The Blue Crocodile

By Zuni Blue

Blue crocodiles don't exist…or do they?

 

Blue crocodiles don't exist. Jafari and his younger brother, Kendi, know this. But when they go on holiday to Africa, they hear a strange story about a blue crocodile. Are blue crocodiles real? The boys decide to find out.

 

To discover the world's first blue crocodile, Jafari and Kendi enlist the help of their cousin, Fay, and her loyal dog, Zoya. But searching for crocodiles is risky, especially when they live in a huge forest full of hidden traps, sneaky hunters, and a deadly animal that even crocodiles fear...

 

The Blue Crocodile is a mystery adventure for children aged 9-12 who love fast-paced action with unexpected twists and turns.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amaria & Sariel
• Release date: Nov 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201346096

Zuni Blue

Zuni Blue lives in London, England with her parents. She’s been writing non-fiction and fiction since she was a kid. She loves telling stories that show how diverse the world is. Her characters are different races, genders, heights, weights and live with various disabilities and abilities. In Zuni’s books, every child is special!

Book preview

Chapter 1

Jafari Okoro peered out the aeroplane window, his eyes widening in amazement. Down below was Abara, the smallest country in West Africa. Few people even knew it existed.

Looking down, Jafari could see miles of dry land stretching far and wide. There were dark green trees, muddy brown rivers and wild elephants, rhinos and hippos. He even spotted a large crocodile!

Kendi, I just saw a croc! Jafari elbowed his seven-year-old brother, but Kendi didn’t look outside. He kept his teary eyes on the TV screen in front of him. Kendi, you big baby! You’re missing the animals!

Record it on your phone and show me later, Kendi said, his voice trembling. I’m busy right now…

Kendi’s big, brown eyes were glued to the flight information onscreen. He’d been watching those numbers for most of the ten-hour trip from England. The stats showed how high the plane was, how fast they were going, and how long until they reached Abara.

Suddenly the plane trembled violently. Kendi gripped the armrests harder and turned to where their parents should’ve been sitting. Instead, he saw a stranger’s face. The man didn’t comfort him like his mum would. The stranger kept his eyes on the action movie he was watching.

Jafari could tell Kendi missed their mum and dad. Unfortunately, their parents were stuck in England, working on a very important job. They usually finished projects early, but couldn’t this time because things had gone so wrong. Five team members were off sick, and all their equipment was delivered to the wrong address!

To make sure the job was done as soon as possible, the boys’ parents had to stay in England and keep working. That’s why they weren’t there to hold Kendi’s hand on the shaky plane ride.

Jafari, I want to get off now…

Cool, Jafari said. Just get out your parachute, open the door and jump. Hope you don’t land next to that crocodile or it’ll eat you for lunch!

Kendi closed his eyes, his body trembling and teeth chattering. He would probably cry soon, so Jafari left him alone and turned back to the window. The Abaran view was much more interesting than his baby brother acting like a big baby.

Suddenly the plane dropped and dropped and dropped. Kendi dug his tiny fingernails into the armrests and gritted his teeth.

Meanwhile, Jafari recorded the landing on his mobile. When the plane’s wheels hit the dirt runway, Jafari clapped with everyone else.

We made it, Kendi said with a sigh.

And right on time! Jafari said back. If we got delayed again, we might be too late to see the animal reservation today.

The boys were staying with their Uncle Obi. He had an animal reservation. It protected wild animals from hunters roaming Abara.

The reservation has crocs, right? Kendi gulped. Crocs are dangerous…

Don’t worry, Uncle Obi won’t let them eat us…Well, I hope not anyway!

A pretty airport worker took the boys off the plane and escorted them through the airport. The airport in England had been so cold. The Abaran airport was boiling hot. There were very few fans and no air conditioning.

Soon both boys were sweating buckets. Their mum had packed handkerchiefs, so the boys took them out to wipe their dark brown faces.

When the handkerchiefs were soaking wet, the boys mopped their sweaty, sticky faces with tissues. Soon the tissues were soggy and falling apart.

