirtsleeve and pulled me away, but not before I’d caught a glimpse of my fingertips. In that brief moment, it seemed as if they’d turned to glass.

“What the heck?” I whispered. George whined at my side. Then I remembered the flash of green in the ice cube. “Bobby?” I murmured. The air shimmered. I stood up and reached forward.

George growled. “Easy, boy” I tried to comfort him. He gave one more soft, warning growl and I knew he was telling me he was ready for action.

I felt the air freezing around my fingers again.

“Bobby?” I called in a trembling voice. My fingers were burning again, and now I clearly saw the tips become see-through. It hurt a lot. But if, somehow, this had something to do with my brother, then I was prepared to suffer. I’d go through the worst kind of pain if it meant saving him. I crept forward, stretching even further. George pressed up tightly against my legs. Now I could see the grass right through my fingers!

“Bobby? Are you there?” I called louder. My eyes filled with tears and I clenched my teeth against the agony. My arm muscles ached as I strained to reach further into the Arctic air around my hand. Suddenly something grabbed me! It was like being gripped in the jaws of a frozen crocodile! Pain shot through my fingers and I shrieked! I tried pulling back, but whatever it was had me in a vice-grip and I felt myself slowly sliding forward. It was trying to pull me into that patch of air! George roared like a mad lion. And then I saw it: a glass hand with long silver claws was clamped around my own hand.

“George!” I screamed. “Help!” That was all the encouragement George needed. He lunged forward and locked his jaws around the glass claw.

I thought he was going to shatter my own hand, but instead the claw suddenly exploded. I fell backwards, knocking George to the ground. He whimpered and ran for the house.

I sat up, staring at the shards of sharp glass on the grass. Gingerly, I reached forward and picked one up.

It was ice-cold. As I watched, it slowly started to melt.

Far off, I heard Bobby calling and I knew where I had to go. In my cupped palm lay a tiny pool of clear, cold

water. There was a flash of green and then the water disappeared in a puff of steam.

Twenty minutes later, I was back at the old mineshaft. This time George was with me, and my torch shone its pale light into the darkness. “Come on, boy” I squeaked nervously, as we eased into the black tunnel.

George whined. “Easy, George”… I tried to comfort him but it wasn’t easy; my own legs were shaking like leaves in a strong wind. The air in the mineshaft was damp and warm. The torchlight reflected off the wet rocks as George and I slipped into the gloom. Suddenly, George stopped and gave a short soft bark. “What’s it, boy?” I asked.

I peered ahead as far as the torch could shine.

Everything looked normal. I strained to see past the beam into the blackness. There! Something silver – a flash, like light reflecting off crystal. I staggered forward, keeping my eyes glued to the spot. George was hot on my heels.

A flat rock bounced the torchlight back into my eyes. I moved the torch and stared in horror. A face gazed back at me from inside the rock. Bobby!

I lunged forward and reached out for him, but my hands slammed into the hard surface. Bobby blinked. “Bobby!” I yelled.

Bobby looked at me blankly. I punched the mirrored surface, leaving red smears of blood, but my brother just stood there. George barked loudly. Bobby blinked again and, as his eyes shifted down to George, a shadow appeared. The shadow loomed over my brother like a huge black angel!

It lowered one gleaming, glassy claw towards his head and suddenly Bobby was gone! I was left staring into the empty rock face. George went crazy. He barked as though this was his last bark ever. I pounded the wall as hard as I could until

it hurt so much I had to stop. George carried on barking. He was furious!

Just then, something cracked. I stared at the wall and saw a small fracture appear in the rock. George must have seen it too, and he barked louder than ever. More cracks spread out across the rock until it looked like a spider’s web. Without any warning, the whole wall crumbled to the ground.

But there was nothing behind the wall. No sign of Bobby or the shadow. No hidden passages. No more reflections. Only plain, ancient black rock.

And one small shoe… Bobby’s shoe. I howled into the darkness of the mineshaft. George sat down beside me and whined softly. I put my arm around his neck and let tears run down my cheeks.

Bobby’s shoe was freezing cold.

The police searched everywhere. Bobby’s picture was on the news, and on the side of milk cartons, but he was never found. The ancient workings were sealed shut. No one is allowed anywhere near them now.

*********** I wake up with a foggy head, the last of my dream withdrawing like a black mist. I stare at the ceiling and remember. Today would have been Bobby’s twenty-first birthday. He disappeared eleven years ago. His old shoe still sits on my dressing table.

It still feels cold. I sigh and get out of bed. In the bathroom I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I look old. I lean down, splashing cold water onto my face. I reach blindly for the towel and wipe the icy water from my eyes. I look back into the mirror… and let out a scream. Written backwards, inside the glass, in capital letters is one word: HELP!

The author David Clatworthy has three dogs, none of whom can tell a decent story. He tells them life and inspiration happen everywhere – the problem is to see and hear it.

The dogs wag their tails and nod their heads and can't wait for him to stop talking so they can get on with sniffing and playing.

David's advice: sniff and play a lot; it's what life is all about.

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Wild about words Illustrations by Vian Oelofson

Weird words Wonderful, wise, wacky and sometimes just plain weird - here are a few words I’m sure you’ve never heard of!

Aglet [say: ag-lit] – the plastic or metal tip at the

end of a shoelace. “Oh bother, my dog

has chewed the aglets.”

Cerumen [say: si-roo-muhn] – earwax. “He can’t

hear you – his ears are full of cerumen.”

Defenestration [say: dee-fen-uh-strey-shuhn]– the act of throwing someone out of a window.

“Alice, if you don’t behave I shall defenestrate you.”

Idioms Idioms can be very entertaining.

