TaniaGetsLost

Copyright©2019byKanikaG

Allrightsreserved.Thisbookoranyportionthereofmaynotbereproducedorusedinanymannerwhatsoeverwithouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofthepublisher,exceptfortheuseofbriefquotationsinabookreview.

FirstEdition,2019.

Website

https://kanikag.com/

2

AnInterestingDiscovery

"Tania,don'tyouwanttotakeanap?"Mamacalledout.

"NoMama.I'mnotsleepy.Youknow,Idon'tusuallysleepintheafternoon."Taniareplied.

"Yes,butIthoughtthismorning'strekwouldhavewornyouout.See,Soniaisfastasleep."MamasaidpointingtobabySoniaonherbed.

"TanishaandIarenotatallsleepyMama.Thisplaceissoexciting.Wewanttodosomeexploring.Canwedothatnow,Mama?"

"Ihavenoideahowyouhavesomuchenergy,butifyoufeeluptoit,Idon'tseewhynot.Havefun.PapaandIareofftobed.I'msureTanisha'sparentswillwantsomeresttoo."Mamayawnedandheadedforherbedroom.

TaniawenttofindTanisha.TheirfamilieswerevacationingtogetherinacottageinGethia,asmalltownnearNainital.Theirparentshadrentedoutaquaint,three-bedroom,hilltopcottagewithayardforaweekinthemiddleofMay.

Tania'sparentsoccupiedthebedroomonthetopfloorofthecottageandbabySoniasleptwiththem.Theroomopenedouttoalargeterrace,whereSoniaenjoyedrunningaroundandplayingwithhercarsandblocks.Tanisha'sparentshadthebedroomonthefloorbelowtothemselves.Thebalconytherehadagorgeousviewofthelushgreenhills.

Tanisha'ssisterTrishahadnotjoinedthemontheholiday,becauseshewasbusystudyingforanentranceexam.So,TaniaandTanishagottosharethethirdbedroomonthelowestfloor.Itwasconnectedtoasmallgameroomwithcupboardsfulloftoys,boardgamesandbooks.Thegameroomhadadoorthatopenedoutdirectlytothebackyard.Thegirlswerethrilledwiththearrangement.

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Thetwofamilieshadarrivedatthecottageafewdaysearlier.TheyhadbeenboatingatNainitallake,aneighteenkilometerdrivefromthecottage.

Thismorning,theyhadfollowedawindingmudpath,thatledtoafairlyhighpeakwithapanoramicview.OnonewasthetownofNainital.Acollageofquainthouses,templesandbuildingcomplexesinterspersedbypatchesofgreenforestclothedtheslopesoftheundulatinghills.Ontheotherside,rawnatureprevailed,offeringanenthrallingviewofsteepslopesadornedbytallsturdyevergreens,thetimelessguardiansofthemountainside.

Soniahadnotbeenabletomanagetheentirewalkonherown,inspiteofbeingquiteeager.Shewastoolittle."Inanotheryearperhaps."Mamahadsaid.

"Yes,whensheisfourandahalf."Papahadadded."Taniahaddoneherfirstdifficulttrekonherownatthatage."Hehadrecalled.

SothegrownupshadtakenturnsatcarryingSonia.Tanisha'smotherinparticularwasthrilled."WithTrishaallgrownup,andTanishaalreadyeight,Imisscarryingababy."Shehadadmitted.

That'sprobablywhythegrownupsaresotiredtoday,Taniathought,asshewentdownstairstoherroom.Tanialookedaroundtheroom,butTanishawasn'tin,soshepeekedintothegameroom.There,shenoticedthatthedoortothebackyardwasopen.Atonce,TaniaknewwhereTanishawas.ShemustbeplayingwithCleo.

Taniasteppedoutintotheyard,andsureenough,CleoandTanishawererunningupanddowntheyardtogether.Tanialaughedatthesight.

Cleo,shortforCleopatra,wasaneightmontholdbrown,furrypuppywholivedonthepropertyandbelongedtothecaretakerofthecottage.AssoonasCleonoticedTania,shedashedtowardsher.ShejumpedupandhuggedTaniawithherfrontpaws,whileTaniaheldCleo'sheadinherhandsandpettedher."Ican'tbelieveyouwerescaredofthisadorablepuppy."TaniasaidtoTanisha.

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"Ihadneverplayedwithadogbefore,andshejustjumpedonme."Tanishaprotested."Iwasstartled.Butsheistoonice.EvenSonialetsCleoclimballoverherandisn'tabitscaredanymore.IhopemyparentsletmegetadogwhenwearebackinMumbai."

ThegirlsplayedwithCleoforsometime,andthenTaniarememberedwhyshewaslookingforTanisha."HeymyparentsaretakinganapwithSonia.Theyareexhaustedfromthewalkthismorning."

"Soaremine.Soniaisgettingquiteheavy,isn'tshe?"Tanishaobserved.

Tanianodded."Yeah.It'sdifficultformetocarryhernow.Anyway,wouldyouliketodosomeexploring?"

"Sure.Butwhydon'twebegininside?Ifoundachestofdrawersinthegameroom.Ithasallkindsofweirdstuffinit."TanishasaidleadingTaniatothedrawers.

"Really?Whatkindofstuff?"Taniaaskedopeningoneofthedrawers.Itwasfilledwithbatteries,wires,plugs,arollofstringandsomeofficesupplies."LookslikeArthurWeasley'streasurechest."Shelaughed.TaniahadrecentlyreadafewoftheHarryPotterbooks.

Tanishaopenedadrawerfullofpapersandwasexaminingthem."Hey!Lookatthis!"Sheexclaimed.

"What?"Taniaasked,curioustoknowwhyTanishawassoexcited.

TanishashowedTaniaasketchymapofthepropertywithafewpathsveeringofftheends."Ohcool.NotasawesomeastheMarauder'sMap,"TaniaremarkedunabletoresistyetanotherHarryPotterreference,"butseethatpathgoestothesmallinnnextdoor.SowecanuseittofetchourFrisbee."Tania'seyesgleamed.

"Super!Theguardatthegatewassuchagrouch.Hewouldn'tevenletusin.Ibethedoesn'tknowaboutthispath,andifIestimatecorrectly,ourFrisbeehasfallenafewmetersawayfromwherethispathjoinsupwiththeinn'sgrounds."Tanishasaidtappingaspotonthemap.

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"Oh.Inthatcase,whydidn'tweseeityesterday?"Taniawaspuzzled."Let'sgotakealookatit."Shesuggested.

Assuggestedbythemap,thegirlswenttothenorthendoftheyardtolookforthepath.Buttheycouldn'tseeit.Suddenly,CleocamechargingoutofnowhereandpouncedonTania,wagginghertailgleefully.

Takenbysurprise,Tanialostherbalanceandfelldown."Cleo,you'relikeatidalwave."Taniacomplained,sittingonthegroundcheckingforbruises.CleodidnotunderstandawordTaniasaid,buttriedtolickthespotsTaniawasexamining.

"AllrightCleo.Ican'treallybeangrywithyou.You'rejusttoocute.Nowondertheycallitapuppyface.Soniaisanexpertatusingittoo."

"Areyouhurt,Tania?"Tanishaasked,sittingdowninfrontofher.

"No.I'mfine."TaniasaidlookingatTanisha."Ohwait!"

"Whathappened?Areyoubleeding?"TanishawasalarmedbyTania'ssuddenchangeintoneandexpression.

"No,butIthinkIfoundourpath."TaniawaslookingthroughagapinthethickbushesjustoverTanisha'sshoulder.

Thetreesandbushesweresothick,thatthepathwasbarelyvisible,butbeingsmall,thegirlscouldaccessit.Theypushedthebranchesapart,slippedthroughandreturnedwiththeFrisbee."Ha!Mr.GrumpyMcGee.WegotourFrisbee,inspiteofyou!"Tanishadidalittlejig.

"So,doyouwanttocheckouttheotherpathsonthemap?"Taniaasked,hopingtoseesomethingmoreexcitingthere.Visionsofdiscoveringsecretpassagesandundergroundtunnelsdancedbeforehereyes.ThecottagelookedsomuchlikesomethingoutofanEnidBlytonbook,theideagrewonher.

"Yes,let'sdothat."Tanishareplied,feelingequallyexcited.

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Thegirlsopenedupthemapanditwasn'tlongbeforeTaniaspottedsomethingpeculiar.Itshowedapathwithatinylabel,3KmtoNainitallake.

"Gosh,canyoubelievethat?"Taniaeyeswidened,asshepointedatit.

"That'simpossible!"Tanishaexclaimedbendingherheadtolookmorecloselyatthemap."Wehadtodriveeighteenkilometerstogetthereyesterday.Ittookusalmostanhour."Thegirlslookedateachother,puzzled.

"Wecanexplorethepathandcheckitout."Taniasuggested.

"Youmeanshowittoourparents,andtryitforourmorningwalktomorrow?"Tanishaasked.

"No.Imeanexploreitonourown."Taniaclarified."Won'titbeanawesomediscovery?Withsomepractice,wecanwalktoNainitallakeinalittlemorethananhour!Ifwetriedhard,Iguesswecouldevenraceacar."

"Youwanttoleavethepropertyalone?Idon'tthinkweareallowedtodothat."Tanishaobjected.