Jafari, I don’t remember Abara being this hot last time.

You don’t remember ‘cause it was ages ago. You were only three.

Kendi was seven now, but he still acted like a big baby. That’s what Jafari thought anyway.

Oh yeah, I remember Abara now… Kendi said.

Jafari knew his brother was fibbing. Kendi couldn’t remember anything he’d done at three years old. Maybe he could remember being four or five, but only because that’s when he started school. It was so much fun painting, drawing and playing in the playground.

Jafari hoped Africa was just as fun.

After boring stuff like collecting their suitcases, they finally reached the shops. They both bought a bag of sweets each, and then went back for another one. That one was for Fayola, their cousin. They would see her later.

For now, they just had to find their Uncle Obi. He wasn’t by the taxi drivers waiting near the entrance. He wasn’t in any of the shops. Jafari peered outside the airport, but their uncle wasn’t there either.

The airport worker started to look worried. She patted the boys’ heads before taking out her mobile. She pushed a button and then turned away. When she spoke on the phone, her voice was hushed and the words came too fast for Jafari to understand.

What’s she saying? Kendi said, tugging his brother’s arm.

Something about…and then…um…

You don’t know, do you? Kendi grinned.

Whatever, let’s go sit down!

The boys went to the window seats and looked outside. Jafari’s eyes settled on the airport car park. It was so different from the one in England. The English car park was packed with thousands of cars. The Abaran car park only had room for fifty vehicles.

Near the car park were three taxis waiting for passengers. The drivers were standing by their cars, chatting away.

Suddenly a car whizzed past them. The taxi drivers jumped back from fright before waving their fists. The fast car didn’t slow down until it screeched to a stop by the airport doors.

The speedy driver stepped out the car and shot a mean look at Kendi. Jafari stepped in front of his brother and gave his meanest look right back. He didn’t like anyone picking on his brother but him.

The speedy driver laughed and slammed the car door. He stopped to smooth out his fancy black suit, spending a whole minute adjusting his striped tie.

Next, the speedy driver walked around to the car boot and threw it open. Inside was a bulky suitcase. He huffed and puffed, fighting to get the suitcase out. Jafari pointed and laughed. The driver didn’t like that, his pale white face turning dark red.

When the suitcase was finally out, the speedy, red-faced driver headed straight for the airport doors. He pushed his way to the front of the nearest queue. Other people muttered under their breaths. They shut their mouths when the red-faced driver gave them an icy look.

That man’s mean, isn’t he? Jafari whispered. He turned to his brother, who was busy rubbing suntan lotion on his face. What’re you doing that for? Black people don’t need suntan lotion!

Yes, we do. Mum said our skin needs protection from the sun just like everyone else’s. He offered the suntan bottle, but Jafari pushed it away. "Don’t say I didn’t try to share!"

Jafari shook his head and turned back to the queue. The mean, red-faced man was now arguing with the woman checking passports. He snatched his passport from her hand and thumped his fist on the desk. His blue eyes bulged when he started yelling.

It’s NOT overweight, he snapped. I double-checked it at the hotel.

Sir, you must pay the overweight baggage fee or the suitcase goes nowhere. The desk lady’s narrow eyes shifted to the security officer by the door. He slowly made his way over. And, sir, please lower your voice. You’re disturbing the other passengers.

SO WHAT? the red-faced man shouted, much louder than before.

Kendi covered his ears and looked away. He didn’t like arguments or fights. Jafari, on the other hand, couldn’t tear his eyes away. He wanted to see if the naughty man got arrested and locked up in the airport’s jail.

The red-faced, angry driver yanked his suitcase off the conveyor belt and dragged it into the men’s bathroom. A moment later, several men came rushing out, fear in their eyes. The angry driver’s yells were heard before the bathroom door slammed shut.

What’s he doing in there? Jafari asked his brother.