Can you guess which idioms are illustrated here?

Collective nouns Collective nouns are used to describe a group of people or things. You’ve all heard of a school of fish and an army of ants – but how about…?

A huddle of penguins A leap of leopards A shiver of sharks A pounce of cats A crash of rhinos

Have you come across an unusual or interesting word lately, illustrated an entertaining idiom or come up with a descriptive collective noun?

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Go to page 36 to find out how to send in your contribution.

old sayings crossword Look before you leap!

Do you know your old sayings?

3 2

7 1

W 5

6 4

9

F

E

B

F

8

S

11

10

14

13 16

12

B

15

18

19

E

17

21

20

Across 2.

5.

9.

10.

11.

12.

15.

17.

S

Finders _____ , loser’s weepers.

The last _____ breaks the camels back.

Time _____. _____ said than done.

Its no use _____ over spilt milk. _____ can’t be choosers.

Look before you _____.

Rain, rain go away, come _____ another day.

19. _____ makes perfect.

0. Every family has a _____ in the cupboard.

2 21. Two _____ are better than one.

Down 1.

3.

4.

6.

7.

8.

12.

13.

14.

16.

18.

_____ not, want not.

Don’t put all your _____ in one basket.

The best things in life are _____ .

The more, the _____ .

Love is _____ . _____ is believing.

Don’t judge a _____ by its cover.

Let _____ dogs lie.

An _____ a day keeps the doctor away.

Like _____ , like son.

The _____ bird catches the worm.

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Reviews Books Dog

by Daniel Pennac

by Pia Truscott, 9 After his mother Black Nose dies, Dog is left in the big empty world all by himself. He decides to find himself a mistress. As he travels round the city looking for one he makes a lot of new friends and has many adventures. This is a wonderful book about a dog living on the street, which is told by Dog himself.

I read this book twice. I give it 3 thumbs up.

Kamo's Escape

by Daniel Pennac

This book is by the same author, but here the main character is a very interesting boy called Kamo.

Kamo is staying with his best friend for a few months, while his mother is travelling to Russia to find out a family secret.

His friend doesn't understand why Kamo refuses to ride a bicyle just because he has a bad feeling about it. But then when Kamo overcomes his fear of riding, he has a terrible accident and ends up in hospital.

Everyone thinks Kamo will die, 16

but his friends won't give up on him. They find out a whole lot interesting facts about Kamo's secret past in Russia.

It was interesting for me to find out a bit about Russia. I give it 2 thumbs up.

The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane

by Kate DiCamillo

by Isobel Evans, 10 Once in a house on Egypt street lived a China rabbit named Edward Tulane.

One day when Edward was on a boat he fell over board and sank . This is when his adventures begin.

Edward meets many people and gets given different names. He is loved by many poeple and has years of adventure but in the end he finds his favourite one.

I loved this book because it is exciting and the characters are wonderful.

I give this book 3 thumbs up.

Read, seen or done something interesting?

Write a REVIEW and send it in.

Remember to include all the details.

Read more on page 36.

To do Hermanus walk

by Luke Zandstra, 13 I went on this awesome mountain walk in Hermanus when I was on holiday there. It was so cool because there were some giant rocks which looked like people or animals. One of the names was: ‘The reader’ which looked like a man sitting on the toilet reading the newspaper. One looked like an eagle’s head, another looked like a turtle and some looked like people’s faces.

At first the walk seemed pretty normal, like the mountain walks people usually go on which are basically walking on a path with only flowers and some rocks which looked like people and animals to see.

After a while the walk got a lot better. Our guide, my dad’s friend, showed us some pink, edible flowers which tasted sour, but were nice, and I ate all the ones I could find. He also showed us a tree that had leaves which smelt just like grape fanta.

Then we started having to walk over water on rickety bridges which were very thin and had no protective bars on either side. We came across lots of these. They were so unstable our guide warned us to walk on the round planks underneath in case we fell into the freeeeeeezing water underneath.

At most parts of the path we had to climb over rocks and we had to hold on ropes attached to the rocky wall to keep our balance. We didn’t use harnesses. Sometimes the rocks we had to climb over

Where: Hermanus Open: XX by appointment Contact: XX

The rickety bridge

were so high there were wooden ladders positioned there to aid us. At the end part of the walk there was a river we had to walk around using ropes on the rocky bank to help us. The river began where a waterfall ended. At the end of the walk he had to climb up the waterfall!!!! We used rope, but as I said, we didn’t use harnesses.

At the top of the waterfall there was a spring where another waterfall ended. It looked so cool. This was thee first time I had been under an actual waterfall in my life!!!!

The climb down was even more exhilarating than the climb up.

On the way back we saw lots of baboon dung and we saw this weird bug that was red Climbing up the waterfall and black in colour. We guessed the red meant, “Don’t eat me, I’m poisonous.” We also saw a bug that would blind you by peeing in your eyes if you harmed it.

It was not a stink bug.

After the walk, I was exhausted and hungry, and we drove to my dads’ friends’ house for lunch.

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To do The College of Magic

by Dennis Chung, 13

where: 215 Lansdowne Road (corner of Belvedere and Lansdowne), Claremont

The College of Magic is a wonderful place where you can learn many skills such as phone: 021 683 5480 juggling, mime, clowning, fire juggling, email: info@collegeofmagic.com hypnotism, levitation and many other skills. You get taught many effects every web: www.collegeofmagic.com week at lessons held on Saturdays.

I started at the College of Magic at the age of 9, but normally they only accept people at the age of 10 or older. The College of Magic helped me build my confidence and I started to perform in front of big audiences. I have a lot of fun there. I am now in course 4 which means I have become a fully qualified junior magician.