"Comeon,Tanisha."Taniaurged."Itwillbeafunadventure.Iamsurewewillbesafeifwetakeamountainpath.Therearenocarsonittogetrunoveroranything."Taniahadbeenreadingaboutkidshavingadventuressinceshewasfive.Nowthatshesawthepossibilityofherownadventure,shesimplycouldnotresist.

"Shouldweleavenow?"TanishaaskedgettingsweptawaybyTania'senthusiasm.

Taniathoughtaboutitforamoment."No,nottoday.IthinkIhearSoniawakingup.Soourparentswillbeupsoon."

"IheardourparentsplanningatriptoSatTaltomorrow."Tanisharecalled."Theyareseveninterconnectedlakes.We'llbewalkingthere

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fromlaketolakeanddoingpedalboatingtoo.So,IbetourparentsandSoniawillsleepagoodlongtimeintheafternoon.Wecangoforouradventurethen."

"Perfect!"Taniaagreed."We'llplanitproperlytonightandtakesomesnackswithustoo.We'llhaveanadventurejustlikethekidsintheBarneyMysterySeriesIamreadingrightnow."Sheaddedinawhisper,assheheardhermotherapproaching.

8

LateNightWhispers

"It'salmosttea-timegirls."Mamaannounced,enteringtheroom."Sowhathaveyoutwobeenuptothisafternoon?Didyoufindanythingexciting?Secretpassages,perhaps?"Mamawaggledhereyebrowsandsmiled.

Taniawasstartledforamoment.CouldMamareadhermind?ThensherememberedtellingMama,shewasplanningtoexplorethecottageintheafternoon.

"Oh,wefoundasecretpathalright!"Taniasaid.Tanishastaredatherinhorror.WasTaniagivingtheirsecretaway?

"Oh,really?"Mamacrossedherarmsandraisedoneeyebrow,waitingforTaniatocontinue.Tanishawaitedwithbatedbreathtoseewherethiswasgoing.

Taniadivedbehindthebedandpickedupsomethingfromthefloor.ShehelditupinfrontofMama'sface."Ta-da!"Shesang,flourishingitaround.

"Nice.IseeyoutalkedGrumpyMcGeeintolettingyougetyourFrisbeeback."Mamasmiled.

"Nope!"Tanishachimedin,excited.SherealizedwhatTaniawasupto.ShewasthetellingMamabitsoftheirafternoondiscoveries,thathadnothingtodowiththeirplansforthenextday.But,inherexcitement,Tanishaforgottobecareful."Wefoundasecretpathtotheinn,"sheblurtedout,"andretrievedourFrisbee.GrumpyMcGeedoesn'tknowathing."Tanishaclappedherhandsinglee.

"Buthowdidyoufindthissecretpath?"Mamaasked,andTanishabitherlip.

Beforeshecouldstammeroutareply,Taniajumpedin."Itwasall

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thankstoCleo."Shesaidbeamingatthepuppywhohadjustwanderedinwithapineconeinhermouth,andtriggeredanideathatTaniahopedwouldsavetheday.

"Cleo?"Mamaasked."Didsheshowyouthepath?"

"Notquite.Yousee,whenCleosawmeintheyard,shejumpedontome.Iwassostartled,Ifelldown.That'swhenIsawapaththroughalowholeinthebushes.It'snotreallyvisibleunlessyoulookthroughtheholeatjusttherightanglefromtherightplace.Wewereluckytofindit."Taniaexplained."GoodgirlCleo."Sheaddedpettingthepuppy.

TanishamarveledatTaniaforbeingcompletelytruthfulwithhermother,andyetdeftlyrescuingtheirsecret,aftersheherselfhadalmostruinedit.SheneededtolearnthisparticularskillfromTania.

"ArethosehotsamosasIsmell?"Taniaasked,wrigglinghernoseasshesniffedattheair.

"Yes.That'swhatIcametogetyoufor.Thecaretakerhasmadeushotsamosasandjalebisfortea."Mamabarelyfinishedhersentencebeforethegirlsdashedofftothecoffeetabletoattackthefood.BythetimeMamagotthere,thegirlshadalreadyfinishedhalftheirfirstsamosa.Theirstickyfingersindicatedtheyhaddownedafewjalebistoo.

Soniaignoredthesamosas.Sheloadedherplatewithamountainofjalebisandscamperedofftoacornertoenjoythemundisturbed.Afewminuteslater,Cleoarrivedsniffingaroundforsometreats.Soniahadjustlickedherfingerscleanofthedelicioussweetsyrup.ShestuckhertongueoutatCleo,andeveryoneburstoutlaughing.TaniafeltsorryforCleoandgaveherabiteofherlastjalebi.

Aftertea,everyonegottogetherinthelivingroomtoplayPictionary.SoniawanderedofftoplaywithCleo.

WhenTania,TanishaandtheirparentsfinishedwithPictionary,theymovedontocharades.Tanisha'sdeliberatelyexaggeratedgestures,

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whensheactedoutherclues,wereamusingandhadeveryoneinsplits."Ithinkyou'vefoundyourcallingasacomic,dear."Hermothersaidbetweengaspsoflaughter.

Itwasperhapsbecausetheywerealllaughingsohard,thattheydidnotnoticethenoisecomingfromoneoftheupstairsrooms.Tanisha'sfatherwasthefirsttonoticethatsomethingwaswrong,whenhesawabrownblurdashacrosstheroom.TheneveryonesawSoniarunningafterit,wavingherfistsandshouting,"ComebackwithitCleo.That'smine."

MamaandPapadashedafterSoniatofindoutwhatshewassoupsetabout.Everyoneelsefollowed.MamafinallycaughtupwithSoniaandCleointheyard,whereCleowastryingtochewupsomethingshiny.Mamarealizedwhatitwas.ShetoldPapa,andheheldCleogently,butfirmly.Then,MamamanagedtoforcetheshinyobjectoutofCleo'smouth.Cleobarkedangrily,butPapawasabletograduallycalmherdown.

WhenTaniasawwhatMamawasholding,shegasped."Ohmygoodness!It'sachocolatebar.Isn'tthatbadfordogs?"

Mamanoddedgrimly."Fortunately,theshinywrappingwrapperwastoughandCleogotverylittleoutofit.Soniayoushouldn'tgiveCleochocolates.Theyarebadforher.Theywillmakeherverysick."

"IdidnotgiveCleochocolate."Soniacried,outraged."Igaveherotherthings.Shetookthechocolate."

"Whatdoyoumeanyougaveherotherthings?"Papaasked,alarmed.

MamaandPapatookSoniaandwentuptotheirroom.Taniafollowedthem,andTanishaandherfamilyreturnedtothelivingroom.

WhenTaniareachedherparentsroom,shehadtosuppressalaugh.Ahairbrush,ashavingbrush,asmallcontainerofVaseline,amedicinebottle,ascrunchie,andatennisball,alllaycheweduponthefloor,fullofdoggydrool.MamaandPapastaredatthesightindismay.

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"Igaveherotherthingstoplaywith."Soniacomplained."Butshetookmychocolate.Iwantmychocolateback."Soniacried.

"Sonia,youtookourthingswithoutaskingus,andletCleomessthemup."Mama'seyesflashed."Cleosawyougiveherotherthingsfromthedressingtableandthoughtshecouldtakeanythingfromthere.Itservesyourightshetookyourchocolatewithoutyourpermission.Perhaps,nowyoucanunderstandhowwefeelaboutyougivingourstufftoCleotomesswith,withoutourpermission."

"SorryMama,PapaandTania."Soniasaid,lookingaroundatthemess."IwasjusthavingfunwithCleo.Ididnotthinkaboutyourthingsbeingspoiled."

"Makesureyoudon'tgiveCleoanychocolate."Papaadded."It'sreallybadforher."

"Nowhelpuscleanthisup."Mamasaid,hertonesoftening.

"YesMama."Sonianodded.

CleohadpuncturedaholeintheVaselinecontainerandsomedroolhadgotinside.Itwasbeyondrescue,andMamahadtothrowitaway.Tania'sscrunchiewastoonibbleduptobeofanyuse,butTaniaputitawayonthebathroomwindowsill.ShedecidedtoletCleohaveit.

Mamawashedherhairbrush,andPapacleanedouthisshavingbrush.

Fortunately,themedicinebottlewasmadeofglasssoCleocouldn'tpokeholesintoit.Thelabelwasdestroyed,andTaniavolunteeredtomakeaneatnewlabelforitandstickiton.Shewashedanddriedthebottlebeforedoingthat.Soniawashedoutthetennisballandleftittodryontheterrace.

Wheneverythingwascleanedandputaway,Sonialookedmiserable.Taniafeltsorryforherandgaveherahug."IfyouwanttogiveCleosomethingtoplaywith,youcangiveherpinecones."Taniasuggested."Thereareloadsofthemlyingaroundontheyard.Ibetshe'lllove

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them."

SoniabrightenedupandlookedatMamaandPapa."CanIdothat?"Sheasked.

MamaandPapasmiled."Yes,ofcourseyoucan.Taniathat'sareallygoodidea."Mamasaid,andPapapattedTaniaontheback.

"ThankyouTania.Thankyoufortheidea."Soniawasthrilled."I'llgogetsomepinecones."Sheaddedanddashedofftotheyard.