Kendi shrugged, rubbing suntan lotion on his shaved head. Their mum had shaved their hair before they left England. She loved their afro hair very much, but she always cut it low. They didn’t mind because it made them look like their dad.

There was another reason they preferred short hair. They didn’t want to spend hours on their hair weekly like their mum did. Her frizzy, afro twists reached her waist when stretched. They were beautiful and coily because she took great care of them.

Jafari! Kendi cried.

What? Jafari jumped from fright. What’s wrong?

You’re daydreaming, that’s all, Kendi said. He shoved the suntan lotion into his suitcase. You’re boring when you daydream.

"You’re boring all the time, Jafari said with a grin. Let’s do something fun! Follow me."

Jafari and Kendi slowly crept away from the airport worker. She was still chatting on the phone with her back to them. She kept yawning. It must’ve been a very boring phone call.

Where are we going? Kendi whispered.

To find that angry man in the bathroom, Jafari said. Let’s see what’s inside his suitcase…

Chapter 2

Jafari led his brother to the men’s bathroom. He cupped his ear to the door and put a finger to his lips. If they made too much noise, the mean man inside would hear them.

The bathroom was quiet. Too quiet, Jafari thought, but he crept in anyway. Kendi was pulled along for the ride whether he liked it or not.

Inside the bathroom, the boys peeked around the toilet stalls. There were lots of clothes and shoes scattered on the floor nearby. As they tiptoed across the bathroom, they heard loud grunting. The man yelled, Close, you silly suitcase! I can’t take out any more stuff!

Jafari crouched down and peeked under the toilet stalls. He could see the man’s bulky suitcase and his shiny leather shoes. The shoes kicked the poor suitcase until there was a dent in it.

What was I thinking? the man cried. I hope I didn’t damage them!

The man threw open the suitcase. Jafari heard a plastic bag rustling and the man sighed with relief. Thank goodness you’re both alright, he said.

Let’s go, Kendi said quietly, but not quietly enough.

The mean man burst out of the toilet stall. In his hands were too large, dirty animal teeth. They were very long. If Jafari held them by his arm, they could reach from his fingertips to his elbow. Maybe beyond that.

What’s that? Jafari asked. Are they a croc’s teeth?

Hippopotamus teeth, actually, the red-faced man said, edging closer. "Not that it’s any of your business…"

Let’s go, Kendi said, tugging his brother’s arm. Jafari shook him off. I don’t like this man…

I don’t like you either, the man hissed. What’re you doing in here? I thought I’d cleared the place out.

I’ll ask the questions around here, Jafari said. "What are you doing in here with those teeth?"

The man’s eyes fell to the teeth.

Are you a hunter? Jafari asked, crossing his arms.

Yes. That is my profession.

Do you have a gun?

Yes, the man said. I couldn’t bring it with me. I doubt a gun would be allowed on the plane.

Duh! Jafari said. Do you use the gun?

Yes. Quite often. The man stopped to think. I’d say I fire my pistol at least fifty times a week. My rifle gets far more use…

You said those are hippo teeth, Jafari said. Did you use your guns to hurt that hippo and steal its teeth?

The man shook his head.

I didn’t hurt the hippo, the man said. "I killed it."

Jafari, he’s fibbing, right? Kendi cried. The hippo isn’t really…gone, is it?

Jafari hoped the man was fibbing. Maybe the poor hippo was still out there somewhere, looking for its teeth? The hippo might be sick, but it wasn’t dead, was it?

Yes, it was. Jafari could tell by the cold look in the hunter’s eyes and the smug grin on his face.

What’s the matter, boys? Are you big babies going to cry over a dead hippo? The hunter laughed. Don’t worry. Its teeth won’t go to waste. They’ll look lovely hanging over my fireplace.

Jafari couldn’t believe the hunter was so uncaring. The man held the teeth like they belonged to him, not the dead hippo.

I’m calling the police, Jafari said. Give me the hippo teeth! Now!

Are you serious? the man asked.

Do I look like I’m joking? Jafari snapped.