There are 6 different courses. Courses 1 to 3 are the junior courses where you get taught basic magic effects. Courses 1 and 2 take one year and Course 3 is a year after which you can do the Junior Magic Diploma. Courses 4 to 6 are the senior courses where you get taught advanced magic effects.

If you join the college of Magic, you will have a lot of fun and make many friends because everyone at the College of Magic behaves as though they are family. We will look out for you; can't wait to see you there!!

I give the College of Magic 3 thumbs up.

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By Nicole Levin

Illustrated by Savyra Meyer

The Burglars Who Came for Tea “Where d’you get it?” said Jamal,

turning the skateboard upside-down.

“My brother,” answered Taliep.

“So where did he get it?” asked Ali. Taliep glanced up and down the street to make sure no one was listening. “A house! You should see the loot he got… TVs, DVD players, computers, leather jackets. Really cool stuff. He got this little beauty just for me.”

“Sjoe, you’re lucky,” said Jamal.

“Hey you guys, I reckon we could do the same. The three of us would be expert at, what’s it called… breaking and entering. We’re small: we could easily fit through windows!”

“I’m not sure, Taliep. We could get into BIG trouble,” said Ali nervously.

“Ja, my parents would kill me if we got caught,” added Jamal.

“Nah, c’mon guys, we won’t get caught. We’ve just got to look like gangsters, and be real mean.”

“And how do we do that?” asked Ali. “We dress like gangsters, in dark clothes and beanies pulled down over our eyes, and we carry big sticks.”

“Okay,” said Ali, scanning the street. His mouth went dry at the thought of being a burglar.

Jamal shifted uncomfortably from one foot to another. “I guess we’ve nothing to loose.”

“Cool! I’ve got it all worked out. Saturday afternoon we meet round the back of Ma Koffie’s house. She’ll be at the market then. It’ll be dead easy to climb through one of her windows. So, we’re on?”

The other boys nodded.

Taliep grabbed his skateboard from Jamal, hopped on, and cruised off down the street.

*********

The burglary started off well. No one noticed the boys loitering outside Ma Koffie’s house, and they all managed to climb through the window as easily as cats. But Jamal was fatter than the others, and he landed on the lounge floor with a loud thud.

Beads of sweat appeared on Jamal’s forehead as he saw Ma Koffie shuffling towards the lounge. Ali wanted to jump back through the window, but it was too late. Discovering the three lumps under her windowsill, Ma Koffie poked the boys with her walking stick.

“What on earth are you boys doing?” croaked Ma Koffie in a cigarette-stained voice.

The boys were speechless. What were they doing here? Suddenly, no one was really sure. They hadn’t expected to find Ma Koffie at home.

“We’ve come to burgle you,” announced Taliep in a loud voice.

“And we’re armed!” added Jamal, waving his stick.

“Well, so am I!” croaked Ma Koffie, shaking her walking stick back at him.

“What’ya going to steal here? I don’t even have a TV, and who wants a twenty-year-old radio?”

The boys looked around the room. Ma Koffie’s single bed rested against the far wall. It was covered with washed-out crocheted blankets. There was a bible on her bedside table, plus a bulky old radio and a bottle of Panados. Two threadbare armchairs sat in the middle of the room, along with a stained couch and a pair of slippers. Ma Koffie was right: there was nothing worth stealing.

“Give us some of the sweets you sell on the market,” demanded Jamal.

“And I suppose you’ll flog them to your friends at school,” Ma Koffie scoffed.

“Ja, of course” Taliep laughed, trying to sound cool.

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“Ag, man! What you boys think you’re doing? Such nonsense trying to steal sweets from an old lady… as bad as taking sweets from a baby!”

The boys stared down at their feet. No one wanted to make eye contact with Ma Koffie.

“But let me tell you, I wasn’t always like this.

In my youth I could’ve outrun you boys in five seconds! Queen of the athletics track I was! With the longest, brownest legs this side of Cape Town.

And you,” she said, prodding each of them in turn with her stick, “you’ll also get old, and some bobbejaan will climb through your window… you’ll see. So, what am I going to do with you lot?’

Taliep shrugged guiltily. ********* Ma Koffie had an idea. “Well, since you’re here, you can make yourselves useful.”

The boys glanced at one another. This wasn’t the plan at all.

“Run for the door,” whispered Jamal. But before anyone could move, Ma Koffie smacked him on the back of his head.

“Hey, you skollie! You thula! I might be old but I’m not deaf! Don’t even think about it. Get into the kitchen and sit down – now!”

20

Like puppy dogs who’d just had their bottoms smacked, the boys scuttled into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Ma Koffie put the kettle on the gas stove to heat up, and filled the teapot with tealeaves. Then she cut three large pieces of creamy-coloured vanilla sponge cake, which she put in the middle of the table like a prize. As Ma poured them each a cup of sweet milky tea, the boys gobbled up the cake with gusto.

“Why’s she giving us cake, if she’s so cross with us,” mumbled Jamal, his mouth full of cake.

“Maybe it’s poisoned – and she’s a witch,” hissed Ali. “Or maybe I’m fattening you up to put in my pot!’ chirped Ma Koffie.

Ali laughed in a high-pitched voice. As quick as a flash, Ma Koffie grabbed him by his chin and stared into his eyes. Her wrinkled nose was almost touching his chubby baby-like cheeks.

“Don’t joke. Maybe you’ll taste good in a biryani!”

“She’s mad,” Jamal mouthed silently.

“Hurry up! Finish your tea!” barked Ma Koffie.

Quickly, the boys wiped cake crumbs from their mouths, and slurped their last sips of tea.