Taniaandherparentsreturnedtothelivingroom."Iseverythingalright?"Tanisha'smotherasked,concerned.

"Yes."Mamasighed."WeneedtobuysomeVaselinetomorrow,buteverythingelseisfine."

"Why?WhathappenedtoyourVaseline?"Tanisha'sfatherasked,mystified.

Mamatoldeveryonewhathadhappenedupstairs,andTanishaandhermotherburstintoafitofgiggles."I'msogladSoniaisoutsideandcan'thearus.Itwouldneverdotolaughinfrontofher,butit'sjustsofunny."Tanisha'smothersaid,wipingtearsoflaughter.Hergiggleswereinfectious,andeveryoneelsejoinedin.Taniawasrelievedbecauseshetoohadbeendyingtolaughforawhile.

"Dinnerisready."Thecaretakercalledoutloudly,tryingtogettheirattention.

"Ohmygoodness!Isthatthetime?"Tanisha'sfatherexclaimed,soberinguprightaway.

JustthenSoniaarrivedwithherarmsfullofpinecones,lookingverypleased.Sheputawayhertreasureandjoinedeveryoneatthediningtable.Theyenjoyedascrumptiousdinnerofslowcookedmuttoncurryandmixedvegetableswithastronggingeryflavor,accompaniedbyhotrotisandsteamingrice.

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Cleoarrivedjustastheywerefinishingup,andPapahandedhersomemuttonbones.Shechompedthemupinajiffy,andthenlickedPapa'shandenthusiastically.

"PapaisitokaytogiveCleomuttonbones?"Soniaasked,lookingatPapa,hereyeswideassaucers."Won'ttheymakehersick?"

"No,muttonbonesaregoodforCleo."Papaexplained.

"Chocolatemakeshersick,butbonesaregoodforher!Thesedogsarecrazy!"Soniamumbledfinishingoffthelastofherownmutton."ShouldItryeatingthebonestooPapa?"Sheasked.

"No.That'snotagoodidea."Mamasaid,andTaniaburstoutlaughing.

Aftereveryonehadfinisheddinner,thecaretakerbroughtoutdessert.Itwasricepuddingwithloadsofdryfruitsinit.Sonialovedthedessert,butshewassotired,shefellasleep,withherheadrestingonthetable,nexttoherhalfeatendessert.Mamapickedherupandtookherbedandsooneveryoneretiredtotheirrooms.

TaniaandTanishahadsomeveryimportantthingstodiscuss,andthiswastheperfecttime.Sonia'slittleshenaniganshadbeenfunny,buttheyhadbeenlongingtofindsometimealone.Untilnow,ithadbeenimpossible.

Assoonastheywereintheirroomtogether,Tanialockedthedoor,andTanishawenttofetchthemap.ThegirlshadthoroughlyenjoyedplayingPictionaryandcharades,buttheyhadbeendyingtogetsometimealone,sotheycoulddiscusstheirplansforthenextday.Justastheywereabouttostart,therewasaknockonthedoor.Taniawenttounlockit,whileTanishahidthemapaway.

MamaandTanisha'smotherwereatthedoor."Whyhaveyoulockedthedoor?"Mamaasked,surprised.

"Areyouplanningsomethingsecret?"Tanisha'smotheradded,winkingatthem.

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"Mom!"Tanishaprotested,glaringathermother.

Mamasmiled."Wecametotellyou,thatweareleavingearlyforSatTaltomorrow,sothatitdoesn'tgettoohotforboatingafterthewalk.Soyougirlsshouldgotobednow.Haveyoubrushedyourteeth,Tania?"

"Youtoo,Tanisha."Hermothersaid."We'llcomeandcheckonyougirlsinfiveminutes.You'dbetterbeinbedunderthecoverswiththelightsoff."

Thegirlsweredisappointed,buttheydidastheyweretold.Soontheyweresnuggledunderthecovers,anditdidfeelcomfortable.Theirparentscametokissthemgoodnight.

Aftertheyleft,Taniahadanidea."PsstTanisha,areyouawake?"Shewhispered.

"Yes."Tanishareplied."Why?What'sup?"

"Youknowourmomsonlysaidthatwehadtoswitchoffthelightsandstayinbedunderthecovers.Buttheydidnotsayanythingabouthavingtogotosleep."

"Huh?Whatonearthdoyoumean?"

"Imean,wecansitupinbed,makeatentwiththecover,andmakeourplans."

"Butwecan'tlookatthemapinthedark,silly."

"So,we'llswitchontheflashlight.Thatwasn'toneofthelightsyourmomwasreferringto."

"Hasanyoneevertoldyouthatyouhaveagreatfutureasadefenselawyer?"Tanishaasked,impressedbyTania'sabilitytofindloopholesinrules."It'samazinghowyoutoldyourmomonlytruths,andyetmanagedtokeepoursecretsafe."

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"Comeon.Let'stakealookatthatmap."Taniasaid,feelingchuffed.ShewaspleasedthatTanishahadleftthemapinthedrawerunderthebedsidetable,soshecouldretrieveitwithoutgettingoutofbed.

Thegirlsstudiedthemapforafewminutestryingtofigureoutwherethepathbegan."Idon'tthinkIhavebeentothispartofthegrounds."Taniasaid,lookingatthemapfromdifferentangles.

"Heywait,lookitsaysCCrighthere.Ithinkthatmeansthecaretaker'scottage."Tanishapointedatthetinylabelonablockinthemap."AndIthinkthedoorwehaveseenhimenterthroughisonthisside."Shecontinued,pointingatoneendofarectangle.

"IthinkyouarerightTanisha.That'sbrilliant."Taniacongratulatedher,andshebeamed.

"Andsee,thepathstartsoffjustfromtheothersideoftheentrance,whichisprobablythebackofthecaretaker'scottage.Maybehehasabackdoor,butwehaveneverbeennearit.HeprobablyusesthepathtogettoNainitalmarketandbringbacksupplies."Tanishacontinued.

"Wow!Tanisha.Youcouldbeadetectivewhenyougrowup.Butbesuretousemylegalserviceswhenyoucatchcriminals."Taniawinked.

"Ifyouaregoingtobeadefenselawyer,thenwewillbeonoppositesides."Tanishapointedout.

"Iwouldn'twanttobeoppositeyou.I'msurefindingloopholeshelpseveryone,eventhegoodguys.Anyway,gettingbacktothismap,Irecallseeinganarrowgapbetweenthefenceandthecaretaker'scottage,whenIwaschasingCleoandsheranofftohiscottage.Wecanusethattogoaroundhiscottagetotheotherside,wherethepathstarts."Taniaconcluded,foldingupthemap.

"Super."Tanishanodded,puttingawaythemapinthedrawerandpullingoutapaperandpencil."Nowforthesnacks.Ihavesomechocolates,andwecantakeafewbiscuits,cashewsandraisinsforsnacks."Shelistedtheitemsonthepaper.

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"Andweshouldpackajuiceboxforeachusandabottleofwater."Taniasuggested,andTanishaaddedthosetoherlist.

"Perfect.Ithinkwearedone."Tanishasaid,puttingawaythelistandpencilbackinthedrawer,whileTaniaswitchedofftheflashlight."Butwehadbettergotosleepnow,orwetoowillsleepthroughtheafternoontomorrow,andthatwillbearealshame."Sheyawned.

Soonbothgirlswerefastasleepdreamingofmaps,adventures,andtheirfutureprofessions.

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TheAdventureBegins

Thenextmorning,bothgirlswereupbrightandearly.Theywereeagertogetonwiththeiradventure.Thegirlsgotoutofbed,showered,brushedtheirteeth,hadalightbreakfast,andgotdressed.

"BeginphaseoneofOperationNainital."TaniawhisperedtoTanisha,whiletheywereputtingontheirshoes.

"Cool.Thatsoundssoofficial!"Tanishafeltthethrillofanticipation."Butwait,whatexactlyisphaseone?"Sheasked,confused.

"Oh,youknow,justmakingsurethegrownupsgetverytiredandsleepy,sotheytakealongafternoonnap.Ithoughtitwouldbefuntocallitphaseone."Taniawinked."IheardthetermonaTVshow."

"Gotit."Tanishagaveherathumbsup.

Sooneveryonewasinthecar,andtheydroveforabouthalfanhour,untiltheygottothevicinityofSatTal.Thentheyallkepttheireyespeeledforagoodwalkingpath.Tanisha'sfatherwasusingapairofbinoculars,andwasthefirsttospotone.

Duringtheirwalk,thegirlssawsomanyunusualandfascinatingbirdsandflowers,thattheyforgotallaboutphaseone.Tanisha'smotherwaspassionateaboutbotanyandstudieditasahobby.Shetoldthemthenamesofvariousplantsandflowers,includingonethathadsharpthornsonit'ssoftleaves.

Afteranhourofwalking,Soniawasverytired.Soeveryonesatdowntorest.Tanianoticedseveralinterestingtrees,alittleofftothesideofthepath.Theywereladenwithtiny,brightred,fruits."WhatarethoseAunty?"SheaskedTanisha'smother.

Tanisha'smotherlookedupinthedirectionTaniawaspointing."Ahyes,thattreeisnearourcottagetoo.Iaskedthecaretakeraboutit.He

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saidthefruitisavailableatthemarket,andthelocalscallitkafal.IlookedituponWikipedia,whereIlearnedthatit'sscientificnameismyricaesculenta."

