The Tree House

By Edward Kidgell

Set in the scenic Eastern Cape of South Africa, the tree house tells the story of two teenage friends who find themselves caught up in a frightening adventure and a race to save an endangered species. Will they succeed?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Edward Kidgell
• Release date: Nov 2, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465806574

Edward Kidgell

I retired from the ministry some years ago. My wife Merle and I live in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. We have five grown-up children and eleven grandchildren. We recently became great-grandparents!

Book preview

The Tree House

By Edward John Kidgell

Copyright 2011 Edward John Kidgell

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Secret Writing

Chapter 2: Herman the Vermin

Chapter 3: Philemon

Chapter 4: The Sling Competition

Chapter 5: Building the tree house

Chapter 6: Home from Home!

Chapter 7: Living off the land

Chapter 8: What do they want?

Chapter 9: Where is Ronnie?

Chapter 10: Jabulani to the rescue!

Chapter 11: Stop them!

Chapter 12: Block the cutting!

Chapter 13: Who wins?

Epilogue

About the Author

Connect with the Author

Upcoming books by Edward John Kidgell

CHAPTER 1: Secret Writing

Well, what shall we do today, Ronnie? asked Jabulani.

It was one week into the school holidays. Jabulani Mkhize and his friend, Ronnie Harris, were very busy looking for ideas to make their holiday even more interesting. There wasn’t time to get bored but it was always great fun planning new things to do. They could ride their bicycles along the winding, dusty country roads, play ‘cops-and-robbers’ in the plantation, enjoy a game of soccer on the common along with the other boys or take pot-shots at anything and everything with their slings.

Ronnie lived with his parents and an older brother and sister at a trading post called Outlook Station. The surrounding hillsides were dotted with the beautiful thatched huts of the local community. Jabulani’s home was on the other side of the common, so they spent most of their time together.

How about a game of soccer?

Jabulani grimaced. It wasn't that he didn’t like playing soccer - he was a soccer fanatic! In fact, he was captain of the first team at their boarding school. The problem he had with the suggestion was he was very competitive. He played hard and didn’t enjoy a game unless it was played properly, according to the rules.

Ronnie was more casual about it. He could enjoy a game where everyone just kicked the ball around wildly, bumping into each other with very little thought for the rules. To him it was simply a game to be enjoyed.

No, said Jabulani firmly. No soccer. Not unless Sergeant Njongi can referee for us. He was a professional player once, so he knows how to ref a match. But he's on duty today.

The two friends were relaxing in Ronnie’s lounge. They were alone because Ronnie's parents were busy in the store, and his siblings, Michael and Sandra, were spending their holidays with friends.

Okay, sighed Ronnie, You suggest something.

Let's go for a walk through the plantation. Maybe something will suggest itself.

Ronnie brightened, Good idea. We can take our slings with and shoot at something!

Jabulani sighed, Okay. We’ll take our slings if you promise not to make a competition out of it. You’re so good with your sling that you always beat me.

"U thetha ububhanxa! (You are talking nonsense!"), argued Ronnie good-humouredly.

No, I’m not! replied Jabulani adamantly, There is nobody around here who can beat you with a sling.

We don't know that for sure. Not until there has been a fair competition.

Jabulani insisted, Ronnie, I know you’ll beat everyone I’ve watched. The only ones I haven’t seen are Herman Kheswa and his buddies. Since we don't associate with them we’ll never know who’s the best in my father’s district. Jabulani mentioned his father with pride. He had good reason, for his father, Jamani Mkhize, was headman of the district. All important matters were referred to him.

Ronnie said thoughtfully, Come to think of it, just for fun I’d like to compete against Herman the Vermin. Perhaps I can beat him at something. That would teach him a lesson since he’s always beating others up.

Jabulani nodded his agreement, You have a point, but you know as well as I do you must never let Herman and his gang catch you alone anywhere. I hear they can be very nasty. If ever you want to take them on please let me know so I can leave the country.

Jabulani smiled as he spoke but Ronnie knew there was some truth to what he said. ‘The Vermin’, as they called the gang, were four older, bigger boys who would certainly take action against them if they heard the nickname.

No you won't, grinned Ronnie with a twinkle in his blue eyes. You're just talking. It’s no secret that even if there were ten Vermin you would still take them on if it was the right situation…. Talking of secrets… Ronnie brushed his fringe aside, looking keenly at his friend, Jabu, would you like to learn how to do secret writing?

Secret writing? Jabulani was intrigued.

Yes, said Ronnie, sounding mysterious. Wait here, I'll be back soon.

He went to his bedroom. After a short while he returned with an old fountain pen, a scrap pad, a candle and a box of matches. He tore off a sheet of paper and handing it to Jabulani said, See anything on it?

Jabulani looked carefully on both sides of the paper. To him it looked blank.

No, he answered, wondering what Ronnie was getting at.

Ronnie chuckled, I wrote a message on it. For you.

Jabulani looked again but still saw nothing.

Give up? asked Ronnie triumphantly.

Jabulani nodded silently and handed the paper back.

Ronnie lit the candle. Then he held the paper as close to the flame as possible without burning it. To Jabulani's amazement words appeared on it, as if by magic.

He watched, fascinated, as the whole message was revealed. It read: ‘Jabulani, thank you for being such a good friend. Ronnie’

"Eish! That's a clever trick! exclaimed Jabulani, excited. Thank you, too, for being a good friend to me, Ronnie. But tell me, he asked, puzzled, How did you do it?"

Easy,' said Ronnie importantly. "I was going to show you so that we can play at being agents or detectives or something. But you must promise