Then, Ma Koffie slapped each of them on the back of the head.

“Ow!” cried Ali. “Can we go now?”

“Go? Get up, you skollies!” commanded Ma Koffie, as she flung open the backdoor.

“You see this yard out here? I want to turn it into a vegetable garden and grow potatoes, tomatoes, leeks – things I can sell at the market. You’re all going to help me. And if you do a good job, then I’ll give you some veggies once they’re grown. But if you don’t help me I’ll tell your parents about the break-in,” she warned, waving her walking stick at them.

“My parents don’t care: they know my brother steals,” chirped Taliep.

“Well, I dare say their parents will care,” answered Ma Koffie, poking Ali and Jamal’s backs with her walking stick. “Do you really want to get your friends in trouble?”

Taliep shook his head.

In that moment, the boys could easily have pushed past Ma Koffie and run away. But, like a magic spell, Ma’s Koffie’s words froze their feet to the ground. ********* The boys stared at the jungle of overgrown plants in the yard. Ma Koffie handed Jamal and Ali a rusted gardening fork and spade that were lying next to the step.

“You can start with those weeds,” she said, pointing at a tangled patch.

“But Ma Koffie,” whined Taliep, “We’re burglars, not gardeners.”

Ma Koffie cackled. “Ja-Nee, if you’re burglars then I’m Queen of England! Anyway, now you’re gardeners, so move it!”

Mumbling and grumbling under their breath, the boys stomped off into the yard. They crouched down in the dirt, loosened the soil, and pulled out the weeds. A couple of hours later they had cleared out a patch of earth for the vegetables.

“You’ve made a start,” Ma Koffie nodded. “I’ll see all of you next Saturday afternoon for more gardening. If one of you doesn’t show up, I’ll talk to all your parents. Now voetsak!’ she said, banging the kitchen door shut.

Ali examined the bare, brown earth. “I guess we did do a good job,” he said proudly.

“And the cake was yum,” added Jamal, trying to make out everything was okay.

Taliep wasn’t in the mood for chatting. Their failure clung to him like a wet tee-shirt.

“Let’s just get out of here,” he said glumly.

So the boys pulled their beanies over their eyes, and scrambled over Ma Koffie’s yard wall. ********* The following week, still under Ma Koffies’s spell, as if being pulled by an invisible rope, Taliep, Jamal and Ali returned to the old woman’s yard. This time they wore baseball caps instead of beanies.

The boys returned the next week, the week after that, and every week until they started to see the rewards of their hard work: plump tomatoes, bright orange carrots, and potatoes the size of a fist. Soon, it wasn’t their fear of Ma Koffie that drew them back to her yard, but the garden itself.

“Check out these cabbages!” beamed Taliep.

“And this spinach!” said Jamal, grinning.

Ma Koffie watched them from the stoep, dragging on a cigarette.

“Ja, you can take some home today,” she croaked.

“Really?” said Ali. “Ja, You not skollies anymore. You’re garden angels.”

“Yes,” said Jamal proudly, “We are!”

And indeed, from that day onwards, that’s exactly what they were – garden angels.

The author Nicole Levin lives with her husband Brett and their two pixie-like children, Daniella and Sasha. They live in an apartment in Sea Point where they can hear many squawking sea gulls.

When Nicole was a young girl she loved acting out stories and making up dances with her younger brother.

She writes in her study at home surrounded by her favorite books.

Watching the sea from her window, and going for walks along the Sea Point promenade helps her ideas to flow.

Nicole enjoys going on adventures.

21

st before u j y l l u f re ound Listen ca ou are b y d n a e sunris y of bird n o h p o c ca rd. to hear a t in your backya ig h he sounds r during t s d r i b e e s tch We often op to wa t s y l e r a r day, but . W ho are m e h t e v r s? and obse resident e p a C n o our comm

Cape White-eye Zosterops virens

How big? Probably smaller than the size of your fist Where? In the undergrowth of a bush moving around a lot How many? Usually seen in pairs or fast moving small parties How can I be sure? The white ring around the eye and the olive colouring.

What does it eat? Butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants, but also flowers, nectar and fruit Interesting fact: Cape white-eyes keep in touch with one another by means of soft trilled call notes.

22

ike r h a l S r is

Fiscanius colla L

s ze a

e si sam

he ut t he o b in t ?A t g u i e, ho en. wb Ho hand a perc sily se t a tim a r a n you re? O it is e ly one . s e here l ar a h i su in pa r hite b W ,w U ? n w ope many ey live ? The ack b e h w r t Ho ough be su at the . The the I f h V cts alt can rms a t? Inse out o s on w Ho pe) fo it ea s them unce o i s e (str at doe e flush then p . k h d W l shri th an ground re also a fisc ergrow on the They a They y e . und insect g fact: r birds live pr . r n r e e i i e h th rest utc ale the eat lat e b t s n a p o I im wn re, t kno etimes or wi som a thorn on

Egyptian go

ose

Alopochen A egyptiacu

s

How big? BIG . Bigger than your head.

Where? Mak ing a lot of n oise on a high perch or looking fo r food on the groun d.

How many?

Usually in p airs or a family group .

How can I b e sure? You can't confuse with any other typ e of goose.

What does it eat? They ar e g They eat gra sses, seeds, le razers. aves and plant stems, but or grasshopp will also eat worms ers.

Interesting fact: Ancien t Egyptians often illustra ted them in their art.