"Howcomethetreenearthecottagedoesn'thavesomanyfruitsonit?"Tanishaaskedhermother."I'msureI'dhavenoticedit,ifitwassofullofbrightredfruit."

"Actually,itdoesproducealotoffruit.Youneverseemuch,becausethemonkeyswhoprowltheneighborhoodeatmostofthem."Tanisha'smothergrinned.

"I'mgoingtogetsome."Taniadeclared,andsprintedofftowardsthetreesbeforeanyonecouldstopher.Butshehadtoslowdowntowadethroughthedense,drybushes.Acoupleofminuteslater,Tanialookedup.Thetreewasstillafewfeetaway.Ithadseemedsomuchcloserfromtherestingpoint,butTaniahadtotakeameanderingpatharoundthornybushesanddenseshrubswhilstpushingawaybranchesthatthreatenedtoscratchherface.

Finally,whenTaniareachedtheclosesttree,thefruitwasoutofherreach.Taniaclimbeduptothesturdylowestbranch,andfromthereshecouldreachtheupperbranches.Shebrokeoffathinbranch,thathadloadsofripefruitonit.

Thrilledwithhersuccess,shewasreadytodescend,whensheheardsomethingstrange.Itwasarustlingsound.Isitasquirrelscamperingabout?Taniawondered.Shelookeddown,andgottheshockofherlife!

Shesawahuge,gray-brownsnakeslitheringawayintothethicketofbushesafewfeetaway.Taniafrozeonthetree,tooscaredtodoanything.Wasthesnakelurkingaroundtherecamouflagedallthetime,whileshehadwalkedtothetree?Thethoughtmadehershiver.

Taniatriedtocalmherselfdown.Shecarefullyscannedthebaseofthetree.Therewerenosignsofanysnakethere.Sheclimbeddownslowly,andnoiselessly,keepingasharplookoutforanymovementorsound.

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Thenshewalkedbackasquietlyasshecouldmanage,clutchingontothebranchoffruits.

"WhathappenedTania?"PapaaskedwhenTaniareturned."Youlooklikeyou'veseenaghost."

"Notaghost,butIsawahugesnake."Taniasaidwipinghersweatypalmswithahandkerchief.

"Asnake?"Tanishascreamedfreakingout."Let'sgetoutofhere."

"Relax."Hermothersaidgivingherasidewayshug."Mostsnakesarenotpoisonous."

Soniatoolookedterrified,butMamacuddledherandtoldhertherewasnothingtoworryabout."It'snotanymorekeentomeetus,thanwearetomeetit.Itwillhavegoneaway.Taniaonlysawitbecauseshewentoffthemainpath.Itmusthavebeenjustasscaredandsurprisedtoseeher."

"Tania,thefruitslookdelicious.Sonia,doyouwanttotrysome?"Papaasked,andSonianoddedhappily,forgettingallaboutthesnake.Papapluckedoutafewofthefruitsandwashedtheminsomedrinkingwaterfromhisbottle.Everyonetastedone.Theywereadelightfulcombinationoftangyandsweet.

"Wearerunninglowonwater."Tanisha'sfatherobserved,whenhepulledoutthewaterbottletowashsomemorefruits."Tania,Ithinkyoushouldleavetherestofthefruitsonthebranch,andwecanwashandeatthemwhenwehaveaccesstomorewater."

Everyoneagreed,andtheyallcontinuedontheirwalk,Taniaholdingthebranchuplikeaflag.Soniawastootiredtowalkanymore,soPapaputheronhisshoulders.Papawastallandstrong.Sonialovedridingonhisshoulders.Sheenjoyedtheviewfromupthere.Itwasacloudydaywithacoolbreeze,sothewalkwasverypleasant.

Afewminuteslater,Tanishaspottedafamilyofmonkeysafewfeet

20

awayandpointedthemouttoeveryone."Ohhowcute.Lookatthatbabymonkeyhangingfromhermother.It'ssotinyandcuddly."Taniagushed.Shetookastepforwardtogetacloserlookatthebabymonkey,whenshefeltatug.Beforesheknewit,anothermonkeyhadjumpeddownfromoneofthetreesaboveandsnatchedawayherbranchfulloffruits.

Taniawavedherfistinangeratthemonkey,butitjustchatteredandranaway.Sonialaughed.

"Theyreallyareyourkin,aren'tthey,youlittlemonkey?"Taniasaid,turningtoSoniaandnarrowinghereyes.Soniastuckhertongueoutandmademonkeyfaces.

"Irestmycase."Taniasaid,andeveryonelaughed.

"Iseeyouareboninguponlegaljargon."TanishawhisperedtoTania,oncetheywereallwalkingagain,andTaniasmiled.Theideaofbecomingalawyerwasgrowingonher.

Thenextcoupleofhourspassedpleasantly,uninterruptedbyscaryencounterswithwildlife.Theywalked,tookbreakstodrinkwater,munchondryfruitsandeatoranges.Soniawaspassedfromonegrownuptoanother.Sheentertainedthembysingingridiculousmadeupsongs.Atoneofthelakes,calledGarudTal,Taniaspottedaverylargeschooloftinyblackfish.Itwasinterestingtowatchthemswimmingaroundtogether.

SoniawasthrilledwhenitwasPapa'sturntocarryheragain.FromhervantagepointatopPapa'sshoulders,shewasthefirsttospotalargelakewithboatsonit."Boats,boats!"Shechanted,bouncingupanddown,makingPapauncomfortable.

"Sonia,singingisgreat,butdancingupthereisalittlemuch,don'tyouthink?"Papacomplained.

"Sorry,Papa.Lookthereareboatsonalake."Sheclarified.

21

"Ohyes!Now,Icanseethemtoo!"Taniaexclaimed.

"Yay,wecangopedalboating."TaniaandTanishasangout.

Mamalookedaroundandspottedapaththatledtothelake."It'sasteeppathandcoveredwithsoftdrypineneedles,soitwillbeslippery.Itwillbedifficult,ifwehavetocarrySonia."Sheobserved.

"Icanwalkagain."Soniasaid."Iwanttogototheboats."Shewasdetermined.Papaheavedasighofrelief.Itdidnotfeelsafe,goingdownthatpathwhilecarryingSonia.

Soniahadrecoveredandwasfeelingenergeticagain.Shesatdownatthetopofthepathandpushedherselfwithherlegs.Wheee,downshewent,asifshewasonaslide.Mamascreamed,butSoniaseemedperfectlyfineandeagerformore.

TherestofthemcaughtupwithSoniaandonceagainshesliddownthepath.Shemadeitlookeasy.TaniadecidedtogiveitatryandwentslidingdownbehindSonia.

"It'ssomuchfasterthisway."Shecalledout,andTanishafollowedsuit.Thegrownupstookthedignifiedwaydownandreachedafewminutesafterthem.

"That'ssuretotirethemoutnicely."TaniatoldTanisha."Idon'tunderstandwhygrownupsaretoodignifiedtodothingsthefunway.Butit'sgoodforphaseone."Shewinked.

"Ohspeakingofphaseone,letsnotdoanypedalingtodayandleaveittothegrownups."Tanishasuggested.

"Why,don'tyoulikepedaling?Iloveit!"Taniacouldn'tbelievewhatshewashearing.Normally,Tanishafoughttohavealongerchanceatpedaling

"OfcourseIlovepedaling.Butrememberphaseone?"TanishalookedatTaniawithraisedeyebrows.

22

"Ohyeah.Darnit!Ilovepedaling,butyou'reright."

ThegrownupswereastonishedthatTaniaandTanishashowednointerestinpedaling."Areyoufeelingokay?"MamaaskedTania."Ithoughtyoulovepedaling."

"Yeah,somethingisgoingon."Tanisha'smothersmelledarat.

"It'sphaseone,it'sphaseone."Soniasangout.

"Phaseone?What'sthatSonia?"Papaasked,bemused.

TaniaandTanishafroze.Theyhadn'trealizedthatSoniahadbeenlisteningtotheirconversation.Fortunatelyforthem,Soniawasn'tkeenonansweringanyquestions.Sheonlywantedtosingit'sphaseoneoverandoveragain.

"Ithink,IheardthatonsomeTVshow."Taniasaidtruthfully,andagainTanishamarveledather.

Onthebrightside,Sonianowhadthegrownupsfocusedongettinghertosingsomethingelse,becauseit'sphaseonewasaboringsongwithanannoyingtune.SonooneaskedanymorequestionsaboutwhyTaniaandTanishawerenotpedaling

Afterboating,theystoppedatarestaurantforlunch.Taniascouredthemenuforricedishesthatwouldmakethegrownupssleepy."MamalooktheyhaveyourfavoriteRajmahchawal!"Shepointedout,andMamaobviouslyorderedit.

Papawasplanningtoorderparathas,butTaniaconvincedhimtoorderhisfavoritemuttoncurrywithrice.Tanisha'sparentspreferredtoeatriceforlunchanyway,soshedidnothavetodomuch,exceptencouragethemtoovereat.

Withtheirstomachssofull,theyweresuretosleepseverallonghoursintheafternoon.