Okay, okay. I’ll turn myself in, the man said, pulling a sad face. What I did was wrong. Very wrong.

The man picked up the plastic bag and wrapped the hippo teeth in it.

Boys, I’ll take the teeth to the police station immediately. Hunting is wrong. I promise to never do it again.

Well, that was easy, Jafari thought.

That was too easy, Kendi thought.

The hunter hurried past the boys and stopped by the door. He turned, his blue eyes bulging again. Kendi gulped and slipped behind his brother.

Jafari, I think we should’ve stayed outside…

Poor little boys, the hunter said, gritting his extra white teeth. I can’t let you leave now. You’ve seen far too much.

Jafari raised his fists and spread his feet. He was ready to kick and throw a punch if he needed to. He’d never fought someone before, but the mean hunter didn’t know that.

Let my brother go, Jafari said. This is between you and me!

I won’t hurt you boys if you behave yourselves, the hunter said. Just let me tie you up. I won’t tie the rope too tight, I promise.

You also promised to never hunt again, Jafari said. You’re a big fibber!

Watch your tongue, young man!

The man lunged forward, making the brothers jump back. The hunter laughed, flashing his white teeth again. He moved closer and closer until the brothers were backed against the wall.

There wasn’t enough space to run past the man. They couldn’t climb out the window because it was too high up.

We’re trapped, Jafari thought. How do we get out of this?

Kendi pulled his brother closer and whispered in his ear, Someone’s at the door! I think it’s…

Jafari looked at the bathroom door. It was open a crack. A familiar brown eye peeked inside before the door shut quietly. Jafari recognised that eye. It looked just like his father’s.

Don’t try any funny business, the hunter spat. I know how naughty boys can be. I was a naughty boy myself.

And now you’re a naughty man, Jafari said. Your parents should ground you!

No one tells me what to do anymore, the hunter said. Not you, not that check-in desk woman and not the airline! I’m taking my hippo teeth back to England and no one can stop me!

"I bet I can!" a deep voice said.

The hunter spun around and gasped.

Uncle Obi! the boys cried. They wanted to hug him but the evil hunter was in the way. He could easily grab them when they slipped by, so it was best that they stay put.

Hello, boys, Uncle Obi said, letting the door shut behind him. How was the flight from London?

So much fun! Jafari cried. Not as fun as this, though. I can’t wait to tell Mum and Dad that we caught an evil hunter.

Uncle Obi smiled. His smile had always been so warm and inviting. But everything else about him looked very different…

Uncle Obi used to have fuzzy dreadlocks that tickled his shoulders. Now he was bald. His head was perfectly smooth and very shiny. Probably from sweating so much.

Their uncle’s body was different too. He used to be so chubby with a large, soft stomach. Jafari loved tickling it because it jiggled so much.

Now his uncle had six-pack abs. They looked as tough as his massive arm muscles and huge thighs. Jafari wondered if his uncle even needed a tranquiliser gun. Couldn’t he just wrestle animals to the ground? He looked strong enough.

It’s great to see you boys again, Uncle Obi said. You’ve grown so much!

It’s great to see you, too, Jafari said. You’ve shrunk so much!

Excuse me! Hello! I’m still here! the hunter barked. Obi, sorry to break up your family reunion, but I have a flight to catch!

Uncle Obi’s big smile slipped away. He glared at the hunter.

The only thing you’ll be catching is a pair of handcuffs, Uncle Obi said. Get down on your knees and put your hands up!

Uncle Obi stepped closer to the hunter, who stepped back. The man pulled out one of the sharp hippo teeth and pointed it at Kendi. Jafari stepped in front of his brother and raised his fists again.

Let the boys go, Uncle Obi said. This is between you and me.

"Let me go, the hunter spat. Don’t you have other hunters to catch?"

You’re not taking those teeth anywhere. Hand them over.

Not a chance, the hunter said. Do you know how much they’re worth?