Illustration by Jesse Breytenbach

Har tlau b’s g Laru sh u

How ll artla Wh big? Bi ubii e g city: re? Alm ger tha n swim in garde ost anyw your h n h m s How ing p , park ere in ead o s t whe many? ols and , restau he r re th O a r u How ere i ften in bbish nts, c head an I b s food t large fl dumps. o o e Wh , a thin sure? be fou cks at d dark It ha n d o and s eart es it eat red bill a plain Inte an hwo w ? De r r ad fi d red le hite the esting ms s g h s. , ins w f ects pop orld, b act: It is ut a ulat t he b ion live out hal rarest g righ f t in of the ull in w our back orld’s yard .

Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris

How big? BIG. Bigger than your head.

Where? On the ground looking for food or in a tree for safety.

How many? In pairs or large groups How can I be sure? Its dark grey feathers are covered in small white dots.

What does it eat? Insects, bulbs, berries and seeds Interesting fact: They are sometimes kept with other fowl and used as a security system against birds of prey.

The Guinea fowl will call loudly in a high shrieking voices if they are worried about an intruder.

Turtle dove Streptopelia capicola

How big? Bigger than your hand Where? On the ground or low down in a shrub How many? On its own or in pairs, in big flocks where people leave food regularly How can I be sure? The black band around the back of its neck.

What does it eat? Mainly seeds, as well as fruit, leaves and insects Interesting fact: The turtle dove keeps the same partner for life.

23

23

Eyeball anyone?

Edible Eyeballs Make 25 mouth-watering eyeballs with this recipe

This is what you need /3 cup

icing sugar 2 /3 cup peanut butter 2 cups cornflakes: finely crushed 1 cup butter or margarine, softened /4 200g white baking chocolate 1 tsp vegetable oil Handful of chocolate chips Red decorator’s icing Plastic forks 2

H Keep in the fridge!

They will last about 3 weeks.

This is how you make them

1. Line a baking tray with wax paper.

2. Mix the crushed cornflakes with the peanut butter, icing sugar and softened butter or margarine.

3. Roll into balls and place on the baking tray.

4. Break the white chocolate into a microwave safe glass bowl.

5. Microwave in short bursts until melted. Stir in the tsp of vegetable oil.

6. Impale a peanut butter ball with a plastic fork – and dip carefully into the melted white chocolate. Let the excess chocolate drip off.

7. Stick the pointy end of a chocolate chip into the ball. Place down gently on the wax paper.

8. Once the chocolate has hardened, use the decorator’s icing to draw wiggly red veins radiating out from the pupil.

Eat and enjoy!

24

Island Crocodile

by Richard Street illustrated by Samantha van Riet

“No...! Don’t!”

But it was too late. Simphiwe could see that his sister was in trouble the minute she jumped off the rock ledge. He’d wanted to check the riverbank first, but Zola wouldn’t listen.

The name ‘Zola’ certainly didn’t match his sister’s nature. She was a noisy, annoying little brat. She always had to prove she was better than him. Now she was in trouble, and she didn’t even know it yet.

She’d jumped off the high ledge into the coffeecoloured waters of the Limpopo River. The river was not too wide at this point, and it was flowing very slowly. There was a rocky island in the river, about ten metres from the ledge.

On the far bank, facing them, a huge crocodile was lying in the sun. Zola scrambled ashore onto the island and stood up. She turned and waved, grinning at her brother.

“See, I told you I could do it!” she shouted.

“Your turn. You chicken?”

Simphiwe watched in horror as the croc slid silently into the water. It was big enough to take a buffalo. His sister would be swallowed in two gulps.

“Zola! Watch out, a crocodile!” Simphiwe yelled.

“Yeah right. And I suppose it’s coming my way,” she laughed.

Simphiwe jumped up and down, wringing his hands in frustration. “Don’t be stupid Zola. Look!”

He pointed behind her and then picked up a rock to throw at the croc. It landed on the croc’s head and bounced off. The croc took no notice:

it had a skin like armour plate. The beast cruised steadily towards Zola.

“Zola, behind you! Run Zola, run!”

The sound of panic in her brother’s voice made Zola turn around. When she saw the croc heading straight towards her she let out a short piercing scream. For a second she froze to the spot. But Simphiwe’s shouting galvanised her into action.

She turned and ran, just as the croc slid onto the sandy bank. It stopped a short distance from Zola, but only for a moment. Suddenly, it gave chase and its massive body lumbered towards her at a frightening speed.

The island was about the same size as a tennis court. In the middle there was a jumble of high rock surrounded by low bush and a sandy beach.

Zola ran as fast as her legs would carry her.

“Climb onto the rock! Climb onto the rock… quickly!” Simphiwe screamed.

25

He felt helpless as he watched the croc gaining on his sister. Although he kept throwing rocks at the creature, it was a waste of time. The rocks just bounced off its back, as if they were made of rubber.

Meanwhile, Zola could hear the pounding of the croc’s feet in the sand behind her. She fought her way through bushes and scrambled up the rock, moving as quickly as a monkey. The croc’s jaws snapped shut behind her with a sickening crunch. The reptile stood staring up at Zola, then slowly reversed a bit and lay down on the sand. It was in no hurry.

“I told you not to jump,” Simphiwe shouted. He was relieved that his sister was safe, but annoyed at the same time. She could have been eaten alive!

What would he have told his mother?

He sat down on a slab of rock. “Serves you right,” he muttered.

Zola glared at him. She had recovered from her fright and felt safe now. The croc couldn’t reach her, as long as she stayed exactly where she was.

“Why you just sitting there? Do something!”

“Yeah. Like what?” Simphiwe replied.

“I dunno. You can’t just leave me here.”

Simphiwe watched the croc. It lay so still it could have been dead. He threw a few more rocks – bigger ones this time. They all landed on the croc’s head, but it didn’t even blink.

“Is that all you can do?” Zola yelled.

She looked down at the croc. “I think it’s asleep.