23

Onthewayback,Taniamadesuresheplayedpeppydancemusicinthecar,sonoone,notevenSoniafeltlikesleeping.Butoncetheywerebackhome,everyonefellasleepalmostatonce.TaniaandTanishawererunninghighonadrenaline,anddidnotfeelsleepyatall."Phaseoneaccomplished."Tanishasaluted,aftershehadcheckedthatherparentsweresnoring.

Taniagiggled.ShehadalreadytoldTanishaaboutherparentsandSoniabeingfastasleep.ThegirlspackedTanisha'sbackpackwiththeitemstheyhadlistedthepreviousnight."Shouldwetakesomemoney?"Taniaasked.

"Yes."Tanishanodded."Let'stakethepocketmoneywebroughtalongforbuyinggiftsforourschoolfriends.WemayfindsomethinginterestingintheTibetanmarketnearNainitallake.Ialsowanttogetaneclairwehadfromthebakerywevisitedlasttimewewerethere.Ihavebeendreamingofthemeversince."

Tanialaughed."Sure.Thoseeclairswereheavenly."

WhenTaniawenttousethebathroom,beforeleavingontheadventure,shenoticedthemangledscrunchieonthewindowsill.Shehadbroughtitdownfromherparent'sbathroominthemorning,meaningtogiveittoCleo,andthenforgottenaboutit.Shestuffeditintoherpocket,decidingtogiveittoCleothenexttimeshesawher.

Littledidsherealizethen,howsoonthatwouldbe.TaniaandTanishasteppedoutofthecottage,closingthebackdoorasquietlyaspossible.Sotheywerestartled,whentheyweregreetedwithaloudcheerfulbarkfromCleo.

"Ohno.NotnowCleo."Taniapleaded,butCleowasdeterminedtohangoutwiththegirls.

Taniahadasuddenidea.Shetookoutthemangledscrunchiefromherpocketandthrewitasfarasshecould.Itlandedinthepropertyoftheneighboringinn.Cleowentchasingafterit.TaniaandTanishascamperedofftofindthepath.Ittookthemawhiletosqueezethrough

24

thenarrowgapbetweenthecaretaker'scottageandthefence,buttheywererelievedthatCleodidnotcomelookingforthemagain."Iguesssheisbusychewingupwhat'sleftofthescrunchie."Taniaremarked."I'mgladIhappenedtohaveitwithme."

Oncetheygottotheothersideofthecaretaker'scottage,thegirlsnoticedanarrowbreakinthebarbedwirefence,rightnearthemouthofthepath."Seemslikethecaretakerdoesusethispath."Tanishanoted,walkingthroughcarefullytomakesurethebackpackdidnotgetcaughtinthefence.Oncetheyhadcrossedthefence,thegirlsfeltexhilarated.Theiradventurehadbegun!Nowwhatwouldhappennext?Theycouldn'twaittofindout.

25

ThingsGoHorriblyWrong

Thenarrowpath,thathadstartedfromthecottagesoonbecamebroader.Clearly,itwasawelltroddenpath.Thegirlswalkedonmerrily,feelingexcited.CouldthepathreallyleadtoNainitallake?Theyhopeditwould.

Afteraboutfifteenminutesofuneventfulwalking,Taniaspottedsomethinginteresting."Heylookatthis."ShesaidtappingTanisha'sshoulder.

"Itlookslikearaspberry."Tanishaexaminedthefruitonabush.

"Yeah,butit'sorange.Isn'tthatweird?Doyouwanttotasteit?"

"Noway!Wedon'tknowwhatitis.Whatifit'spoisonous?"

"Don'tbesuchascaredy-cat."Taniachided,bitingintoaparticularlyripeandjuiceberry."Ittastesalotlikearaspberry.Areyousureyoudon'twanttotryone?"Taniaaskedagain,pickingahandfulofthem.

Tanishahesitated.Thebrightorangeberrieslookedverytempting,andshelovedraspberries."Well,seeingasyouhaven'tchokedorfainted,IsupposeIcouldtryone."

Taniarolledhereyes."You'resuchadramaqueen."Sheteased,asTanishapoppedaberryintohermouth.

"Ohwow!Thisisreallygood."Tanishaadmittedandpickedmanymore.

Tanishahadeatenaboutadozenberries,whenshesawTaniagrinning."What?"Sheaskedpuzzled."Aremylipsorange?"Shefishedoutatissuefromherpocket.

"No,yourlipsarefine.Iwasjustthinking,theberrycouldhaveaslowactingpoison,orjustgiveyouanupsetstomach.Youshouldn'teatso

26

many."

TanishastaredatTania."What?Whyareyoutellingmethisnow?Whydidn'tyoustopmeearlier?"

"Relax."Taniasmiled."I'mjustmessingwithyou."

"Reallynotcool,Tania."Tanishafrowned,andthegirlscontinuedwalking.

"No,butreally,it'sokaytotryoutwildberries,butit'sbetternottooverdoit.Imean,youcouldjusthaveanallergicreactionorsomething."Taniaexplained.

"Hmm.Ihadn'tthoughtofthat.WhenIgoontrekswithmyparents,wenevertastewildfruitandberries."

"Whynot?They'reoftendelicious.Myparentstrythemoutallthetime.IonceatetinywildstrawberriesinShimla."

TaniatoldTanishaaboutvariouswildfruitshehadeaten.Theywereenjoyingchattingastheywalked,whenTanishanoticedsomething."Hey,lookhere.Thegroundisblack.Itlookslikeithasbeenburnt.Iwonderwhathappened."

Tanialookedaroundandahead.Theburntlandseemedtostretchaheadforquiteadistance.Itwaslitteredwithafewburnttreestumps.ThenTanianoticedsomething."HeylookTanisha,there'sanelectricaltower.Doyouthinkthiswascausedbyanelectricalfire?Ithasbeenquitehotanddry.Thismorningwasthefirstcloudyonewehavehad,sincewearrived."

"Maybe.Icoulddowithsomecloudsnowthough."Tanishasaid,wipingthesweatoffherforeheadwithahandkerchief."It'sveryhotandsunny,andtheclimbisgettingsteep."

"Let'stakeabreakanddrinksomewater."Taniasuggested."AndI'llcarrythebackpackforawhile.Thatshouldhelpyoucooldown."

27

Alittlelater,thegirlscameuponavillage."Oh!Thismakessense.ThepathwasmadebythevillagerswalkingtoNainitalmarket."Tanishadeduced.

"Great,soweareontherighttrack.Let'skeepgoing."Taniadidnotenjoywalkingthroughthevillage.Therewerepeopleandcowsandwoodfires.Shepreferredthequietcleanairoftheforest.Thevillagewassmall,andtheyweresoonpastit.

Thesteepascentcontinued,andatsomeplacesthegirlsneededtogetontheirhandsandkneestofindtheirbalance.Soonthewindingmudpathjoineduptoastonepath."Leftorright?"Taniaasked.

Thegirlslookedaroundwonderingwhichwaytogo.That'swhentheysawanoldergirlinherteensapproachingfromtheleft.Shewaswearingaschooluniform."Let'saskher."Tanishasuggested.

Thegirltoldthemthattheyneededtogoleftandjustfollowthepath."Aboutakilometeraway,thispathconnectstoaverysteepsetofstonestairs.Atthetopofthestairs,isapark.Justtakealeftontheroadinfrontoftheparkandfollowitforafewminutestoreachthelake."Sheconcluded.

TaniaandTanishathankedher.Shenodded,andthenwalkedontowardsthevillage.

"HeylookTania,aChristmastree!"Tanishaexclaimedpointingatthetreethatstoodnexttotheintersectionofthemudandstonepaths.

"Wow!That'shuge.Wouldn'tfitinahouse,forsure!"Taniasaidfeelingthesmoothgreenneedleshapedleaves.

Fromthatpointonthewalkbecamemorepleasant.Thepathwaswide,moreorlesslevel,shadedbytalltrees,andtherewasaslightcoolbreeze.

Thegirlsmerrilysprintedonward,untilTaniaspottedafamilyofmonkeyscrossingthepathatadistance.Theseweregraywithwhite

28

beards,unlikethebrownmonkeysshehadseenbefore."Iwanttoletthempass."ShetoldTanisha."I'vehadenoughcheekfrommonkeysforoneday."

TanishalaughedrememberinghowtheenterprisingbrownmonkeyhadstolenthekafalbranchfromTania.Taniaglaredather.

Inalittlewhile,thegirlsreachedthesteepstonestairs.Theylikedclimbingstairsandtriedtoraceeachothertothetop,wheretheyfoundtheparktheteenagerhadtoldthemabout.Rememberingthegirl'sadvice,theytookaleftandfollowedtheroad,andloandbehold,inabouttenmoreminutestheywereattheedgeofthelake.

"Wemadeit,wemadeit."Thegirlssangout,holdingeachotherandjumping.Theyhadalreadyseenthemarket,whentheyhadcomewiththeirparents,butitwasthrillingexploringitallontheirown.

Apavedroadranalongtheedgeofthelake.Thefishesinthelakewerelarge,colorful,andnumerous,andtheyclusteredtowardstoedgeofthelaketofeedonalgae,sotheywereeasytospotfromtheroad.Everysooften,acyclerickshawtransportingwideeyedtouristswouldwhizzpastthegirls.Theothersideoftheroad,waslinedwithsmallshopssellinganassortmentofclothes,jams,pickles,jewelry,toys,andahostofothertrinkets.