They’re not worth a hippo’s life, Uncle Obi said. They’re priceless, just like the rest of the hippo’s body.

Uncle Obi edged closer, so the hunter edged back. Soon the hunter would be close enough to grab the boys.

Uncle Obi reached behind his back. The hunter laughed.

Boys, don’t worry, okay? This isn’t a real gun.

Uncle Obi pulled out a gun and aimed at the hunter. Jafari had never seen a gun before. Neither had Kendi, who covered his eyes with both hands. He was shaking.

It’s all right, boys, Uncle Obi said. There are no bullets in here. Just tranquilisers.

You can’t shoot people with those, the hunter said. It’s only for animals!

You’ve threatened my nephews, Uncle Obi said. You’ve left me with no other choice.

Uncle Obi closed one eye and slipped a finger onto the trigger. His open eye was steady on the hunter. Any second now, he’d shoot.

You wouldn’t…you wouldn’t dare fire that thing…at me.

Are you sure about that? Uncle Obi asked.

The hunter glanced at the boys. He gave the coldest look before turning away. Then he got down on both knees and raised his hands.

This isn’t over, the hunter said. Sure, you’ve caught me, but what about the others? We can stop them together. Let’s come to an agreement.

An agreement, you say? Uncle Obi said, raising an eyebrow.

Let me take some animal goods. In return, I’ll turn in some hunters. Have we got a deal?

"I would never work with someone like you, Uncle Obi said. I’ll catch every single hunter myself. I don’t need your help, got it?"

The hunter pointed at his suitcase and said, I know your reservation is struggling financially. I have something that will change all that. It’s right there in my suitcase.

Uncle Obi stepped closer and peered into the suitcase. His eyes widened when he saw what was inside.

The first in the world, the hunter said. I don’t have a photograph of it yet, so the drawing will have to do.

That’s impossible, Uncle Obi said. It can’t be real!

It’s not impossible, the hunter said. My boss saw it with her own two eyes!

What is it? Jafari asked. Uncle Obi?

Boys, it’s a crocodile, Uncle Obi said. "A blue crocodile…"

Chapter 3

Kendi stayed behind Jafari, clutching his brother’s arm. The boys were backed against the bathroom wall, trying to keep their distance from the hunter. For the moment, he seemed more interested in the blue crocodile drawing than them.

Well? Say something! the hunter said to Uncle Obi. "It’s a blue crocodile! One of a kind!"

Uncle Obi stared at the blue crocodile drawing in the hunter’s suitcase. Obi’s eyes were on the drawing, but his tranquiliser gun was still on the hunter.

A blue crocodile, Uncle Obi said. Not brown or black or white, but blue…

Jafari couldn’t believe his ears! A blue crocodile? He’d never seen a blue crocodile before. He’d seen a white crocodile on TV once. The presenter said white crocs were rare, so a blue crocodile had to be extremely rare.

The first ever blue crocodile, the hunter said. See for yourself.

The hunter tossed the drawing over to Uncle Obi who snatched it from the floor.

This is… Uncle Obi stared at the drawing. This is…

Going to save your animal reservation, the hunter said. You’ll be the only reservation in the world with a blue crocodile. Others have white ones, even orange ones, but this…this is truly unique.

No, this is…this is…this is a load of complete nonsense!

Uncle Obi tore the blue crocodile drawing into tiny pieces and threw them at the hunter. The hunter’s face turned beetroot red.

Are you crazy? the hunter shouted. That’s the only proof we had—

Proof? A drawing based on someone’s memory is not proof.

My boss saw it! She said—

I don’t have time for this, Uncle Obi said. We’re done talking.

Wait! the hunter cried. "If you let me go, I’ll give you two, no three hunters’ names right now. We’ll work together to catch the rest!"

I will not work with someone like you, Uncle Obi said. I’ll find those hunters myself. I don’t need your help, got it?

You foolish man, the hunter said, shaking his head. You’ll regret this…

Four massive security guards charged into the bathroom and shoved the hunter down. He tried pushing them