I’m going to sneak down this side and swim across.

It’s not that far.”

“No Zola, don’t. It’s not sleeping,” warned her brother.

But Zola ignored him. She glanced at the croc, then slowly and very quietly started climbing down the other side of the rock. Simphiwe watched the beast. It didn’t budge. He saw Zola gradually edging towards the sandy beach on the far side of the island. Perhaps she was right. The croc must be asleep…

It wasn’t! It must have smelt or heard something, and as soon as Zola stepped onto the sand it lunged forward to attack.

“Zola! Watch out, it’s coming!”

26

Zola scuttled back up the rock. The croc looked up at her before settling down again.

Simphiwe realised that he had to come up with a plan to get his sister off the rock. His mother and father were both at work on the farm, so he had to do this by himself.

“Stay where you are Zola. Please don’t try that again,” he pleaded. “I won’t be long.”

“Okay, but just hurry up. This is getting boring,” Zola whined.

She sat down and watched her brother disappear into the bushveld. She wondered what he was going to do. Their parents wouldn’t be home till evening. She picked up few rocks and lobbed them down at the croc. It took no notice.

She might as well have been throwing cotton wool.

Simphiwe had no idea how he was going to rescue his sister. But then he noticed a rope lying against the wall of their hut. It looked long enough and strong enough. That might just do it, somehow.

He coiled the rope over his shoulder and trotted back to the river. The croc was still in the same spot.

So was Zola. She stood up when she saw him.

“Why were you so long?” she complained. “And what are you going to do with that?”

Simphiwe put the rope down on the ground.

Brat, he thought. Never satisfied. He should just leave her there till his parents came home.

“Well if you listen I’ll tell you,” he snapped.

“Okay, I’m listening.”

“I’m going to throw one end to you. Tie the rope to a strong bush. I’ll do the same this side.

Then you can swing across, hand over hand.”

“No ways.” Zola shook her head and sat down.

“What if the rope breaks?”

“It won’t break. It’s strong,” Simphiwe assured her.

Zola stared down at the croc. “Okay, throw it.”

Simphiwe picked up a few coils of rope and threw. The rope only went a quarter of the way.

“Is that the best you can do?” Zola shouted.

“The rope’s too light.”

“Well tie a rock on it stupid.”

Simphiwe dropped the rope and looked up at his sister.

He’d had enough.

“Bye Zola. Get yourself down! When Pa comes home I’ll tell him where you are.” He turned to go.

Zola started crying. “Simphiwe, no. I’m sorry.

Please don’t leave me. I promise I’ll behave,” she wailed.

Crocodile tears, thought Simphiwe, and he chuckled at his own joke. He started to walk away.

Zola wailed even louder. “I’ll listen. I promise.

Please Simphiwe. Just don’t leave me.”

Simphiwe turned back and picked up a longish rock about the size of cucumber. He tied the rock to the end of the rope. A few swings later, it landed neatly in front of Zola. She tied her end to the base of the biggest bush and waited for Simphiwe.

“Ready!” she shouted.

Simphiwe wound the rope around the trunk of a nearby tree and pulled. It had to be stretched as tight as possible. If it was too loose it would sag, and Zola might as well be bait on a fishing line. He put his foot against the tree and pulled with all his might. The rope was nice and tight. He gave one more mighty pull.

The bush in front of Zola shot out of the ground and Simphiwe landed flat on his back. As he lay there, a horrible thought crossed his mind: what if the bush had uprooted while Zola was trying to cross over? Zola was about to shout something nasty but changed her mind. She didn’t want to annoy her brother again, in case he left her.

Simphiwe lay still, thinking. Zola looked at him anxiously.

“Simphiwe, are you all right?” she said eventually.

He sat up. “I’m okay. I’ve got and idea. Just wait there.”

He jumped up and ran off. He was excited about his idea. This was going to be fun. He needed bait to lure the croc away from the island so that Zola could swim across. The rooster would be perfect.

Rambo the rooster had other ideas. The bird guessed that something wasn’t right and he ran round and round the dusty yard flapping and squawking. Simphiwe finally caught Rambo when he flew into the fence, exhausted. He popped the rooster into a plastic bag and raced back to Zola.

The croc hadn’t moved.

“What’s the plan?” asked Zola.

“Wait and see,” answered Simphiwe smugly.

Rambo kicked up an awful fuss while Simphiwe tied the rope carefully under his wings. He tested the rope to make sure. Yes, it was firm. Rambo would not escape. Zola was impressed. Perhaps her brother wasn’t so stupid after all.

Simphiwe climbed up to the ledge, with the rooster flapping and pecking at his arms. He was a very angry rooster. The plan was to heave Rambo into the water close to the croc, but not too close.

Rambo was his father’s pet and he would not be happy if a crocodile ate the bird because his son had used it as bait.

“Get ready Zola,” shouted Simphiwe.

Zola moved to the edge of the rock to climb down. She eyed the croc nervously. It lay dead still, watching her.

“I’m ready. Just hurry up!”

A few wind-up loops and Rambo sailed through the air with a squawk. It was not a good throw. Rambo landed on top of the croc’s head, right between the eyes. The croc shook its head and Rambo landed in the water next to wide opening jaws.

“Swim Rambo!” Zola screamed.

Rambo flapped crazily, but Simphiwe yanked on the rope so quickly that all the croc got was a mouthful of tail feathers. Rambo would never look the same again. Simphiwe pulled him to safety.

“He can’t swim – he’s not a duck, Zola,” Simphiwe couldn’t help laughing. “Get ready. This one’s going to be better.”