ThegirlsboughtscarvesandwoodentoysfortheirfriendsinMumbai.Theyhadagaytimecheckingoutthecuriousnoveltyitemsandtoys.Taniatriedoutahat,butitwastooexpensiveforhertoaffordwiththelittlepocketmoneyshehadleft.

"Ohthisfeelsjustlikethefairs,thatthosekidsintheEnidBlytonbooksgotoallontheirown."Tanisharemarked,blissfullychompingacreamyeclairshehadboughtatthebakery.

Taniahadalreadyfinishedherowneclair,andpackedupafewchocolatechipcookiesforSonia.Shehadbeenfeelingbad,thattheyhadtoleaveSoniaout,butSoniawastooyoung.AsTaniawaitedforTanishatofinishhereclairattheedgeofthelake,shecheckedher

29

watch."Ohmygoodness.It's4:30!"Sheexclaimed.

"What?That'simpossible."Tanishaalmostdroppedthelastbitofhereclairinpanic."Wehavetobehomebefore5:00.Everyonewillbeupbythen,Tania.Wearegoingtobeinsomuchtrouble.Whatdowedo?"

"Well,gosh,don'tpanic.Thatdoesn'thelpatall.Iguessweareinforquiteascolding,butonthebrightside,thesundoesn'tsetforanothertwohours,soweshouldbeabletomakeitbackbeforeit'sdark.Thankfully,onceweareonthemudpath,it'llbedownhillalltheway,soweshouldbeabletomovequickly."

Thegirlsmadetheirwaybackthroughthecrowdedroadwithloadsoftouristspouringinforeveningboatrides.Carskeptspeedingby,andTaniabegantofeelscared."Let'skeeptotheabsoluteedgeoftheroad,"shesaid,"sowedon'tgetrunover."

Tanishanodded."Holdmyhand.Therearesomanypeopleandhawkers.Idon'twantustogetseparated."TaniaagreedandfirmlycaughtontoTanisha'shand.

Thegirlsploddedon.Whenthereachedthepark,Taniaheavedasighorrelief."Atleasttherewon'tbeanymorecars."Shepointedout.

"True."Tanishaconceded."Let'swalkfastthough.Ourparentsaregoingtobesoworried."

Ashardastheytried,thegirlscouldn'twalkfast.Theexhaustionoftheday'sactivitieswascatchinguptothem.Theirlegsstartedtofeellikejelly.Theyhadwalkedaboutsixkilometersinthemorningwiththeirparents,andthenthreekilometerstoNainital.Alotofthatjourneyhadbeenasteephikeoverthemountain,andthentheyhadstrolledaroundthemarketsofNainitalforoveranhour.Unusedtosuchrigorousexercise,theirmusclesweregivingway.

Feelingmiserable,thegirlstrudgedon,thinkinglonginglyofhomeandsleep.Theybarelysaidawordtoeachother,worryingaboutwhattheir

30

parentswouldsaywhentheyfoundoutwhattheyhaddone.

ThenTaniasmelledsmoke.Shelookedupandrealizedthatalittleaheadtheairwasthickwithacridsmoke."Canweevengothatwaythroughallthatsmoke?"Tanishaasked.

"Wedon'thaveachoice."Taniamumbledandploddedonwithferociousdetermination.Tanishafollowed.Asbadasthesmokeseemed,shedidnotwanttobeleftalone.

"HeyIfoundourChristmastree.Lookthemuddypathisrightnexttoit."Let'sturnontoit.We'llbehomesoon.Oratleastwewillbeatthevillagesoon.Thenmaybewecancallourparentsfromthere,sotheydon'tworrytoomuch."

Tanishacheeredup,untilsherealizedtheywouldbewalkinginthedirectionwherethesmokewasgettingthicker."Wecan'tgothatway."Shecomplained."Theremaybeafirerightahead.Itcouldbedangerous."

"ComeonTanisha,thisisnotthetimetobeascaredy-cat."Taniafeltimpatient."Weneedtogettothevillage,sowecancallourparents,andthengethomebeforesunset."

TanishapausedtolookattheChristmastreeandsomethingdidnotseemrighttoher.Suddenly,sheknewwhatitwas."Idon'tthinkthisistherightChristmastreeTania."Shesaid."Thatonewasalittlefurtherawayfromthecornerwherethetwopathsmet.Also,itwastaller,wasn'tit?"

"Don'tbesilly.AmudpathmeetsthestonepathandthereisaChristmastreeatthecorner.Ithinkwe'vewalkedabouttherightamountoftimetoo.Seeit's5:00.Comeonenow."Taniawaslosingpatience.

"Thereisnopointtakingthewrongpath."Tanishaprotested."Itwillonlymakemattersworse."

31

"It'snotthewrongpath.You'rejustworriedbecauseofthesmoke.Comeonnow.Don'tbeababy.Rememberwesawthoseburntpatchesofforest.Theareamustbeonfireagain.Thismustbetherightroute."

Tanishasighed.ShewasnomatchforTania'spigheadedness.SheknewTaniafeltresponsibleforgettingthemintothemessandwasdeterminedtogetthemoutquickly.Sotherewasnoconvincingherthatshemaybemakingamistake.Taniasimplywouldn'thearofit.

TanishagaveinandfollowedTania.TherewasapossibilitythatTaniawasright.Hermemorycouldbeplayingtricksonher,orthesmokecouldbemakingthingslookdifferent.

Astheywalkedon,itwasbecominghardertoseeanything.ButTaniaploddedon,untilshesawsomethingthatwastooscaryforher,eveninherstateofsinglemindeddetermination.Afewhundredmetersahead,shesawawalloffirespreadingandgrowing.Terrifiedshescreamedandbegantocry.Then,shehadaviolentcoughingfitfrombreathingintoomuchsmoke.

Tanishawasscaredtoo,butseeingTaniabreakdown,oddlycalmedher.Sherealized,thatitwasherturntobebraveandtakecharge."Tania,thereisaslightwindblowingtheotherway."Shenoted."Sodon'tworry.Thefirewontcometowardsus.Wejustneedtoretreat.That'sall.Comeonnow."

"It'sallmyfault.Ididthis.Weshouldneverhaveleftthecottagesneakily.IamsosorryTanisha."Taniacried.

"It'sokay,Tania.Don'tbeatyourselfup.Ilovedouradventure.We'vejusthadalittlebadluck.Comeonnow.Let'sgo.Iknowyoucandoit."

Tanishaledonandthegirlsretracedtheirsteps.Afterafewminutes,withthesmokegettingthick,andwiththesunhavinggonebehindamountain,Tanishacouldbarelysee.Hereyeswateredfromthestingingcausedbythesmoke.Shelosttrackoftheirpath.Shehadnoideawhereshewasgoing,butsheknewshehadtostaystrongforTania.

32

ShesaidnothingaboutbeinglosttoTania,andcontinuedtomarchonconfidently.ShecalmlyluredTania,asfarawayfromthefire,asshecould.Oncetheygotfarenoughaway,sheurgedTaniatositdown.ShepulledoutthejuiceboxesfromthebagandgaveonetoTania.Forthenextfewminutesthegirlssatquietlydrinkingjuice.

"Aren'twegoingtocontinue?"Taniaasked,feelingbetter.Sheputawaytheemptyjuiceboxesintotheouterpocketofthebackpack.

"No.Notyet."Tanisharepliedlookingaroundandmumblingsomethingtoherself.

"Whynot?"Taniawasbewildered."Wehavetogetback,Tanisha."

"Iknow,"Tanishaagreed,"butIhavenoideawherebackis.Let'sclimbupthattreeandtrytofindourbearings.There'snopointrunningaroundincircles.Let'sfigurethisout."

TaniawasamazedtoseeTanishasocalm.Tanishawasscaredofwildfruits,adventures,dogsandsmoke.Butnow,inthiscrisissituation,allTaniacouldthinkwasifshewouldevermanagetofindherparentsagain,whileTanishaworkedonawaytomakeithappen.

"Tanisha,I'mreallysorryIwassopigheadedneartheChristmastree.Ishouldhavelistenedtoyou.Iwasbeingverystupid."TaniacouldbarelymeetTanisha'seyes,butsheforcedherselftodoit.Tanishadeservedaproperapology.

"Don'tworryaboutitTania.Ishouldhavestooduptoyou.ButIdidn't.Youhaveaforcefulpersonality.Whenyoufeelcertainaboutsomething,youjustgoforit,andwildelephantscan'tstopyou.Itoomustlearntoholdmyown,whenIknowIamright.We'lllearnfromeachotherintime.Butnowlet'sfigureoutwhatwearegoingtodonext."

Tanialookedatherwatch."Wehavearoundhalfanhourofdaylightleft,andperhapsanotherfifteenminutesoftwilight.Weneedtoatleastfindourwaytothevillagebythattime."

33

Tanishahadbeenscanningthelandscape."Heywhattimedidyousayitwas,whenwewerearguingattheChristmastree?"

Taniafrowned,tryinghardtoremember."Ohyes,itwas5:00.Iremembernow,becauseitwasthesameamountoftimeittookustoreachNainitallakeafterwemetthegirlwhogaveusdirections.SoithadtobethecorrectChristmastree,right?"Taniaaskedpuzzled."Isitjustthatourwayhomeisblockedbythefire?"

