Farkwa and the Ogres of Greed

By Gerard Victor

The story follows the journey of Dudi, an orphaned rhino calf through the callous act of poaching. On his journey growing up, he meets with many challenges and meets very colourful characters. The books are steeped in African Mythology and the animals take on human qualities and characteristics.

The animals have to band togetherto join forces in their adventures until the final show down with the poachers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gerard Victor
• Release date: Nov 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201244750

Book preview

A Mythical African Tale of Change

Foreward

This book is dedicated to the inspiration in my life, the boy who has continued to believe in me and has inspired me to dream. Thank you very much Chandler, my amazing son. You remain the most influential person in my life.

––––––––

About the Author

As a qualified Senior Primary Teacher, Gerard has always looked for ways of teaching life skills to children. It is through this book that he hopes to teach children and adults alike about team work to achieve a goal, caring for others for no benefit of their own, and keeping one another safe with little exertion.  His love for the outdoors has imprinted itself in to his writing. Having grown up in the Eastern Cape, South Africa Gerard’s passion for the Save the Rhino Cause is huge – he will go out of his way to save as many Rhino as possible, in whichever way he can. His dedication to The Cause has seen him promise a specific amount of the proceeds made from every copy sold of Ogres of Greed towards enabling Rhinos to be saved from the devastating actions of Poachers and sure extinction.

Endorsed by Kariega Game Reserve Rhino Foundation © Copyright Gerard Victor

Chapter 1

The tip of the bony index finger whitened with the continued pressure on the lifeless metal of the blue grey trigger. The lightning quick jolt made the owner of this finger blink in shock, delight or slight pain as the butt of the rifle slammed into his shoulder. A deathly silence clung to the Veld (pronounced felt) in a steely grip, the animals cowering silent and petrified, not making any movement, protecting themselves from this danger that had invaded their home.

A long sigh escaped through the pencil-thin lips, an eye moved away from the telescopic sight to reveal a glimmer of life from the instrument of death. A single plume of smoke curled up and away from the long grey barrel in a spiral and disappeared into the air as the life disappeared from the once beautiful animal that now lay on its side, dead. The only life left in the Rhinoceros, that was clearly visible, was the single lonely tear that coursed its way across her dusty head and disappeared into her mouth.

What had these people come to do to the beautiful Veld, teeming with an abundance of natural wonder? They had come to get rich; very rich! The team of greed-mongers was after the elusive and Mythical Elephant Graveyard. The bony figure of the first man rose from his lying position, getting to his knees. He stood upright now and brushed the dry African dust from his legs and brown hunting shirt. The brown of this belt interrupted at regular intervals by the shining silver bullets as they caught the sun’s smile. A wry smile spread across his bony face as he squinted towards his Trophy, a lifeless animal that a split second before was basking in the heat of the Veld.

"Jonga! Jonga! came an outcry as the tracker caught a glimpse of movement to the side of the dead animal. A Rhinoceros calf had appeared next to his mother and was nudging her as if to evoke a response, trying to wake her from her deathly slumber. Masihambe", was the call as the mighty off-road vehicles roared to life. The excitement grew, as the poacher knew that a healthy, living rhino calf would fetch a handsome sum of money on the black market. As the trucks moved in on the calf, racing closer, the calf’s natural instincts started taking over. The little calf felt the anger building up inside. He wanted to charge at the approaching enemy, but eventually had to give in to the danger. He pushed his mother one last time to attempt to get her up, but his mother had left him forever as soon as the bullet flew from the high-caliber rifle.

He turned his rump to the fast approaching danger and his dead mother, looked back one last time and bounded off into the wilderness that would now be his home. He was alone and afraid as he had not been taught all the survival skills from his great mother. He ran off blindly, into a very uncertain world that held many wonders and of course many unknown dangers.

High above the ground, far away from the atrocity that had unfolded beneath, glided Intaka, the bird. He moved effortlessly on the warm air currents that pushed him higher and higher until, with his incredible eye sight, he could see to the ends of the vast African Veld. He had a clear view of Dudi, the Rhino calf, speeding off in a cloud of dust as well as his chasing pursuers. He watched this hide & seek game run its course until Dudi had eluded his pursuers. The poachers sat irate in the high-powered off-road vehicles, wiping the dust, grit and grime and specks of mud from their clothes and faces.

AAAARRRGGHHH erupted form the poacher’s throat. The tracker, that had first seen Dudi, hunched his shoulders and withdrew his head like a tortoise. Unfortunately for him humans do not have a shell that can act as a crash helmet. He felt those long bony fingers grip the back of his neck. He cowered like a frightened animal, like the one he had just murdered. He slowly turned his head to face his thin, wiry, murderous employer.

Find that calf, if you know what’s good for you! If you are fond of hospital food, make the same mistake again! Spoken from behind clenched teeth, the man’s last sentence to the tracker made the whole group tremble. They knew that this man was beyond humor and never joked.

I have killed for less! he hissed as he raised the olive-green water bottle to his mouth. He drank heartily, gargled and spat the waste-water into the dusty ground. Soon the mud pool had evaporated, forgotten. Let’s move, he commanded. We have money to make and we need to find that Graveyard!

As the last word trailed from the poacher’s mouth, Intaka was in the final stages of diving down toward Ice Mountain. His wings were pulled tightly against his body as he sped toward his Master’s Cave. He could see the ground rising up at him and at the last second, just before he made impact, he threw open his wings and came to a swift stop on the branch of the Three Thorn Tree. This Tree masked the hidden and elusive opening to Ice Mountain.

Intaka strode into Ice Mountain as if he was the phantom from the other side, The Mighty Farkwa himself. As soon as he entered he realized how puny he actually was, as perched at each side of the entrance were two of the biggest Firebird Warriors he had ever seen. They moved their heads in military timing and precision as Intaka entered. He peered at those huge beaks that could rip any animal to shreds. How he longed to own such a beak and train to be in the warrior ranks. He knew it was only a dream as he had not been born of the royal Firebird Stock. Their feathers shone in brilliant color and their talons, razor sharp, curled over the dead branches. The branches sighed and creaked under the weight of these magnificent creatures. Who do you seek Little Friend and what brings you to this hallowed place? questioned the warrior with one beady eye.

I seek a counsel with the King as I fear that a terrible time is coming to the Veld! Men in loud machines have come and are killing Our Mother, Our Land. I seek a meeting urgently P. P... Please! pleaded Intaka.

Who has come to our place to destroy it? boomed a voice from inside the dark chamber. Over the drip, drip of water from the beautiful purple, orange & Red stalagmites Intaka heard footsteps coming closer. Intaka wondered, was this HIM? His question was answered when he noticed the Warrior Birds’ heads drop as if in a bow, showing the ultimate respect to whomever or whatever was approaching. Intaka strained his