By now, the croc was taking an interest in Simphiwe and the rooster. It moved in their direction, watching them closely. Zola started to climb down. The nearer she was to the sandy beach, the more time she would have to swim the short distance across the gap.

Simphiwe’s second throw was perfect. Rambo landed about twenty metres to the right of the croc. The reptile swung its enormous head round in the direction of the flapping rooster. With a few waddling movements, it was off the beach and sliding into the water.

“NOW Zola!”

27

Simphiwe and Zola hugged one another without saying a word. Rambo lay in a soggy heap at their feet, panting and looking very angry indeed.

When their father came from work that evening the first thing he noticed was that his pet rooster was missing a tail. Poor Rambo looked quite odd.

“What happened to Rambo?” he asked.

“I think it was a dog from the village Pa,” said Simphiwe. He didn’t dare look at his sister.

Their father frowned. “You mustn’t let dogs come here. Rambo could have been killed.” He paused to put down his bag. “Mr Swanepoel says there is a big crocodile near the island. It has already eaten two children from the village. You must stay away from that place till they catch it.

Promise me you won’t go there.”

“We promise Pa,” said Simphiwe and Zola in chorus. “We’re really scared of crocodiles!”

Zola saw the croc move away. She clambered down the rock, dived into the water and swam like crazy.

The croc heard the splash and stopped. Simphiwe’s heart sank. He was so worried about Zola that he almost forgot about Rambo…

A noise that sounded like a toy vuvuzela drew Simphiwe’s attention back to Rambo. The bird was sinking. He was definitely not a duck; he was a wet rooster with a rope tied to him. Simphiwe pulled in the rope. The sight of Rambo scudding across the surface of the water distracted the croc from Zola. It turned to chase the rooster, but was too late. Rambo was already up on the ledge, and so was Zola.

The author

Richard Street has always loved nature.

As a little boy his pets were a dog, snakes, a hedgehog, hens, bees and even a bat.

He loved to draw and often used to sketch his teachers while they weren’t looking. Later he became a teacher himself. Every Friday he told his class one of his own stories.

28

When Richard saw hens wandering near crocodiles in the Kruger National Park it gave him an idea for this story.

He had a lot of fun writing it.

Apart from writing, he enjoys hiking on Table Mountain, kloofing, fishing, body-surfing, water colour painting and playing the harmonica.

A plant called

Pigs’ ears

by Marijke Honig Illustration by Louisa Gerryts

also known as Plakkie, Iphewula, Kouterie or Cotyledon orbiculata Why did they call this plant Pigs' ears?

Growing tips Pigs' ears grows best in full sun.

It is a very tough plant and can grow in poor, sandy soil with very little water.

If you want it to grow faster and bigger, and get many flowers, give it some compost. You can also water it once a week in summer.

A bird magnet The flowers are pollinated by sunbirds so keep a look out for these small birds!

Plant medicine The succulent, fleshy leaves can be used to soften and then remove warts.

A “pass-along” plant Pigs' ears are easy to grow from a cutting.

Just cut off a small branch (about 15 cm long) and plant half the stem in the ground. You will get a new plant! Then you can pass along some of this to one of your friends.

Pigs' ears are a type of Cotyledon orbiculata. The leaves come in many different colours and shapes.

by Les Minter

G

This bullfrog is eating his brother and looking forward to dessert.

iant bullfrogs are South Africa’s largest frog – they can weigh up to 1.5 kg and may live for 35 years or longer Unlike other frogs, the males are bigger than the females.

They protect and guard the large knot of bullfrog tadpoles, chasing away herons, dogs, other bullfrogs and even people!

If the pool or pan they are living in starts to dry up, the male will dig a channel to a neighbouring pool and lead his tadpoles into it.

A herpetologist studies South Africa has about reptiles and amphibians 120 species of frogs of which such as snakes, lizards, twenty are threatened – in tortoises, turtles and frogs. danger of becoming extinct.

The bullfrog is threatened in part by loss of breeding habitat. Many of the pans it breeds in are being developed into housing complexes and shopping malls.

Cannibalism Young bullfrogs have big appetites and think nothing of turning on their brothers and sisters.

In fact this may be why bullfrogs produce so many offspring – some are actually meant to provide food for their siblings.

Beware the bullfrog guarding his tadpoles!

30 30

Story by Ian Malone k Art by Brice Reignier

CAPE TOWN. LONG AGO.

SURROUNDED ON ALL SIDES BY WILD ANIMALS AND THICK BUSH, IT WAS A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE TO THE CITY WE KNOW TODAY.

IN TRUTH, IT WAS LITTLE MORE THAN A VILLAGE. BUT EVEN IN THOSE EARLY DAYS IT WAS ALIVE WITH ACTIVITY.

LOCAL TRADERS, SAILORS, ROGUES AND MANY COLOURFUL CHARACTERS FROM FAROFF LANDS FILLED ITS TINY, DUSTY STREETS.

ONE SUCH CHARACTER was A DUTCH PIRATE NAMED CAPTAIN JAN VAN HUNKS.

HAVING LIVED A LIFE FULL OF ADVENTURE ON THE HIGH SEAS, HE WAS NOW RETIRED, AND LOVED TO SMOKE HIS PIPE WHILE LOOKING BACK FONDLY ON HIS DAYS OF GLORY.

EVERY WEEK HE WALKED UP TO A PARTICULAR SPOT NEAR THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN. THERE HE WOULD RELAX, REFLECT AND TAKE IN THE INCREDIBLE VIEW.

VERY FEW PEOPLE VENTURED THIS FAR BEYOND THE VILLAGE, FOR FEAR OF GETTING LOST OR BEING EATEN BY SAVAGE BEASTS.