"No.Idon'tthinkso."Tanishadeclared."Yousee,whenwewerewalkingtoNainital,wewereexcitedandfarmoreenergetic,sowewalkedfasterandevenranthroughbitsofthepath.Onthewayback,weweretiredandwalkingslowly.Also,wehadtowalkslowerthroughthetraffic,beforewereachedtheparkonourwayback.So,ifIestimatecorrectly,itwouldhavebeenatleastanother5to10minutesbeforewereachedthecorrectChristmastree.

"Ihadn'tthoughtofitthatway,butitmakessense."Taniaagreed.

"Now,IseeafewmoreChristmastreesfurtheraheadoftheoneweturnedat.Let'swalkoverandtrytofigureoutwhichoneweneedtoturnat."Tanishasuggested.

"Aye,Captain!"TaniasalutedandletTanishatakethelead.AsTaniafollowedTanishadownthetreetheyhadclimbedtogettheirbearings,sherememberedthesnakeshehadseenatthebaseofthekafaltree,earlierintheday.Butsheswallowedtheurgetomentionit.ShedidnotwanttorattleTanisha.Tanishahadafewsillyfears,Taniahadlearnedinthelastfewdays,butnowthatshehadseenhowcalmandlogicalTanishacouldbeunderimmensepressure,herrespectforherbestfriendgrewleapsandbounds.

Thegirlssoonfoundthatthelandmarktheyhadchosenwasuseless.ThereweremuddypathsjoininguptothestonepathnearseveralChristmastreesallstandingafewmetersapartfromeachother."Whatnow?"Taniaasked.

"Ithinkweshouldjustsitatthesideofthisstonepathandwait."

34

Tanishasuggested."ManypeopletakethisroadtoandfromNainital.Rememberthatschoolgirlwesaw?Ialsonoticedquiteafewotherpeopleonourwayupthere.Hopefully,someonewillshowup,andwecanaskfordirections."

Taniahatedwaiting.Shepreferredaction.Asshewaitedhorriblethoughtscametohermind.Whatifthepathwasnotusedafterdark,especiallybecauseofthesmoke?Cometothinkofit,theyhadseenveryfewpeopleontheirwayback.Whatifdangerousanimalsprowledhereafterdark?Whatifthepersontheyaskedfordirectionskidnappedthem?

TanishasawTania'sanxiousfaceandgaveherahug."Thereisnothingelsewecando.Solet'sjustsitandwait.Howaboutweplayagametodistractourselves?"

Tanianodded.YetagainshemarveledatTanisha'scomposure.Shetookoutacoupleofsweetsforthemtosuckon,andtheybeganplayingtwentyquestions,keepinganeyeoutforpassersby.

Thesunsetanditstartedtogetchilly.Yetnooneshowedup.EvenTanishabegantolookworried.Thegirlskeptplaying,soastonotgiveintopanic.Suddenly,Taniaspottedtwotall,heftymenandanothershorter,thinoneatadistance.Withthelightfading,thegirlscouldn'tseemuch,butinthedimtwilight,theirexpressionsseemedsinistertoTania."Shouldweaskthem?"TanialookedatTanisha.

"No.Ithinkweshouldhide,sotheydon'tspotus."Tanishareplied,andTaniawasrelieved.Theycrouchedbehindsomebushes,hopingthemenwouldpassbywithoutnoticingthem.Theytriedtocalmtheirbreathing,soastonotmakeasound.Theywishedtheirheartswouldn'tpoundsoloudlyandgiveawaytheirhidingplace.Therewasnotellingwhatthesemenwoulddo,iftheyfoundtwohelpless,lostgirlsonadark,lonelypath.

35

LookWhoSavedTheDay

Atthecottage,tiredfromthemorningouting,everyonesleptsoundly.Nooneknewthatthegirlshadcreptout.NooneexceptCleo.Sheknewthegirlshadgonedownthepathhermasteroftentook.Peopleoftenleftthecottage,especiallyvisitors,andreturnedafterafewhours.SoCleocontendedherselfwiththescrunchieTaniahadgivenher,andwaitedforhertoreturn.ShelikedTaniaverymuch.

Soniawasthefirsttowakeupat5:00pm.ShewentlookingforTaniaandTanisha,hopingtoplayLegowiththem.Butshecouldn'tfindeitherofthemanywhere.Puzzled,shewentandwokeMamaup."Ican'tfindTania."Shesaid.

Mamawasfeelinggroggyandwasn'tinthemoodforsillygames."Idon'twanttoplayhide-and-seeknowSonia.Lookforhersomemore.Haveyoulookedinallherusualhidingplaces?"

"Ididn'tknowTaniawasplayinghide-and-seek.Okay,I'llgolookforher."Soniaranoffwithaspringinherstep.Whenshereturnedtenminuteslater,Mamawasawake.ShewaswakingPapauptotellhimitwasteatime.

"Ican'tfindTaniaorTanisha."Soniaannounced."I'velookedeverywhere."

"Howlonghaveyoubeenplayinghide-and-seek?"Mamaasked.

"Idon'tknowMama.Ijustwokeupandcouldn'tfindthem.Youtoldmetheyareplayinghide-and-seek."Soniawasfeelingquitemuddled.

Mamalaughed."Ohsorry,Sonia.Iwassleepy,andIthoughtyousaidyoucouldn'tfindTaniawhileplayinghide-and-seek.Let'sgolookforhertogether."

TheywenttoTaniaandTanisha'sroom,butthegirlswerenotthere,so

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theywentoutintotheyard."TANIA,TANISHA"Mamacalledoutloudly."It'stea-time."Sheshouted,hopingthatwouldenticethemtocomeoutofwhateverinterestingnookorcrannytheyhaddiscovered.Buttherewasnoresponse.

Tanisha'sparentsheardallthecommotionandcamedowntotheyard."What'sgoingon?"Tanisha'smotherasked.

"Ican'tfindthegirls."Mamasaid,worried.CleocamerunninguptoMamaandtriedtoclimbontoher."NotnowCleo."Mamasaid.Cleowentaway,sadtoberebuffedonceagain.

ThegrownupsandSoniasearchedeverywherearoundthehouse.ButtherewasnosignofeitherTaniaorTanisha.ThenTanisha'smothernoticedthatherbackpackwasmissingtoo."Thegirlsmusthavegonesomewhere."Shesaid,herlipspursed.

Everyonesearchedagaintoseeifthegirlshadleftanote,buttherewasnothingtobefound.Thecaretakernoticedallthecommotionandcametoaskifeverythingwasalright.Papatoldhimthatthegirlsweremissing.Acreaseofworryappearedonthecaretaker'sforehead."Itwillbesunsetsoon.It'snotgoodforthemtobeouttherealoneaftersunset.Theyaresoyoung."

WiththegrownupslookingforTaniaandTanisha,SoniawentofftoplaywithCleo.Cleowaspleasedtofinallyhaveaplaymate.Whywaseveryoneignoringhertoday,shehadwondered.ThrilledwiththeattentionSoniawasgivingher,CleoboundedofftogetthemangledscrunchieandgaveittoSonia,soshecouldplayfetch."LookMama,CleohasTania'sscrunchie."Soniacalledout.

"Cleo,ofcourse!"Thecaretakerexclaimedloudly,startlingeveryone."Sheisveryfondofthegirls.Shecantrackthem.Ihavetrainedhertodosometracking.Justgetmesomeclotheseachofthegirlsrecentlywore."Hesaid.

MamaandTanisha'smotherdashedofftogetthepajamasthegirlshadwornthepreviousnight.Theyalsobroughtalongsomesmellysocks

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thegirlshadwornonthehikethepreviousday.

ThecaretakergaveCleosomeinstructionsandthenhadhersnifftheclothesforsometime.Then,hegavehersomemoreinstructionswhilstpointingatPapaandTanisha'sfather.Cleolistenedwithherearsprickedup.Everyonewatchedinamazement.ItseemedlikeCleocouldunderstandeverythingthecaretakerwastellingher.Butthenshedartedoff,unexpectedly.Papasighed."Iguessitwastoomuchtohopefor.I'llgocallthepolice."

"Wait."ThecaretakerstoppedPapa,andpointedatCleo,whowascomingbackwithsomethinginhermouth.Itwasthelastshreddedbitsofthescrunchie.CleogaveittoMamaandthenlookedatPapaandTanisha'sfather."Shewantsyoutofollowher.Iwillcomealongtoo.Iknowtheareawell.Don'tworry.Wewillfindyournaughtydaughters."Hewinked.

Cleosniffedaroundforafewminutes,andthenconfidentlyboundedofftothebarbedwirefencebehindthecaretaker'scottageandthethreemenfollowed.Shewentthroughthebreakinthebarbedwire.

"Wait,IthinkIknowwherethegirlswent!"Thecaretakerblurtedout."ThisisashortcuttoNainitallake.Thelakeisonlyathreekilometerwalkthisway.Buthowtheyfoundthisout,Ican'timagine."

PapaandTanisha'sfatherfollowed,whileCleoandthecaretakerledon.Papawasreallyworried.Thesunwouldsetsoon.Whatiftheydidnotfindthegirls?Whathadpossessedthemtogoofflikethis,hewondered.