BUT VAN HUNKS WAS A BRAVE MAN, AND HAD CHEATED DEATH MANY TIMES BEFORE.

THE HIKE WAS LONG AND DIFFICULT, BUT FOR VAN HUNKS THERE WAS NOTHING BETTER. HE LOVED SPENDING TIME BY HIMSELF AND ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO REACHING HIS FAVOURITE SPOT, WHICH HE NOW THOUGHT OF AS HIS OWN.

AS FAR AS HE KNEW, NO ONE ELSE HAD EVER BEEN THERE.

AT LEAST…

…UNTIL TODAY.

32

GOOD DAY, CAPTAIN VAN HUNKS. I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU.

HOW DOES HE KNOW MY NAME!?

PLEASE – SIT DOWN.

YOU’VE BEEN WAITING, HAVE YOU? FOR HOW LONG?

HMMPH. I SEE YOU KNOW ME, ALTHOUGH WE’VE NEVER MET. WHO ARE YOU?

I HAVE MANY NAMES.

OH, IT SEEMS LIKE FOREVER.

BUT NEVER MIND THAT. I JUST CAME UP HERE TO SMOKE MY PIPE.

WELL, SO DID I. AND LET ME TELL YOU, THERE IS NOBODY IN THE WORLD WHO CAN SMOKE AS MUCH AS I CAN!

WANT TO BET?

HA HA HA! AS YOU WISH, MY FRIEND. BUT YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT I’VE PLACED MANY BETS ON MY PIPE IN THE PAST, AND HAVE NEVER LOST. NOT ONCE IN THIRTY YEARS!

AND SO THE CONTEST BEGAN.

IMPRESSIVE.

AGREED!

BUT THERE’S A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING. . LET’S SAY THAT THE WINNER GETS TO CLAIM THIS SPOT AS HIS OWN. AGREED?

MANY HOURS PASSED…

…AND DAY TURNED INTO NIGHT.

BY MORNING, THE SUMMIT OF TABLE MOUNTAIN WAS COVERED IN SMOKE. THE VILLAGERS HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.

34

TWO MORE DAYS AND NIGHTS PASSED, WITH NEITHER CONTESTANT WILLING TO ADMIT DEFEAT.

UNTIL SUDDENLY –

WHO IS THIS MAN!??

Y-Y… YOU’RE THE DEVIL!!!

THAT’S RIGHT.

AND YOU’RE COMING WITH ME!

CAPE TOWN. PRESENT DAY. TODAY, THE MOUNTAIN WHERE IT ALL HAPPENED IS CALLED DEVIL’S PEAK.

WHENEVER CLOUD COVERS THE TOP OF TABLE MOUNTAIN, PEOPLE SAY THAT THE DEVIL AND VAN HUNKS ARE TRYING TO OUTSMOKE EACHOTHER AGAIN.

BUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO VAN HUNKS REMAINS A MYSTERY. SOME BELIEVE THAT THE DEVIL TOOK HIM TO HELL AND MADE A PIPE OUT OF HIM.

WHO KNOWS?

SMOKING IS BAD FOR YOU.

36

ULTIMATELY, ONLY ONE THING IS CERTAIN…

Interview with Sophie Schmidt

by Camila Pose, 12

My friend Sophie was in a new movie Free Willy, shot in South Africa. I asked her some questions.

How did you get into the movie?

My agent sent me to the audition. I had to recite my lines and tell them about myself.

After about 2 weeks with no reply, I didn’t think I was going to get it. But then I got it!

What happened on the first day?

My first day of shooting was in Gordon’s Bay. There was a fire on the mountain so we never went back to Gordon’s Bay. We only had 3 hours of school which was the best part.

Bindi Irwin

What was your part in the movie?

I was acting double for Bindi Irwin who was the main character, Kirra. Her hair was longer than mine so I had to wear a wig which was very uncomfortable.

What does an acting double do?

I was used to act Bindi’s part where the other actors were being filmed. I was also used to set up and run through scenes before Bindi came onto set. I was also used for some of the long-shots at sea. I also appear in the movie as an extra.

How many weeks were you on set for?

Seven weeks.

What did you do about school that time?

We had two teachers on set – one for the morning and one for the afternoon. I collected my work from school and the teacher assisted us. We had to do 3 hours of work a day but we would do extra.

Sophie and Camila

Would you like school to be like this every day?

Yes. What were the working hours?

The maximum we could work was 10 hours – 7 hours on set and 3 hours schooling. On set itself, because I was a double, I had to do a lot of waiting which was boring, but I enjoyed the crew who were fun.

What did you enjoy the most?

Definitely the food. There was a buffet for breakfast – croissants and a whole tray of eggs, bacon and loads of juice. The very best though was the puddings. They were usually chocolatey.

What was the overall experience like?

It was very educational to get out there, do something different and meet new interesting people. It was fun and I would definitely, definitely do it again.

Rendezvous

(rhan-day-voo)

The place we meet.

Solutions

How to send in your contribution

Always, always give us the following information: l Your name and surname l Your age l Where you live (suburb) l A contact detail in case we need to get hold of you (a telephone number or email address is fine) We would love to publish your creative work.

Please remember: l Any entry (a story, a review or a poem) must be your very own original work. Your ideas and your words should not be copied. So, don't copy anything! l A parent or guardian will need to write a short letter stating that this is your own work and that you are happy for us to publish your work in theChatterbox l If you want something returned to you, please enclose a self-addressed and stamped envelope. Or better still, send us a photocopy, as we cannot be held responsible for loss or damage in the mail. l theChatterbox reserves the right to choose, edit and shorten any submission.

Address theChatterbox PO Box 770 Rondebosch 7701

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