Backathome,Mamasatonchairclutchingthemangledscrunchie,staringatthewallinfront,hopingdesperatelythatCleowouldfindthegirlssoon.Nexttoher,Tanisha'smothersatfidgetingwithapineconeshehadpickedupfromthecoffeetable.Neitherofthemfeltliketalking.SoniatoofeltworriedaboutTaniaandTanisha,soshequietlyplayedwithherLegotopassthetime.

ThethreemenfollowedCleo,untiltheyreachedthevillage.Butthere,

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Cleowasconfused."Therearetoomanysmellsaroundhere.Soshecan'tfindthetrail.Butwecanjustfollowthepathuntilshecanpickupthescentagain."Thecaretakerexplained.

PapaandTanisha'sfathernodded.Oncetheywerepastthevillage,Cleoagainseemedsureofwhereshewasgoing.Thethreemenfollowedherupthesteepmountainpath.Tanisha'sfatherwasshorterthantheothertwomen,sohewashavingahardtimekeepingupwiththeirlongstrides.Theystopped,sohecouldcatchup.Butjustthen,Cleoseemeddistracted.Shewassniffingattheair.Papasniffedtoo,andhecouldsmellsmoke.

"Wasthereafirenearby?"Heaskedthecaretakerterrifiedthatthegirlsmighthavebeencaughtinit.

"Wehavebrushfiresallaroundthestateinthisseason.Thereisnothingtoworryabout.Thelocalsignitetheunderbrushtocreatecontrolledfires.Itisgoodfortheforest.Don'tworry,therewon'tbeanyonthispathtoNainital,though.Thefiresarelitatquitesomedistancefromthesevillagepaths."

Unfortunately,Cleowasdistractedbythesmokeandwouldn'ttrackanymore."IknowthepathtoNainitallake,solet'skeepgoing.Cleowillfollow,andwhenthesmokesmellsubsides,orshecansmellthegirlscloseby,shewillresumetracking."

Afewminuteslater,themenreachedtheendofthemudpathwhereitjoinedupwiththestonepath,nexttotheChristmastree,whichhadprovedtobeauselesslandmarkforthegirls.

Cleohadbeentrailingbehind,butshecaughtupwiththemandwalkedbehindthemonthestonepath.Butsuddenly,shebecamealertandstartedsniffingagain.Shegrowledsoftlyandlookedatthethreemen.Thensheheadedoffthepathtowardsthebushes."What'sgoingon?"Tanisha'sfatherasked,confusedbyCleo'ssuddenchangeofbehavior.

"Comeon,Ithinkshehasfoundyourdaughters."Thecaretakerexplained,andurgedthementofollow.Cleowasnowrunningtowards

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abush,yappingcheerfully.Suddenly,toeveryone'sgreatsurprise,twofrightenedlittlegirlsemergedfrombehindthebush.

"Papa."Taniacriedoutandhuggedhimsobbingwithrelief.Tanishatoohuggedherfather.ThenthegirlsbothhuggedCleo,whowassimplydelightedwithalltheattention.Theyboththankedthecaretakerforfindingthem.

"Wehavealottotalkabout,"Papasaid,"butfirstweneedtogethomeasfastaswecan.Thesunhasset,butatleastwehavealittletwilight,solet'smakethemostofit."

"Also,yourmotherswanttoseeyouassoonaspossible."Tanisha'sfatheradded,ashefinishedacallinformingthemothers,thattheyhadfinallyfoundthegirls.

TaniaandTanishadrankthelastoftheirwater,andthenwalkedhomewithPapa,Tanisha'sfatherandthecaretaker,allfollowingCleo,assheledthewayhome.Thegirlsdreadedthescoldingtheywouldgetoncetheygothome,buttheyfeltsafeandhappyonceagain.

"ThoseEnidBlytonadventuresareoverrated.Idon'tthinkIwanttohaveanotheroneeveragain.Imean,Ilovereadingthem,andthat'stheonlywayI'mgoingtoenjoythemfromnowon."TaniawhisperedtoTanisha.

"Yousaidit,sister."Tanishaagreed.

WhenthepartyledbyCleoreachedthecottage,theyfoundMamaandTanisha'smotherwaitingatthedoor.MamaengulfedTaniainarib-crackinghug.Tanisha'smothercriedtearsofreliefandthensimultaneouslytheyshouted,"Whatwereyouthinking?"

TaniaandTanishabeganwithhowtheyhadfoundthemapinadrawer.Theadventurestoriestheyhadbeenreading,madethemeagertohaveoneoftheirown.WhentheygottothepartaboutshoppingbythemselvesinNainital,bothmotherswerefurious.

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Theylaunchedintoalonglectureaboutroadsafety,inexperience,naivety,etc.Itwouldhavecontinuedforalongtime,ifithadn'tbeeninterruptedbySoniashouting,"Mama,Papa,Tania,Tanisha,Aunty,Uncle,comeseethis.Comeseethis!Lookwhat'shappening!"

EveryonerushedtothewindowwhereSoniawasstandingandsawwhatshewaspointingat.Largesectionsofthehillsidewereablazewithflamesshootinghighintothedarknightsky.Thesightwasmesmerizingandfrighteningatthesametime.Theycouldseethenearestfirespreading,rapidlyswallowingtheforestindiscriminately.Smokewasbillowingintotheair.

Allofthemwatchedthedestructioninsilence.TaniaandTanishacriedsilenttears,astheythoughtofthefiretheywerealmostcaughtin.

Finally,Taniaspoke."ThanksPapaandUncleforcomingandgettingus.Wearen'tsmartandbravelikethekidsinthebooks.Wegotcompletelylost.Ifitweren'tforyou,wemayhavediedtonight."Shesaid.Tanishanodded,sniffling.Then,together,thegirlstoldtheirparentshowtheyhadlosttheirwayandalmostwalkedintoafire.

"Mom,youdon'thavetotellusaboutdangers.Wefacedsomanytoday,wewerewrecks.WhenDadandTania'sPapaandthecaretakerwerecomingupthehill,wedidnotrecognizethem.Wehadnoideawhotheywereandwhattheymightdototwohelpless,little,lostgirls.Wehidbehindthebusheshopingtoescapetheirnotice,andthat'swhereCleofoundus.Runningawayfromthefire,andhidingbehindbushes,wehadplentyoftimetocontemplatehowstupidwehadbeen."Tanishaadded.

MamaandTanisha'smothersoftened.Thegirlshadbeenpunishedenough,andwhatcouldbeabetterteacherthanexperience."Iknowwehadbeenjokingwithyouaboutsecretpassagesandplans,andIlovethatyouareadventurousandimaginative,butyouneedtolearnalittleaboutcautionandsafetyintherealworld."Mamaexplained.

"Everykidwantstohaveadventures."Tanisha'smotherchimedin.

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"ButIhopethisexperiencehastaughtyou,thatalotofthedangersoftherealworldareglossedoverinadventurestories."Shewinkedandsmiled.

Themotherswererelievedandthankfulthatthegirlsweresafe.Thegirlshadobviouslylearnedalotofthingsthehardway,sotheydecidedtosaynomore.

Butnoteveryonewasfinished."Howcouldyouleavemebehind?Whydidn'tyoutakemealong?Iwantanadventuretoo."SonialookedaccusinglyatTaniaandTanisha.

"SorrySonia,butaren'tyougladyoudidn'tcome?"Tanishaasked."Thefirewassoscary."

"Youateeclairsanddidnotgivemeany."Soniashouted,tearsrollingdownhercheeks.

"Ohwait!Ijustremembered."Taniasaid,plungingherhandintoTanisha'sbackpackandpullingoutapackage."TheseareforyouSonia."ShesaidhandingSoniathepackage.

Soniacalmeddownandopenedthepackage."Yougotmecookies!"Shesquealedindelight."ThankyouTania.Ilikecookiesbetterthanadventures."

Shewasjustabouttopoponeintohermouth,butMamastoppedher."Afterdinner."SheremindedSonia,waggingherfingersternlyandSoniaputthecookiebackintheboxaftermakingamonkeyfaceatMama.

ThenTaniaandTanishawenttothankthecaretakerandCleoforbringingthemhomesafe.Theirparentstoothankedthecaretakerprofusely.

Thegirlshelpedthecaretakermakedinner.Itwasmuchlaterthanusual,becausehehadspentthetimehewassupposedtobecooking,outlookingforthegirls.Afterdinner,TaniaandTanishatookalltheir

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chickenbonesfromtheirplateandgavethemtoCleo.Cleowasdelighted.Thegirlsthenhelpedthecaretakerwashupthedishes.

Earlynextmorning,Taniawaswokenupbythesoundofraindropspeltingthetinroofofthecottage.Shewenttolookoutofthewindow.Itwasabeautifulsight.Therainhadwashedthefiresaway,andtheairsmelledsweet.

Theoutsideworldwasbeckoningherforanewadventure,butTaniaknewbetter."No."Shewhispered."NotuntilIamolder.I'mnotreadyforyou,yet."Perhaps,nextyear.Shehoped.

Ihopesotoo.BecauseIlovereadingaboutheradventures,don'tyou?

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Acknowledgment

Abigthankyoutomyhusband,usuallyknownasPapa,forclickingthephotosIusedinthecoverofthisbook.

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